China Arrival Card: How to Fill It Online (2026 Guide)

China has moved its Arrival Card online, and most foreign travelers can now fill it in before they land.

The change is a small but useful improvement: less paper, faster queues, and one less thing to juggle after a long flight. This guide explains how the system works as of 2026, how to fill it in, and where it stops and the customs declaration begins.

What changed

For years, foreigners arriving in mainland China filled out a paper Arrival Card on the plane or at immigration. From November 2025, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) rolled out an online Arrival Card that you can complete before you arrive. The paper version still exists as a fallback, but most travelers are now expected to use the digital form.

How to fill it in

The online Arrival Card is available through official channels only:

• The NIA 12367 app — the National Immigration Administration’s official app.
• WeChat and Alipay mini programs — search for the official NIA/arrival card service.
• The official website — the NIA’s government service platform (the Arrival Card filling page).

Steps are straightforward: open the channel, select Arrival Card, enter your passport details and flight information, and submit. The system asks for the basics — passport number, flight number, seat, and your accommodation in China, if you have one. Completing it before you fly saves time at the border; many travelers fill it in during the 24 hours before landing.

If you can’t fill it in online

You’re not blocked from entry. On arrival you can:

• Scan a QR code at the immigration inspection area and complete the form on your phone.
• Use the smart devices provided at many ports.
• Fill out a paper Arrival Card as a fallback.

The online version is a convenience, not a barrier.

Arrival card vs customs declaration

Don’t confuse the two forms:

• Arrival Card (immigration): your identity and travel details, handled by the NIA.
• Customs declaration: a separate online form covering goods, cash, and dutiable or restricted items you’re bringing in. It’s typically completed via the customs “pocket declaration” mini program, usually within 24 hours of arrival, and produces a QR code you show at customs.

Both are free and both are digital in 2026. If you carry nothing to declare, the customs step is still usually a quick formality.

Who is exempt

The NIA lists categories that don’t need to fill the Arrival Card, including:

• Holders of a valid PRC Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card.
• People entering on a group visa or group visa-free scheme.
• 24-hour direct transit passengers who stay within the port’s restricted area.
• Cruise passengers entering and departing on the same vessel.
• Foreign crew members of entry/exit vehicles.

If you’re not sure whether you’re exempt, fill it in anyway — it takes minutes.

Note that entering under a visa-free scheme does not automatically exempt you from the Arrival Card. The card is an immigration formality that applies on top of whichever entry scheme you use — see the visa-free requirements for what the entry schemes themselves ask of you. Only the exempt categories above skip the card.

Practical tips

• Use official channels only. Third-party sites sometimes charge for services that are free. Bookmark the official NIA site or use the mini programs inside WeChat/Alipay.
• Fill in before you fly if you can. It shortens the queue and gives you one less thing to do after landing.
• Keep your passport handy. You’ll need the number and your flight details; your accommodation address is helpful but not always required.
• Don’t skip the customs side. The two forms are separate, and customs may ask to see your goods declaration QR code.
• Sort out money and transport before you land — see our guides on paying in China and train tickets.

The official position

Procedures around arrival formalities are adjusted frequently. As of August 2026, the online Arrival Card is the standard expectation for most foreign travelers, but the exact channel and any exemptions can change. Always confirm the current procedure with the National Immigration Administration or your Chinese embassy before you travel — this guide is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing, not a substitute for the latest official instructions.

Where to verify

• National Immigration Administration (NIA) — en.nia.gov.cn
• China Customs — official notices on the goods/customs declaration
• Your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate — current entry formalities for your nationality

Last updated: August 2026. Entry rules change — always confirm with official sources before you travel.