Tool 04

China's arrival card: do you need it?

Almost certainly yes — since November 20, 2025 foreigners fill in China's arrival card online (free, about five minutes), unless you fall into one of seven official exemption categories. Two questions below give you a definitive answer, then a prep list so the form is painless.

Verified June 11, 20265 official sources ↓

1 · How are you entering China?

2 · Do you hold any of these?

You need the arrival card

Like almost every tourist. The good news: it's free, it's online, and with the list below in hand it takes about five minutes. Fill it in before you travel — or at the border if you must.

Have these ready

0/6 ready

PassportYour passport details go in exactly as printed — keep it next to you.
Flight, train or ship numberE.g. CA982 or G100 — it's on your booking confirmation.
Visa number, or your visa-free policyEntering visa-free? You select the policy (e.g. 30-day visa-free, 240-hour transit) instead of a visa number. Check yours with our visa checker first.
Entry city and portWhere you first cross into the mainland — e.g. Shanghai / Pudong Airport.
First night's address in ChinaHotel name and address is fine — copy it from your booking.
Purpose of visitA simple pick: tourism, business, visiting family or friends, transit…

All set? Open the official form ↓ — your ticks stay on this device only.

Where to fill it in (official channels only)

NIA website (computer)

The official filling page — English available, free.

Open official form →

NIA website (phone browser)

Same form, sized for phones.

Open official form →

“NIA 12367” app / WeChat & Alipay mini-programs

Search “NIA 12367” in your app store, or inside WeChat / Alipay once you have them set up.

Counterfeit site warning

The arrival card is free. The NIA warns that fraudsters run lookalike websites charging “processing fees”. If a site asks for payment, it's fake — the real form lives on s.nia.gov.cn and in the official NIA 12367 app and mini-programs. We deliberately link nothing else.

Couldn't do it in advance?

QR code at the border. Scan the posted QR code at the immigration hall and fill it on your phone.
Smart terminals at the port. Self-service machines in the arrival hall.
Paper arrival card. The classic paper form is still available at every port.

The seven official exemptions

Official wording, as published by the National Immigration Administration and Chinese embassies:

Holders of a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People's Republic of China
Holders of a valid 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 in 24-hour direct transit who stay within the designated area of the port
Cruise passengers entering and departing on the same vessel
Travelers entering through the E-channel
Foreign crew members of exit-entry transport vehicles

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the arrival card if I'm entering China visa-free?

Yes. Individual visa-free entry is not one of the seven exemptions — almost every tourist fills in the arrival card. The exemption for “group visa or group visa-free entry” covers organised tour groups travelling on a group document, not individual travellers.

I'm using the 240-hour visa-free transit — do I need it?

Yes. Only passengers in 24-hour direct transit who stay inside the designated port area are exempt. Using the 240-hour policy means you pass immigration and enter China, so the arrival card applies.

How early can I fill in the arrival card?

The official wording is simply “before coming to China” — no earliest date has been published. A few days before departure is plenty; have your final flight number and first night's address at hand when you fill it in.

Is the arrival card free?

Yes — the National Immigration Administration states the online filling is free of charge, and warns that counterfeit websites have been charging travellers fees. Only use the official form on s.nia.gov.cn (or the NIA 12367 app and official mini-programs).

What if I can't fill it in before I fly?

You can still do it at the border: scan the QR code posted at the immigration hall, use the smart terminals on site, or fill in the classic paper arrival card. Doing it online beforehand just saves queue time.

Arrival card sorted? The form asks for your visa-free policy — confirm yours in 10 seconds. And since you'll fill it on your phone, make sure your data works on landing and your payments are set up.

Official sources

Every policy on this page was checked against these official pages. Always confirm with the source before booking.

Disclaimer: This page is general information, not legal advice. Entry procedures change — verify with the official sources above before you travel, and treat the official NIA form as authoritative. Ready Set China is an independent information site: not a travel agency, not a booking agent, and not affiliated with the National Immigration Administration or any government.