For the China arrival card WeChat Alipay route, open either app, search “NIA 12367”, switch to English and upload a photo of your passport’s data page. Complete the form, submit it, then screenshot the QR receipt before border control.
This independent guide isn’t a government site, and we don’t take filings or charge fees. Check details on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) web form, https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, before you fly.
Who Needs to File the China Arrival Card
Most foreign visitors do, including visa-free travellers. The arrival card can be filed in the NIA 12367 app, a WeChat mini-program, an Alipay mini-program or a web form.
Eight groups are exempt:
- Holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
- Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit holders (Hong Kong and Macao)
- Direct transit under 24 hours without leaving the restricted area
- Members of foreign tourist groups who are visa-free or hold a group visa
- Foreign crew, drivers and transport staff
- Cruise passengers returning on the original cruise
- People eligible for centralized document submission
- Foreigners using the E-channel
Leave the restricted area, or enter under 240-hour visa-free transit, and you file and pick the transit policy. Check the current rules on the NIA web form before you fly. See our full breakdown of eligibility and exemptions for details.
China Arrival Card WeChat Alipay: What to Prepare
Filing is free. The NIA materials we reviewed set no filing window. File before you fly. Have these ready:
- Passport biodata: name, number, birth date, nationality, expiry
- Flight number, arrival date and port of entry
- Hotel name, district and street in China
- Email and contact phone number with country code
- Visa number or entry policy
China Arrival Card WeChat Alipay: Step-by-Step Filing
In WeChat, search “NIA 12367” or 移民局 12367 and open the service.
In Alipay, search the same name.
Switch the language to English.
Upload a clear photo of the passport data page and check the auto-filled fields against your passport.
Stage one: upload the passport and confirm the document type.
Stage two: basic info, including name, sex, birth date and nationality.
Stage three: personal info.
Such as email, phone, birth country, and a visa number or entry policy such as a 30-day visa waiver.
Stage four: travel info.
Such as purpose, inviter, arrival mode and number, city, port, entry and departure dates, destination and transit cities, and China address.
Stage five: add accompanying persons, who each file their own card.
Retype or paste the legal declaration, sign in the on-screen signature area, then submit.
False statements can lead to denied entry or transit. Prefer a computer? Use the NIA web form. For a screen-by-screen walkthrough of every field, see our guide on how to fill out the China arrival card.
Saving Your QR Receipt and Handling Changes
After you submit, you’ll get an Entry Declaration Receipt for Foreigner with a QR code. Screenshot it so you can show it offline, without roaming or airport Wi-Fi. Learn more in our article on the China arrival card QR code and how to save it offline.
Each accompanying person files their own card and receives an individual receipt.
Each entry needs a new card.
Common Mistakes and Related Documents
- Check every scanned field against your passport.
- Filing is free. Sites that charge for it are not the NIA service; file only through the channels above.
If the app fails, a self-service device at the port or a paper card on arrival are alternatives. For more on both options, read our comparison of the digital arrival card vs the paper form.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I complete the china arrival card wechat alipay process for my children on my own phone?
Each accompanying person files their own card at the companions step. The sources we reviewed don’t describe a separate procedure for children, so check with the NIA.
Is the china arrival card wechat alipay submission really free?
Yes. The NIA does not charge any fee for filing, so a site asking for payment or card details isn’t the real NIA service. File only through the WeChat or Alipay mini-programs, the NIA 12367 app or the NIA web form.
How long before my flight should I submit the China arrival card?
There’s no fixed deadline in the NIA materials we reviewed. File before you fly, and keep your screenshot ready.
How long is the arrival card QR code valid?
The NIA materials we reviewed do not state how long the QR receipt stays valid. Check the current period with the NIA before you travel.
Do I need a Chinese phone number to use the mini-program?
Our sources don’t settle whether a Chinese number is needed, so check the mini-program’s requirements before you file.
What should I do if I change my flight after submitting?
Each entry needs a new card, so file again for a new entry. The system can save your details for your next filing if you fly again within a year.
Do transit passengers staying under 24 hours need to file?
Transit passengers who stay within the port’s restricted area for under 24 hours on a direct transit are exempt. Those who leave the restricted area, or use 240-hour transit, must file and choose their transit policy.
What is the web address if I prefer to file on a computer?
It’s https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, the NIA web form address. Our site doesn’t process filings. The web form has five stages, and you sign and submit on screen. Check the address before entering data.
