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Arrival cardSince 20 November 2025, China requires all foreign travellers, regardless of nationality, to complete a Digital Arrival Card with the NIA (National Immigration Administration). This customs formality applies both to holders of a standard visa and to nationals benefiting from a visa exemption — such as French, German or Swiss citizens. The good news: the process is entirely free of charge and completed online, up to 72 hours before arrival on Chinese territory.
01 · The essentials
Mandatory since 20 November 2025, the Digital Arrival Card applies to all foreign travellers without exception of nationality.
The process is completed entirely online via the NIA's official system, within the 72 hours preceding arrival on Chinese territory.
No refusal possible: it is a customs declaration with no eligibility criteria and no risk of rejection.
The Digital Arrival Card is an electronic customs declaration introduced by the NIA in November 2025. It replaces the old paper form that travellers used to fill in on board aircraft or upon arrival in China. This change is part of a drive to modernise and accelerate immigration formalities.
It is essential to understand the exact nature of this document: it is not a visa, nor an entry authorisation. The Arrival Card is a declaration — you are informing the Chinese authorities of your itinerary, your mode of transport and your situation with regard to visa policy. It is therefore independent of any visa you may hold. Whether you are travelling with a valid Chinese visa or your country benefits from a visa exemption, you are required to complete it.
Once the form is submitted, you receive a QR code that immigration officers will scan upon your arrival. This digital code contains all your declared information and enables a fast, paperless border crossing.
02 · Who is concerned?
Unlike the rules governing visas for China — which vary considerably depending on bilateral diplomatic agreements — the obligation to complete the Digital Arrival Card does not depend on your nationality. Any person holding a foreign (non-Chinese) passport entering the mainland territory of the People's Republic of China is subject to this formality.
Two main categories of travellers are therefore subject to this obligation:
The application of this rule is universal: regardless of your nationality, your reason for travel or your mode of entry into the country, the Digital Arrival Card is a mandatory step in your entry formalities for China.
Every non-Chinese citizen holding a foreign passport must complete the declaration, without exception. The rule applies regardless of country of residence or country of passport issuance.
Whether you hold a traditional visa or benefit from a visa exemption (such as the 30-day exemption granted to French nationals), the Arrival Card remains mandatory.
The formality applies to all means of access to the territory: air, sea, cross-border train, car or on foot at certain border crossings. The form adapts to the declared mode of transport.
Tourism, business travel, conference, studies, visiting relatives: all purposes of stay are subject to this arrival declaration obligation.
It is important to note that the Digital Arrival Card applies to all of mainland China. Non-Chinese residents of Hong Kong and Macau holding a valid permit to travel to the mainland benefit from a specific exemption. They are not subject to this formality in the context of their regular trips to the mainland.
03 · Exemptions
While the vast majority of foreign travellers are subject to this obligation, the regulations provide for several categories of exemption. The following persons do not need to complete the Digital Arrival Card:
If you have a long layover in China and wish to leave the international transit zone (for example to visit Beijing or Shanghai between two flights), you are not exempt from the Arrival Card. On the contrary, you will need to complete the form and select the “240-Hour Transit” option in the “Entry Policy Selection” section. This 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit scheme is available in several major Chinese cities for eligible nationals. However, a direct transit of less than 24 hours without leaving the controlled zone entirely exempts you from this process.
04 · The procedure
Have your valid passport, your plane ticket or transport document (for flight/ship/train information), and if applicable your Chinese visa (you will need the visa number shown on the sticker) ready.
Go to the NIA's official system to submit your Digital Arrival Card. Submission can be made up to 72 hours before your scheduled arrival in China. Do not submit too far in advance as the information must precisely match your travel period.
Enter your surname, first name, date of birth, nationality, and your passport details (number, expiry date). These data must correspond exactly to those shown on your travel document.
The system will ask you “Do you hold a valid visa or other entry permit?”. If you hold a Chinese visa, answer “Yes” and enter your visa number (located at the top right of the sticker in your passport). If you are travelling without a visa, answer “No” and proceed to the “Entry Policy Selection” section.
If you are travelling without a visa, you must indicate the legal framework of your entry: “30-Day Visa Waiver” for nationals benefiting from the short-stay exemption (such as French citizens), or “240-Hour Transit” if you are on a long layover eligible for visa-free transit.
Indicate your mode of transport (air, sea, train, car, on foot), the details of your flight or journey, and your first accommodation address in China.
After submitting the form, you will receive an arrival QR code. Save it on your phone or print it to present to immigration officers upon your arrival in China.
The distinction between answering “Yes” and “No” to the question about holding a visa is crucial. An error in this section can create inconsistencies in the immigration system, which instantly cross-references your passport data with the legal framework of your stay. Take the time to verify your situation before completing the form.
If you answered “Yes” but are actually travelling without a visa (or vice versa), the generated QR code will be non-compliant and may cause difficulties at the border crossing. If you are unsure of your status with regard to Chinese visa policy, consult the competent consular authorities or a specialist service provider.
05 · Fees and timelines
Accessing and submitting the form directly on the NIA's state system is completely free of charge. No government fee is charged to generate this Arrival Card. It is an administrative formality covered by the Chinese state as part of the modernisation of its immigration procedures.
As for the submission deadline, it is advisable to complete the form within the 72 hours preceding your arrival. This time window ensures that your transport information (flight number, arrival date and time) is perfectly up to date and corresponds exactly to your actual journey. Submitting too far in advance could create inconsistencies if your itinerary were to change.
In practice, the form can be completed a few hours before boarding, once you have all your travel information to hand. Specialist service providers can handle this process on your behalf, for a service fee, and send you the document as soon as submission is possible within the 72-hour window.
The Chinese Digital Arrival Card is an officially free form. If you complete it yourself on the NIA website, there is nothing to pay. However, if you use a service provider for assistance with the process, service fees may apply — this is distinct from government fees, which do not exist in this case. Be sure to distinguish between the two.
06 · Before you leave
Even though the Digital Arrival Card is designed to be simple and accessible, a few common-sense precautions will help you avoid inconveniences on arrival. Here are the main points to incorporate into your travel preparation.
The Digital Arrival Card is required at all entry points into mainland China, regardless of your mode of transport:
The online form automatically adapts to the mode of transport you select, and the fields requested will vary accordingly.
In summary, China's Digital Arrival Card is a recent formality, simple in principle and completely free of charge. It does not replace your visa or visa exemption: the two processes are complementary and independent. By completing it within the 72 hours before your departure, you arrive in China with all formalities in order, for a smooth and swift border crossing.
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