Do children need a separate China arrival card? Yes. Every child needs their own China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC), linked to their own passport. A parent or legal guardian files it free of charge at s.nia.gov.cn.
This is an independent guide, not a government website. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) runs the filing page at https://s.nia.gov.cn/. This guide is informational, and filing takes place on the NIA portal, so check the rules there before you fly. Below, you’ll see how to file for children and help seniors without a smartphone.
Do Children Need a Separate China Arrival Card?
Yes. None of the seven exemption groups is based on age, so children, including infants, need their own card. The CDAC is an entry declaration, not a visa.
Digital filing was introduced on 20 November 2025. A parent or legal guardian completes each card with the child’s passport and trip details. One card covers one entry.
The NIA lists seven exemption groups. Each person must qualify for an exemption on their own — see our overview of who is exempt from the China arrival card for the full list of exempt travellers and their required documents.
| Exemption group | What to check |
|---|---|
| Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders | Check each person holds one. |
| Mainland Travel Permit for HK/Macau | Check each person holds one. |
| Group visa or group visa-free arrangement | Group travel alone isn’t enough. |
| Direct 24-hour airside transit | You stay airside throughout. |
| Cruise passengers staying on the same vessel | Arriving and departing on the same ship. |
| E-channel users | Only the e-channel counts, not a fast-track queue. |
| Crew members | Check each person’s own status. |
What Each Child’s Card Needs
Each card needs the child’s own passport details.
| Field | What to check |
|---|---|
| Name | Match the name exactly as it appears in the passport. |
| Passport number and date of birth | Use the child’s number, never a parent’s. |
| Transport | Flight, train or vessel number, mode and port of entry. |
| Accommodation and contact | Hotel name and address, or host or company details; phone or email. |
| Passport photo page | Upload a clear photo of the passport photo page if the form asks for it. Some sources say it is required, so check the form. |
- A valid passport in the child’s name. The child must meet visa, visa-free or transit conditions alone. For more on the documents to have ready, see our checklist of documents required to fill the China arrival card.
Filing Separate Cards for Several Children
Each child needs a separate card, so file one declaration per child.
Open a filing channel
English version at s.nia.gov.cn, the NIA 12367 app or a WeChat or Alipay mini-programme
Start a new declaration
Start a new declaration for child one, using their own passport
Enter the details
Enter the child’s flight and accommodation details
Submit and keep the QR code
Submit, then keep the QR code confirmation
Infants can’t sign, so you complete their card as parent or legal guardian. Filing before you travel is recommended, but you can finish on arrival before border inspection. Our step-by-step guide to filling out the China arrival card online walks through each screen.
Filing is free through NIA channels, and the NIA warns about fake paid sites. Be wary of websites that charge fees for the free NIA filing or use web addresses other than the official NIA domain — see our guide to China arrival card scam websites to spot copycat portals.
Intermediaries may charge a fee for a form that is free on official channels, so you can file directly on the NIA portal.
Senior Travellers Without Smartphone Access
Seniors without a smartphone have two main options. The QR code is scanned from a mobile phone, so plan ahead if the traveller has no smartphone.
- Self-service device. On-site self-service devices are available at ports of entry. The NIA portal offers an English version and an accessibility mode. Our guide to the self-service terminal arrival card at Chinese airports explains the kiosk steps.
- Paper arrival card. Paper arrival cards are available at ports of entry. Ask immigration staff, as availability may change. For pen rules and hand-in steps, see our guide to the China paper arrival card form.
Helping a parent or grandparent? Write down the flight number, mainland hotel address and local contact phone, and pack the passport.
Common Mistakes, Corrections and Transit Cases
- Combining dependants on one form: each traveller needs their own card.
- Expecting cover for Hong Kong or Macau: the card is for mainland China unless an exemption applies.
Each card relates to a specific entry, so check flight, hotel and passport details carefully before submitting.
Transit passengers who pass through immigration, including those who leave the airport during a stopover, need a card. Children are not exempt on account of age. See our article on whether transit passengers need an arrival card for China for the airside vs entry rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does a baby or newborn need its own China arrival card?
Yes. None of the seven exemption groups depends on age, so babies and newborns need their own card, which a parent or legal guardian completes.
Do children need a separate China arrival card, or can one parent file for the whole family?
Each child needs a separate card, but one parent can file them all. Submit one declaration per passport. A parent or legal guardian can file for each child.
Do children need a separate China arrival card when travelling visa-free?
Yes. Children need a card even when entering visa-free, as visa-free entry does not replace it. Each child must meet the visa-free conditions independently.
Do children under 14 have to give fingerprints?
The seven exemption groups are not age-based, so age alone doesn’t remove the card requirement for a child, and each child still needs an arrival card from a parent or legal guardian. For fingerprint biometrics at the border, check the NIA portal before you travel.
What if a senior has no smartphone?
A senior without a smartphone can use an on-site self-service device at the port of entry, where the NIA portal also offers an English version and an accessibility mode. Paper arrival cards are available at ports of entry, so ask immigration staff early.
Where do I file the China arrival card, and is it free?
Go to https://s.nia.gov.cn/, the NIA 12367 app, or a WeChat or Alipay mini-programme. Filing is free through these channels. Third-party service fees are optional.
Can I change my hotel or flight after I have filed?
Each card relates to one specific entry, so check the details before submitting. For changes after submission, check the NIA portal before you travel.
Do I need a China arrival card for a layover?
You need a card if you pass through immigration, for example by leaving the airport during a stopover. Staying airside on a direct 24-hour transit is one of the seven exemptions.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA arrival card filing page: filing channels, English version and accessibility mode.
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center : notice on arrival card e-filing.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
