Skip the paper card on the plane. Fill out your arrival card online before you fly, download the QR receipt, and flash it at immigration — done in seconds.
Fill it out 1–3 days before you fly. The receipt is a QR code you show at immigration — no paper card needed. If you skip it, a paper card on the plane is always a fallback.
Fill it in 6 steps
Since 20 November 2025, foreign travellers can complete China's arrival card (入境卡) online in advance. It's free, official, and takes about 3 minutes. Here's how:
Interactive step-by-step guide
Step-by-step breakdown
On the Arrival Card Filling homepage, tap the large “Entry Declaration” button to start. Read and agree to the application instructions when prompted. You can switch to Large Text or Simplified Chinese from the top of the page if needed.
Select your ID Document Type (usually “Ordinary Passport” for most travellers). Then upload or take a photo of your passport data page — the page with your photo and personal details. If the image looks wrong, tap it to retake or re-upload.
Tip: make sure the photo is clear: all text readable, no glare, no fingers covering anything.
Complete all fields marked with an asterisk (*). The key ones:
- Passport Number — exactly as it appears in your passport
- Entry Transportation Mode — plane, train, ship, or land vehicle
- City of Entry — the Chinese city where you will first arrive (e.g. Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen)
- Port of Entry — the specific airport, station, or border crossing (e.g. Pudong Airport, West Kowloon Station)
- Flight / Train / Vessel Number — from your ticket
Tip: double-check your entry city and port — they must match your actual travel plans.