Starting today, November 20, 2025, foreign travelers heading to China, whether holding a visa or not, can fill out their arrival card online through several official channels:
- On the National Immigration Administration (NIA) website:
- From a computer: s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC
- From a smartphone: s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone
- Via the “NIA 12367” mobile app
- Or through dedicated mini-programs on WeChat and Alipay
With this new system, China joins other Asian destinations, such as India, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos, that have recently modernized their immigration formalities with similar digital processes.
Travelers who have not completed the procedure before departure for China will still be able to do so on arrival, using connected kiosks installed at ports of entry or by scanning a QR code. A paper version will also remain temporarily available during this initial rollout phase.
The NIA notes that seven categories of foreign travelers are exempt from completing the new digital card:
- holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card in China;
- non-Chinese citizens with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao;
- group travelers, whether they hold a collective visa or qualify for visa-free entry;
- transit passengers who remain within the designated port area;
- cruise passengers entering and departing on the same vessel;
- travelers using fast-track entry lanes;
- and foreign empolees of exit-entry transport vehicles.
How to complete the digital arrival card for travel to China
1. Upload the passport identity page
After logging into the system (here on a computer), the first step is to upload a clear photo of your passport’s identity page.
Displayed fields:
- Type of ID Document — Type of travel document (e.g., ordinary passport)
- Upload ID Document Page — Area to upload the passport photo
Once the photo is uploaded, click Next.
2. Basic personal information
The system automatically extracts part of the passport data, which you must verify and complete. Entry-related information must also be filled in.
Required fields:
- Last Name
- First Name
- Gender
- Date of Birth — Year / Month / Day
- Country/Region of Citizenship — Nationality
- Type of ID Document — Document type (Ordinary Passport, etc.)
- ID Number — Passport number
Travel-related fields:
- Entry Transportation Mode — Mode of transport (plane, train, vessel, car, on foot, car and on foot)
- Arrival Flight/Train/Vessel Number
- City of Entry — (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc.)
- Port of Entry — Airport, railway station, or port of arrival in China
Click Next to continue.
3. Additional personal information
This step provides contact details and required administrative information.
Displayed fields:
- Chinese Name — Optional
- Country/Region of Birth
- City of Birth
- Contact Number — Phone number (with selectable international calling codes)
- Email — Contact email address
- Do you hold a valid visa or other entry permit? — Yes/No
- If “No”: Entry Policy Selection — Select your applicable entry policy (30-day visa waiver, 24/240-hour visa-free transit, etc.)
- If “Yes”: Visa Number
Click Next.
4. Travel information in China
This section covers your itinerary and stay in China.
Required fields:
- Purpose of Entry — (Tourism/Leisure, Conference/Business, Visiting friends/family, etc.)
- Date of Entry — Expected arrival date
- Destination Cities in China — City where you will stay the longest
- Address in China — Province / city / district, then detailed address
Additional fields:
- Cities of Transit in China — Any planned transit cities
- Do you have any inviting entities or inviters in China? — Yes/No
- Confirmed Departure Itinerary — Do you have a confirmed return itinerary? (Yes/No)
Click Next.
5. Signature and declaration
You must agree to a declaration confirming the accuracy of the information provided. Click the One-click Input button to automatically complete the declaration section.
Sign the form and click Confirm.
6. Receiving the digital arrival card
Once all steps are completed, the system automatically generates your digital arrival card. At this stage, you may:
- Download the card directly in electronic format by clicking Download to Local, or
- Send it to your email via the Send to Email button
The card includes a QR code that must be presented during immigration checks in China.
