🛂 Entry & Visa

How to Submit Your Arrival Card to China Online

A complete step-by-step guide with screenshots. Fill in the form online before you fly — skip the paper arrival card.

📅 Last updated: June 2026 ⏱️ 8 min read
Official Portal: s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/

Official NIA Video Tutorial

Watch the official video walkthrough from the National Immigration Administration:

▶ Watch Tutorial Video

Step 0: Access the Portal

Step 0

Open s.nia.gov.cn and switch to English using the Language dropdown in the top-right corner.

Screenshot
Homepage showing Entry Declaration in English

After switching to English, click Entry Declaration to begin

Two options are available:

  • Entry Declaration — for most foreign travelers entering China
  • Entry Declaration for Border Area Residents — only for residents from 7 neighboring countries (DPRK, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam)

Step 1: Read the Instructions

Step 1

After clicking "Entry Declaration", you'll see the Instructions page listing who is exempt.

Screenshot
Instructions page with notice and I AGREE button

Read the instructions, then click I AGREE to proceed

Who is EXEMPT (does not need to fill this form):

  1. Holders of valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of China
  2. Holders of valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong/Macao Residents (Non-Chinese)
  3. 24-hour direct transit passengers staying within port limits
  4. Group visa or group tourist members
  5. Crew members (airline, ship, driver)
  6. Cruise passengers returning on the same ship
  7. Persons eligible for centralized document inspection
  8. E-Channel entrants
Important: Transit passengers who leave the port area (including 24h / 240h transit passengers) must fill this form.

Click I AGREE to continue.

Step 2: Upload Your Passport Info Page

Step 2

Select your document type and upload a clear photo of your passport data page. The system will use OCR to automatically read your information.

Screenshot
Document upload page - Uploading ID Document Page

Select document type and upload or take a photo of your passport data page

Tip: Make sure the photo is well-lit and all text is clearly readable. The quality of the photo determines how accurately the system can auto-fill your details in the next steps.

Step 3: Basic Information Filling

Step 3

This is the main information page. The system will automatically extract most of your details from the passport photo you uploaded.

Empty form — all fields shown

Screenshot
Basic Information form - empty

This is what the form looks like when you first enter this step

🔶 Left Section — Auto-filled by OCR (check accuracy)

Auto Surname / Family Name (英文姓)
Auto Given Name (英文名)
Auto Gender (性别)
Auto Date of Birth (出生日期)
Auto Document Type (证件类型)
Auto Document Number (证件号码)
Manual Country / Region (国家/地区) — this is the only field you need to select yourself on the left side

Right Section — You need to fill these

Fill Transport Mode (入境交通方式)
Fill Flight / Train / Ship No. (入境航班/车次/船次)
Fill Entry City (入境城市)
Fill Entry Port (入境口岸) — auto-populates after city & transport are selected

Filled form example

Screenshot
Basic Information form - filled example

The left section (yellow highlight area) shows data extracted from your passport — double-check everything. Only Country/Region needs to be manually selected. Fill the right section with your entry details.

Reminder: Passport scan quality matters. If your photo is blurry or poorly lit, the auto-fill may be inaccurate. Always double-check all fields before clicking Next.

Step 4: Personal Information Filling

Step 4
Screenshot
Personal Information form

Fill in your personal details. Fields with explanations below.

Field-by-field guide:

Fill Chinese Name — if you have a Chinese name, enter it here. If not, leave it blank.
Fill Nationality / Country of Residence — enter the country or city where you currently live (not necessarily your passport country if you live abroad).
Fill Occupation — your job title or profession.
Fill Contact Phone — include country code if using a non-Chinese number.
Fill Email Address — for receiving confirmation/QR code.
Fill Emergency Contact — name and phone number of someone to contact in case of emergency.

Visa / Entry Policy Section

Screenshot
Visa and entry policy selection

Select "No" if entering visa-free, then choose your entry policy from the dropdown

How to fill the visa question:

Fill Do you hold a valid visa?
  • Yes — if you have obtained a Chinese visa (e.g., L tourist visa)
  • No — if you are entering via a visa-free policy (e.g., 240-hour transit, 30-day visa-free, Hainan visa-free, etc.)
Fill If "No" → Entry Policy Selection — a dropdown menu will appear for you to select the visa-free policy you are using (as shown in the screenshot above).
Tip: If you have a valid L visa, select "Yes". If you're using a visa-free policy (e.g., from the 50-country unilateral visa-free list, or 240-hour transit), select "No" and choose your applicable policy from the dropdown.

Step 5: Travel Information Filling

Step 5
Screenshot
Travel Information form

Fill in your travel itinerary details

Left Section — Trip Details

Fill Purpose of Entry — Tourism / Business / Transit / Family Visit / Other
Fill Date of Entry — the date you are scheduled to arrive in China
Fill Destination Cities in China — the cities you plan to visit
Fill Cities of Transit in China — any transit/connecting cities (if applicable)
Fill Address in China — fill in your detailed address (hotel name + street + district + city)

Right Section — Inviter & Return Info

Fill Are you invited to China?
  • Yes — fill in inviter's name and contact information
  • No — skip this section
Fill Departure / Return Information
Toggle "Confirmed Departure Itinerary" to Yes if you have confirmed return plans, then fill in:
  • Date of Departure — your planned exit date
  • Transportation Mode for Departure — Air / Land / Sea
  • Departure Flight/Train/Vessel Number — the specific number
  • City of Departure — the city you will depart from
  • Port of Departure — auto-populates after city & transport are selected
⚠️ 240-Hour Transit Note: If you are entering China under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, you are generally required to have a confirmed onward/return ticket to a destination outside mainland China. Make sure you fill in the departure/return information accurately.

Companion Prompt

After Step 5

After filling in Step 5 and clicking "Next", you will see this popup asking about companions:

Screenshot
Do you have any companions popup

"Do you have any companions?" — choose Yes to add travel companions

Options:

Yes — You will be taken through the same steps (Basic Info, Personal Info, Travel Info) to fill in for each companion. Note: You can also have each companion fill their own form individually — it's not required that one person fills for everyone.
No — Proceed directly to the review page.

Final Step: Review, Sign & Submit

Final

After completing all steps, you will reach the review page. Read through all your information carefully.

Screenshot
Review, sign and submit page

Sign to confirm, then submit. Save the QR code that appears after submission.

What to do:

  1. Review — Double-check all information. Use "Previous" to go back and make corrections if needed.
  2. Sign — Sign your name in the signature box to confirm the declaration.
  3. Submit — Click the submit button.
  4. Save your QR Code — After submission, a confirmation QR code will be displayed. Take a screenshot or save it — you must present this at immigration when you arrive in China.
Bonus: Within one year of your first submission, if you visit China again, the system will allow you to reuse the information you previously filled in — you only need to update your travel itinerary. This makes repeat trips much faster!
⚠️ Important: The QR code is linked to your scheduled entry. If your travel plans change (different flight, different date), you may need to re-submit a new form. The system typically accepts submissions up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival.

Before You Start

Have these ready before filling the form:

  • Your passport (physical or a clear photo of the data page)
  • Flight / train / ship number for your entry to China
  • Hotel name and detailed address in China (if known)
  • Your phone number (with country code if not a Chinese number)
  • Your email address
  • A device with a camera to photograph your passport, or a scanned passport copy ready on your device

FAQ

Q: Can I fill this on my phone?

Yes, the portal is fully mobile-responsive and works on both desktop and mobile browsers.

Q: Do I need to print the QR code?

Screen it on your phone or print it out — either works. The key is to have it ready to show at immigration.

Q: What if I make a mistake after submitting?

Re-access the portal and submit a new form. The old submission will be replaced.

Q: Is this form mandatory? Do I still need the paper card?

As of 2025-2026, the online form is the recommended option. Some ports may still distribute paper cards as a backup. It's smart to fill the online form and carry a pen just in case.

Q: I'm transiting for less than 24 hours and not leaving the airport — do I need this?

No. 24-hour direct transit passengers who stay within the port restricted area are exempt.

Q: I'm entering under 240-hour transit visa-free. Do I need this form?

Yes, if you are leaving the port area. Transit passengers staying in China for up to 240 hours must fill this form.

Q: Can I reuse my info for future trips?

Yes! Within one year, the system lets you reuse previously filled data. You'll only need to update your travel itinerary for the new trip.

📚 Next Reads

China Customs Regulations What you can and cannot bring into China First Time in China: Step-by-Step Guide Complete preparation timeline for first-time visitors China Visa Types Complete Guide All visa options explained — visa-free, transit, and L visa 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Explained 10-day transit rules, ports, and travel areas

📚 Sources