Do visa-free travelers need China arrival card? Yes, in most cases. If you enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days, you still complete the Foreigner Arrival Card (Arrival Card) for border inspection. It’s free, and a few groups are exempt.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. File on the NIA portal and check dates there before you fly. For multi-city trips, see the guidance on which address to enter below.
Do Visa-Free Travelers Need a China Arrival Card?
Most do. A visa exemption removes the visa, not the entry declaration. Online filing opened on 20 November 2025. To understand how the two documents differ, read our comparison of the difference between a China visa and the arrival card.
Citizens of 50 countries can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days, and the policy runs to 31 December 2026 for most of them. Russia’s exemption runs to 31 December 2027, and Brunei’s has no expiry date. The list can change, so check en.nia.gov.cn before you fly.
Whatever your passport, you need to file the card unless you belong to one of the exempt groups below — see the full breakdown of who needs to fill the China arrival card:
- Permanent residence ID card holders
- Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit holders
- Group visa or group visa-free holders
- Passengers in direct transit for up to 24 hours who stay in the designated port area
- Cruise passengers leaving on the same ship
- Travellers entering through the e-Channel (fast-track channel)
- Foreign employees of exit-entry transport vehicles
Where Visa-Free Travelers Submit the China Arrival Card
File online before you fly, or use a terminal or paper form on arrival. For a full walkthrough of every screen, see our guide on how to fill out the China arrival card.
Open the NIA portal
Go to https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, an external government site. You can also use the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programmes.
Enter your details
Enter passport details, travel dates, flight or train number, entry port, contact details and accommodation address.
Submit before you travel
Submit before you fly.
Have a backup
If the code won’t load, use an on-site terminal or paper form.
Unless you are exempt, you need a new card each time you enter mainland China. The card is free on official channels. Third-party sites that charge for it are not the NIA portal — learn how to avoid paying for the China arrival card and spot unauthorized agencies.
Which Address to Enter on Multi-City Trips
Enter an accommodation address in mainland China along with your contact details. If your trip covers several cities, the address of the place where you first stay is the practical choice. For formatting tips, see our guide to the hotel address on the China arrival card.
Carry an invitation letter, air tickets and accommodation reservations as proof of the purpose of your visit; this is recommended for visa-free entry. Our checklist of documents needed for the China arrival card covers what to prepare before you fly.
Holders of a group visa, or those eligible for group visa-free entry, are exempt from the card. Travelling in a tour group does not by itself exempt you.
Other Requirements After You Cross the Border
Without a visa, your stay may not exceed 30 days.
- Your ordinary passport needs to be valid for the whole stay.
- Stick to tourism, business, family visits, exchange or transit. Work and study need a visa.
- Accommodation registration for foreigners is now available online; check en.nia.gov.cn for the current procedure.
- The 30 days are counted from the day after you enter. To stay longer, apply for a visa in advance.
- A Hong Kong or Macao trip leaves the mainland, so you file a new card to return.
The 240-hour visa-free transit is a separate scheme for citizens of 55 countries, allowing stays of up to 10 days in approved areas. If you’re only passing through, read our article on whether transit passengers need a China arrival card.
Common Mistakes at the Border and How to Avoid Them
- Assuming the waiver replaces the card. Complete it before inspection.
- Skipping accommodation registration. Check the current procedure on en.nia.gov.cn.
- Mixing up 240-hour transit and 30-day visa-free. Check your scheme and day count.
Check NIA notices before you go, because the rules and the 31 December 2026 date can change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do visa-free travelers need China arrival card if they only visit for a few days?
Yes. A short stay doesn’t change the rule. You file a card for each entry unless you’re in one of the seven exempt groups. Tourism, business and family visits are all covered by the same rule under visa-free entry.
Do visa-free travelers need a China arrival card if they hold a Singapore passport?
Singapore does not appear on the current visa-free list, so check your eligibility before you fly. The card applies unless you belong to one of the exempt groups. If you enter visa-free, fill in the card online at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ before you fly and present the QR code at arrival immigration together with your passport. The filing page is an external government site, not this guide.
Where can I fill in the China arrival card online?
Use the NIA portal (s.nia.gov.cn), the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programmes. A QR code scan is another route in. For questions, call NIA on +86-10-12367. If you haven’t filed by arrival, use an on-site terminal or paper form.
Is there a fee for the arrival card, and how do I spot fake websites?
No, there’s no fee. A site that asks for payment or card numbers isn’t the NIA portal, whose address ends in .gov.cn. Use the portal link above.
Do children traveling visa-free need their own China arrival card?
The visa-free FAQ says minors face the same requirements as adults, but it does not say whether a child needs a separate card. Check the NIA portal before you fly.
Do I need a new arrival card after a Hong Kong or Macao trip?
Yes. Each return to the mainland is a new entry and needs a new card. Visa-free entry permits multiple entries without a set limit on their number. The mainland card isn’t used to enter Hong Kong or Macao itself.
What address do I write on the arrival card for a multi-city tour?
Enter an accommodation address in mainland China and your contact details. Carry your air tickets and accommodation reservations as proof of your purpose of entry; this is recommended for visa-free entry.
How is the 30-day visa-free stay counted?
The 30 days are counted from the day after you enter, so your arrival day doesn’t use up your limit. Multiple entries are allowed, with no set limit on the number of entries or total days, provided your activities match your purpose of entry.
Sources and Further Reading
- Embassy notice: online filing, channels, exempt groups.
- Visa-free entry FAQ: 30-day rules and validity.
- NIA: exemption details and registration.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
