A china arrival card pdf is only an offline study aid. You can print it and draft your details, but border officers accept the China Digital Arrival Card from s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ or the paper card issued at the port.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. Check dates and rules on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal before you fly. For a full overview of the entry requirements, see our complete guide to the China Arrival Card.
Who Needs the Card and Who Is Exempt
Foreign nationals entering mainland China complete an arrival card unless they fall into one of seven exempt groups. The digital card took effect on 20 November 2025. You can read the full breakdown in our article on who is exempt from the China Arrival Card.
Paper cards remain available during a transitional period with no end date published, so you may still get one at the port of entry, according to the visaforchina.cn notice. For pen rules and hand-in steps, see our guide to the China yellow paper arrival card.
| Exempt group | Condition |
|---|---|
| Permanent residents | Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders |
| Hong Kong/Macau permit holders | Non-PRC nationals with a Mainland Travel Permit |
| Group travellers | Group visa or group visa-waiver travel |
| Transit passengers | Transit within 24 hours, without leaving the restricted area |
| Cruise passengers | Entering and exiting on the same vessel |
| Fast-track entrants | Using a fast-track lane |
| Foreign crew | Crew of international transport vehicles |
Tourists and business travellers who do not belong to one of the exempt groups, such as group travellers, need to complete the card.
What a China Arrival Card PDF Can Do
Our worksheet is a study aid we made, with a sample layout, English labels and blank practice spaces. It is not a copy of any government form.
Print the worksheet
Print it before your flight
Draft your details
Passport data, flight number and hotel address
Copy them into the form
Into the digital form or onto the port’s paper card
Submit the card through the NIA portal on desktop, at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone on mobile, in the NIA 12367 app or in the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs. Some agencies charge their own fees to help with the form. Be cautious with sites that imitate the NIA portal, because impersonating a government service is a fraud warning sign — our article on China Arrival Card scam websites explains how to spot copycat portals.
China Arrival Card PDF Fields in English
Copy your passport details as printed and give a full address with a working local phone number. For a field-by-field checklist, see our guide to the mandatory fields on the China Digital Arrival Card.
| Field |
|---|
| Destination |
| Reception unit or contacts in China |
| Purpose of entry |
- Keep surname and given name in passport order.
- Enter the address as the form asks, including city, district, street, hotel name and phone number. Our tips on how to enter a hotel address in the China Arrival Card cover formatting and multi-hotel itineraries.
- With a visa, enter its number. Without one, choose the entry policy that applies to you, such as a visa-free or transit rule.
- The digital form includes an optional field for inviting entities or individuals. The 2024 paper form asked for a reception unit or contacts in China.
Common Mistakes, Backups and Related Checks
- Swapped names won’t match your passport. Copy the order shown there.
- Enter your phone number in the phone field of the form.
- A wrong visa or transit choice clashes with your entry type. Check your status first.
- Check every entry before you submit, and complete the required digital signature.
The card includes a QR code, which must be shown at immigration. You can download a copy to your device or have it sent by email. Digital kiosks at ports of entry can also be used, and a paper card remains during the transition period. Our guide to the China Arrival Card QR code explains how to retrieve, save and present it.
Non-Chinese passengers were asked to give fingerprints when leaving the aircraft, as of 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I hand a printed China arrival card PDF to border officers?
No. A home print is a study aid only and is not accepted as your arrival card. Enter your details in the digital form to receive a QR code, or use the paper card issued at the port while the transition period lasts.
Is there a China arrival card PDF from the Chinese authorities?
Our worksheet is our own template, not a copy of any government form. To file the card, use the digital form at s.nia.gov.cn, where you can also switch to English.
Where do I fill in the China arrival card online?
Use the desktop form at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. The NIA portal offers an English option. Mobile and app options are listed above.
Is it free to submit the China arrival card?
The NIA portal is the official route for filing the card. Some agencies charge their own service fees for help with the form, so check who you are paying before you pay anything.
Who does not need to fill in the China arrival card?
Seven groups are exempt: holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, Hong Kong and Macau permit holders who are non-Chinese nationals, group travellers, transit passengers staying within 24 hours in the restricted area, cruise passengers who enter and exit on the same vessel, travellers using fast-track lanes, and foreign crew of international transport vehicles. If you do not belong to one of these groups, you need to complete the card.
Can I complete the China arrival card after I land?
Yes. You can complete the card online before departure, or after landing by scanning a QR code, using a port device or filling in a paper card.
What if I lose my QR code or my phone battery dies?
Use a digital kiosk at the port of entry, or ask for a paper card while the transition period lasts. The public information does not describe how to replace a lost QR code, so check the NIA portal for that step.
Has the digital arrival card replaced the paper one?
Yes. Paper cards remain available during a transitional period, so you may still receive one at the port of entry. Keep your details ready for either the digital form or the paper card.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA Arrival Card Filling: file the card
- Arrival Card notification: dates and exemptions
- Chinese Embassy in the UK: visas, 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD
- Visa Application Service Centre: UK locations, visa applications and consular authentication
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
