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China Digital Arrival Card Guide: How to Fill It Out Before Landing
A practical guide to China's online Arrival Card: who is exempt, official channels, the key fields to check and what to do if you cannot complete it before travel.
紧风Shared Aug 27, 2026Last Updated: August 2026
In brief: China introduced online Arrival Card filling for foreign nationals on November 20, 2025. If you are not exempt, you need an Arrival Card; completing it online before travel can make the border process smoother, but official on-site online and paper alternatives remain available at ports of entry.
The service is free. Use only National Immigration Administration (NIA) channels, and do not pay a third party to submit a form containing your passport details.
What changed in 2025
From November 20, 2025, foreign nationals may submit arrival information online through the NIA website, government service platforms, the NIA 12367 app, WeChat and Alipay mini-programs, or by scanning the designated arrival-card QR code. The online form does not remove the underlying Arrival Card requirement for travellers who are not exempt; it gives them a way to complete it before reaching the inspection desk.
Who is exempt?
The NIA announcement lists seven categories that may be exempt from filling in the Arrival Card:
- Holders of a People's Republic of China Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card.
- Non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents.
- Travellers holding a group visa or eligible for group visa-free entry.
- Passengers transiting directly within 24 hours without leaving the restricted area of the port.
- Passengers entering and leaving on the same cruise ship.
- Travellers entering through fast lanes.
- Foreign employees of international transport vehicles.
If you are visiting as an ordinary tourist, do not assume a visa-free entry policy removes the Arrival Card requirement. In particular, the current visa-free transit policy is commonly described as a 240-hour policy, and the NIA's own policy conditions say eligible travellers must fill in the relevant Arrival Card. When in doubt, use the official portal or ask the border inspection staff at your port.
Use only official access channels
- Official NIA online portal:
https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ - NIA 12367 app.
- Official WeChat or Alipay mini-programs.
- The designated arrival-card QR code at a port of entry.
There is no filing fee. The NIA has specifically warned about fraudulent websites that imitate the service and request payment or passport information.
When to fill it in
Complete the form after your arrival flight or train, port of entry and first-night accommodation are reasonably settled, and before you leave for the airport or station. Check the details again if your flight number or entry port changes. Save the resulting receipt or QR code on your phone; an offline screenshot is a sensible backup, but the official process at the port is still available if you cannot complete it in advance.
Field-by-field checklist
| Form section | What to prepare | Practical check |
|---|---|---|
| Passport details | Your passport data page | Match spelling, passport number and date of birth exactly; the official portal asks for a photo of the document data page. |
| Arrival details | Actual flight, train or vessel number; city and port of entry | Use the number on your current boarding pass, not an old booking confirmation. |
| Stay in China | Your first accommodation and detailed address | Keep the hotel address in Chinese as well as English if possible. |
| Entry basis | Your visa or relevant entry permission details | Choose the option that matches the document you are actually using to enter. |
| Transit plan | Onward journey details, where applicable | For visa-free transit, make sure your onward plan matches the policy conditions for your route. |
If you make a mistake or cannot submit online
Do not use a made-up answer just to obtain a receipt. Return to the official portal if it provides a way to correct the information, or explain the issue to border inspection staff on arrival. The NIA states that travellers who cannot complete the information online in advance can use a designated QR code, a smart device at the inspection site, or a paper Arrival Card at the port.
Common errors to avoid
- Using a paid third-party site instead of an official NIA channel.
- Entering a cancelled flight number or the wrong entry port after a rebooking.
- Typing passport details from memory rather than checking the data page.
- Assuming an online submission replaces other entry, visa or transit requirements.
- Leaving the task until you have no connection and no time to check your details.
Need help?
The China Immigration Service Hotline is 12367. From outside China, use the relevant international dialing format for your carrier. For the most current policy wording, start with the NIA portal because entry rules, eligible ports and visa-free arrangements can change.
Official source note
This guide is based on the National Immigration Administration announcement effective November 20, 2025 and its subsequent anti-fraud notice. It is practical travel information, not immigration or legal advice.