Good to know
- China launched the online arrival card on 20 November 2025. You can fill it in before you travel through the National Immigration Administration (NIA) website, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat or Alipay mini program.
- If you cannot do it in advance, you can submit it at immigration on arrival by scanning a QR code, using smart devices at the port, or filling in a paper card.
- The form asks for your personal details, flight number, address in China and a photo of your passport page, and gives you a QR code for immigration.
- The NIA says filling it in is free and warns that overseas scam sites copy the official platform to charge fees. Use only the official channels.
How to submit
- Open the official site from the button on this page, not from a search ad.
- Keep your passport, flight details and accommodation address ready.
- Fill in the form during the allowed window.
- Save the confirmation or QR code as a screenshot, and print it if you can.
- Show the confirmation at check-in or immigration if you are asked.
Never pay to submit an arrival card
The official forms listed here are free. Sites that charge a fee to fill in the form for you are not the official portal. We never ask for your passport details and we never submit forms for you.
Common mistakes
- Paying a third-party site. The official form is free.
- Typing details that do not match your passport exactly.
- Assuming that no visa means no arrival card. They are separate.
Frequently asked questions
Is the China Online Arrival Card free?
Yes, on the official site it is free. If a website asks you to pay, it is not the official portal.
When should I submit the Online Arrival Card?
Online before you travel, or at the port on arrival. Confirm the exact window on the official site, because it can change.
Do I need it if I do not need a visa?
An arrival card is a separate requirement from a visa, so not needing a visa does not by itself remove it. The rule for this country: Foreign nationals entering China, with or without a visa. Exempt groups include holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, group-visa travellers, passengers in direct 24-hour transit who stay in the port's restricted area, and travellers using the E-channel.
Do I have to fill in China's arrival card before I fly?
Doing it in advance is not required. You can complete it on arrival with a QR code, on-site devices or a paper card, but filling it in online first usually saves time at the border.
Where this comes from
The rules on this page come from the official portal linked above and from government notices or news reports about it. We cannot always open every official site, so confirm timing and exemptions there before you travel. If you find an error, please write to us.