File the declaration online before you arrive in China, once your flight details are final. The official notice does not set a fixed filing window, so check the NIA portal for current timing. You receive a QR code after you submit the form, so save it before you travel.
This guide is an independent resource, not a government site. It covers timing, the QR code, and what to do if your flight changes. Check dates and details on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal before you fly.
Who Must File the Digital Arrival Card
Foreign travelers entering mainland China must complete the digital declaration unless they hold permanent residence or fall under a specific exemption. Most travelers must complete the card even when entering visa-free. For a full breakdown of the rules, including for children, see who needs to fill out the China arrival card.
The card is an electronic entry declaration that gives you a QR code for immigration inspection. Online filing has been available since 20 November 2025. To understand the broader entry rules and border procedures, read our guide to the China digital arrival card.
Seven exemptions apply:
- holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People’s Republic of China
- holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese citizens)
- holders of a group visa or eligible for group visa-free entry
- direct transit within 24 hours without leaving the restricted area of the port
- passengers entering and exiting on the same cruise ship
- e-channel or fast lane users
- foreign employees of exit-entry transport vehicles
Travelers entering under China’s visa-free transit policy still need to complete the card. Not sure you’re exempt? Check this list before you assume. If you’re only passing through, our article on arrival card requirements for China transit explains the airside and landside rules.
When to Fill Out a China Digital Arrival Card
File before you arrive in China, once your flight details are final. The official notice does not set a fixed filing window, so check the NIA portal for current timing.
| When you file | What to consider | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Long before your trip | Flight details may still change | Wait until your itinerary is confirmed |
| Once your flight number is final | Your details will match your ticket | Recommended for most trips |
| Close to departure | Less time to review your entries | Check your details against your documents |
The sources reviewed do not describe special rules for connecting itineraries, so make sure the arrival details you submit match your final destination in China. If anything in your booking changes after you file, check the NIA portal for current guidance before you travel.
How to File: Steps and Fields
Filing uses your passport, flight number, and accommodation address through the National Immigration Administration channels. For a detailed walkthrough of each channel, see our step-by-step guide on how to fill out the China arrival card online.
You can file through the NIA website, the Government Service Platform, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat or Alipay mini program.
Open the portal
Go to https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/
Enter passport details
Provide your identity information
Add travel details
Include your trip information
Submit and save the QR code
Keep a copy of your QR code
Be ready to provide the following:
- Identity: name as in passport, passport number, nationality, sex, date and place of birth
- Trip: flight or vessel number, arrival date, port of entry, purpose of entry, destination cities
- In China: address, contact number, visa number (if applicable)
- Background: travel history, health declaration
The QR code appears after you submit, so save a copy right away. For the full list of fields and documents to prepare, see what information you need for the China arrival card.
QR Code Validity and Changes
The official sources reviewed do not state how long the QR code stays valid, so check the NIA portal before you fly.
| Situation | What you do |
|---|---|
| Delay of a few hours, same flight and date | Check the NIA portal for current guidance |
| Flight number or arrival date changes | Check the NIA portal and make sure your submitted details match your ticket |
| A delay moves landing to another day | Confirm your arrival details against your booking before you travel |
Officers scan the QR code on arrival, so keep it on your phone. Save a screenshot of the QR code before you travel. If you lose the code, our guide on how to retrieve your China arrival card QR code explains what to do.
If you cannot file online in advance, you can complete the process on arrival at the immigration inspection site. At the port, you can use smart devices to fill in the entry information online, or use the paper Arrival Card. To compare both options, see China digital arrival card vs. paper form.
Common Mistakes and Third-Party Sites
Double-check the data you enter, and use only the official channels listed above.
- Mistyped passport or flight number. Check both against your documents before you submit.
- No offline copy of the QR code. Take a screenshot before you travel.
- Assuming visa-free means no card. Check the exemption list first.
- Paying an intermediary. Third-party sites may charge for help with the form, so check that you are on one of the official channels listed above before you pay. Learn more about whether the China digital arrival card is free and how to avoid broker fees.
Warning signs of a fake site: requests for payment to file the form, pressure to act quickly, or a web address that is not the official NIA portal (s.nia.gov.cn).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When to fill out a China digital arrival card if I’m flying from the US?
File before you arrive in China, once your flight details are final. Official sources reviewed do not set a fixed filing window, so check the NIA portal for current timing. US citizens can also read our overview of entry requirements for US citizens.
When to fill out a China digital arrival card if my flight is delayed or rescheduled?
The sources reviewed do not describe what happens when a flight changes after you file. Check the NIA portal for current rules, and make sure the details you submitted match your ticket.
What happens if I fill out the China arrival card too early?
Official sources reviewed do not set a limit on how early you can file, and they do not say what happens if plans change. File once your flight details are final.
Is the QR code generated immediately after I submit?
Yes, it appears after you submit. Take a screenshot as soon as the code shows, so you have a copy if your connection drops later.
Can I fill out the China arrival card at the airport or departure gate?
You can also complete the process on arrival. You can use smart devices at the port to fill in the entry information online, or fill in the paper Arrival Card. Filing at home before departure still gives you a saved QR code.
Can I edit the arrival card after submitting, or must I file a new one?
The sources reviewed do not explain how to correct a submitted form. Check your passport and flight numbers carefully before you submit.
Do I need the arrival card for a 24-hour transit or visa-free transit?
Direct transit within 24 hours, without leaving the restricted area of the port, is exempt. Travelers using China’s visa-free transit policy still need to complete the card. If you’re unsure, check the exemption list above.
Where do I file the China digital arrival card, and does it cost anything?
Go to https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat or Alipay mini program. The sources reviewed do not state whether there are fees, so check the NIA portal before you pay anything.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA government service platform: the arrival card filing portal.
- Chinese Embassy in Singapore notice: online filing launch, exemptions, and filing channels.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
