How to Complete the New Digital Arrival Card for Travel to China

If you are planning to travel to China, this update can help make your entry easier. Starting November 20, 2025, all international travellers to China will no longer need to fill out the paper arrival card upon arrival; instead, they can complete the digital arrival card before their trip.

The online arrival card system, now common in many Asian countries, speeds up entry and makes it more convenient for international visitors.

Understanding Digital Arrival Card

A digital arrival card is an online form that travellers fill out before entering a country. It records personal and travel details, replacing traditional paper cards to speed up immigration checks and make the entry process more convenient.

Where to Fill the Form

People travelling to China have as many as four options to complete the digital arrival card using any of these official platforms:

Moving to a digital system for arrival cards brings China in line with countries like India, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos, which already use online systems for immigration forms.

What If You Forget to Fill It?

If you don’t complete the form before your flight, you can still do it after landing. Connected kiosks and QR code stations will be available at airports and ports. For now, paper arrival cards will also remain an option while the system is being rolled out.

Who Doesn’t Need to Fill the Online Form

Seven groups of travellers are exempt from this rule:

1. Holders of China’s Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
2. Non-Chinese citizens with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong or Macao
3. Group travellers with collective visas or visa-free entry
4. Transit passengers staying within the airport or port area
5. Cruise passengers arriving and departing on the same ship
6. Travellers using fast-track entry lanes
7. Foreign employees working on international transport vehicles

How to Fill the China Digital Arrival Card: Step-by-Step Guide

As we mentioned earlier, you can fill out the form on the NIA website, through the mobile app, or on WeChat. This makes the arrival process smoother and faster. Follow the steps below to complete the arrival form.

Step 1: Upload Passport Photo Page

Start by logging in and uploading a clear photo of your passport’s identity page.

Step 2: Enter Personal Details

The system will automatically pull some information from your passport. Check and fill in the remaining fields, including your full name, gender, birth date, nationality, passport number, and arrival details like flight number and city of entry.

Step 3: Add Contact Details

Enter your phone number, email, and birth city. Then indicate if you have a visa. If not, choose your entry policy (like a 30-day visa waiver or a 144-hour visa-free transit).

Step 4: Provide Travel Information in China

Fill in your purpose of visit (tourism, business, family visit, etc.), travel dates, city of stay, and address in China. You can also add your inviter’s details or return travel plans if available.

Step 5: Review and Sign

Confirm all the information is correct, sign the declaration, and submit the form.

Step 6: Get Your Arrival Card

Once submitted, you can download the digital card or email it to yourself. It includes a QR code that must be shown during immigration checks.

Final Tip

While the new online system makes things simpler, it’s best to fill your card before departure. It saves time at the airport and ensures smoother entry.