China Online Arrival Card: How to Fill It In (Free, Official)

Quick answer: Since 20 November 2025, foreigners can fill in China's arrival card online before the flight, free of charge, at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, in the NIA 12367 app, or in the WeChat or Alipay mini program. You can also scan a QR code, use a kiosk or fill in a paper card at the border. Never pay for it.

The arrival card is the entry form for foreign visitors. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) added an online option on 20 November 2025 so you can finish it at home and move faster at immigration. Doing it online is optional. The paper and on-site options still exist.

Official ways to fill it in

These are the channels listed in the NIA notice and repeated by Chinese embassies. If a link, QR code or app is not on this list, do not use it.

Fraud warning: it is free

On 5 December 2025 the NIA warned about fake websites for the arrival card. It stated that the online service is free of charge, and told travelers to use only the official channels. Warning signs:

• Any site that asks for a payment, a "service fee" or a "priority" upgrade.
• Domains that are not s.nia.gov.cn, even if the page looks official.
• Search ads and social media links that promise "fast approval".
• Requests for your bank card number. The form never needs it.

The arrival card is not a visa or an approval. Nobody "approves" it, so any service that sells approval is misleading you. If you already paid a lookalike site, contact your bank and keep the receipt.

Who is exempt

The NIA lists seven groups that do not need to fill in the card:

1. Holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People's Republic of China.
2. Holders of the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese nationals).
3. Holders of a group visa, or those eligible for visa-free group entry.
4. Travelers in direct transit within 24 hours who stay in the restricted area of the port.
5. Cruise passengers who enter and leave on the same vessel.
6. Travelers who enter through the fast-track (E-channel) lane.
7. Foreign crew members of cross-border transport vehicles.

Visa-free travelers, including those on the 30-day visa-free entry and on 240-hour transit, are not on the exempt list. They fill in the card like everyone else.

Step by step

1. Have your passport and your flight details to hand.
2. Open the official website or the NIA 12367 app. On the website, check the address bar says s.nia.gov.cn.
3. Choose English if the page opens in Chinese.
4. Enter the information below, or scan the passport page if the tool offers it, then check that the details match your passport.
5. Submit. Save the confirmation, ideally as a screenshot you can open offline.
6. At immigration, show your passport and, if asked, the confirmation or QR code.

If you hit an error, you can still fill in the card at the port.

Fields on the form

The official form is in Chinese and English. The first group below matches the NIA form, as shown on a mirror of the government form. The second group shows items that are reported by travel sites, so the live form may differ.

Items that travel sites report on the form and that may change: date of birth, passport expiry, date of arrival, port of entry, email address, and countries visited recently. Fill in whatever the live form asks for. If an item is not clear, use the paper card or ask staff at the port.

Timing

The NIA says "before traveling to China". Some travel sites state a specific window, such as 24 or 72 hours before arrival, but we could not confirm a window from the NIA notice, and the sources disagree. Fill it in once your flight and first hotel are fixed, and check the form for any date limit.

Common mistakes

Phones matter at the border too. Install and set up WeChat and a SIM or eSIM before you fly. For customs rules on arrival, see China customs and immigration.

FAQ

What is the official China arrival card website?

https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. The NIA 12367 app and WeChat or Alipay mini program are also official. The service is free.

Is the China e-arrival card mandatory?

The arrival card must be completed. Doing it online beforehand is optional. If you do not, you can scan a QR code, use a kiosk or fill in a paper card at the port.

Does the arrival card cost money?

No. The NIA stated on 5 December 2025 that online filling is free. Any site charging a fee is not official.

Who does not need to fill in the card?

Seven groups, including Chinese permanent residents, holders of the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao residents, group visa holders and 24-hour direct transit passengers. Ordinary visa-free tourists are not exempt.

Is the arrival card the same as a visa?

No. It does not give you permission to enter. Your visa or visa-free eligibility is checked separately. Use the visa checker to confirm your route.