Who needs to fill China Arrival Card (外国人入境卡)? Foreign passport holders entering mainland China must file the card, unless they fall into one of the seven exempt categories below, including visa-free visitors. Filing costs nothing — see our breakdown of whether the China Arrival Card is free.
This is an independent guide, not a government website. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) runs the portal at s.nia.gov.cn. We don’t charge fees or file for you, so check the rules there.
Who Needs to Fill China Arrival Card?
Foreign passport holders entering mainland China file the card, on a visa or under a visa waiver. It is the digital arrival card that replaced the paper form. It launched on 20 November 2025 and covers arrivals by air, land and sea. For the full overview, read our guide to the China Arrival Card and border control.
A visa waiver removes the visa requirement only, not border registration. Singapore passport holders on a visa-free entry still file. In the visa or entry policy field, they pick the visa-free option. Learn more in our article on visa-free travelers and the China Arrival Card.
Traveling with kids? Each traveler on their own foreign passport files a card; check the current rules for children, seniors and tour parties on the NIA portal before you fly.
Who Can Skip the China Arrival Card?
Seven groups are exempt:
- Holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card issued by the People’s Republic of China.
- Non-Chinese citizens with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents.
- Group visa or group visa-waiver entrants.
- Passengers in 24-hour direct transit who stay in the restricted area of the port.
- Cruise passengers who board and leave on the same vessel.
- Travelers using the fast-track or E-channel.
- Foreign employees of cross-border transport vehicles.
| What you hold | Do you file? |
|---|---|
| Any visa or residence permit other than a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card | Yes, on every entry |
| Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card | No |
Stay airside for under 24 hours without passing border control, and you skip the card. If you leave the airport transit area, you need to file the card. See our detailed 24-hour transit rules for China Arrival Card.
Holders of border-resident certificates from seven countries use a separate entry declaration.
How and When to File the Card
File online within three days before your arrival, or complete the form at the border. Check the current submission windows and cut-off deadlines on s.nia.gov.cn before you travel.
You can file through:
- the NIA website, s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, in 13 languages
- the NIA 12367 app
- the WeChat or Alipay mini-programs
- a QR code scan or smart kiosk at the port
- a paper form, at selected ports only
Gather your documents
Passport biodata page photo, flight/train/vessel number, entry port and date, purpose of visit, mainland address, phone, email, visa number or entry policy
File the card
Online within three days before arrival, or at the border
Receive your QR code
Issued after you submit, for border inspection
Save a copy offline
Show it at the border without mobile data
Re-Entering Mainland China via Hong Kong or Macao
Planning a side trip to Hong Kong or Macao? Each return to the mainland needs a new card. Read our procedures for crossing from Hong Kong or Macao to China.
Non-Chinese citizens holding a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents are exempt.
Common Mistakes and Fake Filing Sites
- Make sure the address matches your booking and passport details.
- Use a clear image of your passport biodata page.
- Pick the entry purpose that matches your trip and visa or entry policy.
- Be cautious with third-party sites that charge for the card. The card itself is free — learn how to avoid unauthorized agencies and fees.
Providing false details can lead to an entry ban of 1 to 5 years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who needs to fill China arrival card if they are entering visa-free?
You do, if you travel on a foreign passport. A visa waiver covers only the visa. In the form’s visa or entry policy field, you choose the option that matches your entry policy, such as visa-free entry or visa-free transit.
Who needs to fill China arrival card for a child or infant on their own passport?
The card is filed per traveler on a foreign passport. For the current rules for children and infants, check the NIA portal before you fly.
Do Singapore passport holders need to fill the arrival card for China?
Yes, even for short visa-free trips. Have your flight number, entry port and a full mainland address ready before you start filing. The NIA portal is available in English and 12 other languages.
Do permanent residents need a China arrival card?
Not if you hold a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card. If you don’t hold one, file the card each time you enter.
Do I need an arrival card for a transit stop in China?
Not for a direct transit under 24 hours inside the restricted area of the port. Once you pass border control, you file the card. On a visa-free transit, you pick the transit option in the visa or entry policy field.
Where can I submit the China arrival card, and does it cost anything?
Go to s.nia.gov.cn, or use the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs. At the port, you can scan the QR code or use a kiosk. Filing with the official portal is free, so be cautious with third-party sites that charge a fee.
Do I need a new card when returning to the mainland from Hong Kong or Macao?
Yes, if you travel on a foreign passport. File again before each return, within three days before your arrival. Check the current window on s.nia.gov.cn before you cross.
What happens if I have not filled the card before reaching border control?
You can still complete it on arrival. Scan the QR code at the port or use a smart kiosk. A paper form exists only at selected ports, so don’t count on it. Filing online ahead is the safer plan.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA arrival card portal: filing
- NIA filing instructions: languages, border residents
- Israeli embassy notice: launch date, three-day filing window
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
