Under the China arrival card requirements for UK citizens, you must complete an arrival card (the card) before border clearance, even when you travel visa-free. Filing is free at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC. Have your passport, flight details and first-night hotel address ready, and save the QR code before you fly.
This is an independent guide, not a government website. We don’t charge fees or file anything for you, so check details on the Chinese embassy in the US and the visa-free entry notice. Here you’ll find who files, who qualifies and what happens at the border. For a broader overview of the declaration and clearance process, see our complete guide to the China arrival card.
China Arrival Card Requirements for UK Citizens
Most British visitors must file one, including visa-free tourists. Online filing is available before departure, and paper cards remain a fallback at the border. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) processes the cards, and filing costs £0.
| Traveller | Card needed? |
|---|---|
| Individual visa-free entrant | Yes |
| Visa holder | Yes |
| Holder of a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card | No, exempt |
| Mainland Travel Permit holder (non-Chinese citizens) | No, exempt |
| Group visa or group visa-free tour member | No, exempt |
| 24-hour direct airside transit passenger | No, if you stay in the restricted port area |
| Cruise passenger on the same vessel | No, exempt |
| Traveller entering through e-channels | No, exempt |
| International transport crew | No, exempt |
Most British tourists aren’t in an exempt group, so assume you file. If you think a special category might apply to you, read our breakdown of who is exempt from the China arrival card.
UK Passport Eligibility for the 30-Day Visa-Free Scheme
British Citizen passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026, according to the visa service notice. Allowed purposes are business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchange and transit. Work, study and news coverage aren’t. For more on how the waiver interacts with the declaration, see our guide to visa-free travel and the arrival card.
| Passport type | 30-day visa-free entry |
|---|---|
| British Citizen | Yes |
| Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Gibraltar | Rules may differ; verify before you travel |
The visa-free waiver for UK passport holders runs until 31 December 2026 according to the official notice, and no extension has been confirmed. Planning a trip after December? Check for extension news before booking flights.
How to Fill In the China Arrival Card Online
Go to s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC, the official NIA web address. The NIA 12367 app and the WeChat and Alipay mini programs also work. There’s no set deadline. File once your flight and first-night address are final, ideally a few days before you leave. Our step-by-step guide to filling out the China arrival card online covers the full process for UK travellers.
Upload a passport photo
Upload a clear photo of the passport bio page.
Check the auto-filled fields
Compare the auto-filled fields with your passport and fix any OCR errors.
Select the visa-free entry policy
Select the visa-free entry policy that applies to you instead of entering a visa number.
Enter your travel details
Enter your port, flight number and dates.
Enter your first-night address
Enter your first-night address in China, matching your booking.
File for children
Children are filed by a parent or adult companion, and each traveller receives their own declaration and QR code.
Sign, submit and save
Confirm the information is true, sign the declaration and submit, then download the PDF and QR code.
Reports indicate the QR code is valid for 24 hours, so generate a fresh one on travel day. Save a screenshot and the PDF on your phone as a backup. For more on retrieving and renewing your code, see our guide to the China arrival card QR code.
Filing is free. The NIA has warned that imitation sites charge fees.
At the Border: Clearance, Biometrics and Customs
At the border, show your passport and QR code or paper card. QR scan kiosks and arrival-hall devices are available.
Carrying your return or onward ticket, hotel booking or invitation letter is recommended. Keep printed copies in your hand luggage.
Common Mistakes on the China Arrival Card
- Name or passport number differs from the passport. Correct it by hand, or file again with the corrected details if wrong data is already submitted.
- Entering a visa number or category when you’re visa-exempt. Select the visa-free entry policy instead.
- Leaving the first-night address incomplete or different from your reservation. Copy it from your booking.
- Relying on an old QR code. Make a fresh one on travel day.
- Mixing up documents. The card is separate from the visa.
Before you press submit, compare each field with your passport and booking. If something goes wrong after filing, our guide to fixing mistakes on the China arrival card explains your options.
Other Entry Requirements for British Travellers
Packing for the trip? These checks sit beside the card.
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Passport validity | Valid for at least 6 months from your arrival in China. Some airlines apply the rule from departure from the UK, so check before you fly |
| Blank pages | At least 2 consecutive blank pages |
| Return or onward ticket | Recommended for visa-free entry |
| First-night accommodation | Needed to complete the card |
| Police registration at a hotel | Done for you at check-in |
| Police registration at a private stay | The visitor or host normally has 24 hours to register a private stay |
| Stay length | 30 calendar days, counted from the day after entry |
| Stay extension | If you need to stay longer than 30 days for appropriate and sufficient reasons, apply for a stay permit at the exit-entry administration of public security |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the China arrival card requirements for UK citizens travelling visa-free?
You complete the card before or on arrival, online or on paper. Have your passport, flight details, departure date and first-night hotel address ready, and select the visa-free entry policy. Individual visa-free entrants aren’t in any exempt group.
Where do I fill in the China arrival card online?
Use the NIA web portal at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC. The NIA 12367 app and the WeChat and Alipay mini programs also work. Embassies also have QR codes for the form. Other websites aren’t the NIA portal, so check the address before you start.
Is the China arrival card free for British passport holders?
Yes. Filing carries no government fee, so the card costs £0. Official filing is free. Paid services are not the NIA portal, so file only through the official NIA address.
Are China arrival card requirements for UK citizens different for Jersey, Guernsey or Gibraltar passports?
They may be. Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Gibraltar passports may have different rules from British Citizen passports. Verify your eligibility with the Chinese visa service or your airline before you book.
Can a UK citizen visit China visa-free?
Yes, if you hold a British Citizen passport. You can stay up to 30 days for business, tourism or family visits until 31 December 2026, according to the visa service notice. No extension has been confirmed.
How long is the China arrival card QR code valid?
Reports indicate it’s valid for 24 hours from the moment you generate it. Filing a few days ahead is fine, but make a fresh code on the day you travel. Keep a screenshot and the PDF on your phone as a backup.
Do children need their own China arrival card?
Children are filed by a parent or adult companion, and each traveller receives their own declaration and QR code. Enter each child’s details as they appear on that child’s passport.
Can you take ibuprofen to China from the UK?
Check Chinese customs rules before you fly. Carry prescription medicines in original packaging with the prescription and a doctor’s letter in English.
Sources and Further Reading
- Chinese embassy in the US: entry-related announcements.
- Visa-free entry notice: stay length, purposes and documents.
- Visas and immigration on GOV.UK: UK government visa information (no China-specific entry rules).
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
