Do I need to fill out a China arrival card before landing?
Quick answer
In many cases, you should prepare or submit China Arrival Card information before traveling through official free channels. Existing NIA guidance says foreign visitors may submit entry information before travel through official channels, and travelers who cannot submit in advance may complete the process at ports where available.
Who this applies to
- Foreign visitors preparing to enter mainland China.
- Travelers who want to avoid filling arrival information after landing with limited data or time.
- Visitors who want to avoid paid websites that imitate official Arrival Card services.
Who this does not apply to
- Travelers in one of the exemption categories listed by NIA guidance.
- Direct 24-hour transit travelers who remain inside the restricted port area, where an exemption may apply under the existing guide.
- Cases where airline, port, or official channel instructions differ for a specific journey.
Step by step
Use an official NIA channel or official port QR code, not a paid third-party website.
Prepare passport, ticket, China address, contact details, and travel-purpose information.
Submit before travel where possible and save the confirmation if available.
If you did not submit in advance, follow official port instructions for smart devices or paper cards where available.
Keep the name, passport, and ticket details consistent.
Required documents or information
- Passport.
- Flight, train, or ship information.
- China address and contact details.
- Travel purpose and stay information.
- Confirmation page or screenshot if the official channel provides one.
Common mistakes
- Paying a third-party website for an Arrival Card service that should be free through official channels.
- Using a search ad instead of the official NIA channel.
- Entering a hotel name without a usable Chinese address.
- Using a nickname or shortened name that does not match the passport.
- Waiting until landing with no data connection.
What to do next
- Open the Arrival Card guide and use the official free-channel links listed there.
- Save your hotel or host address in Chinese before starting the form.
- If you may use 240-hour transit, run the transit pre-checker before booking.
Official sources
Disclaimer
ChinaReady is an independent preparation guide, not an official government, airline, embassy, consulate, or border-control website. Final Arrival Card requirements and entry decisions rest with official authorities and port instructions.