How to fill in the China Arrival Card
The China Arrival Card is a mandatory entry form to enter China. Here is how to correctly complete the China Arrival Card and present the QR code at immigration.
China arrival card required to enter the country.
China arrival form to be completed before entering China.
The China Arrival Card, also known as the China arrival card, is a digital entry form that foreign travelers must complete before or upon arrival in China. This immigration declaration replaces the former paper form and is completed online. Once the form is submitted, a QR code is generated and must be presented during border control. This procedure aims to streamline entry into the country and centralize the information required by Chinese immigration authorities, regardless of whether a visa is required.
⭐ Key points about the China Arrival Card
- 📄 Mandatory form for most foreign travelers entering China, including those benefiting from visa exemption.
- 📲 Digital procedure: the arrival card is completed online and generates a QR code to be presented at immigration.
- 🗒️ Required information: passport details, arrival flight, address or place of stay in China, and entry status.
- 🧑💻 Where to complete it: via Chinese official platforms or through a private service provider offering assistance.
- ⚠️ Important: any error or inconsistency may result in additional checks or delays upon arrival.
Before entering China, foreign travelers must complete an immigration form known as the China Arrival Card. This document, now fully digital, is part of the mandatory arrival checks and conditions entry at the border. It is an official declaration that allows Chinese authorities to centralize essential information related to the traveler, their stay, and their mode of entry into the country.
The China Arrival Card does not replace a visa when one is required, but it remains mandatory even for travelers who are exempt from a visa. Understanding its role and knowing how to complete it correctly helps avoid errors, delays, and additional checks upon arrival.
The China Arrival Card is an official entry form required by Chinese authorities for foreign travelers arriving in China.
It replaces the former paper card that was distributed on board aircraft or at the airport and is now completed in digital format. Once submitted, it generates a QR code, which is used by immigration services during border control.
📄 Key facts
- Separate document from the China visa
- Mandatory in most cases
- Individual declaration, including for families
- Presented in digital format (QR code)
The China arrival card is used to collect and verify travel and stay information, which is checked during immigration control.
It allows authorities in particular to:
🛂 Main functions of the China arrival card
A properly completed arrival card makes border crossing easier and reduces the risk of issues upon arrival.
The question of whether it is mandatory often arises, especially for travelers benefiting from a visa exemption. In most situations, the answer is yes.
The China arrival card must be completed by most foreign travelers entering China, including those benefiting from visa exemption.
👤 Travelers concerned
👉 Being exempt from a visa does not exempt travelers from completing the China Arrival Card.
Some specific situations may be subject to exemptions or adapted procedures, depending on Chinese immigration regulations.
🚫 Possible special cases
⚠️ These cases remain strictly regulated. In case of doubt, it is recommended to complete the China arrival card to avoid refusal or delays at immigration.
The China Arrival Card can be completed directly on the official platform provided by Chinese authorities. It is also possible to use a private service provider, often easier to use and offering data verification before submission.
This second option is particularly appreciated by travelers who wish to avoid mistakes, language issues, or inconsistencies in the form.
Here are the main steps to correctly understand how to fill in the China arrival card:
📝 Completion steps:
Once the declaration is validated, a QR code is generated. It must be saved on a smartphone or printed.
The China Arrival Card requires precise information. Any error or inconsistency may result in additional checks upon arrival.
📋 Commonly requested information
💡 Practical advice
All information must exactly match what appears on the passport and travel documents. A simple typo can slow down immigration clearance.
Many travelers choose to complete the China arrival card through a private service provider, particularly for the following reasons:
This solution is particularly useful for travelers unfamiliar with administrative procedures or traveling to China for the first time.
Once the China Arrival Card is completed and validated, the system generates a QR code. This code plays a central role upon arrival in China, as it serves as a direct link between the declared information and the checks carried out by immigration authorities. Understanding its purpose helps anticipate border control and avoid delays or complications.
The China arrival card QR code allows authorities to instantly access the information submitted in the form.
🧾 QR code functions
During control, the officer scans the QR code and compares the information with the presented passport. It is therefore essential that the entered data is accurate and consistent.
📱 Good to know
The QR code can be presented directly on a smartphone. However, it must be clearly readable and accessible, even in case of connectivity issues.
At the control checkpoint, the China Arrival Card is part of a standard immigration process, made faster thanks to digitalization.
🛂 Immigration control steps
Authorities mainly verify:
A correctly completed China Arrival Card facilitates checks and limits additional questioning.
Despite a relatively simple procedure, some mistakes are common when completing the China Arrival Card. These can lead to complications upon arrival, often avoidable with a bit of care.
Certain errors frequently occur when completing the China arrival card.
⚠️ Most common mistakes
These errors may result from typos, approximate translations, or misunderstanding of the required fields.
💡 Tip
Carefully reviewing all information before submission is essential. Using a private service provider often allows prior data verification.
An error on the China Arrival Card does not automatically result in entry refusal, but it can complicate the immigration process.
🚨 Possible consequences
In some cases, travelers may be asked to wait while the situation is clarified, which can be stressful after a long flight.
Confusion between the China Arrival Card and the China visa is common. However, these are two distinct procedures serving different purposes.
The China arrival card is an entry formality, while the China visa is a stay authorization.
📌 Key differences
👉 If a visa is required for your nationality, the China Arrival Card is not sufficient on its own.
Even in the case of visa exemption, the China arrival card generally remains required.
✈️ Visa-exempt travelers
In these situations, the China Arrival Card allows authorities to verify entry conditions and the authorized length of stay.
With digitalization, the question of printing often arises. In most cases, printing is not mandatory, but certain precautions are recommended.
The digital version of the China Arrival Card is accepted at most entry points.
📱 QR code presentation
Immigration officers scan the QR code directly from the screen.
To avoid any issues upon arrival, a few simple precautions are advised.
🧳 Best practices before travel
These measures help deal with low battery, device failure, or network access issues.
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
The China Arrival Card is required for most foreign travelers entering China. It applies to both visa holders and travelers with visa exemptions. This arrival requirement allows the authorities to check essential travel information and is separate from the China visa when it is required.
The China Arrival Card can be completed before departure or just before arrival, provided that the form is validated before passing through immigration. It is advisable to complete it in advance to avoid technical difficulties or last-minute errors at the airport.
Yes, the China Arrival Card can be completed directly on the official platform or through a private provider. These services generally offer assistance with filling out the form and checking the information, which helps to limit errors and simplify the process.
If there is an error on the China Arrival Card, the authorities may request a correction before granting entry authorization. Depending on the situation, it may be necessary to complete the form again. An error may result in a delay or additional checks upon arrival in China.