If your China arrival card QR code is not working at the border, don’t keep retrying. Ask staff for a self-service kiosk, a smart device on site, or a paper Arrival Card. Offline? Show a saved screenshot of the code.
This guide is independent and isn’t a government website. Check details on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal, https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, before you travel. It’s written for UK travellers at the checkpoint or about to land.
Who Needs the Arrival Card QR Code
Most foreign visitors complete the digital Arrival Card and show its QR code at immigration. It took effect on 20 November 2025. The notice also allows a paper Arrival Card on arrival, and paper is expected to remain available only during a transitional period, according to the notice from China’s foreign ministry office in Hong Kong.
Seven groups are exempt:
- Holders of a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
- Non-Chinese holders of a valid Mainland Travel Permit for HK/Macao Residents
- Group visa or group visa-free entrants
- 24-hour direct transit passengers staying in the port area
- Cruise passengers entering and leaving on the same vessel
- Travellers using fast lanes
- Foreign crew members
If none fits, assume you need the code — the full breakdown is in our guide to who is exempt from the China Arrival Card.
QR Code Not Working at Border Scanners
If the QR code won’t scan at the border, don’t keep retrying. Ask staff for a self-service kiosk, a smart device on site, or a paper Arrival Card.
Arrival Card QR Code Offline or Not Filed
You can show a saved screenshot of the QR code at immigration without an internet connection. Prepare your backups in three steps:
Save a screenshot
Take a screenshot of the QR code before you fly
Keep an emailed copy
Send the code to yourself by email as a backup
Print it out
Carry a printout as an extra backup
If you’re stuck offline:
- The NIA 12367 mini-program is available in WeChat and Alipay for filing the card.
Never filed? Foreigners who can’t complete the form online beforehand may do it on arrival, at a kiosk, smart device or on paper. If you’re unsure how to prepare, see our step-by-step guide on how to fill out the China Arrival Card online.
When the Officer Rejects Your QR Code
Common mistakes include a wrong arrival port (such as Hong Kong instead of Shenzhen), a vague accommodation address such as “Beijing Hotel” with no district or street, a forgotten QR code, and an expired passport. For tips on entering your accommodation details correctly, read our guide on how to enter a hotel address in the China Arrival Card.
If the officer rejects your code, follow these steps:
Ask what needs correcting
Speak to the officer to find out the mistake
Fill in the form again
Use a kiosk or smart device on site, or a paper Arrival Card
Keep documents handy
Have your passport and accommodation address ready
Common Mistakes, Transit and Family Cases
- Forgetting to save the QR code: take a screenshot as soon as you submit. Our guide explains how to retrieve, save and present your China Arrival Card QR code.
- Paying a fake site: filing through the official channels is free. Some third-party sites charge a fee for the same form, so file only through the NIA portal or app.
Each entry needs a new card. Travellers entering on visa-free or transit terms still need to file one, unless they are in 24-hour direct transit within the designated port area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is my China arrival card QR code not working at border scanners?
If the scanner can’t read the QR code, don’t keep trying. Ask staff for a self-service kiosk, a smart device on site, or a paper Arrival Card.
China arrival card QR code not working at border: can I use a paper card?
Yes. Travellers who can’t file online beforehand can fill in a paper Arrival Card at the immigration inspection site. Paper is expected to remain available only during a transitional period.
Can I show a screenshot instead of a live page?
Yes. A saved screenshot of your QR code can be shown offline at immigration, without an internet connection. Keep a printed copy as well.
What if I didn’t fill in the card before landing?
You can still fill it in on arrival at the immigration inspection site, using a kiosk, a smart device or a paper Arrival Card. Have your passport, flight number and accommodation address ready, because the form asks for them.
Where can I submit the card for free?
Use the NIA portal at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ or the NIA 12367 app. Filing on the official channels is free. Some third-party sites charge a fee for the same form, so file only through the NIA portal or the NIA 12367 app.
Do I need a new card for every trip?
Yes, including re-entry. Filing 24 to 72 hours before arrival is a recommended window. The official notice does not set a fixed deadline and asks only that the information is filled in before travel.
Which travellers are exempt?
Seven groups are exempt, from permanent residents to foreign crew members; the full list is in the first section. If you aren’t sure you belong to one, assume you need the card, and check the notice from China’s foreign ministry office in Hong Kong.
Do family members need separate QR codes?
The official notice doesn’t say how children are handled, so check the NIA portal before you travel. Each traveller’s details must match their own passport.
Sources and Further Reading
- Hong Kong office notice: online filling of the Arrival Card.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
