Do you need arrival card for China transit? Usually not, if you stay in the designated port area under the 24-hour direct transit rule. If you leave the designated port area, the 24-hour direct transit exemption no longer applies, so you file the card through the National Immigration Administration (NIA) at s.nia.gov.cn.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. We don’t charge fees or file for you, so check dates and rules on the NIA portal before you fly. For the broader entry declaration rules, see our China digital arrival card guide. Below you’ll find the transit cases, the transit schemes, and what to type in the form.
Do You Need Arrival Card for China Transit?
If you stay inside the designated port area, you skip the card. If you cross border inspection, you file one.
The online China Arrival Card took effect on November 20, 2025, according to the Chinese Embassy notice. That notice lists 24-hour direct transit passengers who stay in the designated port area as exempt.
Passengers who stay in the designated port area without passing immigration fall under the exemption.
| Your situation | Arrival card |
|---|---|
| Staying in the designated port area without passing immigration | No |
| Leaving the designated port area | Yes |
| Leaving the airport under a visa-free transit policy | Yes |
Not sure which row is yours? Most international travelers need the card even if they can enter visa-free. You can check the full list of who needs to fill out the China arrival card and who is exempt.
24-Hour and 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Compared
Leaving the designated port area under a visa-free transit scheme means you must file the declaration.
| Scheme | Time limit | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| 24-hour | 24 hours, the prescribed time to leave the port | None if you stay in the port area; declaration if you leave |
| 240-hour | 240 hours (about 10 days) | Arrival declaration (required) |
The form lists the 240-hour option as ‘240-hour visa-free transit’.
Before you fly, prepare these:
- A valid passport.
- The form asks whether you have a confirmed return itinerary (Yes/No).
- Your QR code, which the card generates after you submit it.
- The current NIA and embassy notices on eligible countries and areas.
If your QR code goes missing, our guide on retrieving a lost China arrival card QR code explains what to do.
Filling Out the Digital Card for a Layover
Choose visa-free transit under Entry Policy Selection, and enter your layover hotel or stay address instead of a visa number. For a full walkthrough in every channel, see our step-by-step guide to filling out the China arrival card online.
Open the NIA web form
Go to the online form on the NIA portal.
Pick your language
The portal offers 13, including English.
Enter your passport details
Fill in the passport details and check any pre-filled data. Our overview of information needed for the China arrival card lists every field in advance.
Answer the visa question
“Do you hold a valid visa or other entry permit?”
Complete the itinerary and declaration
Finish the itinerary and declaration, then confirm.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Entry Policy Selection | The transit category. Use the visa number field only if you hold a visa. |
| Address in China | Your layover hotel. |
| Cities of Transit / Destination Cities | Destination Cities: the city where you’ll stay longest. Cities of Transit: any planned transit cities. |
| Inviting entities | No, if you have none. |
| Confirmed Departure Itinerary | Yes/No, whether you have a confirmed return itinerary. |
The form also asks for your arrival flight number, city and port of entry, contact number, email, purpose of entry, and date of entry. Check every field before you submit; the sources don’t describe editing after submission.
Where to File and What Happens After
File through the NIA web form, the 12367 app, or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs, then keep your QR code ready for border control.
- Computer: https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/
- Phone: https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone/, with filing instructions
- Output: a QR code you show at border control.
The embassy notice does not mention a filing fee; for details on avoiding paid intermediaries, see whether the China digital arrival card is free.
The NIA portal address is s.nia.gov.cn.
Forgot to file? Scan a QR code, use on-site smart devices, or fill in a paper card; the embassy notice confirms paper is available. Look for these before the immigration counters. Passengers staying in the designated port area have nothing to file. If you’re weighing both options, our comparison of the digital arrival card vs the paper form explains which format you need before landing.
Exemptions and Related Declarations
Seven categories are exempt from filing the arrival card.
- Holders of a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
- Non-Chinese holders of the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong/Macau residents
- Group visa holders, or those eligible for group visa-free travel
- 24-hour direct transit passengers staying in the designated port area
- Cruise passengers entering and exiting on the same vessel
- E-channel or fast-track registered travelers
- Foreign crew of entry-exit transport vehicles
Holders of border resident certificates from seven countries (including North Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam) use a separate form on the NIA portal.
| Document | Authority | Purpose | When needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrival card | NIA | Entry information | Online before arrival, or on arrival if not filed in advance |
The card also asks for health information.
Still stuck? Call the Chinese Embassy Visa Office at +001 202-495-2071 (12:30 – 16:30, Monday to Friday, except holidays) or email [email protected].
Common Transit Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Most problems start when you assume a layover keeps you in the designated port area.
| Mistake | What may happen | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Assuming you stay airside | You may need to file if you leave the designated port area | Confirm your route before booking |
| Entering a visa number when you hold none | Wrong entry in the form | Answer No to the visa question and choose a transit policy |
| Using a paid site | Extra cost or data risk | File only through the NIA channels listed in this guide |
| No QR code on hand | Keep the QR code available for border control | Keep it ready before inspection |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do you need arrival card for China transit if you stay airside the whole time?
No, not under the 24-hour direct transit rule, as long as you stay in the designated port area. You don’t pass immigration, so there’s nothing to file.
Do you need arrival card for China transit when you self-transfer and reclaim your bags?
Yes, if you leave the designated port area, the 24-hour direct transit exemption no longer applies, so file the card through the NIA portal before you fly or on arrival.
Do I need to fill out an arrival card for a layover in Beijing if I leave the airport?
Yes. If you leave the airport area, you file the declaration before arrival or on arrival, and you’ll need your QR code at inspection.
Where do I file the China arrival card online?
Use the NIA web form on a computer or the phone version on your mobile. You can also file in the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs.
Is the China arrival card free?
The embassy notice does not mention a filing fee. Confirm on s.nia.gov.cn before paying anyone.
What if I forgot to file the arrival card before my flight?
You can still file after landing. Scan a QR code, use on-site smart devices, or ask for a paper card. Allow extra time, because you’ll want to finish before you reach the immigration counters.
Who is exempt from the China arrival card?
Seven categories are exempt. The one that matters for layovers is 24-hour direct transit while staying in the designated port area. Others include permanent residents, cruise passengers on the same vessel, and foreign crew. Check the NIA portal for the full list.
Who can I contact with questions about China transit entry rules from the US?
Call the Chinese Embassy Visa Office in Washington at +001 202-495-2071, Monday to Friday, 12:30 to 16:30, excluding holidays, or email [email protected]. The main line is +1-202-495-2000. These are government contacts, not ours.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA portal: the arrival card form, languages, and the separate border-resident form.
- NIA phone-filing page (service instructions).
- Chinese Embassy notice on the online arrival card: start date, filing channels, and exemptions.
- Chinese Embassy in the US: Visa Office contact details.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
