The mandatory fields on China digital arrival card cover your passport details, purpose of visit, inbound flight, arrival date and address of stay. You file on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal, https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone/service-instruction.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. We don’t charge fees or file the declaration for you. Use it to gather your details first, then check dates and rules on the NIA portal before you fly.
Who Must Complete the China Digital Arrival Card
Most foreign arrivals file one, including UK passport holders. Visa-free entry does not cancel the card unless you belong to an exempt group.
The online card is the main channel. The portal offers 13 languages and two declaration variants. Holders of border-area residence certificates from the DPRK, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam fill in a separate form, as described on the NIA portal.
The NIA portal at s.nia.gov.cn is the filing channel. Paid intermediaries charge a fee for a free form. They are not government sites, and the portal itself is where you file.
Mandatory Fields on China Digital Arrival Card
Enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport.
| Field | What you enter | Where to copy it from |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Surname and given names as printed | Bio-data page or MRZ lines |
| Gender | As shown in your passport | Bio-data page |
| Date of birth | As shown in your passport | Bio-data page |
| Nationality | As shown in your passport | Bio-data page |
| Passport number | Enter the number exactly as printed in your passport | Bio-data page or MRZ |
| Occupation | Your job title | Your own records |
| Passport page upload | An image of the passport page, if the form asks | Scan or phone photo |
Have a hyphenated or double-barrelled surname? Type your surname exactly as printed in your passport, including any hyphen.
Check the full field list on the live form on the NIA portal.
Flight, Stay and Purpose-of-Visit Details
Enter the flight details for the leg that arrives in China, not the UK departure.
| Field | Example | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Inbound flight number | The leg that arrives in China | Use the final segment into China |
| Arrival date and port of entry | Date you land, airport name | Take both from your ticket |
| Train details | Only if arriving by train | Use instead of flight details |
| Hotel name and address | Name, street, district, city | Copy the address from your booking |
| Purpose of visit | Tourism, business, family visit or transit | Choose the option that matches your trip |
| Recent travel history | Countries visited recently | Follow the field as shown on the form |
Address fields have a character limit, but the number isn’t disclosed.
Staying at a hotel as an independent tourist? Copy the hotel address from your booking. In some cases the form may ask for contact details of the host entity; the conditions are not published. Keep your booking open as you type.
Filling Mandatory Fields on China Digital Arrival Card
Work through the sections in order, then save proof before you board.
Open the NIA portal and choose English
Select the standard declaration, not the border-area one.
Enter your passport and personal details
Copy them exactly as they appear in your passport.
Add your inbound flight, arrival date and port of entry
Use the final leg into China and details from your ticket.
Type your address of stay and purpose of visit
Include host details if the form asks for them.
Compare every entry with your passport and bookings
Check each detail before you continue.
Submit the form
Save the confirmation the portal shows.
Screenshot the confirmation and save a PDF
Keep an offline copy for your trip.
The NIA page does not state an advance filing window. Check the portal before you travel.
Check every entry against your passport before you submit.
Common Mistakes and Related Procedures
- Entering the UK departure flight instead of the flight into China is a mistake. Use the final leg into China.
- Names must match your passport. Copy them from the bio-data page.
- Addresses should be complete and copied from your booking.
- Paid intermediaries charge for a form you can complete yourself on the NIA portal. Stay on the NIA channel.
- Skipping an offline copy of your confirmation can leave you without proof when you need it. Save a screenshot and PDF, and read how to retrieve and save your QR code.
- Assuming visa-free means exempt can leave you without a card. Check your situation on the NIA portal.
Three separate things are easy to confuse.
| Document | Purpose | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival card | Immigration screening | Filed on the NIA portal |
| Customs and baggage declaration | Goods you bring in | A separate process from the arrival card |
| Police registration | Temporary residence record | Rules vary; check with official sources |
If you spot an error after submitting, see our guide on fixing mistakes on the China arrival card. For the goods side of entry, read about the differences between the China customs declaration and the arrival card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the mandatory fields on China digital arrival card?
The form asks for passport details, inbound flight and arrival date, your address in China and the purpose of your visit. Check the full field list on the NIA portal.
Do UK citizens on visa-free entry still need to complete the China arrival card?
Visa-free entry does not replace the arrival card unless you belong to an exempt group. Confirm your situation on the NIA portal.
Which flight number should I enter if I have a connecting flight?
The form asks for the flight that arrives in China. Your booking confirmation shows the number of each leg.
Is the China digital arrival card free to submit?
Paid services are intermediaries, not government sites. You can file on the NIA portal yourself.
Where do I submit the China digital arrival card?
Use the NIA portal at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone/service-instruction. The portal offers 13 languages, including English.
How should I enter a hyphenated British surname?
Type it exactly as printed in your passport, hyphen included. If you see a validation error, compare your entry with the passport’s bio-data page again.
Must I complete the mandatory fields on China digital arrival card before leaving the UK?
No fixed advance window is confirmed on the NIA page. Save a copy of the confirmation before you travel and check the portal for the current rules.
Does the arrival card replace the police registration in China?
No. Police registration of temporary residence is a separate procedure. Check the rules with official sources.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA Arrival Card Filling: the filing portal, languages and declaration variants.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
