What if I make a mistake on China arrival card? Sources don’t describe editing a submitted form, so file a corrected declaration on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal, https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, and use the QR code it generates. Noticed too late? Use a paper card at the airport.
This is an independent guide for UK travellers, not a government site. We don’t charge fees or file forms for you, so check details on the NIA portal before you fly.
Mistake on a China Arrival Card: Critical or Minor?
Your passport number, name and date of birth matter most. Officers check your physical passport, so your card data has to match it. Our pre-declaration checklist of mandatory fields shows exactly what must match.
| Error type | What you do |
|---|---|
| Passport number, surname or given names | File a new declaration before inspection. |
| Date of birth | File a new declaration before inspection. |
| Hotel address, phone number or flight number | Explain it to the officer at the counter. |
Check each field against your passport photo page.
Fixing Names, Passport Digits and Dates
Sources don’t describe how a submitted declaration can be changed. File a new, correct one — our step-by-step guide to filling out the arrival card online walks you through every field — and use its QR code.
Compare with your passport
Check each field letter by letter
File a fresh declaration
Use one of the channels below
Save the new QR code
As a screenshot – airport Wi-Fi may require a login
Online, you can use:
- The NIA portal: https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/
- The “Immigration Bureau 12367” app
- The WeChat mini-program (search 移民局12367)
- The Alipay mini-program
Sources give 72 hours before arrival as the submission timing; confirm the window on the NIA portal. The QR code is valid for 24 hours, so file close to your arrival — see our guide to retrieving, saving and presenting your QR code for more detail.
Duplicate China Arrival Cards: Cancel or Overwrite?
Sources don’t describe cancelling a duplicate declaration, so you can’t void it yourself. Present the QR code from your latest correct declaration.
Filed on the web portal and again in the WeChat or 12367 mini-program? Officers scan your physical passport. If you’re unsure, ask staff at the port of entry or use a paper card.
Airport Fallback: Paper Cards and Kiosks
Spotted an error after landing at PVG, PEK or CAN with no data or Wi-Fi? Skip the faulty QR code and use a paper card or kiosk before inspection.
Ask for a paper form
Airport staff in the arrivals hall
Fill it in clearly
Copy from your passport
Or use a self-service kiosk
Scan your passport and enter your data again
Present at inspection
First-time visitors have fingerprints scanned, then show your card or QR code
For pen rules and hand-in procedure, read our guide to the China paper arrival card, and if the airport has kiosks, see how self-service terminals work at Chinese airports.
Related Entry Rules and Common Pitfalls
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months.
- Entry conditions, including visa-free stays, depend on your nationality and the current rules, so check the NIA Q&A before you fly.
- Put a hotel or address in China on the card. If you stay elsewhere, register with local public security within 24 hours.
- Health and customs declarations are separate forms from the arrival card.
- Avoid third-party sites that charge for a form you can file yourself on the NIA portal. Don’t enter passport data on unverified sites. For visa questions, contact the Chinese Embassy at 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD, or the Chinese Visa Application Centre at 12 Old Jewry, London EC2R 8DU.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if I make a mistake on China arrival card after submitting it online?
File a new declaration with the correct details and use the QR code it generates. No edit option is documented in the sources we checked.
What if I make a mistake on China arrival card and only notice at the airport?
Ask airport staff for a paper form, or use a self-service kiosk, before inspection. Copy details carefully from your passport and present the paper form instead of the faulty QR code.
Can I edit my China arrival card after I have submitted it?
Sources we checked don’t describe editing a submitted declaration. File a new declaration with the correct details and use the QR code it generates.
Can I cancel a duplicate China arrival card submission?
No cancel option is documented. Present the QR code from your newest declaration, together with your passport, at the counter.
Will a wrong passport number on my China arrival card stop me at immigration?
Sources don’t describe what happens. To be safe, correct the passport number before you reach the counter, with a new declaration or a paper form.
Does correcting or resubmitting a China arrival card cost anything?
Sources we checked don’t list fees for the NIA portal or paper forms. Steer clear of any website that asks you for payment to file the declaration.
Where do I submit a corrected China arrival card online?
Use the NIA portal, the 12367 app, or the WeChat or Alipay mini-program. The QR code is valid for 24 hours, so submit close to your trip.
Is a customs or health declaration the same as the China arrival card?
No. The arrival card holds your immigration identity data. The health declaration and customs declaration are separate steps, so a change to one doesn’t alter the others.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA Q&A on visa-free entry (published 4 July 2025): entry conditions.
- Chinese Embassy in the UK: consular FAQs and contact details.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
