If your trip to China includes connections or several stops inside the country, the cities of transit field on the arrival card is the one to get right. This guide is for travellers with domestic flight transfers, multiple stopovers or overland routes within China.
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Cities of Transit in China Arrival Card Meaning
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) introduced the digital card, an entry declaration rather than a visa, on 20 Nov 2025. The form includes fields for your port of entry, your transit stops and your main destination city, and the live form shows the wording currently in use for each of them. For a full walkthrough of every section, see our complete guide to the China arrival card.
| Field | What to check |
|---|---|
| Port of Entry | The city or checkpoint where you enter mainland China |
| Cities of Transit | Field for stops on the way to your destination; follow the wording on the live form |
| Main Destination City | The city where your main stay takes place |
Before you answer, match each field to your bookings so entry point, stops and destination are clear. If you’re unsure which sections you must complete, our pre-declaration checklist of mandatory fields covers every part of the form.
How to Fill the Cities of Transit Field
Start on the NIA filing page. For a detailed walkthrough of the whole submission process, see our step-by-step guide to filling out the arrival card online.
Upload a passport photo
The form asks for a photo of your passport first
Enter your entry policy
Fill in your entry policy details
Add contact and transport details
Provide your contact and transport information
Complete itinerary and accommodation
Enter your itinerary and accommodation details
When you enter overland through the Luohu or Futian checkpoints, select Shenzhen as the entry city and “Walking” as the mode of transport. Our guide to entering mainland China from Hong Kong covers this route in detail.
Fixing Transit Mistakes After Submission
A submitted card can’t be edited; if you spot a mistake, submit a new card. Save the QR code offline, as a screenshot or by email. For a wider look at correcting errors, see our article on fixing mistakes on the China arrival card.
Visa-Free Transit and Related Requirements
Holding a UK passport? You’re among the nationals of 57 countries covered by 240-hour visa-free transit: you may stay no more than 10 days, entering through one of 65 designated ports, provided you hold an ordinary passport and onward tickets with confirmed seats and departure dates, according to the NIA transit policy page. You must stay within the permitted areas. For more on airside versus 240-hour entry, see our article on whether transit passengers need the China arrival card.
Passengers in 24-hour transit must not leave the port’s restricted area; leaving it requires a temporary entry permit. NIA has also announced nationwide online accommodation registration for foreigners, so check the NIA site for how it applies to your stay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the cities of transit in China arrival card meaning?
It’s the field on the arrival card covering stops you make inside mainland China on the way to your destination. The wording on the live form is the best guide, so open the NIA filing page and match it to your bookings before you answer.
Cities of transit in China arrival card meaning: do I fill it in for a direct flight?
On a non-stop flight to your destination there is no intermediate stop inside mainland China to list. Follow the instruction shown on the form itself, and don’t enter your departure city, since the field concerns stops within mainland China only.
Does a domestic connecting flight count as a transit city?
The treatment of a domestic connection depends on the wording of the current form. If you’re unsure how your connection should be entered, ask the officer at the immigration desk or check the NIA filing page before you submit.
Should I list high-speed rail stops after entering from Hong Kong?
After a land checkpoint entry, the form’s itinerary section is where your onward travel in mainland China goes. Enter your rail stops as the form asks, and keep your tickets to hand in case officers wish to see them.
What if my transit city is not in the dropdown list?
Choose from the options the form gives you, using the full city name. If you can’t find a match, ask for a kiosk or paper card at the immigration desk rather than shortening or altering the name.
Can I change my transit cities after submitting?
Not on the same card. Passport data can be corrected only before you submit, and after that you file a new card. Save the QR code offline, as a screenshot or by email.
Can I travel anywhere under 240-hour transit if I list a city?
No. Stay within the area your policy allows. Work, study and press reporting need permits and a visa. Check the NIA English site, en.nia.gov.cn, before you travel, since rules change.
Where can I fill in the China arrival card for free?
Fill it in free at s.nia.gov.cn, in the NIA 12367 app, or in the WeChat or Alipay mini-program, or scan the QR code at ports. It comes in 13 languages. The NIA charges nothing for the form, so treat sites that ask for payment to submit it with caution, as lookalike sites may be among them. Hotline: 12367.
Sources and Further Reading
- Visa-Free Transit Policies: eligible countries, ports and conditions.
- NIA English site: transit policy and the 12367 hotline.
- Arrival card filing page: the form itself.
Rules may change, so check the NIA site before you travel.
