The information needed for China arrival card filing, the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC), covers your passport details, a passport page photo, flight and port of entry, an address in China, and visa details if they apply. Filing the card is free on the NIA portal at https://s.nia.gov.cn/. Sites that charge a fee to submit it are not the NIA.
This is an independent guide for US travelers, not a government site. It doesn’t file anything for you or charge a fee. Gather your details here, then confirm the current form and rules on the NIA portal before you fly. For the full picture of border procedures, see our guide to the China Digital Arrival Card and entry declaration rules.
Who Must File the China Arrival Card
Every foreign traveler entering China files one, with or without a visa. Online filing began on 20 November 2025. Paper forms remain a fallback at ports. Confirm both on the NIA portal. For a closer look at who is exempt, read our article on who needs to fill out the China arrival card and the rules for children.
Traveling with kids? Each child files their own card. Seven groups are listed as exempt:
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders
- Non-Chinese holders of the Mainland Travel Permit for HK/Macao
- Group travelers (collective visa or visa-free group)
- Direct transit passengers under 24 hours, within the restricted port area
- Cruise passengers on the same ship
- Fast-track e-channel users
- Foreign crew and employees of transport vehicles
Individuals eligible for centralized submission of entry and exit documents may also be exempt, so check eligibility on the NIA portal. Direct transit under 24 hours has its own conditions — see our breakdown of airside vs. landside transit rules for the China arrival card. US citizens should confirm with the Chinese Embassy whether they need a visa; the arrival card does not replace one, and we explain the difference in what is required for a US citizen to enter China.
Information Needed for China Arrival Card: Passport Data
Enter your details exactly as they appear on the passport data page. Here’s what to watch for in each field.
| Field | What to enter | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Name as printed on the passport data page | Don’t reorder or abbreviate it |
| Gender, birth date, citizenship | As printed on the data page | Enter each one as shown, with no changes |
| Passport number | Copy from the data page | Check it twice before you submit |
| Country and city of birth | As printed on the data page | A standard field in the personal details step |
The filing flow includes a photo of the passport data page. Follow these rules:
- Lay the passport flat, with all four corners visible and nothing cropped.
- Keep the whole data page readable, with no part of the text cut off.
- Check file format and size requirements on the NIA portal.
If the upload fails, retake the photo so the whole page is visible, and follow the format and size requirements shown on the portal.
Address, Host and Itinerary Details
Enter the full address in China, as shown in your booking, with a hotel address acceptable on the form. Give it as completely as you can, from the largest unit down to the room number if you have it. The NIA portal lists accommodation registration (住宿登记) among services for foreigners, so ask your host whether it applies to your stay.
If you stay in a hotel, enter its address. Hotels are acceptable on the form, so copy the address from your booking confirmation, as complete as possible.
| Your trip | What you enter | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Business trip | Answer the yes/no question about inviting entities in China | Skipping the question about inviting entities |
| Private or family visit | Answer the question about inviting entities according to your situation | Leaving the inviting entity question blank |
| Independent tourist | Answer the yes/no question about inviting entities in China | Answering without checking what the form asks |
For your itinerary, open your booking confirmation and copy the inbound flight number. Enter the city and port of entry where you arrive. Destination city is the city where you will stay the longest during the trip. Enter the purpose of your visit, a contact number and email, and your address in China. If the form asks for anything else, follow what you see on screen. For a field-by-field walkthrough, see our instructions on how to fill out the China Digital Arrival Card step by step.
Where and How to File, and What Happens After
File on the NIA portal (computer or phone browser), in the NIA 12367 (移民局12367) app, or in the WeChat/Alipay mini-program.
Open one of those channels and start the form
Filing takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
Enter your details
Passport, flight, port of entry and address details.
Add companions
Add companions at step 5.
Sign and submit the declaration
Complete the declaration to file your card.
Save your QR code
Keep it ready to show at the port of entry.
File the card before you arrive, following the timing shown on the NIA portal. Filing is free on the NIA channels. Third-party services that charge a fee are intermediaries, so file directly — read more on whether the China Digital Arrival Card is free and how to avoid broker fees, and check our guide on when to fill out the China Digital Arrival Card and how long the QR code stays valid.
A submitted card can’t be edited. If anything changes, file a new one. Didn’t file ahead? Kiosks, QR scan and paper forms are the fallback at the port — compare the two formats in our article on the China digital arrival card vs. the paper arrival card.
Save your QR code, by downloading it or having it emailed, and keep it ready to show at the port of entry.
Mistakes in Information Needed for China Arrival Card
Omissions or false information can lead to denied entry or transit. Watch for these common slip-ups:
- An incomplete address. Enter the full address in China before you submit.
- Name typed from your visa or ticket. Copy it from your passport data page.
- A photo that doesn’t show all four corners of the passport data page. Retake it so the whole page is visible.
- Flight number typed from memory. Copy it from your booking confirmation.
- Wrong number in the visa field. Use the visa number printed on the visa sticker in your passport.
- Filing on a paid third-party site. Filing is free on the NIA channels, so file directly to avoid paying.
Reread every field against your passport and booking confirmation before you press submit. If a typo or upload error slips through, here is how to retrieve your China arrival card QR code and fix passport mistakes.
Other Requirements Beyond the Arrival Card
The card doesn’t replace your visa, passport validity or local registrations. Check each item below.
| Requirement | Who it applies to | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Passport validity | Visa applicants | For a visa application, the Chinese Embassy says a passport expiring within 6 months, or with fewer than 2 visa pages, cannot be used |
| Visa or exemption | US citizens | Check with the Chinese Embassy whether you need a visa |
| Fingerprints | First-time visitors | Scanned at the airport |
| Accommodation registration (住宿登记) | Guests in China | Listed on the NIA portal among services for foreigners; ask your host or hotel whether it applies to you |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What information is needed for China arrival card?
You need your name, nationality, gender, birth date, passport number, flight number, port of entry, purpose of visit, a contact number and email, and your address in China. Add a visa number if you have one.
What is the information needed for China arrival card if I am a tourist with no host in China?
Use the same passport, flight and address details. Answer the question about inviting entities in China according to your situation, and enter your hotel address for your stay in China.
Do I have to pay for a China digital arrival card?
No. The card is free on NIA channels. Sites that charge to submit it for you are commercial services or scams, so start from the NIA portal instead.
Where do I file the China arrival card online?
Start at https://s.nia.gov.cn/. You can also use the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat/Alipay mini-program.
How do I write a hotel address in English for the China arrival card?
Copy the hotel address from your booking confirmation, as complete as possible. A hotel address is acceptable on the form.
Can I change my information after submitting the arrival card?
No, a submitted card can’t be edited, so you file a new one. This matters most for flight changes. If you rebook, file again with the new flight number and keep the new QR code.
Does every family member, including children, need a separate arrival card?
Yes. Each traveler files their own card and gets their own QR code. The form has an accompanying persons step, so one adult can add companions in the same session. Each child still needs their own passport details.
How long is the arrival QR code valid, and what if I have no internet in China?
Without internet, show your saved QR code. Kiosks and paper forms are available at the port of entry if neither works.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA arrival card portal: the filing form, app and mini-program channels, and current rules.
- Chinese Embassy in the US, visa application FAQ: visa application questions for US travelers.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
