Do transit passengers need arrival card China asks for? Only if they pass border inspection run by the National Immigration Administration (NIA). Direct transit within 24 hours is exempt as long as you stay in the designated area of the port (restricted area). Leaving that area or entering under the 240-hour scheme means filing a Foreigner Arrival Card.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. You file the card yourself on the NIA arrival card portal. We don’t charge fees or file anything for you, so check the rules there before you fly. It’s for UK travellers connecting through China.
Do Transit Passengers Need a China Arrival Card?
No, not if you stay in the designated area of the port (restricted area) on a 24-hour direct transit. Passengers in 24-hour direct transit who stay within the designated area of the port are exempt from the arrival card. You’ll need valid travel documents and an onward ticket with a confirmed seat. Other exempt traveller categories follow similar rules, so check whether your route qualifies.
Planning to step outside? You need a temporary entry permit from port immigration before you leave the designated area. Most entrants, including visa-free ones, complete the digital card in use since 20 November 2025.
Self-Transfer and 240-Hour Entry: When a Card Applies
You file the card when you cross border control, whatever the length of your layover. A layover under 24 hours still requires a card if you leave the designated area of the port. If your route includes stops in several Chinese cities, read what counts as a city of transit on the arrival card.
| Your situation | Tickets and bags | Border crossing? | Card needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct airside transit | One interline ticket with a confirmed seat to a third country or region | No | No |
| Self-transfer | Interline ticket with a confirmed seat to a third country or region | Yes | Yes, plus a temporary entry permit |
| 240-hour visa-free entry | Interline ticket with a confirmed seat to a third country or region | Yes | Yes, digital or paper |
For the 240-hour scheme:
- You can stay up to 240 hours (10 days) in designated cities and regions.
- The November 2025 update raised the number of eligible ports to 65, up from 60 in December 2024.
- Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were added to the eligible list from 20 August 2026. The list stood at 55 countries in 2025, so check the current list on en.nia.gov.cn.
- Entering without onward travel to a third country or region counts as illegal entry.
Do UK Transit Passengers Need an Arrival Card?
If you stay in the designated area of the port, no. If you enter mainland China by either route, yes. UK citizens can enter visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026 for business, tourism, family or friend visits and transit; check the latest advice on gov.uk before you travel. The UK is also on the 240-hour list. Our arrival card guide for UK citizens explains the full filing process.
The 30-day visa-free entry is a separate policy from the 240-hour transit scheme. Even visa-free entrants must complete a declaration, as covered in our visa-free travel arrival card requirements.
In London, the Chinese Embassy consular section is at 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD, open on working days 09:00 to 12:00.
How to Fill In the China Arrival Card
Gather your passport and tickets, then fill in the card at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. Other channels are the NIA 12367 app, the Government Service Platform and the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs. For a walkthrough of each screen, see our step-by-step guide to filling out the China arrival card online.
Enter your full name
Type it exactly as in your passport.
Add passport details
Enter your passport number and nationality.
Add your arrival flight number
Use the flight you arrive in China on.
Give your place of stay in China
State where you will be staying.
Complete travel history and health declaration
Fill in both sections of the card.
Submit the card and save the QR code
Officers scan your QR code at the border.
Slip-ups to avoid: a name that differs from your passport. File before coming to China. Officers scan your QR code at the border, so read how to retrieve, save and present your QR code. If you spot an error after submitting, see how to fix a mistake on your China arrival card.
Border resident certificate holders from seven countries use a separate form.
Border Inspection and Related Requirements
At the port you show your QR code or paper slip and documents to NIA officers. The temporary entry permit, issued when you leave the designated area of the port, is separate from your card. If you can’t get the digital version to load, a paper arrival card form is still accepted.
Also have ready:
- a passport valid for more than 3 months (240-hour transit)
- a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region
Questions? Call the NIA hotline on +86 12367.
Common Mistakes Transit Passengers Make
- Assuming a short layover means no card. Whether you leave the designated area decides whether you need a card, so plan your transfer before booking.
- Booking a return to your departure country. The onward ticket must lead to a third country or region, so a return ticket to the UK does not meet this requirement. Airlines have refused boarding in some cases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do transit passengers need an arrival card in China if they stay airside?
No. On a 24-hour direct transit you’re exempt while you stay in the designated area of the port (restricted area). Keep your onward ticket with a confirmed seat. Leaving that area changes the answer. Staying put is what counts.
Do transit passengers need an arrival card in China when they collect checked baggage?
If you leave the designated area of the port, you need a temporary entry permit from port immigration first, and you file the arrival card. The time between flights doesn’t change that, and neither does a layover under 24 hours. Leaving the restricted area is what counts.
Does a UK passport holder need a card for a layover?
Not if you stay in the designated area of the port for a direct transit. If you leave the airport, yes, whether you use the 30-day waiver or the 240-hour scheme. UK citizens can enter visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026, so check the current rules on the official portals before you travel.
Is the China arrival card free?
The sources used for this guide don’t state a fee, so check the NIA portal before you file. A website that asks for payment is not the NIA portal. Have your passport and flight details ready before you start.
Where do I fill in the card online?
Go to https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, the NIA’s filing portal. File before coming to China and save the QR code. This guide only explains the process; it doesn’t file the card for you.
What if my QR code or phone doesn’t work?
If you could not fill in the card online before arriving, you can complete it at the inspection site by scanning the QR code with your phone, using the smart devices on site, or filling in a paper card. Then show it to NIA officers.
How does the card differ from a temporary entry permit?
The arrival card is your personal declaration, which you file digitally or on paper. The temporary entry permit is the authorisation border officers issue when you leave the designated area of the port under transit rules.
Why might an airline refuse boarding on a China transit trip?
Airlines have refused boarding in some cases on China transit itineraries. Check that your ticket continues to a third country or region with a confirmed date and seat, not back to where you started. See the mistakes list for route examples.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA arrival card filing portal: where you fill in the card
- NIA filing instructions: guidance for the card
- Chinese Embassy in the US: announcement of the online arrival card
- Chinese Embassy in the UK: London contacts
- NIA English site: visa-free transit policies
- GOV.UK: foreign travel advice portal
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
