What Is the China Arrival Card?
The China Arrival Card is a digital entry declaration launched by China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) on November 20, 2025. It replaces the need to fill out a paper form on arrival by letting travelers submit their entry information online before they even board their flight.
Filing is always free directly through NIA's official channels. Our service exists for travelers who want extra guidance — a second set of eyes to catch mistakes before they reach the immigration counter — not to replace the free government process.
Foreigner Arrival Card, "CDAC," or Just "Arrival Card"? A Naming Note
China's own government notices consistently call this the "Arrival Card," or more formally, the "Foreigner Arrival Card." You may see it referred to elsewhere as the "China Digital Arrival Card" or by the shorthand "CDAC" — but neither term appears on NIA's official website or app. These are travel-industry nicknames, not government terminology. Throughout this guide, we'll stick with "China Arrival Card" as the clearest, most accurate name.
Who Needs to Submit the China Arrival Card
Most foreign nationals entering mainland China by air, land, or sea need to submit an Arrival Card — whether you're traveling on a visa, entering visa-free, or passing through on a transit policy that requires you to clear immigration. This includes travelers using visa-free tourist arrangements, so if you're a US citizen or holder of another passport eligible for one of China's visa-free policies, don't assume that exempts you from the Arrival Card requirement.
Who Is Exempt
NIA specifies seven exempt categories:
Holders of a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People's Republic of China
Holders of a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (for non-Chinese citizens)
Holders of a group visa, or travelers eligible for group visa-free entry
Passengers in 24-hour direct transit who stay within the restricted port area and don't clear immigration
Cruise passengers entering and departing China on the same vessel
Travelers using an eligible E-channel or fast-track lane
Foreign crew members of exit-entry transport vehicles
A Note for Certain Bordering-Country Travelers
Some guides suggest that travelers from a handful of neighboring countries — including North Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam — who hold a border resident certificate may need to complete a different form instead of the standard Arrival Card. This detail hasn't been confirmed on NIA's official site, so if it applies to you, we'd recommend checking directly with NIA or a Chinese diplomatic mission before you travel.
Is the China Arrival Card Free? Beware of Fraudulent Websites
Yes — filing your China Arrival Card through official channels costs nothing. This is important enough that NIA issued a dedicated notice on December 5, 2025, warning travelers directly:
"Recently, overseas fraudsters have been defrauding travelers of fees by setting up counterfeit websites posing as China's official platform for arrival card filling. NIA hereby warns that the online arrival card filling, as an innovative service to facilitate entry into China, is free of charge."
That's about as clear a warning as a government agency can issue. If you land on a site asking for payment to submit your Arrival Card, it isn't the official one — check that the domain ends in .gov.cn before entering any information.
To be clear about our own role here: our assisted-filing service is a paid, optional add-on for travelers who want support completing the form correctly. It is not a substitute for the free official submission, and we'll never suggest otherwise.
When to Submit: Understanding the Timing
This is one area where the guidance gets a little murky. NIA's own wording simply says to file "before coming to China," without stating a specific cutoff. You'll see many sources — including some official embassy postings — cite a 72-hour (three-day) window before arrival as the rule to follow.
Given the discrepancy, the safest approach is this: aim to file within roughly 72 hours of your arrival, once your flight and accommodation details are settled, but don't panic if you file a little earlier or later. There's no confirmed penalty for submitting outside that window based on NIA's own published language — just make sure it's done before you land.
Where and How to Submit the China Arrival Card
Let us handle the filing for you
About 7 minutes to fill in. A reviewer checks your details, then we submit on time — and retry if the portal fails.
Apply through TravelDeclaration.comYou have several official options for filing your China Arrival Card online:
- Official website: NIA's dedicated portal, accessible from desktop or mobile
- Mobile app: "NIA 12367" (移民局12367), available on iOS and Android
- WeChat or Alipay mini-program: search "移民局12367" within either app
- QR code at the airport or port: scan the official code posted at check-in counters or entry points (note: this is reportedly valid for only 24 hours, so scan it close to your actual arrival)
If you land in China without having filed in advance, you can still complete the process on arrival using a self-service kiosk or a paper form — both remain available at ports of entry.
Information You'll Need
Before you start, have the following ready:
- A photo of your passport's identity page
- Full name (exactly as it appears on your passport), gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and expiry date
- Mode of transport and your flight, train, or vessel number
- City and specific port of entry (for example, "Shanghai, Pudong International Airport")
- Visa number, or the applicable visa-free/transit policy you're traveling under
- Purpose of visit
- Phone number and email address
- Full accommodation address in China — a complete street address, not just a city name
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the China Arrival Card
- Choose your channel. Head to the official NIA website, the "NIA 12367" app, or the WeChat/Alipay mini-program, and select your language.
- Upload your passport photo. The system will auto-fill some fields — double-check them for accuracy.
- Enter your personal and travel details. This includes your transport mode, flight or vessel number, entry port, and visa status.
- Add your contact details and accommodation address. Include your purpose of visit and expected arrival date.
- Review and submit. Confirm everything is accurate before submitting your declaration.
- Save your confirmation QR code. Screenshot it or email it to yourself — you'll show this to the immigration officer on arrival, and no printout is required.
If you'd rather have an expert review each field with you before you submit, that's exactly what our assisted-filing service is built for.
Get Assisted Filing SupportDoes the China Arrival Card Cover Your Whole Family?
No — every traveler needs their own separate submission, including children. There's no group or family filing option described by any official source, so if you're traveling with family, plan to complete an individual Arrival Card for each passport (unless your group is traveling on a group visa, which falls under a separate exemption).
Can You Edit the China Arrival Card After Submitting?
This isn't entirely confirmed either way by NIA directly, but the safest working assumption is no — treat your submission as final. If you catch a mistake after submitting, the practical fix appears to be filing a new card rather than trying to amend the old one. The best defense here is simple: review every field carefully before you hit submit.
How Long Is the China Arrival Card Valid?
Your China Arrival Card covers a single entry only. If you leave China and plan to re-enter later — say, on a multi-country itinerary — you'll need to submit a fresh Arrival Card for each arrival.
The China Arrival Card Is Not a Visa (and Not a Health Declaration)
Filing an Arrival Card doesn't replace your visa or visa-free eligibility — it's an additional step required alongside whatever entry status you already hold. It's also a separate process from any health declaration, so don't assume completing one covers the other.
Not to Be Confused With: China's Customs Declaration
China also has a separate customs declaration process for travelers carrying cash above a certain threshold, valuables, or restricted goods. This is a different form covering different information — what you're bringing into the country, rather than who you are and where you're staying — so don't assume your Arrival Card takes care of this step too.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Listing the wrong port of entry (for example, writing "Hong Kong" when your actual mainland entry point is Shenzhen)
Double-check your actual first mainland entry point against your boarding pass — listing the wrong city can cause confusion at the immigration desk.
Giving a vague accommodation address instead of a full street address
Hotels and hosts are required to register your stay with local police, so provide the full street address exactly as booked, not just a city or district name.
Forgetting to save your confirmation QR code before your phone loses signal or battery
Screenshot or download your QR code before you land, since airport WiFi and signal can be unreliable right when you need to show it.
Traveling with a passport that has limited remaining validity
Check that your passport meets China's minimum remaining-validity requirement before you travel — a passport nearing expiry can be refused at the border regardless of your Arrival Card.
Not realizing cash or valuables above the threshold need a separate customs declaration
The Arrival Card doesn't cover customs declarations — cash, gold, or other valuables above the legal threshold must be declared separately on arrival.
Assuming a completed Arrival Card carries over to your next entry
Each entry into China requires its own freshly submitted Arrival Card — a previous one doesn't carry over, even for a quick return trip.
Filing through an unofficial, fee-charging website instead of NIA's free channels
The National Immigration Administration's official channels are free — third-party sites charging a fee for the same form aren't government-affiliated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the China Arrival Card?
It's a free digital entry declaration required by China's National Immigration Administration for most foreign travelers entering mainland China, submitted online before arrival.
Is the China Arrival Card free?
Yes. NIA has issued an official warning that the free service is being imitated by fee-charging counterfeit websites — always file through an official .gov.cn channel.
Do US citizens need to complete the China Arrival Card?
Yes, unless you fall under one of NIA's seven exempt categories. Visa-free entry doesn't exempt you from this requirement.
How far in advance should I submit the China Arrival Card?
NIA doesn't state a fixed cutoff, though many sources cite a roughly 72-hour window before arrival as common practice. Filing a day or two ahead, once your travel details are finalized, is a safe approach.
Is the China Arrival Card the same as a visa?
No. It's a separate declaration required in addition to whatever visa or visa-free status you already hold.
Do I need a new Arrival Card every time I enter China?
Yes. The card is valid for a single entry only, so a fresh submission is needed for each arrival.
Can one person submit the Arrival Card for their whole family?
No. Each traveler, including children, needs their own individual submission.
What happens if I don't complete the Arrival Card before I arrive?
You can still file on arrival using a kiosk, QR code, or paper form at the port of entry — but filing in advance saves time at immigration.
Is the China Arrival Card the same as the customs declaration?
No. The Arrival Card covers who you are and where you're staying; the customs declaration covers goods, cash, and valuables you're bringing into the country.
Can I edit my Arrival Card after submitting it?
This isn't officially confirmed, but the safest assumption is no — review your details carefully before submitting, since a fresh submission appears to be the fallback if a mistake is found.