Foreign travellers entering mainland China can now complete their arrival card online before travelling. The China Digital Arrival Card, officially described as the online Arrival Card for Foreigners, was introduced nationwide on 20 November 2025.
If you’d like to see what we are getting up to as it’s happening, please give our Instagram a follow @autismfamilytravelguide
The new system can make arrival easier because you can enter your information before reaching Chinese immigration rather than completing a paper card after a long flight. Paper arrival cards have not disappeared, however, and travellers who cannot complete the form online can still fill one in when they arrive.
This guide explains who needs the China Digital Arrival Card, who is exempt, how to complete it through official channels and what to do if you cannot fill it in before travelling.
Entry procedures can change. Information in this guide was checked in late 2026 against announcements from China’s National Immigration Administration. Always check current official requirements before travelling.
What Is the China Digital Arrival Card?
The China Digital Arrival Card is an online version of the arrival information foreign nationals provide when entering mainland China.
China’s National Immigration Administration introduced online arrival card completion at ports nationwide from 20 November 2025. Foreign travellers can submit their entry information electronically before travelling through official NIA channels.
The system does not mean that every traveller must use a smartphone or complete the form before boarding a flight. Online completion is an additional way to provide the required arrival information.
Is the China Digital Arrival Card Mandatory?
Foreign nationals who are required to complete an arrival card still need to provide the relevant entry information, but completing it digitally before travel is not the only option.
If you cannot complete the form online in advance, the National Immigration Administration says you can provide the information after arriving at a Chinese port of entry. You can scan the official QR code with your phone, use an on-site smart device or complete a paper Foreigners’ Arrival Card.
This is useful for travellers who do not use smartphones, have difficulty accessing the website or prefer not to complete an online form before travelling.
Who Needs to Complete a China Arrival Card?
In general, foreign nationals entering mainland China should expect to complete arrival information unless they fall into one of the exemption categories published by the National Immigration Administration.
Who Is Exempt From the China Digital Arrival Card?
According to the National Immigration Administration, you do not need to complete the China Digital Arrival Card if you fall into one of these eight categories:
- Foreign nationals who hold a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People’s Republic of China.
- Foreign nationals who hold a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese).
- Foreign nationals in direct transit for no more than 24 hours who remain within the restricted area of the port.
- Members of foreign tour groups who qualify for visa-free entry or are travelling on a group visa.
- Foreign crew members, drivers and other employees working on transport vehicles.
- Foreign nationals who enter China on a cruise ship and leave on the same cruise.
- Individuals eligible for the courtesy arrangement that allows their entry and exit documents to be submitted centrally.
- Foreign nationals who enter China through an E-channel.
You can review all of these exemptions directly on the Entry Registration Notice page of the National Immigration Administration Government Service Platform.
The arrival card is separate from your passport, passport validity rules, visa or eligibility to enter China without a visa. Completing an arrival card does not give you permission to enter the country and does not replace any visa requirement that applies to you.
Do Children Need a China Arrival Card?
The published exemption list is based on immigration status and type of entry rather than simply age.
Families should have each traveller’s passport and journey details available when completing the arrival process. Follow the instructions in the official system for accompanying children and ask immigration staff for help if the online form does not fit your family’s circumstances.
Where to Complete the China Digital Arrival Card
The National Immigration Administration provides several official ways to complete the arrival card online.
- The National Immigration Administration’s official online arrival card website.
- The NIA government service platform.
- The NIA 12367 mobile app.
- The official NIA 12367 WeChat mini programme.
- The relevant Alipay mini programme.
- The official arrival-card QR code.
The official web address published by the National Immigration Administration is s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ or you can click directly on this link to the Arrival Card Filling page of their website. Check the domain carefully before entering passport or travel information.
How to Download the NIA 12367 Mobile App
To download the official NIA 12367 mobile app you can use the following links:
Android: The NIA 12367 android app can be downloaded by scanning the QR code on the linked webpage. There are also scannable codes to download the app via Alipay and WeChat.
iOs and HarmonyOS: The iOS and HarmonyOS version of the NIA 12367 app can be downloaded through the Apple app store.
Is the China Digital Arrival Card Free?
Yes. The National Immigration Administration explicitly states that completing the online China arrival card is free of charge.
This is important because fraudulent websites have appeared that imitate the official arrival card service and ask travellers for payment. You will also find that there are many third-party websites offering to fill in the arrival card on your behalf and they likely charge a fee for this.
The second service can be a legitimate way to have your arrival card completed for visiting China, I just point out that the NIA arrival card forms are free to submit so that you are aware and can make the best choice for your family. You do not need to pay a third-party company simply to submit the official arrival card if you do not want to.
Beware of Fake China Arrival Card Websites
China’s National Immigration Administration has issued a specific warning about fraudulent websites pretending to provide the online arrival card service.
These sites may charge unnecessary fees and can also encourage travellers to enter sensitive passport and personal information into an unofficial service.
Use the official NIA website, app, WeChat or Alipay service, or the official QR code provided by Chinese immigration authorities. Do not rely on a sponsored search result simply because it appears at the top of a search page.
What Information Do You Need for the China Arrival Card?
Have your travel documents and itinerary beside you before starting. The arrival process requires information connected with your identity and entry into China.
Depending on your journey and the version of the form presented to you, be prepared to provide details such as your passport information, travel and flight details, purpose of entry and information about where you will stay in China.
Copy names and passport details carefully. Do not guess an accommodation address if you can check it from your hotel reservation.
How to Complete the China Digital Arrival Card
The exact screen layout can change, but the basic preparation is straightforward.
- Open the official National Immigration Administration arrival card service.
- Have your passport information, transport details and accommodation information ready.
- Enter the requested personal and passport information exactly as required.
- Add the details requested about your arrival and stay in China.
- Check every section before submitting.
- Follow the confirmation instructions shown by the official system.
Take your time when entering passport numbers and dates. Completing the form before travel can be particularly helpful if you find paperwork difficult when tired or under time pressure.
When Should You Complete the China Digital Arrival Card?
The official guidance allows foreign travellers to complete the arrival information online before coming to China. Complete it when your travel details are sufficiently settled for you to enter accurate information.
Do not complete the form so early that your flight, accommodation or other details are likely to change without checking what the system requires if those details later change.
For many travellers, completing it shortly before departure provides a useful balance between having confirmed information and avoiding arrival paperwork after a long flight.
What Happens if You Cannot Complete It Online?
You can still complete the arrival process when you reach China.
At the immigration inspection area, travellers who have not submitted their information in advance can use an official QR code on a mobile phone, use smart devices provided at the port or fill in a paper arrival card.
This means a flat phone battery, lack of mobile data or difficulty with the online system does not automatically prevent you from providing the arrival information at the border.
Can You Still Use a Paper Arrival Card?
Yes. Paper Foreigners’ Arrival Cards remain available for travellers who cannot complete the information online.
This is an important accessibility feature for people who do not use smartphones, have difficulty reading digital forms or encounter technical problems.
Using a paper card does not mean you have done something wrong. It remains one of the methods specifically described by the National Immigration Administration.
When we visited China in 2025 we were given a lot of help to fill in the paper arrival card for China. We did arrive when the airport was quiet and we were 2 adults with 3 children so perhaps that is why they helped us. We had one person filling in a paper form for each child to help speeed up the process.
China Digital Arrival Card for Autistic Travellers
Completing the arrival information online can be useful for autistic travellers who find unfamiliar forms, queues or being asked questions under time pressure difficult.
Doing the form in a familiar environment allows more time to check passport details and accommodation information. It can also remove one task from the arrival process after a tiring flight.
Families can prepare by keeping passport details, the hotel address and flight information together in one document or travel folder. I like to also keep a backup of important travel documents in a Google Drive folder which I can then access from anywhere I have an internet connection (though this particular trick will not work for China reliably as Google Services do not typically work very well, if at all). A screenshot or printed copy of important booking information can also be useful if airport Wi-Fi or mobile data is unreliable.
For wider trip planning, our guide to China with autistic children covers practical considerations for families travelling around the country.
China Arrival Card for Disabled Travellers
The option to complete the form in advance can also reduce pressure for disabled travellers who need more time with written information or find standing at immigration counters difficult.
If the digital service itself creates an accessibility barrier, remember that the official system retains alternatives at the port, including smart devices and paper cards.
Arrival card completion is separate from airport special assistance. If you need wheelchair assistance or other disability-related support through the airport, arrange that through the relevant airline and airport process before travelling.
Does the Arrival Card Replace a Chinese Visa?
No. The China Digital Arrival Card is not a visa.
You must separately meet the immigration conditions that apply to your nationality, passport and journey. Depending on your circumstances, that could involve holding a valid Chinese visa or qualifying for an applicable visa-free entry or transit arrangement.
Do not use successful arrival card submission as evidence that you are eligible to board a flight or enter China without doing further research about visa and passport requirements.
Do Transit Passengers Need the China Arrival Card?
Passengers making a direct transit of up to 24 hours who remain within the designated restricted area of the port are among the published exemptions.
This exemption should not be confused with longer visa-free transit policies that allow eligible travellers to leave the airport and enter China temporarily. If you intend to pass through immigration and enter mainland China during a layover, check the requirements for your specific transit arrangement.
If your journey involves Beijing Capital International Airport, our guide to a layover in Beijing can help with practical planning.
Do Cruise Passengers Need a China Arrival Card?
The published exemption list includes cruise passengers who enter and depart on the same cruise ship.
Cruise itineraries and immigration arrangements can be complex, particularly when a journey includes several Chinese ports or an overnight stay. Follow the instructions from your cruise line and Chinese immigration authorities for your exact sailing.
What Happens After You Arrive in China?
Submitting the arrival information is only one part of the entry process. You still need to pass through the immigration procedures that apply at your port of entry.
Keep your passport and relevant travel documents accessible. Follow signs and instructions from immigration staff, and be prepared to provide information about your visit if requested.
Foreign visitors should also be aware of accommodation registration requirements after entry. Hotels normally handle registration for their foreign guests. Different requirements apply when staying somewhere other than a hotel, and China began piloting online registration for some non-hotel accommodation in selected regions in March 2026.
China Digital Arrival Card Checklist
- Check whether you are required to complete an arrival card.
- Use only an official National Immigration Administration channel.
- Remember that the official arrival card service is free.
- Have your passport and confirmed travel information ready.
- Enter your details carefully and check them before submitting.
- Keep your accommodation information accessible during travel.
- Remember that a paper arrival card remains available if you cannot use the online system.
- Check your visa or visa-free entry eligibility separately.
FAQs About the China Digital Arrival Card
When Did the China Digital Arrival Card Start?
China introduced online completion of the Foreigners’ Arrival Card nationwide from 20 November 2025.
Is the China Digital Arrival Card Free?
Yes. China’s National Immigration Administration states that the official online arrival card service is free. Be cautious of unofficial websites asking for payment.
Can I Fill in the China Arrival Card at the Airport?
Yes. If you have not completed it in advance, you can submit the information at a Chinese port of entry using the official QR code, an on-site smart device or a paper arrival card.
Can I Still Fill in a Paper Arrival Card for China?
Yes. Paper arrival cards remain available for travellers who cannot complete the information digitally via the online arrival card for China.
Does the China Digital Arrival Card Replace a Visa?
No. The arrival card and visa requirements are separate. You still need to meet the entry conditions that apply to your nationality and journey.
Do 24-hour Transit Passengers Need an Arrival Card?
Travellers in direct transit for up to 24 hours who remain within the designated restricted area of the port are listed as exempt. Travellers entering mainland China during transit should check the requirements for their specific situation.
Continue Planning Your Visit to China With Autistic Children
- Heading to the capital? Our guide to Beijing with autistic children is a good starting point
- Find out if you can leave the airport during a layover in China
- Our guide to laying over in Beijing Capital Airport explains everything you need to know
- Need airport assistance? Learn all about special assistance at Beijing Capital Airport
- Visiting the airport with a disability? Learn more about the disabled facilities at Beijing Capital Airport
- Travelling with medication? Learn more about bringing medication into China
- Here is everything you need to know about bringing a power bank into China
- Are you British? Learn more about the visa-free travel agreement with China
Continue Planning Your Asia Itinerary With Kids
- Start with planning your overall Asia family trip, including flights, pacing, transport and choosing destinations that suit your child’s needs
- Travelling via an airport to Taiwan? Learn how to book special assistance and what help you can expect
- Travelling with medication? Learn what to include on your doctors travel letter for medication
- Looking for easier first-time Asia destinations? Consider visiting Japan with kids for clean transport, family facilities and predictable routines
- Prefer beaches and slower travel? Find out more about Thailand with children for resort stays, nature and flexible family days out
- Planning big city adventures? Discover what to expect in Hong Kong with autistic children
- Hoping to Island hop? Learn more about visiting the Philippines with autistic kids
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted at the last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app