The digital China Arrival Card (CAC) replaced the paper form. The sources we reviewed don’t describe a procedure for recovering a lost QR code or correcting a passport number after submitting. The NIA portal is at https://s.nia.gov.cn/; check it before you fly.
This is an independent guide, not a government service. China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) runs the portal, and we link to it as an outside source. We don’t charge fees or file for you, so check rules there before you fly. This page covers a missing QR code, a passport typo and form errors.
Who Needs the Card and Where to File
Foreign travelers entering China file a digital arrival card before arriving, even when visa-free. The digital arrival card took effect on 20 November 2025. After you submit the form, you receive a QR code that is scanned on arrival.
File before you arrive in China. Travel sources suggest 24 to 48 hours before departure, and no later than arrival. You can file through:
- the web portal at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ (13 languages)
- the “NIA 12367” app
- WeChat and Alipay mini-programs
For a walkthrough of each channel, see our step-by-step guide to filling out the China arrival card online. The sources we reviewed don’t mention fees. Commercial services may charge for help with the form; our overview of whether the China digital arrival card is free explains how to avoid broker fees. The NIA portal is s.nia.gov.cn; check the web address before you enter passport data.
Seven categories are exempt, including holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card and direct-transit passengers who stay under 24 hours within the port area. Our article on who needs to fill out the China arrival card lists the full exemptions and rules for children.
Prepare Your Data and Avoid Common Mistakes
Most problems start with a rushed first filing, so copy fields from your passport. For the full list of required details, see what information you need for the China arrival card.
| Field | Format | Common trap |
|---|---|---|
| Name | As in passport, surname first | Must match the passport exactly. |
| Passport number | Copied from the original | Verify digits and letters carefully. |
| Nationality, birth date | Full name or abbreviation like USA; YYYY-MM-DD | Double-check before submitting. |
| Visa number | Red number, top right, or VISA-FREE | Visa-free travelers still fill it in |
If You Can’t Find Your QR Code
The sources we reviewed don’t describe a procedure for recovering a lost QR code, so treat these steps as advice, not portal guarantees. Not sure whether your QR code is still valid? Check our guide on submission windows, processing time, and QR code validity.
Search your inbox
Check spam and promotions folders and reopen the confirmation link
Look for a screenshot
Check for a saved screenshot of the QR code on the device you used
Check the portal or app
Open s.nia.gov.cn, the NIA 12367 app or a mini-program and check for your record
Save a copy
Keep a screenshot or printout of the QR code – at arrival you may need to scan it in the self-service printing area
Correcting a Passport Number Typo
The sources we reviewed don’t describe how to correct a passport number after submitting.
| Field | Editable after submitting? | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Address in China | Often needs re-entering after submitting | Update it, or bring booking proof |
| Passport number, name, nationality, date of birth | Not described in the sources | Check every character before submitting. |
Submitting false information can lead to an entry ban of one to five years. Check the NIA portal for current rules.
If the Form Won’t Accept Your Details
If the web form won’t accept your details, you can also file through the NIA 12367 app or a WeChat or Alipay mini-program.
How to Retrieve China Arrival Card on Arrival
Still no QR code at the airport? Use a self-service kiosk or a paper card before inspection. Kiosks aren’t confirmed at every airport.
Find the terminals
Before the immigration queue, look for self-service declaration terminals
Print your QR code
At the self-service printing area, scan your QR code to print it
Fall back to paper
if that fails or there’s no kiosk, fill in a paper arrival card – the long blue or yellow form
Paper cards remain a backup at ports of entry, though a 2025 source described them as transitional. For a comparison, see China digital arrival card vs paper arrival card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to retrieve China arrival card QR code if I never received the confirmation email?
The sources we reviewed don’t describe a confirmation email or a way to look up a lost QR code. Keep a screenshot of your QR code after filing, and check the NIA portal if it doesn’t appear.
Can I edit a China arrival card after I have submitted it?
The sources we reviewed say the address field often needs to be entered again. They don’t confirm edits to other fields, so check the NIA portal before submitting.
What should I do if I made a typo in my passport number?
The sources we reviewed don’t describe how to correct a passport number after submitting. Check the NIA portal before you fly.
Why does my passport photo keep failing to upload?
The sources we reviewed don’t document upload requirements. If the form won’t accept your photo, you can also file through the NIA 12367 app or a WeChat or Alipay mini-program.
How to retrieve China arrival card details if my phone dies or I have no roaming?
Keep a screenshot of your QR code so you can show it at arrival. Without one, check the self-service printing area at the port, or ask about a paper arrival card.
Is the China arrival card free, and what is the correct website?
The sources we reviewed don’t cover fees. Commercial services may charge for help with the form. They are not the NIA portal, which is at s.nia.gov.cn, so check the address before paying anything.
Do I need a China arrival card if I’m only transiting?
Direct transit under 24 hours within the port area is exempt, provided you stay in that area. Passengers using the 240-hour transit policy still need to fill out the arrival card. For details, see arrival card rules for China transit passengers.
How long before my flight should I submit the China arrival card?
Travel sources suggest 24 to 48 hours before departure. The portal itself gives no hour count, only that you file before you arrive. Check it for updates.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA Arrival Card Filling: the filing portal.
- NIA service instructions: guidance for the service.
- Chinese consulate in Chicago
Rules can change, so check the NIA portal before you travel.
