The China arrival card requirements for business travellers are short: file the China Arrival Card (Disembarkation Card) for each mainland entry unless you’re exempt. The card asks for your personal, travel and accommodation details, plus your contact information. Filing is free at s.nia.gov.cn.
This independent guide isn’t a government site, doesn’t charge fees and doesn’t file for you. Check details on the NIA portal before you fly. It’s for UK business visitors, groups and students.
Who Must Complete the China Arrival Card
It’s an entry declaration from the National Immigration Administration (NIA), not a visa. Most foreign visitors file one, including UK citizens on the 30-day visa-free policy.
Business visits can be visa-free for a limited stay, but work and study need a visa. Check current rules before you travel.
Seven groups are exempt, so check whether you’re in one:
- holders of a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the PRC
- non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao
- travellers with a Group Visa or eligible group visa-free arrangement
- 24-hour direct transit passengers staying in the designated area without passing immigration
- cruise passengers arriving and leaving on the same ship
- travellers using an immigration e-channel (not priority queues)
- foreign crew of international transport services
For the full list with required documents, see our guide to who is exempt from the China Arrival Card.
When, Where and How to File
File online before you travel, once your flights and accommodation are confirmed. Direct filing costs £0.
| Channel | Cost |
|---|---|
| Online: NIA website, NIA 12367 app, WeChat or Alipay mini-programme 移民局12367 | £0 |
| On arrival: QR code, self-service device or paper card at the port of entry | £0 |
| Third-party agency | Its own optional fee |
A QR code generated from the completed card is typically required at immigration. The NIA has warned about fraudulent websites that charge for the card. Filing through the official channels is free. Agencies may charge their own fee for doing the form for you.
File online before you travel
Once your flights and accommodation are confirmed, file at no cost via the NIA website, app or mini-programme
Get your QR code
A QR code generated from the completed card is typically required at immigration
Or complete the card on arrival
If you can’t file online, use a QR code, an on-site self-service device or a paper form at the port of entry
China Arrival Card Requirements for Business Travellers
Enter your personal, travel and accommodation details, plus your contact information.
Have your passport, flight details and accommodation booking ready.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Identity and flight | Name, birth date, passport number and expiry, flight, arrival city |
| Accommodation address | Accommodation address in mainland China and your contact information |
Side Trips, Group Travel and Student Entry
Hong Kong and Macao don’t use the mainland card, so each return to the mainland needs a fresh card and QR code. For example, a trip from mainland China to Hong Kong and back involves a new mainland entry, so you complete a new card — see our step-by-step guide to entering mainland China from Hong Kong.
Members of a group on individual passports each file a card, and only a Group Visa or eligible group visa-free arrangement exempts a group.
Students also need to complete an arrival card unless they are in one of the exempt groups.
Common Mistakes and Customs Confusion
Check your details carefully before you submit.
- Address unlike your booking: copy it from your confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need an arrival card if I enter on the 30-day visa-free policy?
Yes. Visa-free entry replaces the visa, not the entry declaration, so you still file unless you’re in one of the seven exempt groups. That includes short business trips. Work, study and stays beyond the visa-free allowance need a visa.
What do I need to enter on the China arrival card for a business trip?
Enter your personal and passport details, your flight details, and your accommodation address in mainland China with your contact information. Check your passport number and expiry date carefully.
Is s.nia.gov.cn the right website to file the China arrival card for free?
Yes. s.nia.gov.cn is the National Immigration Administration’s portal, and filing there, in the NIA 12367 app or in the 移民局12367 mini-programmes costs £0. Look for the 外国人入境卡填报 service. Agencies may add optional fees of their own for the same declaration.
What address should I enter if I’m staying at a trade fair venue, not a hotel?
Enter the address where you will stay in mainland China, and make sure it matches your booking.
Does every member of a tour group need an individual arrival card?
Yes, unless your group enters under a Group Visa or an eligible group visa-free arrangement. A delegation of colleagues on individual visas counts as a standard group, and each member files their own card. Ask your tour operator which applies.
What if the details on my card don’t match my documents?
Check your personal details against your passport and your accommodation address against your booking before you submit the card.
Do the China arrival card requirements for business travellers cover trade samples?
The arrival card covers your own entry details. Check the customs rules for any goods you bring before you fly.
Do I need a new arrival card when returning to the mainland from Hong Kong?
Yes. Hong Kong and Macao run separate immigration, so each return to the mainland needs a new card and QR code. The exception is the exempt groups, such as non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao.
Sources and Further Reading
- s.nia.gov.cn: arrival card filing
- gov.uk: China entry requirements
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
