When can I fill out a China arrival card online? Sources we checked say the card can be submitted any time before travel, and they don’t give a fixed earliest or latest date. You file the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) at s.nia.gov.cn.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. File on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal; we don’t charge fees or file for you. Check dates and rules there before you fly.
Who Needs a China Arrival Card?
Almost every foreign traveller entering mainland China files one, British visitors included. It’s an entry declaration, not a visa. For a broader overview, see our complete guide to the China Arrival Card and entry requirements.
Until 31 December 2026, UK “British citizen” passport holders can enter visa-free for stays up to 30 days for business, tourism, family or friend visits or transit, according to gov.uk. That date is close, so re-check it before you book. Your passport needs 6 months’ validity beyond arrival and 2 blank pages. If you’re using the 30-day waiver, read our page on visa-free travel and why a waiver still needs a declaration.
Some groups are exempt, for example cruise passengers who leave on the same ship. Check your status with the NIA portal, or see our guide to exempt travellers and required documents.
When Can You Fill Out a China Arrival Card Online?
The NIA portal lists the foreigner arrival card service, but the pages we checked don’t set a timing rule, and sources describe the card as something you can submit any time before travel.
Two other rules circulate. The 24-hour rule appears on one commercial site only. The 72-hour rule describes agencies submitting within 72 hours of your entry date, not you filing yourself.
Have your passport photo, flight number and accommodation address ready before you start the form. Flying from London? Use the date in China when you land. Our checklist of documents required to fill the China Arrival Card covers the passport, flight and scan rules in detail.
| UK clock | Difference | Time conversion | Date to declare |
|---|---|---|---|
| GMT (UTC+0) | China is 8 hours ahead | Add 8 hours to your UK clock time | The date in China when you land |
| BST (UTC+1) | China is 7 hours ahead | Add 7 hours to your UK clock time | The date in China when you land |
How to Fill Out the China Arrival Card Online
Keep your passport photo (MRZ line visible) and any visa number ready. Filing is free on the NIA portal, at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ or through https://s.nia.gov.cn/. The 12367 app and WeChat and Alipay mini-programs also work. For the full walkthrough, see our step-by-step guide to filling out the China Arrival Card online.
Upload your passport photo
Upload your passport photo and check the auto-read name, number, birth date and expiry before confirming.
Select your entry policy
Choose 30-day visa-free, 240-hour transit or visa.
Add contact details
Add your phone number with dialling code, and your email.
Enter travel details
Enter purpose, entry date, destinations, flight number, entry port and your full Chinese address.
Sign, submit and save
Sign, submit and save the QR code.
Connecting flights are not covered in the sources we checked; confirm the entry details on the NIA portal.
QR Code Scope, Delays and Corrections
Sources we checked describe the QR code as covering one entry. They don’t state an expiry period. For more on saving and presenting it, see our guide to the China Arrival Card QR code.
Submitted forms can’t be edited, so if details change or you spot an error, start a new form.
- Screenshot the QR code before you leave the UK, so it opens offline.
- Paper arrival cards are usually provided on the flight or near the immigration counters.
- Some ports of entry have self-service devices where you can print the QR code.
At the port of entry, show the QR code to the officer. Fingerprints may be collected, according to gov.uk.
Common Mistakes When Filing Online
- Entering your UK departure date. Declare your China landing date instead.
- Submitted forms can’t be edited, so if details change or you spot an error, start a new form.
- Paying a lookalike site. Filing on the NIA portal is free. Commercial agencies charge their own fees for submitting the form for you. Learn to spot a China Arrival Card scam website before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When can I fill out a China arrival card online if I’m flying from London?
Sources we checked say you can submit any time before travel. Use your China landing date, because China Standard Time is 7 to 8 hours ahead of UK time.
When can I fill out a China arrival card online if I haven’t booked my hotel yet?
The form asks for your accommodation details, so have your booking ready before you start. Meanwhile, keep your passport photo and flight number ready. gov.uk says you must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels register guests when they check in.
Is the 24-hour or 72-hour rule for the China arrival card real?
The sources we checked say the card can be submitted any time before travel. The 24-hour limit appears only on one commercial site, and the 72-hour window applies to agencies that submit on your behalf, not to filing yourself.
Does my QR code stop working if my flight to China is delayed?
Sources we checked don’t say how delays affect the QR code. They describe the code as covering one entry and don’t state an expiry period. The 12367 helpline can confirm when you’re unsure.
Can I edit my China arrival card after I submit it?
No. Start a new form with the correct details instead. Before you confirm, you can still correct the passport data the portal read from your photo, so check the name, passport number, birth date and expiry date carefully before moving on.
Do babies and children need their own China arrival card?
Sources we checked don’t set out separate rules for children. Check the NIA portal for each traveller.
What is the website for the China arrival card and who can I call for help?
Use the National Immigration Administration portal: https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ or https://s.nia.gov.cn/. Filing there is free. The 12367 app also works. The immigration hotline 12367 is listed by gov.uk as the national immigration service hotline.
What if my phone dies before I can show the QR code at immigration?
Paper arrival cards are usually available on the flight or near immigration counters. Charge your phone before you land as well.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA portal: arrival card filing service.
- gov.uk China entry requirements: visa-free entry, passport rules, fingerprints.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
