Most non-Chinese travellers entering mainland China complete the Digital Arrival Card. This is a national requirement, not one specific to Tianfu, so it applies to arrivals through Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU). Save the QR code before you arrive, then use the inspection lanes on arrival. For the full national picture, see our complete guide to the China Arrival Card.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. We don’t charge fees, issue documents or file anything for you. Check details on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) website or in the NIA 12367 mobile app before you travel. It covers Tianfu, plus Shenzhen and Xi’an.
Chengdu Tianfu arrival card requirements for foreign visitors
Foreign travellers entering China file an arrival card, with or without a visa, unless they belong to an exempt group. The arrival card is an NIA immigration form. From 20 November 2025 the Digital Arrival Card is available. Paper forms remain available during a transitional period. You can read more about who is exempt from the China Arrival Card in our dedicated guide.
Seven groups are exempt:
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of China holders
- Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit holders (Hong Kong/Macao)
- Group visa or group exemption travellers
- 24-hour transit passengers in the designated port area
- Cruise passengers on the same ship in and out
- Fast-track or e-Channel users
- Crew of transport vehicles
| Entry type | Form |
|---|---|
| Visa, or unilateral visa-free entry | Digital arrival card (paper during the transition) |
| 240-hour visa-free transit | Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners (transit) |
The 240-hour visa-free transit covers 55 countries, including the UK, and 65 ports in 24 provinces. The 2024 list of 144-hour transit ports named Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU), Shenzhen Bao’an and Xi’an Xianyang. Tianfu was not on it. Booking via Tianfu? Confirm your category and port with the NIA or the Chinese embassy first. For more on connections and multi-stop routes, see our article on whether transit passengers need an arrival card.
Information and Documents to Prepare
Start with your passport, flight number and a full Chinese address.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Name and passport number | Copy from your passport |
| Flight number | The flight landing at TFU |
| Place of stay | Address in China where you will stay |
The form also asks for nationality, recent travel history and a health declaration. For help formatting your accommodation details, see our guide on how to enter a hotel address in the China Arrival Card.
Carry:
- Valid passport
- Visa, or proof of visa-free or transit eligibility
- Arrival card or temporary entry form
Submit Online and Save Your QR Code
Submit before you arrive. The form can be submitted through these platforms:
- NIA website
- NIA 12367 mobile app
- WeChat mini-program
- Alipay mini-program
- Government Service Platform
Open the form
Enter your details as in your passport and booking
Submit it
Then screenshot the QR code entry receipt
Save the screenshot
Where you can open it offline
The NIA website and the NIA 12367 app mention no fee for the arrival card. Third-party sites that charge for filling in the form are intermediaries, not government services. Enter your details only on official portals. The officer scans your saved QR image; otherwise use a self-service kiosk or QR scan point on arrival. For more on retrieving and presenting your code, see our guide to the China Arrival Card QR code.
Foreign Visitors at Tianfu: Kiosks and Border Steps
If you have not submitted the card online, use a self-service kiosk or a QR scan point on arrival, then go to a passport lane. Our step-by-step guide to self-service terminal arrival cards at Chinese airports explains how the kiosks work.
Go to immigration inspection
After using a kiosk or QR scan point, head to a passport lane
Show your documents
Present your passport and your QR code or paper card to the immigration officer
During the transition, paper cards can be completed on the aircraft or before the immigration desk. If you prefer the paper version, see our guide to the China yellow paper arrival card.
Common Mistakes at the Border
- False statements on the arrival card can lead to an entry ban.
Customs is a separate step. Carry personal supplies in original packaging, in amounts matching your stay, and check customs rules on the NIA portal before you travel. Our comparison of the China customs declaration vs the arrival card explains the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to pay for a China arrival card?
The NIA website and the NIA 12367 app mention no fee for the arrival card. Sites that charge for filling in the form are third-party intermediaries, not NIA services. Do not enter card details on them.
Are British passport holders eligible for 240-hour visa-free transit?
Yes. The UK is among the 55 countries listed for 240-hour visa-free transit. Confirm current rules on the NIA website or with the Chinese embassy.
Which form do I fill in for visa-free transit?
All foreign travellers use the digital arrival card, unless exempt. Transit travellers may also use the arrival card for temporary entry foreigners. Check your entry type on the NIA website before you land.
What if I cannot submit the digital card before landing?
Ask staff about a self-service kiosk or a QR scan point on arrival. Paper cards can also be completed on the aircraft or before the immigration desk during the transition.
Who is exempt from the Chengdu Tianfu arrival card requirements for foreign visitors?
Seven groups are exempt: Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of China holders, non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit holders (Hong Kong/Macao), group visa or group exemption travellers, 24-hour transit passengers in the designated port area, cruise passengers on the same ship in and out, fast-track or e-Channel users, and crew of transport vehicles.
What are the Chengdu Tianfu arrival card requirements foreign visitors must meet before landing?
Before you land, submit the digital arrival card with your passport details, flight number and address in China. If you have not submitted it, use a kiosk or QR scan point on arrival. Confirm details with the NIA.
How early can I submit the digital arrival card for TFU?
Submit before you arrive, once you have your flight number and address in China. The platform shows the submission window when you complete the form.
Is the arrival card the same as the customs declaration?
No. The arrival card is an NIA immigration document. Customs is a separate declaration you make after collecting your bags, through the Red Channel for goods to declare or the Green Channel for nothing to declare.
Sources and Further Reading
- National Immigration Administration (NIA): official portal for arrival card rules and the 12367 service.
