How do you fill in the China arrival card?

Use only these. The online form and the paper card are two ways to do the same thing, not two separate requirements.[1][3]

Border residents of seven neighbouring countries (DPRK, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam) holding border-resident documents use a separate “Entry Declaration for Border Area Residents”, not the form on this page.

The form, screen by screen

We went through the official English form on 22 October 2026 using test data and stopped before submitting. Fields marked * are required. The portal can read your passport photo page and pre-fill some fields.[2]

1. 1

   Open the portal and pick your language

   Choose Entry Declaration. The language menu at top right offers 13 languages.

   

2. 2

   Read the instructions

   The first screen lists who is exempt and the transit rules. Tap I agree to continue.

   

3. 3

   Upload your passport page

   Choose your document type and photograph the passport data page. You cannot continue until it is uploaded.

   • Accepted: ordinary, diplomatic, service and public-affairs passports, and seaman's books

   

4. 4

   Basic information

   Your passport details and how you arrive.

   • Last name*, first name, gender*, date of birth*
   • Citizenship*, document type*, passport number*
   • Transport*: flight, train, vessel, car or on foot
   • Flight, train or vessel number*
   • City of entry* and port of entry* (the port list appears after you pick a city and transport)

   

5. 5

   Personal information

   Contact details and your visa status.

   • Country of birth*, contact number*; Chinese name, city of birth and email are optional
   • “Do you hold a valid visa or other entry permit?”* and, if yes, the visa number*

   

6. 6

   Travel information

   Why and where you are going.

   • Purpose of entry*: 12 options, including sightseeing, business, visiting family and transit
   • Date of entry*
   • Destination city* (where you will stay longest); transit cities are optional
   • Address in China*: for example, your hotel's address
   • Inviting organisation or person in China?* and confirmed departure itinerary?* (yes or no)

   

7. 7

   Travelling companions

   You can fill in the form for people travelling with you. Choose No to go straight to the declaration.

   

8. 8

   Declare, sign and confirm

   Tick the declaration that your information is true, sign in the box on screen, then tap Confirm. Our walkthrough stopped here.

   

Who does not need to fill it in

The official instructions list eight groups:

1. Holders of a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
2. Non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
3. Passengers transiting within 24 hours who do not leave the port's restricted area
4. Members of tour groups entering visa-free as a group or on a group visa
5. Airline, ship and train crew, drivers and other transport staff
6. Cruise passengers leaving on the same ship
7. People eligible for the courtesy channel for centralised document checks
8. Travellers entering through the automated E-channel

[2]

Languages

• Chinese, English, Russian, French, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Lao, Mongolian, Burmese, Thai and Vietnamese

[2]