China Arrival Card and Immigration Process

Foreign visitors entering China may need to provide arrival information and pass immigration inspection before entering mainland China.

The process is usually manageable if your documents, hotel address, onward ticket and entry path are clear. The stressful version happens when travelers arrive without knowing whether they need a visa, whether they qualify for visa-free entry, or how to explain their route.

For the full entry decision flow, start with our China entry and visa guide: China entry and visa guide

The short answer

Before arriving in China, prepare:

• passport;
• visa or visa-free eligibility;
• arrival card information;
• hotel or stay address;
• return or onward ticket;
• travel purpose;
• destination-country entry proof if transiting;
• phone with working internet;
• payment method for arrival transport.

From November 20, 2025, NIA announced online filling of the Arrival Card through official online channels, with port-side options still available for travelers who cannot complete it in advance.

What is the China Arrival Card?

The Arrival Card is the entry information foreign visitors provide to China’s immigration authorities.

It may include information such as:

• name;
• nationality;
• passport number;
• flight or transport information;
• travel purpose;
• address in China;
• contact details;
• visa or visa-free entry information;
• arrival and departure details.

The exact fields can change. Use the current official form rather than relying only on screenshots from old articles.

Online Arrival Card filling

NIA’s November 3, 2025 announcement says that, effective November 20, 2025, foreigners may fill in relevant entry information online before coming to China through:

• NIA official website;
• Government Service Platform;
• NIA 12367 app;
• WeChat mini program;
• Alipay mini program;
• QR code scanned by mobile phone.

The announcement also says foreigners who cannot fill in the information online in advance may complete the process after arriving at the immigration inspection site by scanning a QR code, using smart devices at the port, or filling in a paper Arrival Card.

Who may be exempt?

NIA’s announcement lists several categories that may be exempt from filling in the Arrival Card, including:

• holders of a PRC Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card;
• holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens);
• holders of a group visa or those eligible for group visa-free entry;
• passengers transiting directly within 24 hours without leaving the restricted area of the port;
• passengers entering and exiting with the same cruise ship;
• travelers entering through fast lanes;
• foreign employees of exit-entry transport vehicles.

Most ordinary first-time visitors should assume they may need to provide arrival information unless they clearly fit an exemption.

What happens at immigration?

A typical process may include:

1. Arrive at the airport, railway port, land port or ferry port.
2. Complete or confirm arrival card information.
3. Queue for foreigner immigration inspection.
4. Present passport and visa or visa-free/transit documents.
5. Answer questions if asked.
6. Provide biometric or inspection information if requested at the port.
7. Receive entry approval or further instructions.
8. Collect baggage and pass customs if applicable.

Do not treat this as an automatic process. Immigration officers make the final decision at the port.

What questions might be asked?

You may be asked about:

• purpose of visit;
• length of stay;
• hotel or address in China;
• city itinerary;
• return or onward ticket;
• business contacts or fair registration;
• transit destination;
• whether you have a visa if required.

Answer simply and consistently. Keep supporting documents easy to access.

Documents to keep ready

For ordinary visa-free entry:

• passport;
• proof your nationality/passport type qualifies;
• return or onward ticket;
• hotel booking;
• itinerary;
• arrival card information.

For 240-hour visa-free transit:

• passport;
• onward ticket to a third country or region;
• proof you can enter the third country or region;
• hotel or stay address;
• arrival card for temporary entry;
• itinerary within the permitted area.

For visa entry:

• passport;
• valid visa;
• documents supporting the travel purpose;
• hotel/stay address;
• return or onward travel details.

Immigration preparation checklist: what to prepare before China immigration

Arrival card tips

Use the same name order as your passport where possible.

Keep the hotel address in English and Chinese.

Keep your flight number or train/ferry details handy.

Do not guess your address if staying with a friend; ask for the full address before departure.

If traveling for business, keep the company name, meeting address and contact person ready.

If using transit without visa, keep the onward ticket and destination entry proof ready.

After immigration

After entering China, you may need to:

• collect checked baggage;
• pass customs;
• connect to mobile data;
• use Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash or card for arrival transport;
• travel to your hotel;
• complete accommodation registration through your hotel or host.

Payment setup: Payments in China

Common mistakes

Do not arrive without a China address.

Do not assume online arrival card filing replaces immigration inspection.

Do not use a transit answer if you are not actually transiting to a third country or region.

Do not forget onward destination entry requirements.

Do not rely only on screenshots of old forms.

Do not leave all booking details in an app that needs internet if you have no data connection.

Official policy sources to check

China entry and transit rules can change by nationality, port, routing and date. Before relying on this guide, check the National Immigration Administration update on the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, the NIA visa-free transit policy explainer, and the relevant Chinese embassy or visa center page for your country.

Use this article as a planning framework, then verify your passport validity, onward ticket, eligible route and permitted stay area against the official source before you book a non-refundable itinerary.

FAQ

Last reviewed

Last reviewed: 2026-07-03

Sources checked: NIA Announcement No.4 [2025], item X on online Arrival Card; NIA Arrival Card page; NIA Guidelines for Foreigners.