China Entry Procedures: Complete Guide (Including Online Arrival Card)

What’s the Online Arrival Card?

Since November 20, 2025, China replaced the old paper arrival cards with an Online Arrival Card system. Fill it out before you land, and immigration will be a breeze.

Detail	Info
Launch Date	November 20, 2025
Cost	Free
Time to Complete	~3-5 minutes
Advance Submission	Up to 6 days before arrival

⚠️ Watch out: Some scam websites charge money for this. The official channels are completely free!

5 Ways to Submit Your Arrival Card

1. NIA Official Website (Desktop)

Detail	Info
URL	https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/
Languages	9 languages including English
Best For	People who prefer a bigger screen

2. NIA Official Website (Mobile)

Detail	Info
URL	https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone/
Features	Mobile-optimized, camera passport scan

3. NIA 12367 App

Detail	Info
Download	App Store / Google Play
Search	”NIA 12367” or “移民局12367”
Features	Saves passport info for frequent travelers

4. WeChat Mini Program

1. Open WeChat
2. Go to Discover > Mini Programs
3. Search “移民局12367”
4. Select Arrival Card feature

5. Alipay Mini Program

1. Open Alipay
2. Search “移民局12367” in the top bar
3. Open the mini program
4. Select Arrival Card feature

💡 Pro tip: Already have WeChat or Alipay? Skip the app download—use the mini program instead!

When to Submit

Timing	Details
Earliest	6 days before arrival
Recommended	1-3 days before departure
At the airport	QR scan, kiosk, or paper form

Step-by-Step: Filling Out Your Arrival Card

Step 1: Choose Your Platform

Pick any of the official channels above.

Step 2: Select Language

9 languages available (English interface is the most polished)

Step 3: Upload Passport Photo (Optional)

Snap a pic of your passport’s photo page—OCR auto-fills most fields.

Photo tips:

• Good lighting, no glare
• All four corners visible
• Sharp focus

Step 4: Personal Information

Field	How to Fill
Name	Exactly as it appears on passport (surname first)
Nationality	Your country
Passport Number	As shown on passport
Date of Birth	YYYY-MM-DD format
Gender	Male / Female

Step 5: Entry Information

Field	Example
Entry Method	Flight
Flight Number	KE897, MU5088, etc.
Entry City	Shanghai
Entry Port	Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Step 6: Visa Status

Have a visa?

• Select “Yes” → Enter visa number

Using visa-free entry?

• Select “No” → Choose the applicable policy:
  • 240-Hour Transit: Select “240-Hour Visa-Free Transit,” enter “TRANSIT” in visa field
  • 30-Day Exemption: Select “30-Day Unilateral Visa Exemption”

Step 7: Travel Details

Field	Description	Example
Purpose	Tourism, Business, etc.	Tourism
Arrival Date	Within 6 days of submission	2026-01-25
Destination City	Where you’ll mostly stay	Shanghai
Detailed Address	Hotel name + full address	The Peninsula Shanghai, No. 32 The Bund, Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District

⚠️ This is the #1 rejection reason: Vague addresses. Be specific—include hotel name, street number, district, and city!

Step 8: Contact Information

Field	Example
Phone	+1-555-123-4567 (include country code)
Email	your@email.com

Step 9: Exit Information (240-Hour Transit Only)

Field	Description
Departure Date	Within 240 hours of entry
Exit Port	One of 65 designated ports
Destination	Third country (must differ from origin)
Flight Number	Your outbound flight

Step 10: Review & Submit

Double-check everything, then hit Submit.

Step 11: Save Your QR Code

Critical step—don’t skip this:

• Screenshot it
• Download PDF (if available)
• Write down confirmation number
• Email it to yourself

Who’s Exempt from the Arrival Card?

Category	Description
Permanent residents	Foreign nationals with China green card
HK/Macau pass holders	Non-Chinese with mainland travel permit
Group visa travelers	Those on group visas or group visa-free programs
24-hour transit	Passengers staying in airport restricted area
Cruise passengers	Same-ship arrival/departure
E-Channel users	Automated gate users
Foreign crew	Transport crew members

Shanghai Airport Immigration: What to Expect

Total Time Estimate

Step	Expected Time
Deplaning → Immigration hall	5-15 min
Queue wait	5-30 min
Document check	3-5 min
Biometrics	2-5 min
Final stamp	2-3 min
Baggage claim	10-20 min
Customs	2-10 min
Total	30-60 min

Step 1: Follow the Signs

After deplaning, follow signs to Immigration (出入境检查).

Step 2: Find the Right Line

Look for the 240-Hour/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit counter if that’s your policy.

Signs to look for:

• Chinese: 144/240小时过境免签
• English: 144/240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Location:

Airport	Terminal	Location
Pudong T1	Terminal 1	2F Arrivals, Joint Inspection Hall
Pudong T2	Terminal 2	2F Arrivals, Joint Inspection Hall
Hongqiao T1	Terminal 1	2F Arrivals, Joint Inspection Hall
Hongqiao T2	Terminal 2	2F Arrivals, Joint Inspection Hall

Step 3: Present Your Documents

Document	Required?	Notes
Passport	✅ Yes	Valid for 3+ months
Arrival Card QR	✅ Yes	Online confirmation or paper form
Third-Country Ticket	✅ For transit	With confirmed seat
Hotel Booking	Recommended	May be asked

Step 4: Biometric Registration

Ages 14-70 must register fingerprints and facial photo.

Process:

1. Go to self-service kiosk
2. Scan passport
3. Register all 10 fingerprints
4. Take facial photo
5. Get receipt
6. Give receipt to immigration officer

Exempt:

• Diplomatic passport holders
• Previously registered in China
• 24-hour transit (staying in airport)

Step 5: Entry Stamp

Once approved, you’ll get a temporary entry permit stamp in your passport.

Stamp details:

• Duration: 240 hours from midnight after entry
• Coverage: 24 designated provinces
• Exit: Any of 65 designated ports

Step 6: Bags & Customs

1. Head to Baggage Claim
2. Grab your bags
3. Clear customs:
   • Green channel: Nothing to declare
   • Red channel: Items to declare
4. Exit to arrivals—you’re in!

Common Problems & Fixes

Problem 1: Address Rejected as Incomplete

Fix: Include hotel name + street number + street name + district + city

• ❌ “Marriott Shanghai”
• ✅ “Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre, No. 585 West Guangzhong Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai”

Problem 2: Third-Country Ticket Not Accepted

Fix:

• Submit a confirmed ticket, not just a booking
• Have your PNR/confirmation number ready
• Show seat assignment if available

Problem 3: Round-Trip Ticket Rejected

Why: 240-hour transit requires a third country destination

• ❌ Seoul → Shanghai → Seoul
• ✅ Seoul → Shanghai → Tokyo

Fix: Use the 30-day visa-free option instead

Problem 4: Lost QR Code

Fix:

• Log back into the platform with same passport info
• Immigration can also look it up by passport number

FAQs

Q: Do I HAVE to submit online?

No. You can fill it out at the airport via QR scan, kiosk, or paper form. But online submission is strongly recommended—it’s faster.

Q: What if my arrival date changes?

Submit a new arrival card with the updated date. The old one is automatically voided.

Q: Can I use the Korean/Japanese interface?

The system supports 9 languages, but English has the best interface quality. Stick with English if possible.

Q: Does each family member need their own card?

Yes. Everyone submits separately, though there’s an option to add accompanying family info.

Useful Contacts

Service	Contact	Hours
Immigration Hotline	12367 (+86-10-12367)	24/7
Pudong Airport Info	+86-21-96990	24/7
Hongqiao Airport Info	+86-21-62688899	24/7
Shanghai Entry-Exit Bureau	+86-21-28951900	Business hours

Useful Links

• NIA Online Arrival Card
• Shanghai 240-Hour Visa-Free Guide
• National Immigration Administration

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