Arrival card China

China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) changed the declaration of arrival process in November 2025, when China introduced a system of Digital Arrival Card (Digital Arrival Card) to simplify and speed up customs formalities.

Who should apply for the arrival card?

Unlike visa policies (which vary greatly depending on the diplomatic agreements between China and other countries.), the need to complete the China Arrival Card does not depend on nationality.

All foreign nationalities are eligible and, by default, required to complete this declaration of entry into China.

Here are the basic principles of this rule:

• Universal application : All non-Chinese citizens holding a foreign passport must declare their arrival and itinerary.
  
• Independent of visa type : Whether you're traveling on a classic visa (tourist, business, student) or your country benefits from a visa exemption (as is the case for many European countries such as France, Germany or Switzerland for short stays), the arrival card remains a compulsory customs formality.

Application deadlines and rates

Submission deadline

When it comes to administrative formalities, it's essential to think ahead. You can submit your request up to 3 days (72 hours) before the date of your expected arrival in China. Registration must correspond precisely to your travel period. By respecting this 72-hour window, you'll be able to complete your formalities with peace of mind, and your transport data will be perfectly up to date.

Of course, we accept files at any time before 72 hours, and forward the document to you as soon as possible.

Tariff for the official procedure

Accessing and submitting the form directly on the NIA state system is easy. totally free. There is no government fee for generating this arrival card. Some agencies may charge you a small fee for doing this for you.

Form entry: Details on visas and exemptions

When filling in your digital arrival card, pay particular attention to the section dedicated to your entry authorization. After filling in your identity and passport details, the system will ask you a central question: «Do you hold a valid visa or other entry permit?» (Do you have a valid visa or entry permit?). The answer to this question depends directly on your situation with regard to China's visa policy (visa policy) and will determine the rest of the form:

• If you have a classic visa (select «Yes»): The form will display a mandatory field entitled «Visa Number». You'll need to write down your physical visa number (usually located in the top right-hand corner of the sticker in your passport).
• If you are traveling without a visa (select «No») : An essential section then appears, entitled «Entry Policy Selection» (Select entry policy). This is where you need to indicate the legal specificity that allows you to cross the border without a visa:
  • Short-stay visa exemption : If you benefit from the unilateral exemption policy granted to many European countries (such as France), you must select the option corresponding to the 30-day visa exemption (30-Day Visa Waiver).
  • Transit without visa : If you have a long stopover and are eligible for free transit, you must select the appropriate option, such as 240-hour transit (240-Hour Transit).

This distinction is crucial for border authorities: it enables the immigration system to instantly cross-reference your flight data and passport with the legal framework of your stay, guaranteeing the generation of a perfectly compliant arrival QR code.

Who is exempt?

Some travellers have no need to complete this card, including :

• Holders of a Permanent resident card for foreigners in China.
• Travellers entering through the automatic gantries (E-channel).
• People in direct transit (less than 24 hours) that do not leave the restricted area of the port of entry.
• The members of tourist groups visa-exempt or group visa holders.
• Passengers on cruise ships arriving and departing on the same cruise.
• Hong Kong and Macau residents (non-Chinese) holding a valid travel permit to the mainland.