China Sets The Stage For Faster, Smarter Travel With Digital Arrival Card, Ushering In A New Age Of Immigration Efficiency Starting November 2025

Published on November 22, 2025

Starting November 20, 2025, China will transform the travel experience by launching a digital arrival card system, streamlining immigration and eliminating the need for paper forms. This innovative system allows travelers to complete entry formalities digitally before departure, ensuring faster, smoother, and more convenient entry into the country. By adopting this new process, China follows the global trend of digitizing immigration procedures, making travel more efficient and reducing waiting times at airports. The move promises to enhance the overall visitor experience while keeping pace with the evolving demands of international travel.

Starting November 20, 2025, China has launched an online arrival card system that allows travelers to complete their entry formalities digitally before even boarding their flights. This new system eliminates the need for paper arrival cards upon arrival, streamlining the immigration process and making it faster and more convenient. Travelers can now fill out their arrival cards in advance through multiple digital platforms, making their entry into China much smoother.

The Digital Arrival Card System: An Overview

The digital arrival card is an online form that travelers fill out ahead of their journey to China. It collects personal and travel information, replacing the traditional paper arrival card that travelers were required to complete at the airport. This new system aims to expedite immigration checks, reducing wait times and enhancing the overall travel experience for international visitors.

Platforms to Complete the Digital Card

There are four official platforms through which travelers can fill out the digital arrival card:

1. National Immigration Administration (NIA) Website – Ideal for those using a computer.
2. NIA Web App – For mobile users.
3. NIA 12367 Mobile App – An app specifically for filling out the form.
4. Mini-programs on WeChat and Alipay – Two of China’s most widely used platforms.

This new system aligns China with several other Asian nations like India, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos, where similar online immigration forms are already in use.

What Happens if You Forget to Fill Out the Form?

If you forget to complete the digital arrival card before your flight, don’t worry. You can still fill it out after you arrive. Kiosks and QR code stations will be set up at airports and ports for you to complete the form. For the time being, paper arrival cards will still be available, but they will gradually be phased out as the digital system becomes fully operational.

Exemptions from the Digital Arrival Card Requirement

Not all travelers will need to complete the online arrival card. The following groups are exempt:

• Holders of China’s Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card.
• Non-Chinese citizens with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong or Macao.
• Group travelers with collective visas or visa-free entry.
• Transit passengers staying within the airport or port area.
• Cruise passengers arriving and departing on the same ship.
• Travelers using fast-track entry lanes.
• Foreign employees working on international transport vehicles.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out the China Digital Arrival Card

Filling out the digital arrival card is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the system:

Step 1: Upload Your Passport Photo Page

Start by logging into the NIA platform of your choice and upload a clear photo of your passport’s identity page. This ensures that the system can automatically extract some of your details.

Step 2: Enter Your Personal Information

The system will pre-fill certain fields from your passport, but you’ll still need to input other details. This includes your full name, gender, birth date, nationality, passport number, and your arrival details, such as flight number and city of entry.

Step 3: Provide Your Contact Information

Next, enter your contact details, such as your phone number, email, and the city where you were born. If you have a visa for China, provide the details; if not, select the relevant entry policy (e.g., 30-day visa waiver or 144-hour visa-free transit).

Step 4: Provide Your Travel Information for China

Fill in the purpose of your visit to China (such as tourism, business, or family visit), travel dates, the city where you will stay, and your address while in China. If applicable, you can also add the details of your inviter or your return travel plans.

Step 5: Review and Sign

Before submitting, double-check all the information for accuracy. Once confirmed, sign the declaration to verify that all details are correct and submit the form.

Step 6: Download or Email Your Arrival Card

Once submitted, the system will generate your digital arrival card. You can download it or email it to yourself. The digital card includes a QR code that you will need to present during immigration checks upon arrival in China.

Final Tips for Travelers

While the new online arrival card system significantly simplifies the process, it’s highly recommended that travelers complete the form before their departure. This will save you valuable time at the airport and ensure a smoother and faster entry into China. Additionally, having a digital copy of the arrival card can help prevent any delays if there are any issues during the immigration process.

The Future of Digital Immigration in China

This shift towards a fully digital immigration system is part of China’s broader efforts to modernize its travel infrastructure and enhance the visitor experience. By reducing paper-based processes, the country is not only making travel more efficient but also positioning itself as a leader in digital travel solutions.

As more countries adopt similar systems, travelers can expect a more seamless journey across borders, making international travel less stressful and more efficient. China’s move towards a digital entry process aligns with global trends in travel and sets a precedent for other countries looking to streamline their immigration processes.

Starting November 20, 2025, China is set to revolutionize travel with a digital arrival card system, allowing travelers to complete immigration formalities before departure for a faster and more efficient entry process. This change eliminates paper forms, streamlining the experience for international visitors.

Travelers to China will now find entry easier and faster, thanks to the implementation of the digital arrival card system. With a simple process available across various platforms, you can complete your arrival formalities before you even set foot in the country, ensuring a smooth arrival experience.