China (mainland)
China (mainland): China online arrival card – official link, fee and who needs it
Key facts
- Form
- China online arrival card (for foreigners)
- Official link
- s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/
- Official fee
- Free. The NIA warns that the online arrival card is free of charge.
Source: National Immigration Administration (China) – Beware of fraudulent websites for arrival card filling — Last verified 2026-11-13
- When to apply
- Submit before you travel through official channels, or on smart devices at China's ports on arrival. Paper arrival cards are still available at ports.
Source: National Immigration Administration (China) – Beware of fraudulent websites for arrival card filling — Last verified 2026-11-13
- Validity
- Filling in the arrival card does not replace a visa if you need one – check below.
Source: National Immigration Administration (China) – Beware of fraudulent websites for arrival card filling — Last verified 2026-11-13
How to apply
Official channels: the NIA website (s.nia.gov.cn), government service platforms, “NIA 12367”, and the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs, or the NIA's official QR code.
Source: National Immigration Administration (China) – Beware of fraudulent websites for arrival card filling — Last verified 2026-11-13
Who needs it (by passport)
| UK – British citizen | No advance visa or e-authorisation needed UK ordinary passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days (business, tourism, family/friends visits, exchange, transit) from 17 Feb 2026 to 31 Dec 2026 (Beijing time). You still fill in the arrival card. |
|---|---|
| British National (Overseas) – BN(O) | Check the official site for your passport This guide covers rules for foreign passports. Travel documents for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents and for Chinese citizens follow different rules – check the official site. |
| Hong Kong SAR passport | Check the official site for your passport This guide covers rules for foreign passports. Travel documents for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents and for Chinese citizens follow different rules – check the official site. |
| China (mainland) passport | Check the official site for your passport This guide covers rules for foreign passports. Travel documents for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents and for Chinese citizens follow different rules – check the official site. |
| Taiwan passport | Check the official site for your passport This guide covers rules for foreign passports. Travel documents for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents and for Chinese citizens follow different rules – check the official site. |
| Malaysia | No advance visa or e-authorisation needed China–Malaysia mutual visa exemption (in force since 17 July 2025): up to 30 days per visit, no more than 90 days in any 180 days. You still fill in the arrival card. |
| Singapore | No advance visa or e-authorisation needed China–Singapore mutual visa exemption (in force since 9 Feb 2024): ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days visa-free. You still fill in the arrival card. |
| USA | Check the official site for your passport The USA is not on NIA's unilateral visa-free list. US nationals can use 240-hour visa-free transit with an onward ticket to a third country or region; otherwise check visa requirements on the official site. |
| EU or other passport | Check the official site for your passport Most EU countries are on China's unilateral visa-free list (up to 30 days; list as of 17 Feb 2026), but the Czech Republic and Lithuania are not listed. Check the list and the policy period on the official site. |
Rules for passports not listed, and anything not stated by the official source: check the official site. Official eligibility checker / list
⚠ Fake-site warning
The NIA warns that overseas fraudsters have set up counterfeit websites posing as the official arrival card platform to charge travellers fees.
Source: National Immigration Administration (China) – Beware of fraudulent websites for arrival card filling — Last verified 2026-11-13
Good to know
- Visa-free transit: nationals of 57 countries can transit visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) with an onward ticket to a third country or region. See the 240-hour transit page.
Source: NIA – Visa-free transit policies (24-hour and 240-hour) — Last verified 2026-11-13
Official sources
- National Immigration Administration (China) – Beware of fraudulent websites for arrival card filling
https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c191530/content.html - NIA – Visa-free transit policies (24-hour and 240-hour)
https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c183412/content.html - Chinese Consulate General in Manchester – China's visa waiver policy for the UK
https://manchester.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/tzgg/202602/t20260216_11860713.htm - GOV.UK – China travel advice: entry requirements
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/entry-requirements - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China – China–Singapore mutual visa exemption
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/wjbzwfwpt/kzx/tzgg/202401/t20240125_11233014.html - Chinese Embassy in Malaysia – China–Malaysia mutual visa exemption
https://my.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/fwzc/lsyw/qz/202507/t20250714_11670217.htm - NIA – Countries covered by unilateral visa exemption (as of 17 Feb 2026)
https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c183390/content.html
Last verified 2026-11-13