Most foreign travelers entering mainland China should expect to provide arrival information unless they fall within an official exemption. Since November 20, 2025, the information can be submitted through the National Immigration Administration's official online arrival-card service before travel. Travelers who cannot complete it in advance can still use a QR code, a smart terminal or a paper card at the port of entry. The arrival card does not replace a visa, visa-free eligibility, border inspection or a customs declaration.
This guide was checked on September 25, 2026. Entry procedures and digital services can change. Use the official National Immigration Administration service and recheck the rule shortly before departure.
The official online channel
The official form is hosted by China's National Immigration Administration at:
Chinese embassies state that foreign nationals may submit their arrival information before coming to China through the NIA website, the national government-service platform, the Immigration 12367 app, or official WeChat and Alipay mini-programs.
If advance submission is unavailable, official notices say the traveler can complete the information after reaching the port by scanning the arrival-card QR code, using an on-site smart device or filling in a paper card. An inability to access the online page before departure therefore does not automatically mean the traveler cannot enter.
Use the official domain ending in nia.gov.cn. Be cautious with search advertisements, unofficial form-filling services and pages that request unnecessary payment or identity documents.
Who is exempt?
Official notices list seven exempt categories:
1. holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People's Republic of China;
2. non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents;
3. travelers holding a group visa or qualifying for group visa-free entry;
4. travelers in 24-hour direct transit who do not leave the restricted port area;
5. cruise passengers entering and leaving on the same cruise ship;
6. travelers using an eligible express immigration channel;
7. foreign crew members of international transport, and other cases covered by the notice.
If none of these clearly applies, do not assume that holding a visa or qualifying for individual visa-free entry removes the arrival-card requirement. Individual visa-free travel is not listed as a blanket exemption in the official notice.
When a traveler is unsure—especially with transit, group arrangements, permanent-residence documents or a cruise—check with the relevant Chinese embassy, airline and immigration authority before departure.
Arrival card, visa and customs declaration are different
These documents answer different questions.
- A visa or visa-free policy determines whether and under what conditions a traveler may seek entry.
- An arrival card supplies immigration with information about the specific journey.
- A customs declaration concerns baggage, currency, animals, plants and other items subject to customs rules.
- Hotel registration records the traveler's accommodation after arrival.
Completing one does not automatically complete the others. An online arrival card is also not an approval of entry. The traveler must still carry the valid passport and any visa or supporting documents required for the journey.
For visa-free eligibility, rely on the current Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Immigration Administration or Chinese embassy guidance—not a screenshot or an old travel post.
What to prepare before opening the form
The live form controls the exact fields, so follow what it displays rather than copying an old screenshot. It is sensible to have these items ready:
- the passport or travel document that will be used at the border;
- the visa or residence document, if applicable;
- the international flight, train or ship information;
- the first accommodation name, address and contact details;
- the purpose and broad route of the visit;
- a reachable contact method.
Copy names, passport numbers and dates directly from the document. Do not translate or rearrange the passport name to make it look more natural. Check the document expiry date and ensure that the transport booking uses the same identity.
For a Yunnan itinerary, keep the first hotel's Chinese name and address as well as its English version. Many properties share similar English names, and the Chinese address can help both border questions and the onward journey.
Your first Chinese airport may not be Kunming
A traveler flying directly from abroad to Kunming normally handles immigration at Kunming Changshui International Airport. A traveler connecting through another mainland Chinese city will generally complete formal entry procedures at the first mainland port, but baggage and transfer arrangements vary.
For example, do not assume that a short domestic connection after an international arrival works like an airside international transfer. Ask the operating airline where immigration, baggage collection, customs and re-check occur, then allow enough time.
The arrival card should reflect the actual entry journey. If the route changes, follow the current instructions in the official system or at the port instead of presenting an outdated plan as confirmed.
Seven common mistakes
### 1. Using an unofficial website
Search results and advertisements may imitate government services. Start from the NIA domain or a Chinese embassy notice.
### 2. Assuming visa-free means form-free
Visa-free entry and arrival-card exemptions are separate lists. Check both.
### 3. Entering a nickname
Use the identity shown in the passport and transport booking. A nickname, shortened name or different romanization can create avoidable questions.
### 4. Guessing the hotel address
Use the booking confirmation or ask the property for its Chinese name and full address. Do not select a similarly named hotel simply because it appears first on a map.
### 5. Confusing an arrival card with customs
Food, medicine, currency, animals, plants and commercial goods may involve separate customs or quarantine rules. The arrival card does not decide whether an item can be brought into China.
### 6. Treating online submission as entry approval
Border officers still inspect the traveler and documents. Keep the original passport and required supporting material available.
### 7. Sharing passport data too widely
A travel company may need limited information for a legitimate booking, but a public chat group or unknown form does not. Confirm who receives the data, why it is needed and how it will be stored.
A practical arrival checklist
Before departure:
- confirm visa or visa-free eligibility using an official source;
- complete the arrival card through the NIA channel when applicable;
- keep the first hotel's bilingual name and address;
- confirm where immigration and baggage collection occur;
- save the submission record in a form available without mobile data;
- carry the original passport and required documents;
- check customs rules separately for restricted or declarable items.
After entry, keep the passport accessible for domestic flights, rail tickets and accommodation registration. The arrival card itself does not replace the passport for those services.
For planning beyond immigration, see our [guide to using AI for a Yunnan itinerary](/en/journal/ai-plan-yunnan-trip) and [train tickets for foreign travelers](/en/journal/yunnan-train-tickets-foreign-travelers).
Project Unicorn can help organize arrival information and identify which steps require direct confirmation. Visa eligibility, border admission, customs decisions and immigration procedures remain the responsibility of the relevant authorities.
Frequently asked questions
Is China's online arrival card mandatory for every foreign traveler?
No. Official notices list seven exempt categories. Most travelers who do not clearly fall within one of them should expect to provide arrival information.
Must I complete it online before flying?
Advance online submission is available, but official notices also provide QR-code, smart-terminal and paper options at the port for travelers who cannot complete it beforehand.
Does the arrival card replace a Chinese visa?
No. A visa, visa-free eligibility and the arrival card are separate parts of the entry process.
Do visa-free travelers still need an arrival card?
Individual visa-free travel is not a blanket exemption in the official list. Unless another exemption applies, expect to complete the arrival information.
What if I enter China through Shanghai or Guangzhou before flying to Kunming?
Confirm the process with the operating airline. Immigration is generally handled at the first mainland port of formal entry, and baggage may need to be collected and re-checked.
Is the arrival card the same as a customs declaration?
No. Customs and quarantine requirements for baggage and goods are separate.
Sources and verification
- National Immigration Administration: official arrival-card service
- Chinese Embassy in the United States: online arrival-card notice, December 3, 2025
- Chinese Embassy in Antigua and Barbuda: arrival-card guide, November 28, 2025
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visa-free policy FAQ, November 10, 2025
The official service and policy boundaries were checked on September 25, 2026. Reconfirm entry requirements before travel.