How to Get China's Digital Arrival Card
On 20 November 2025, China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) launched the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) system, replacing the previous paper-based arrival card with a fully online system. The CDAC replaces the former paper card and use is now mandatory for all foreign travelers who arrive in China by air, land, or sea. You must file it within three days (72 hours) of your arrival.
Previously, you received a card on the plane, or at the port. Under the new system, you complete your declaration before you leave, on your phone, tablet, or on a computer, and show a digital receipt QR code to the immigration officer at your border. Your average filing will take under 15 minutes when you have your travel details ready, and filing is free through the NIA’s channels. This guide shows every step of online filing in order, explains every field you fill in, and explains what to do in the rare event that you are given a paper card at the port.
4 Online Ways to Access the CDAC
The NIA provides four official routes to the CDAC platform. Choose whichever suits your device and situation — all four lead to the same form and produce the same valid receipt.
- NIA 12367 APP — Download the "中国移民管理 / China Immigration" app (NIA 12367) from your app store. Open it and tap the "入境填报 / Entry Filing" module. This is the recommended option if you are filing in advance on a mobile device.
- QR code scan — Blue CDAC QR code signs are posted at airports, seaports, and land border crossings. Scan with your phone camera to open the filing form directly. This is useful if you forget to file in advance or need to add a companion at the last minute.
- Mobile browser — Visit https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone/ on any smartphone or tablet browser.
- PC browser — Visit https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/entry-registation-home on any desktop or laptop computer.
Language setting: The system defaults to Chinese. Therefore, look for the "English" button in the top-right corner of the interface. Switch languages before filling in any fields.
How to Complete the Arrival Card
The process takes you through seven steps over four screens. Steps 1 and 2 identify you by uploading your passport; steps 3 and 4 confirm your personal and entry details; 5 and 6 cover itinerary and companions; and step 7 legally declares you and issues your receipt.
Step 1: Open Entry Filing
Open the app or website and tap 入境填报 / Entry Filing. The system displays an application notice covering data usage and legal obligations. Read it and tap "Agree" to proceed. Switch to English at the top right before continuing if needed.
Step 2: Upload Your Passport
Choose your document type from the dropdown - most travellers choose 普通护照 / Ordinary Passport. Next, tap where it says upload area and take a photo of the personal data page of your passport. The app extracts your name, nationality, date of birth and passport number. Tap the uploaded image again if you want to retake or correct, and tap Next once you are happy with the extracted data.
Step 3: Verify Basic Information
Check each auto-filled field against your physical passport, then complete the fields the system cannot extract automatically:
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| English Last Name Required | Must match passport exactly, including hyphens and spaces. |
| English First Name Required | As printed on the passport data page. |
| Sex Required | Select from dropdown. |
| Date of Birth Required | Usually pre-filled by OCR; verify the format (YYYY-MM-DD). |
| Country/Region of Citizenship Required | The country that issued your passport. |
| Document Number Required | Pre-filled from OCR; double-check against the physical document. |
| Entry Transport Mode Required | Air / Land / Sea — select your actual mode of entry. |
| Flight / Train / Vessel Number Required | Your specific carrier number (e.g., CA837, K27, or ferry name). |
| City of Entry Required | The Chinese city where you will first clear immigration. |
| Port of Entry Required | The specific airport, station, or port at that city. |
Step 4: Enter Personal Details
A second screen collects contact details and visa information:
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name Optional | Only if you have an official Chinese transliteration of your name. |
| Country/Region of Birth Required | Your country of birth — not necessarily your citizenship country. |
| Contact Phone Number Required | Include country code (e.g., +852 for Hong Kong, +91 for India). |
| Email Address Optional | Recommended — the system can email your receipt PDF to this address. |
| Valid Visa for Entry Required | Select "Yes" if you hold a visa; "No" if entering under a visa-free arrangement. |
| Visa Number If visa = Yes | Enter exactly as printed on your visa label. |
Step 5: Fill In Trip Information
Once this page is complete, tap 提交 / Submit to save your itinerary and proceed to the companion step.
| Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Purpose of Entry Required | Tourism / Business / Study / Work / Transit / Other. Choose the closest match to your actual purpose. |
| Date of Entry Required | Your planned arrival date at the Chinese border. |
| Primary City in China Required | The city where you will spend the most time during this trip. |
| Transit Cities Optional | Other Chinese cities you plan to visit. Add via the "+" button. |
| Accommodation in China Required | Hotel name and full address, or your host's address if staying privately. |
| Invited by a Chinese unit or individual? Required | Select "Yes" and complete inviter details if applicable; otherwise select "No." |
| Confirmed Departure Plan Required | Select "Yes" if you have a confirmed outbound ticket and enter the date and transport number; "No" if open-ended. |
Step 6: Add Companions
If you’re traveling with companions, tap on 新增 / Add in the upper-right corner of the "My Companions" screen on your device, and fill out their individual passport details, personal information, and trip details. Those who prefer to file independently can do so on their own devices via the QR code scan method – the immigration officer will be able to link the two filings when you get to the counter.
Step 7: Sign and Submit
The system will display a legal statement that states China’s immigration authority may legally retain and use the information you’ve provided. Read this, then tap Click to Sign and draw your signature on the canvas, then tap Confirm. If you’re not happy with your signature, tap Re-sign and repeat. Tap SUBMIT when done to forward your finished arrival card to the NIA.
You will see the following displayed: Entry Declaration Receipt for Foreigner. This is the official NIA document for your arrival. It details your name, document number, country of citizenship, city of entry and has a QR code. Immigration officers will scan the code to pull your data and then clear your arrival process. Save your receipt in one of two ways:
- Download as PDF — Tap "Download Receipt PDF" on the confirmation screen and save it to your device. This is accessible offline, which matters if your flight has no Wi-Fi.
- Send to email — Enter your email address to have the PDF sent directly to your inbox as a backup copy.
At the immigration counter, display the receipt QR code on your screen or present the printed PDF alongside your passport. The officer scans the code and confirms your pre-filed data. Therefore, no additional paper forms are required.
Arrival Card Exemptions
While the CDAC applies to the vast majority of foreign nationals entering China, certain categories are not required to complete any arrival card — paper or digital. Check the list below to see whether your situation qualifies.
The following categories of foreign nationals are exempt from completing the Arrival Card:
- Holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card issued by 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 those eligible for group visa-free entry
- Passengers transiting directly within 24 hours and remaining within the restricted area of the port of entry
- Passengers entering and exiting on the same cruise ship
- Travelers using the E-channel
- Foreign employees of cross-border transport vehicles
🛂 If you're unsure whether your entry situation involves special declaration requirements, it's worth reviewing the full breakdown of China airport customs rules to confirm exactly what applies to your case before you travel.
The Paper Arrival Card
Paper China Arrival Card Sample
The CDAC replaced the paper from November 2025. However, paper arrival cards may still pop up occasionally — for instance, cabin crew on some international routes provide them to passengers “as a precaution”, while many smaller land border points of entry aren’t yet integrated with the digital system.
The front of the card captures your surname and given names, sex, nationality, date of birth, Chinese name if applicable, passport number, visa number (or ‘Visa-Free’ tick), arrival transport number, personal phone number, cities you intend to visit, and name and city of accommodation. The reverse has three questions: whether you have a confirmed departure ticket (if yes, enter the date and transport number), whether a Chinese inviting organisation or contact exists (if yes, provide their name and contact details), and which countries you visited in the past two years. Sign and date, then hand it over to the immigration officer.
Note: If travelers have already completed the CDAC online and hold a valid receipt, they do not need to fill in the paper card as well. Therefore, show the receipt QR code to the officer — the pre-filed data will be processed digitally.
🏨 Planning where to stay while in China? Foreign nationals are subject to specific accommodation registration requirements — see our guide on how foreigner accommodation registration works in China for everything you need to know before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When exactly should I fill in the arrival card for China — can I do it more than 3 days in advance?
No. The CDAC system only accepts submissions within 72 hours (3 calendar days) before the planned entry date. Therefore, attempting to file earlier will result in a system rejection. The arrival card for China must be submitted no more than three days — and no later than the moment of entry — before crossing the border.
Q: Is the China digital arrival card required if I'm entering visa-free?
Yes. All foreign nationals must complete the arrival card for China, regardless of their visa status. This includes travelers using visa-free arrangements or transiting under the 24/240-hour transit policy. Therefore, visa-free entry does not exempt anyone from submitting the CDAC before arrival.
Q: What if I make a mistake after submitting the arrival card?
The CDAC system does not currently allow editing after submission is finalized. Therefore, if a material error appears in the arrival card for China, travelers should file a new declaration immediately. Additionally, they must explain the discrepancy to the immigration officer at the port, supported by physical travel documents.
Q: Do children traveling with parents need their own separate arrival card?
Yes. Each traveler — including minors — requires an individual arrival card for China. However, a parent or guardian can file on behalf of a child. Specifically, they can use the companion-adding feature within the same session, or complete a separate filing using the child's passport details.
Q: I'm entering China by land. Does the CDAC still apply?
Yes. The arrival card for China applies to all entry modes — air, land, and sea. Therefore, land border travelers must complete the CDAC before reaching the checkpoint. If filing in advance is not possible, scanning the QR code sign at the crossing and completing the form on the spot remains an option.
Q: What are the official websites for the China arrival card?
The NIA operates two official URLs for the arrival card for China: https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone/ for mobile devices and https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ for computers. Therefore, travelers should use only these official government addresses. Any third-party service charging a fee is entirely unnecessary and unofficial.
Q: I haven't booked a hotel yet. What do I enter for accommodation?
The accommodation field is required in the arrival card for China. Therefore, travelers should enter a tentative address — for instance, a well-known hotel in the planned city, or a host's address if staying with someone locally. However, travelers are not legally bound to that exact address. A genuine intended location is sufficient.
Q: Can I complete the China arrival card on a desktop computer?
Yes. The PC portal at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ supports full desktop completion of the arrival card for China. Travelers upload their passport photo page as an image file from the computer. Moreover, the required fields and workflow are identical to the mobile version, so no steps differ between devices.
Q: What happens if I forget to complete the arrival card before boarding?
Blue CDAC QR code signs are placed at airports, seaports, and border crossings. Therefore, travelers can scan the code on arrival and complete the arrival card for China in the immigration queue. However, this will slow down processing time. Furthermore, some airlines check for the receipt during boarding, so advance filing avoids this complication entirely.
Q: Is there a fee to file the China arrival card online?
No. Filing the arrival card for China through the NIA's official app, mobile website, or PC portal is completely free of charge. Therefore, travelers do not need to pay any service. Any third-party platform charging a fee to complete the CDAC is not an official NIA channel and is not required.
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