Log back into https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ to retrieve your China arrival card QR code. At immigration, the QR code is scanned with a mobile device. Official sources don’t state how long the code stays valid, so check the portal before you travel.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. Check dates and details on the portal before you travel.
Who Needs a China Arrival Card QR Code
Foreign nationals entering China, with or without a visa, may submit the arrival card online before they travel. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) runs it, and it started on 20 November 2025, says the embassy notice. Travellers who cannot file in advance can do so on arrival.
File on the portal, in the NIA 12367 app, in a WeChat or Alipay mini programme, or by scanning the QR code with a mobile device. Immigration scans the QR code at inspection.
Exempt travellers:
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders
- Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit holders (Hong Kong and Macao Residents)
- Group visa or visa-free group members
- Direct transit up to 24 hours inside the port area
- Same-cruise-ship entry and return
- e-Channel users
- Foreign transport crew and drivers
You can compare these categories in detail in our guide to who is exempt from the China arrival card. Type the official address yourself, as some filing sites are fraudulent.
Retrieving and Saving Your QR Code Offline
The official notices don’t describe how to retrieve a code after closing the page, so follow the steps below. For further information, call +86-10-12367. If you’re unsure when to file, see our overview of the submission window and QR code validity.
Submit the declaration online
File on the portal before you travel
Receive your QR code
It appears after you submit
Save a screenshot
Do it straight after filing
Show it at inspection
Hold your passport and phone together
Showing Your China Arrival Card QR Code
At immigration inspection, hold your passport and phone together. The official notices don’t state how long the code stays valid, so check the status of your declaration on the portal before you travel.
| Situation | What to check | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Flight on time | Your saved QR code | Show it at inspection |
| Long delay or multi-day transit | Declaration status on the portal | Check the portal and follow its instructions |
| Code rejected on landing | Your submission on the portal | Use a self-service terminal at the port |
Details such as flight, passport or nationality changes aren’t covered by the official notices, so check the portal for what to do after filing.
If Your Phone Fails
Dead battery or cracked screen? Use a self-service terminal or smart device at the port. Travellers can also fill in a paper arrival card, the consulate notice explains.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Closing the page without saving your QR code. Save it straight after filing.
- Be cautious with third-party sites that offer to file the declaration for you, and file on the official portal yourself.
Travelling with family? Check the portal for how declarations work for each traveller.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I retrieve my China arrival card QR code if I closed the page?
The official notices don’t describe how to retrieve a code after closing the page, so save your QR code screenshot right after filing. You can check your options on the portal.
Is a screenshot of my China arrival card QR code accepted at the airport?
The official notices don’t say whether screenshots are accepted; they describe immigration scanning the QR code with a mobile device.
What is the web address for submitting the arrival card?
Is the China arrival card free of charge?
The official notices don’t mention fees. Some third-party sites charge for help, so file on the official portal yourself.
Which travellers are exempt from the arrival card?
Seven categories, such as 24-hour direct transit passengers and e-Channel users, are exempt, according to the embassy notice. Check yours there.
What if my phone dies or the scanner won’t read the code?
Use a self-service terminal at the port, or fill in a paper arrival card.
When did the digital arrival card start, and can I file on arrival?
You can submit the arrival card online before you travel. Travellers who cannot do so in advance can file on arrival.
Which apps and channels can I use to submit?
You can use the portal on a PC or smartphone, the NIA 12367 app, a WeChat or Alipay mini programme, or scan the QR code with a mobile device.
Sources and Further Reading
- Notice on Online Completion of Foreigners’ Arrival Card: start date, exemptions, on-site options.
- Notice on the Online Filling of China’s Arrival Card: channels and paper card.
- NIA English site: official English-language portal of the National Immigration Administration.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
