Every foreign traveler entering mainland China must complete a China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) before or on arrival. Launched by the National Immigration Administration (NIA) on 20 November 2025, the free online form replaces the old paper card and generates a QR code for immigration control.
The process takes about 5 to 10 minutes and can be done up to 72 hours before you land. This guide covers who needs the card, how to fill it out, what to do if your plans change, and common mistakes to avoid.
What Is the China Digital Arrival Card?
The CDAC is an online immigration form that collects your personal and travel details before you enter mainland China. It applies to travelers arriving by air, land, or sea — whether you hold a tourist visa, business visa, or are entering under one of China’s visa-free policies.
The CDAC is not a visa. It does not grant entry or replace the need for a valid visa. It’s the digital equivalent of the paper arrival form you used to fill out on the plane.
The card applies only to mainland China. If you’re traveling to Hong Kong or Macau, different entry procedures apply.
Who needs to fill it out?
Almost every international traveler entering mainland China must complete the CDAC. This includes tourists, business visitors, those entering visa-free, and transit passengers who plan to leave the airport.
Each traveler needs their own card, including children and minors traveling with family.
Who is exempt?
The NIA lists seven categories of travelers who don’t need the card:
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders (China green card)
- Non-Chinese nationals with a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong or Macao
- Group travelers entering on a collective visa or group visa-free arrangement
- Airside transit passengers who remain inside the airport’s restricted area without clearing immigration
- Cruise passengers arriving and departing on the same ship
- Travelers using pre-approved fast-track entry lanes
- Foreign crew members of planes, ships, or trains
If you’re making a 24-hour direct transit at one of China’s 29 designated airports and staying airside with a confirmed onward ticket, you’re also exempt from both the arrival card and immigration inspection.
How to Fill Out the CDAC: Step by Step
You can submit the card within 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival. Have your passport and flight details ready before you start.
Where to access the form
Use only these official channels. The service is completely free:
- NIA website (desktop)
- NIA mobile site
- NIA 12367 app (iOS and Android)
- WeChat or Alipay mini-programs (search for the NIA government service)
The form is available in English, French, Japanese, and Korean. Arabic and Urdu are not currently supported, so travelers from the Middle East and South Asia will need to use the English version.
Step 1: Upload your passport photo
Take a clear photo of your passport’s identity page. Make sure the entire machine-readable zone (the two lines of text at the bottom) is visible and well-lit.
The system will auto-extract your name, passport number, and other data. Double-check every extracted field — misread characters like an “O” read as a “0” can cause delays at the e-gate.
Step 2: Enter your personal and travel details
You’ll need to confirm or fill in:
- Full name, gender, date of birth, and nationality
- Country/region of birth
- Passport number
- Mode of transport (air, rail, road, or sea)
- Flight, train, or vessel number
- City and port of entry (e.g., Beijing Capital Airport or Shanghai Pudong Airport)
- Contact phone number (with international code) and email
- Accommodation address in China
A note on the accommodation address
This field is mandatory. Immigration requires the address of your first night’s stay. Enter the full address including province, city, and street, using Chinese characters or Pinyin as recognized by the system.
If you haven’t booked yet, make a cancellable hotel reservation before submitting the form so you have a valid address to enter. An incomplete or missing address is one of the most common reasons for delays at immigration.
If you’re staying with friends or family, use their home address. Private stays require you to register at a local police station within 24 hours of arrival (hotels handle this automatically for guests).
Step 3: Submit and save your QR code
After confirming your information and agreeing to the declaration, tap “Submit.” The system generates a digital arrival card with a unique QR code.
Download it to your phone and email yourself a copy as backup. You’ll present this QR code at the immigration checkpoint when you arrive — it’s not required for boarding your flight.
Can you edit the card after submission?
No. Once submitted, the form cannot be edited. If you spot an error or your travel details change, you’ll need to submit a completely new card.
This is why it pays to double-check everything before hitting submit.
What to Do If Your Plans Change
The CDAC asks for your specific flight number, arrival city, and port of entry. If any of these change after submission — due to cancellations, rerouting, or a change of plans — your card may not match your actual itinerary.
You have two options:
- Resubmit a new card online with the updated details through the NIA website or app
- Complete a new card on arrival using the airport’s smart kiosks or by scanning the QR code at the immigration checkpoint
Check with your airline about the final routing before you land. Major Chinese carriers such as Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern typically offer fee-waived rebooking or refunds when flights are disrupted by events beyond your control.
If you don’t have a smartphone or data on arrival
Paper arrival cards are still available at immigration checkpoints. Self-service kiosks in the immigration hall also let you scan your passport and complete the form on a touchscreen without needing your own device.
The safest option is to complete the card before departure while you have reliable internet access, and save the QR code to your phone and email.
Common Mistakes and Warnings
Watch out for fake websites
The NIA has issued multiple warnings about scam websites that charge “processing fees” for the arrival card. The official service is free.
Fraudulent sites may also harvest your personal data and generate invalid QR codes that won’t work at immigration. Only use websites ending in .gov.cn, the official NIA 12367 app, or verified WeChat/Alipay mini-programs. If a site asks for payment, close it immediately.
Don’t confuse the arrival card with a visa
Completing the CDAC does not grant you permission to enter China. You still need a valid visa unless you qualify for visa-free entry.
As of April 2026, China offers 30-day visa-free entry for citizens of 50 countries (until 31 December 2026) and 240-hour visa-free transit for citizens of 55 countries at 65 ports of entry. Even visa-free travelers must complete the arrival card.
Check your passport details carefully
The OCR system isn’t perfect. Letters and numbers that look alike (O/0, I/1, B/8) are common misreads.
A mismatch between your card and your actual passport data can block you at the automated e-gate, sending you to the manual inspection queue instead.
Keep your QR code accessible
Save it to your phone’s home screen or photos, and email a backup copy to yourself. A screenshot works fine.
You don’t need internet access to show it at immigration — it’s just an image.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the China Digital Arrival Card free?
Yes, completely free. The NIA has warned about scam websites that charge fees. Only use the official NIA website (ending in .gov.cn), the NIA 12367 app, or verified WeChat/Alipay mini-programs.
Do children need their own arrival card?
Yes. Every traveler, including children and minors, needs a separate digital arrival card. You cannot submit one form for an entire family.
Can I edit my arrival card after submitting it?
No. Once submitted, the form cannot be edited. If your details change or you spot an error, you’ll need to submit a completely new card through the NIA website or app, or complete one at the airport on arrival.
What if I don’t have a hotel booked yet?
The accommodation field is mandatory. You need the address of your first night’s stay. If you haven’t booked yet, consider making a cancellable hotel reservation so you have a valid address to enter. An incomplete address is one of the most common causes of delays at immigration.
Do I need the QR code before boarding my flight?
No. The QR code is only needed at the immigration checkpoint in China, not for boarding. That said, completing the form before departure is strongly recommended so you’re not scrambling at the airport.
Can I fill out the card in Arabic or Urdu?
Not currently. The form supports English, French, Japanese, and Korean. Travelers from the Middle East and South Asia will need to use the English version.
Sources
- China National Immigration Administration – Arrival Card Policy & Scam Warning
- Embassy of China in Singapore – Arrival Card Notice
- China NIA – Unilateral Visa Exemption Country List
- China NIA – Visa-Free Transit Policies
- Beijing Municipal Government – Visa-Free Transit & Digital Entry Expansion
- NIA Official Arrival Card Portal
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
