The China yellow arrival card paper form is the entry slip foreign visitors fill in before border inspection. Here’s who needs the card and how the process works.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. We don’t charge fees or file anything for you, so check details on the NIA portal before you travel.
China Yellow Arrival Card Paper Form: Who Needs One
Flying to China visa-free with a UK passport? You’ll fill one in. The 入境登记卡 is the entry declaration foreigners complete when entering China. For the wider picture of who must file and what happens at the border, see our China arrival card requirements for UK citizens.
Online filing is the main channel, but the paper card remains a fallback. Printed forms carry a QR code linking to the online form.
| Your situation | Do you fill in the card? |
|---|---|
| Visa-free tourist with a UK passport | Yes |
| 240-hour transit | Yes, tick the transit policy option instead of a visa number |
| 24-hour direct transit, staying in the restricted area | No |
| Permanent resident with a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card | No |
Passengers who enter by cruise ship and return on the same cruise are exempt too, and the list can change. Our guide to exempt travellers and required documents covers the full exemptions, and if you’re connecting through China, read whether transit passengers need an arrival card.
Getting the Card: Cabin Crew and Arrival Desks
Cabin crew often hand out cards before landing, though practice varies by airline and route.
Asleep when they came round? Ask a crew member when you wake. If you don’t have a card, you can still complete the declaration on arrival.
Travellers who cannot file online can use the self-service devices at the port of entry or fill a paper card on arrival. Our self-service terminal guide explains how the airport kiosks work step by step.
Filling In the China Yellow Arrival Card Paper Form
There’s no official source covering pen rules for the paper card, so follow anything printed on your form. The online form asks for your arrival flight number, purpose of entry and address in China.
Each accompanying person fills in their own card. Your passport needs at least six months’ validity after arrival and two blank pages for stamps.
Handing In the Card and Keeping the Slip
Complete your declaration
Fill in the paper card, use the NIA arrival card form (外国人入境卡填报), the 12367 app, or the 移民局12367 mini programmes in WeChat and Alipay.
Save the receipt
Keep the Entry Declaration Receipt QR code.
Show it at inspection
Present your passport and the Entry Declaration Receipt QR code.
Register your accommodation
Do it within 24 hours – hotels usually handle it at check-in; for private stays, the guest or host handles it.
Common Mistakes and Fake Websites
Provide accurate details on your declaration, as false information can lead to refusal of entry or transit. If you spot an error after filling in the card, our article on fixing mistakes on the China arrival card explains what to correct and when.
On 2 December 2025 the NIA warned that imitation filing sites charge travellers money. Be wary of any site that charges for the arrival card, since filing is free. Official routes are s.nia.gov.cn, the NIA 12367 app and the 移民局12367 mini programmes in WeChat and Alipay. Our guide to China arrival card scam websites shows how to spot copycat portals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need the china yellow arrival card paper form for a visa-free trip from the UK?
Yes, you’ll fill in an arrival declaration when you enter. You can use the paper card or file online. If the crew don’t give you one, you can file online or use the self-service devices at the port of entry.
Is the china yellow arrival card paper form still used now that online filing exists?
Yes, as a fallback. The QR code printed on it leads to the online form, which is the main channel.
Which pen colour should I use on the yellow arrival card?
There’s no official rule on which pen to use on the paper card. Follow any instructions printed on the form or given by cabin crew.
Do flight attendants hand out the arrival card before landing?
Often yes, late in the flight. Timing depends on the airline and route. If you slept through it or didn’t receive one, ask a crew member or complete the declaration on arrival.
Where can I get a spare arrival card at a Chinese airport?
Travellers who cannot file online can use the self-service devices at the port of entry or fill a paper card on arrival. This guide can’t give exact positions in each terminal.
Can I cross out a mistake or do I need a new card?
There’s no official rule on crossings-out. If you spoil a card, ask cabin crew or border staff for a fresh one before you submit it.
Where is the NIA online arrival card form, and does it cost anything?
Go to the NIA arrival card form (外国人入境卡填报). Filing online is free, so don’t pay any third party. You’ll get an Entry Declaration Receipt with a QR code to save and show at inspection.
Do transit passengers have to fill in the arrival card?
It depends. On a 24-hour direct transit where you stay in the restricted area, you skip it. On a 240-hour transit you fill it in and tick the transit policy option instead of a visa number.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA government service platform: arrival card filing, entry declaration receipt and accommodation registration.
- Chinese Embassy in the UK: visa and entry information for UK travellers.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
