The China Arrival Card is a digital entry card used by Chinese immigration authorities to register foreign travelers upon entry into China. Since November 20, 2025, travelers can complete their arrival card online before departure.
The China Arrival Card is not a visa but a separate entry declaration. It also applies to Swedish citizens who travel to China without a visa. All travelers who are covered by the China Arrival Card requirement must fill in the entry card before entering China. We recommend that the registration is done online before departure to facilitate the entry process.
At Alla Visum, you can get help with your China Arrival Card, helping you check your details, reduce the risk of errors and manage the registration for your trip. You can easily start your order online and get help throughout the process.
About China Arrival Card to China
The China Arrival Card, also known as a digital entry card to China, is an entry declaration for foreign nationals travelling to mainland China.
The digital registration was introduced on November 20, 2025 by China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) to simplify the entry process.
The China Arrival Card is not a visa, visa, or residence permit. It is a separate entry document that normally needs to be completed even if you already have a valid visa for China or are subject to visa-free entry rules.
The arrival card refers to the current entry. If you enter mainland China several times, you will normally need to provide new arrival details at each entry.
The China Arrival Card does not affect how long you can stay in China. The length of stay is determined by your visa, the rules for visa-free entry or the permit granted at the border control.
You will need the following documents and information to apply:
- Copy of passport information page
- Copy of flight ticket or flight booking
- Hotel reservation or address of the accommodation in China
- Information about a visa to China, if you have one
Chinese authorities can change entry rules and document requirements. It is therefore important to check current requirements before travelling.
China Arrival Card Rules
Important rules to know:
- The China Arrival Card is an entry card, not a visa.
- The registration can be done online before departure to China.
- A new arrival card normally needs to be filled in at each new entry.
- Travellers who are covered by visa-free entry also need to fill in the arrival card.
- The China Arrival Card does not replace the visa requirement if a visa is required for your trip.
- The arrival card does not give the right to work or study in China.
- The arrival card does not affect how long you can stay in China.
- The final decision on entry is made by Chinese immigration authorities.
Are you a Swedish citizen?
If you have a Swedish passport and plan to travel to China, you need to fill in the China Arrival Card, even if you are travelling without a visa according to the rules for visa-free entry that apply on your travel date.
The China Arrival Card and visa to China are two different things. The arrival card is used to register your entry details, while visa or visa-free travel determines whether you are allowed to enter the country.
We recommend that you register your arrival card before departure to facilitate entry and avoid unnecessary delays at border control.
If you need a visa to China, Alla Visum can also help you with, for example, tourist visas, business visas and visitor visas.
What happens next
- 1.Complete your order by making the payment.
- 2.Each traveler receives an email with a link to fill in their application form and upload the required documents.
- 3.We review your application and contact you if any details or documents need to be completed.
- 4.When your application is ready, we send your visa by email or post, according to the delivery option you chose.
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With AllaVisum
98.7%
Expert document review
Every detail checked by specialists
Error prevention
Mistakes caught before submission
Up-to-date requirements
Always current with latest rules
Guided support
Help throughout the process
On your own
73.2%
Risk of missing documents
Easy to overlook requirements
Common form errors
Complex applications prone to mistakes
Changing requirements
Rules change frequently
No expert guidance
Solve problems on your own
FAQ China Arrival Card to China
The China Arrival Card is a digital entry card used by Chinese immigration authorities to collect data on foreign travelers when entering mainland China.
You can submit your application to Alla Visum as soon as your travel details, such as flights and accommodation, are confirmed. You do not need to keep track of when the registration is to be done. Alla Visum checks that all information is correct and ensures that your China Arrival Card is submitted at the right time for your arrival in China. By using our service, you can feel confident that the registration will be handled well in advance of your trip.
No. The China Arrival Card is not a visa but a separate entry declaration. If you need a visa for China, you must apply for it separately.
Most foreign nationals entering mainland China need to fill out an arrival card. Certain categories of travelers are exempt, such as people with a Chinese permanent residence card and some transit travelers.
Yes, UK citizens normally need to fill out the China Arrival Card when entering mainland China, even if they are travelling without a visa.
Yes, a valid visa does not normally replace the requirement for an arrival card.
The arrival card is used for the current entry into China. When entering China again, you will normally need to provide new information.
You will normally need passport details, information about your trip, planned arrival, address of accommodation in China and any visa details.
Children travelling with foreign passports are normally also subject to the requirement for an arrival card, unless a special exception applies. Parents or guardians can help with the registration.
It depends on how your transit journey is carried out. If you stay within the designated transit area and travel on within 24 hours, you do not normally need to fill in an arrival card. However, if you pass through the border control and enter mainland China, you normally need to fill in the arrival card.
No. The China Arrival Card is valid for entry into mainland China. Hong Kong and Macao have separate entry rules. However, if you are travelling from Hong Kong or Macao to mainland China, you may need to fill out the China Arrival Card.
The price starts from 600 per application and varies depending on the level of service (Standard, Express or Premium) as well as any additional services. You will see the final price on our website before completing your order.
The China Arrival Card is an entry declaration and not a traditional visa application. The time to complete the registration depends, among other things, on the availability of all the necessary information. If you use the Alla Visums service, we will review your information and help you with the registration before the trip.
Alla Visum offers personal assistance with your digital entry card to China. We help you check your passport details, travel information and accommodation details and assist with the registration. You will have access to customer support if you have questions or need to supplement information before your trip.
Reviewed by Jenny Huang, Visa Specialist at Alla Visum
This guide has been reviewed by Alla Visum's visa and immigration specialists to ensure that the information is accurate, reliable, and easy to understand. The information has been checked against official guidance published by the National Immigration Administration of China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, and other relevant Chinese government sources.
Alla Visum's visa specialists regularly review and update our Chinese visa and travel information to reflect the latest visa requirements, application procedures, and changes in immigration regulations.
Last reviewed: November 2026
What happens next
- 1.Complete your order by making the payment.
- 2.Each traveler receives an email with a link to fill in their application form and upload the required documents.
- 3.We review your application and contact you if any details or documents need to be completed.
- 4.When your application is ready, we send your visa by email or post, according to the delivery option you chose.
China Arrival Card
Valid for
72 hours
Number of entries
Single entry
Max stay
Depending on visa conditions
Requirements for China Arrival Card to China
- A valid passport with sufficient validity