The China Digital Arrival Card 2026 (CDAC) is the online entry declaration for foreign nationals entering mainland China. It replaced the paper form on 20 November 2025, though a paper card remains available temporarily. File it through the National Immigration Administration at s.nia.gov.cn, then show the QR code at border control.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. For official details, go to the National Immigration Administration site. We don’t charge anything and we don’t file the declaration for you, so check your details and dates on the portal before you fly.
China Digital Arrival Card 2026: Who Must File
The CDAC is the online declaration that foreign nationals complete before entering mainland China. You file it on a National Immigration Administration (NIA) channel and get a QR code to show at immigration. It replaced the paper card handed out on flights or on arrival.
The system launched on 20 November 2025. The card records your passport data and entry details, including city and port of entry.
Residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are not covered by the card.
If you’re unsure whether the card applies to your trip, see who needs to fill out the China arrival card and who is exempt. Seven categories of travelers don’t file:
- Holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People’s Republic of China
- Foreign nationals holding a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong/Macau residents
- Group travelers on a group visa or eligible for group visa-free entry
- Transit passengers who stay within the designated port area for no more than 24 hours (24-hour direct transit)
- Cruise passengers who enter and exit on the same vessel
- Travelers using the E-channel (fast-track lanes)
- Foreign crew of international exit-entry transport vehicles
Visa, Visa-Free and Transit Entry Declarations
The form asks for either a visa number or the entry policy you’re using, so decide which one applies before you start.
| Entry type | What you enter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa holder | Your visa number | Answer “Yes” to the visa question |
| Visa-free entry | Answer “No”, then select the entry policy | For example, a visa-free entry policy |
| Transit without visa (TWOV) | Select the matching transit scheme | The form offers the transit schemes listed on the portal |
The 24-hour direct transit exemption covers passengers who stay within the designated port area. If you’re only passing through, the airside vs. landside transit rules explain when the card is required. Copy the visa number or policy name from your booking before you open the form.
When to Submit and How Long the QR Code Lasts
No published deadline sets when to file; the card should be completed before arrival. For details on timing, read when to fill out the China digital arrival card and how long the QR code lasts.
There’s also no published maximum advance window and no published QR code validity period.
- Before departure: file the declaration and save the QR code.
- On landing: if you haven’t filed, you can still complete it with a QR scan or at a smart kiosk.
Information Needed for the China Digital Arrival Card
You need your passport, a photo of its identity page, your transport details and your stay address in China. For the full checklist, see the information needed for the China arrival card.
| Field | What to enter | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Last name, first name, gender, date of birth, citizenship, passport number | As shown in your passport | As printed in your passport |
| Country and city of birth | As shown in your passport | As printed in your passport |
| Phone and email | Your own contact details | The QR code can be sent to this email |
| Transport | Air, sea or land; flight, train or vessel number | Use your ticket details |
| Entry point | City and port of entry | Match your itinerary |
| Purpose of entry | Tourism/leisure, conference/business, visiting friends/family, or other | Pick the closest match |
| Arrival date and main destination city | Your planned dates and city | Check against your booking |
| Stay address | Province, city, district and detailed address | Enter the full address |
Optional fields are your Chinese name, transit cities within China, an inviting entity and a confirmed return itinerary.
The system extracts data from the photo of your passport. The One-click Input button fills in the declaration text automatically.
Step-by-Step: China Digital Arrival Card 2026 Filing
You submit the declaration through an NIA web portal, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat or Alipay mini-programs. These are government channels. This site doesn’t file for you. For a full walkthrough, see our guide on how to fill up a China digital arrival card step by step.
- Desktop: s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC
- Mobile web: s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone
- The NIA 12367 app
- WeChat and Alipay mini-programs
Paid intermediaries are not NIA services. Use the official NIA channels listed above to file.
Open the portal or app
Use the NIA portal, 12367 app, or WeChat or Alipay mini-program.
Upload a clear photo of your passport identity page
Let the system fill the fields.
Check every auto-filled field
Verify each field against your passport.
Enter your transport details and entry point
Add transport mode, flight, train or vessel number, and city and port of entry.
Enter your visa number or select your entry policy
Choose the option that matches your booking.
Choose your purpose of entry, arrival date, destination city and stay address
Match these to your itinerary.
Add optional items
Transit cities, inviting entity, return itinerary.
Accept the declaration
Confirm your details are accurate.
Submit and save your QR code
Download the QR code or send it to your email.
Children, Families and Editing After Submission
Each passport holder completes the form with their own passport details. Sources reviewed don’t describe how to change a card after submission, so if you spot an error, check the NIA portal for guidance before you travel.
At the Border: QR Code, Biometrics and Fallbacks
Show your QR code at inspection, and use a kiosk or the paper card if your code won’t load. If you lose your code, see how to retrieve your China arrival card QR code.
Before you board:
- Save a copy of the QR code offline.
At the port of entry:
- Show your QR code to immigration officers.
- Complete the entry inspection.
If you haven’t filed, smart kiosks and QR scans let you complete the declaration on arrival. A paper arrival card remains available temporarily during the rollout, with no end date published.
Crew, E-channel users and transit passengers who stay in the port area for 24 hours or less skip the card.
Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting
Avoid these common mistakes when filing.
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Surname and given name reversed | Copy the name order from your passport |
| Unreadable passport photo | Retake the photo fully framed |
| “Visa waiver” chosen instead of the TWOV transit policy | Resubmit with the correct policy |
| Incomplete address, or one that differs from your booking | Enter the full address from your confirmation |
| Flight number changed after filing | Check the NIA portal for how to update your record |
| No saved QR code | Save a copy offline before boarding |
Arrival Card vs Customs Declaration vs Paper Form
The arrival card covers identity and legal entry under the NIA. Customs inspection at the port is a separate step, and the sources reviewed don’t describe the customs declaration details, so check the official guidance before you travel.
| NIA digital arrival card | Customs declaration | Paper arrival card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Entry eligibility, visa status, stay address | Separate step at the port | Same content as the digital card |
| Managed by | National Immigration Administration | Separate customs authority | National Immigration Administration |
| Where completed | Portals, app, mini-programs, kiosks | At the port | On a physical slip at the port |
| When needed | Every non-exempt foreign arrival | When required at the port | Only as a fallback |
| Status | Launched 20 November 2025 | Separate step | Temporary, no end date published |
The arrival card is an immigration record. For customs questions, follow the signage at the port and check the official customs guidance.
After Entry: 24-Hour Accommodation Registration
Foreign visitors may need to register their accommodation with local authorities after entry. The sources reviewed don’t describe the details of this requirement, so check the official NIA portal for the current rules.
| Accommodation type | What happens | Who reports |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels and registered lodging | Bring your passport at check-in | The hotel |
| Private stay with friends or family, or a rented home | Registration may go through the local police; check the official portal | Your host, or you in person |
The address you declared on the arrival card should match where you actually stay. If you change accommodation, keep your registration current.
Staying with a host? Ask them about registration on day one and keep any confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I have to pay for the CDAC?
The sources reviewed don’t describe a fee. File only through the NIA channels listed above. If a site asks for payment or card details, check that it is one of the NIA channels listed above. For more on avoiding paid intermediaries, see whether the China digital arrival card is free.
Which website do I use for the china digital arrival card 2026?
Use s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC on a computer or s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone on a phone. The NIA 12367 app and the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs work too. The NIA’s main site is en.nia.gov.cn.
Can I fill out the digital arrival card after landing in China?
Yes. You can complete the card on arrival by scanning a QR code at the port or using on-site smart kiosks.
How many hours before departure should I submit the china digital arrival card 2026?
No published rule sets a deadline. The sources say to file before arrival.
Do children need their own digital arrival card?
The sources reviewed don’t describe a separate rule for children. Each traveler’s form uses their own passport details, so check the NIA portal for children’s requirements.
Can I edit my arrival card after I submit it?
Sources reviewed don’t describe how to change a card after submission, so check the NIA portal if you spot an error.
Do residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan use the digital arrival card?
No. They aren’t covered by the card.
Does the digital arrival card replace the customs declaration?
The sources reviewed don’t describe the customs declaration process. The arrival card is an immigration record, so check the official customs guidance for declarable items.
Sources and Further Reading
- National Immigration Administration: the NIA’s main site.
- Arrival Card Filling: the NIA portal where you file the declaration.
- China Launches Online Arrival Card for International Travelers: the consular notice with the launch date, exempt categories and on-arrival options.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
