China digital arrival card vs paper arrival card comes down to timing. You can file the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) online within 3 days before arrival, or complete a paper slip at the border during a transitional period. Kiosks offer an on-site option.
This is an independent guide for U.S. travelers, not a government site. You file for free on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone. We don’t charge fees or file for you, so check your details and dates on that portal before you fly.
Who Needs to File, and Who Doesn’t
Foreign travelers entering mainland China file a free entry declaration. It isn’t a visa, and each traveler files one card, children included. The CDAC launched on 20 November 2025. For the full breakdown of exemptions and rules for children, see who needs to fill out the China arrival card.
Seven groups are exempt:
- Foreign permanent resident ID card holders
- Non-Chinese holders of a Hong Kong/Macao Mainland Travel Permit
- Group travelers on a collective visa or group visa-free entry
- Transit passengers who remain within the designated port area
- Cruise passengers on the same ship in and out
- Fast-track or e-channel users
- Foreign crew and transport employees
Individual visa-free travelers still file.
Citizens holding border resident certificates from the DPRK, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam use a separate Entry Declaration for Border Area Residents.
The arrival card doesn’t replace a visa or other entry permission, so check entry visa vs. arrival card rules for U.S. citizens before you fly.
China Digital Arrival Card vs Paper Arrival Card
Have a stable connection before you fly? File online. No wait times have been benchmarked, so we quote none.
| Dimension | Digital CDAC | Paper yellow/blue slip | Self-service kiosk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance window | Within 3 days before arrival | On arrival only | On arrival only |
| Medium needed | Phone or computer, then saved QR | Pen and paper slip | Airport kiosk at port of entry |
| Airport speed | Data already in; QR scanned | Handwrite, then queue | Enter data before the counter |
| Connectivity | Internet needed to file; QR code saved in advance | None | None from you |
| Corrections | Can’t be edited; file a new card | Rewrite the slip | Enter details again at the kiosk |
| Officer check | QR code scanned | Officer takes the paper slip | Then counter or e-channel |
File the Digital Card Step by Step
Have your passport and bookings open: filing takes about 5 to 10 minutes and is free. Open the desktop or mobile NIA portal, titled “National Immigration Administration Government Service Platform”, which comes in 13 languages, English included. For a detailed walkthrough of every screen, see our guide on how to fill out the China arrival card online.
Be wary of sites that ask for payment. The card itself is free on the NIA portal, and a paid intermediary isn’t required. File within 3 days before your arrival date.
Upload your passport identity page
Upload your passport identity page, flat with all four corners visible. Name, birth date and passport number fill in.
Enter your transport details
Enter your transport mode, the correct flight, train or vessel number, and your port of entry.
Add your personal details
Add birth country and city, phone with calling code, email, and visa number (or entry policy). For the full list of fields, see information needed for the China arrival card.
Give your entry purpose and destination
Give your purpose of entry, arrival date, destination city and a China address; a hotel works.
Answer, sign, submit and save
Answer the Yes/No questions, add family, sign, submit and save the QR code.
Paper Slips and Kiosks
Can you print the card at home? None of the sources reviewed describes a printable PDF version of the paper card. Paper cards were previously handed out on planes. They remain available at ports of entry during a transitional period. No end date for paper cards has been announced.
Self-service kiosks (also called connected kiosks or on-site smart terminals) let you enter data on the spot or scan the Arrival Card QR code to fill it in on your phone. Kiosks are installed at ports of entry.
Common Mistakes, Edits and Offline Backup
- Name or passport number typos: compare with your passport data page.
- Wrong flight number or arrival date outside the 3-day window: recheck both.
- Incomplete China address: add province, city, district and detailed address.
A submitted card can’t be edited, so submit a new card if your plans change. False or omitted data may lead to denial of entry or transit. If you lose your QR code or spot a typo after submitting, see how to retrieve your China arrival card.
Before you fly, save the QR code on your phone or send it to your email. For more on the submission window and QR code validity, read when to fill out the China digital arrival card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I print the China arrival card PDF at home?
No. Home-printed PDF forms aren’t described in the sources reviewed. Paper cards are available at ports of entry during a transitional period, and you can file the digital card online instead.
China digital arrival card vs paper arrival card: do I need both?
No, you use one. File the CDAC online, or complete a paper slip on arrival if you didn’t pre-file. Paper is reported as a fallback during the transitional period. Travelers in the seven exempt groups file neither.
How far ahead can I submit the digital card?
The card can be submitted within 3 days before your arrival date. The sources reviewed don’t describe filing earlier, so wait until you’re inside the window. If you’re unsure about the timing, check the NIA service instruction.
Is the China arrival card free?
Yes, filing is free on the NIA portal. It’s an entry declaration, not a visa, so you still need your visa or entry permission separately. A paid intermediary isn’t required. The official NIA portal is at s.nia.gov.cn and charges nothing for the card.
Can I edit a card after I submit it?
No. A submitted card can’t be edited. If your flight or address changes, submit a new card. If you’re unsure how duplicate cards are handled, check the NIA portal.
Where should I submit to avoid fake websites?
Use the NIA portal: s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC on desktop or s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone on mobile. The NIA 12367 app and WeChat or Alipay mini-programs are also reported. This guide only links out and doesn’t file anything for you.
What if my phone dies before I show the QR code?
If you can’t show the QR code, you can complete the card at a self-service kiosk or on a paper slip at the port of entry. Sources don’t state how long a QR code stays valid, so check the portal.
Which is faster: china digital arrival card vs paper arrival card?
No wait times have been benchmarked, so we can’t quote numbers. With the digital card, your data is entered before you land, and officers scan your QR code at the counter or e-channel. Paper and kiosk entry happen after you land.
Sources and Further Reading
- Arrival Card Filling: service instruction, with the 3-day filing window.
- Arrival Card Filling: passport upload, with the identity page instruction.
Check the NIA portal before you travel.
