China Arrival Card 2026: When & How to Fill It Online or On-Site

Travelling to China in 2026? Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, this guide explains who needs to complete a China arrival card, when and how to fill it in online or on arrival, and what information to have ready for a smoother journey through immigration.

What Is the China Digital Arrival Card?

China’s digital arrival card (CDAC) lets foreign travellers submit their personal, travel and accommodation details online before arrival or at the border. On-site devices and paper forms are also available.

Most foreign travellers need an arrival card, including visa-free visitors. Some are exempt—see below. Completing it online before travelling is recommended.

Who Needs to Complete a China Arrival Card?

Most foreign travellers entering mainland China need to complete an arrival card, including:

• Tourists, whether entering under the 30-day visa-free policy, the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme or a valid visa.
• Business travellers, people visiting family or friends, and students.
• Transit passengers passing through immigration, including those leaving the airport to explore a city during a stopover.

The exemptions below apply regardless of the purpose of your visit.

Who Is Exempt from Completing a China Arrival Card?

The following seven groups do not need to complete an arrival card:

1. Holders of a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People’s Republic of China.
2. Holders of a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens).
3. Travellers holding a group visa or entering under an eligible group visa-free arrangement.
4. Passengers in 24-hour direct transit who remain within the designated area of the port of entry without passing through immigration.
5. Cruise passengers arriving and departing on the same ship.
6. Travellers entering through an immigration e-channel.
7. Foreign crew members of international transport services.

Travelling as a group does not automatically make you exempt: your group must hold a group visa or qualify for a group visa-free arrangement. Likewise, the e-channel exemption refers to automated immigration clearance, not an ordinary priority or fast-track queue.

China Arrival Card: When and Where to Complete It

Most foreign travellers need to complete an arrival card when entering mainland China. Filling it in online before travelling can save time on arrival, but you can also complete it at the border.

When to Complete Your China Arrival Card

• Before travelling: Complete the online form once your arrival and accommodation details are confirmed. This gives you time to check your information without relying on airport Wi-Fi.
• On arrival: If you have not completed it beforehand, you can do so at your port of entry before passing through immigration. Allow extra time, particularly during busy holiday periods.
• For each new entry: Unless you are exempt, you need to complete a new arrival card each time you enter mainland China. For example, a trip from mainland China to Hong Kong and back involves a new mainland entry.

Where to Complete Your China Arrival Card

The arrival card is free. The NIA has warned about fraudulent websites charging travellers to complete it, so use one of these official channels:

No smartphone or internet connection? You can still complete the required arrival information using an on-site device or a paper form.

What Information Do You Need for the China Arrival Card?

Have your passport, travel details and accommodation confirmation ready before you start. Enter your information carefully and follow the instructions shown on the form, as the questions may vary depending on your circumstances.

1. Passport and Personal Details

If prompted, upload a clear photo of your passport’s photo page. Check any details filled in automatically against your passport, including:

• Full name, exactly as shown on your passport.
• Sex.
• Date of birth, using the format requested.
• Nationality.
• Passport number.
• Passport expiry date.

2. Arrival Details

Provide the details of your journey into mainland China:

• Mode of transport: for example, plane, train, ferry, car or on foot.
• Flight, train or vessel number, where applicable. If you have a connecting flight, use the details of the flight arriving in mainland China.
• Arrival city and port of entry: for example, Shanghai Pudong International Airport or Futian Port in Shenzhen.

If you are travelling via Hong Kong or Macao, enter the crossing through which you will enter mainland China.

3. Contact and Visa Details

Have the following information ready:

• Contact phone number, including the international dialling code. For a UK number, use +44 and omit the initial 0.
• Email address, if requested. Check it carefully if you choose to receive your confirmation by email.
• Visa or entry-permission details: enter your visa information if applicable. If travelling visa-free, select the option that matches your eligibility and itinerary.
• Chinese name, if you have one and the form asks for it. Do not invent one.

4. Travel Plans and Accommodation in China

You may be asked to provide:

• Purpose of your visit: such as tourism, business, visiting family or friends, study or transit.
• Expected arrival date.
• Destination city or cities, as requested by the form.
• Accommodation details: use your hotel’s name and full address from your booking confirmation. If staying with friends or family, ask your host for their complete address.
• Other itinerary or host details, where applicable.

For the accommodation address, include the province or municipality, city, district, street and building number where available. Avoid vague entries such as “a hotel in Beijing”.

5. Check and Submit

Review your passport number, name, arrival details and accommodation address before submitting. Read the declaration, complete any confirmation or signature requested, and submit the form.

Save the confirmation and any QR code provided so you can access them when you arrive.

How to Complete the China Arrival Card Online

Have your passport, travel details and accommodation address ready before you start. Completing the form before travelling gives you time to check your information and resolve any issues before arrival.

1. Choose an Official Channel

Use one of these official options:

• NIA website: open the desktop version or mobile version.
• NIA 12367 app: use the official NIA 12367 (移民局12367) app.
• WeChat or Alipay: search for the official 移民局12367 mini-programme and select the arrival card service.

The arrival card is free. You do not need to use a paid third-party service.

The online Arrival Card filling website ⬇

The QR code for Arrival Card filling ⬇

2. Enter Your Details

Follow the on-screen instructions. The questions and their order may vary depending on your circumstances.

1. Passport details: upload a clear photo of your passport’s photo page if prompted. Check any automatically filled information against your passport and correct errors before continuing.
2. Personal and arrival information: enter the requested personal details, your mode of transport, arrival flight/train/vessel number where applicable, and your city and port of entry into mainland China.
3. Contact and visa details: provide your contact information and visa details where required. For a UK phone number, use +44 and omit the initial 0. If travelling visa-free, select the entry arrangement that applies to you.
4. Travel plans and accommodation: enter your purpose of visit, expected arrival date, destination and full accommodation address. Provide any additional itinerary or host information requested.
5. Review and submit: check your answers, read and accept the declaration, and complete any confirmation or signature requested before selecting Submit.

3. Save Your QR Code

Save the confirmation and any QR code provided. Download it or take a screenshot so you can access it without an internet connection. If the service offers an email option, you can also send yourself a copy.

Keep it ready with your passport in case immigration officers ask to see it. A printed copy can be useful if your phone runs out of battery.

4. If You Cannot Complete the Form Online

You can complete your arrival information at the port of entry using:

• On-site self-service devices: follow the instructions to enter or scan your passport details and complete the form.
• An official QR code: scan the code displayed at the immigration checkpoint to open the form on your phone.
• A paper arrival card: ask immigration staff where to collect and complete one.

Allow extra time if you plan to complete the form on arrival, particularly during busy holiday periods.

How to Complete the China Arrival Card On Site

If you have not completed your arrival card before travelling, you can use an on-site self-service terminal or fill in a paper form before passing through immigration. You can also scan an official QR code at the checkpoint to complete the online form on your phone.

Option 1: Use a Self-Service Terminal

1. Find a terminal and select a language
Look for an arrival-card terminal in the immigration area or ask a member of staff. Select English if available and follow the on-screen instructions.

2. Scan your passport or enter your details
If the terminal supports passport scanning, use it to fill in your details automatically. Check your name, nationality, date of birth, passport number and other information against your passport.

3. Enter your arrival and accommodation details
Provide the requested travel information, including your mode of transport, flight/train/vessel number where applicable, and port of entry. Add your destination and full accommodation address in mainland China.

4. Complete any additional questions
Enter your visa or visa-free entry details, purpose of visit and any other information requested, such as host details or onward travel plans.

5. Review and submit
Check your answers carefully before submitting. Follow the terminal’s instructions to save or print any confirmation or QR code provided, and keep it ready for immigration inspection.

Option 2: Complete a Paper Arrival Card

1. Collect a form
Pick up a paper arrival card in the immigration area or ask a member of staff for one.

2. Fill it in clearly
Complete the required fields in English or Chinese. Enter your personal details exactly as shown on your passport, followed by the requested travel and accommodation information.

3. Check and sign
Review your answers and complete any signature or date fields shown on the form.

4. Hand it to an immigration officer
Present the completed card with your passport and any other required entry documents at passport control.

Tips for Completing Your Arrival Card

• Keep your documents handy: have your passport, travel booking and accommodation address ready.
• Check whether you are exempt: the exemptions listed earlier also apply when completing arrival formalities on site.
• Ask if you are unsure: immigration staff can help you find the correct form or service.
• Allow extra time: queues for terminals and form-filling areas may be longer during busy periods.

China Arrival Card: Common Mistakes and Special Cases

Common Mistakes

• Passport details: enter your name and passport number exactly as shown on your passport.
• Arrival details: check the flight or train number for your journey into mainland China.
• Accommodation: provide your hotel or host’s full address in English or Chinese.
• Entry via Hong Kong or Macao: select your actual mainland crossing—for example, Futian in Shenzhen—not your departure point in Hong Kong.

Transit Passengers

Passengers in 24-hour direct transit who remain within the designated transit area are exempt. If you pass through immigration, complete an arrival card unless another exemption applies.

Select the correct visa-free transit option if eligible. The arrival card does not grant entry permission.

Tour Groups

Travellers covered by a group visa or eligible group visa-free arrangement are exempt. Joining a tour alone does not qualify—check with your organiser.

Families with Children

Unless exempt, each child needs a separate arrival card. A parent or legal guardian can complete it using the child’s travel document and trip details.

Unsure about a field or an error? Ask immigration staff before proceeding through passport control.

What to Do After Completing Your Arrival Card

Spotted a mistake? Check whether the service offers an option to retrieve or correct your submission. If you cannot resolve the error, ask immigration staff for guidance before proceeding through passport control.

If you are arriving by air, the usual process is:

1. Go to immigration. Follow the signs for foreign passport holders or the lane indicated by staff.
2. Present your travel documents. Have your passport, visa if required, and arrival-card confirmation ready. Immigration officers will check your entry documents and may ask about your trip.
3. Collect your checked luggage. Check the baggage reclaim screens for your flight number.
4. Pass through customs. Use the green channel if you have nothing to declare, or the red channel if you have goods to declare. If unsure, ask a customs officer before choosing a channel.

The arrival card and customs declaration serve different purposes. Completing your arrival card does not replace any customs declaration you may need to make.

China Arrival Card Checklist: Are You Ready?

Save or print this checklist so you have the information you need before starting the form.

Do You Need a Separate Customs Declaration?

The China arrival card is not a customs declaration. It provides immigration officers with your personal and travel details. If you are carrying goods or cash that must be declared, you will also need to complete the relevant customs formalities.

When Do You Need to Declare Items?

You may need to make a declaration if you are carrying:

• Cash above the applicable declaration threshold.
• Goods exceeding the relevant duty-free allowances.
• Commercial goods or samples.
• Restricted items requiring permission or inspection.

Some items are prohibited altogether. Declaring an item does not automatically mean you can bring it into China. Check the rules before packing, particularly for food, plants, animal products and controlled medicines.

Where to Go on Arrival

After immigration and baggage reclaim, follow the customs signs. Use the green channel if you have nothing to declare or the red channel if you have items to declare. Complete any required customs declaration and present it to a customs officer.

Not sure whether an item needs declaring? Ask a customs officer before entering the green channel.

For detailed allowances and restrictions, check the customs section of the UK government’s China travel advice.

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