Are you currently planning your trip to China? Since 2026, there has been a significant change in the entry process. The classic, handwritten paper Arrival Card, which most people used to fill out hectically on the plane, is a thing of the past. In this article, I will show you how to master the new digital process. With my China Digital Arrival Card filling guide, you will be perfectly prepared to start your journey in a relaxed way.
Digital instead of paper: What you need to know
China has modernized its entry process. Instead of searching for a pen upon arrival at the airport, you must now complete an online form in advance. As confirmation, you will receive a QR code, which you should keep with you either digitally or as a printout. The big advantage: You can complete the form comfortably from home—theoretically up to three months before your departure. However, I recommend doing this a few days before your flight once all travel details are fixed. The declaration must be available at the latest by the time you reach passport control.
A vital tip from me: Make sure to use only the official website for the digital Arrival Card (external link) and do not fall for third-party providers that often appear at the top of Google ads. There, you will pay unnecessary fees and never know exactly what is happening with your sensitive passport data. Filling out the digital Arrival Card is always free of charge!
Step-by-step guide for the China Digital Arrival Card
To ensure nothing goes wrong during the entry process, here are the individual steps of the form:
1. Language Selection and Start: First, make sure the language in the top right corner is set to English. Then, on the home page, select “Entry Declaration” to begin the process.
2. Requirements and Target Group: On the next page, you must confirm that you meet the requirements. The China Digital Arrival Card is primarily relevant for individual travelers. If you have booked an organized group tour or a cruise, the travel provider often handles the formalities for you. Read through the exceptions briefly and then agree.
3. Passport Upload: Select your passport type—for most of you, this will be “Ordinary Passport”. Now, upload a photo of the information page of your passport. The system uses automatic recognition to save you some typing.
4. Personal Data and Arrival Location: Check the imported data carefully and complete the missing fields manually. Under “Entry Transportation Mode”, you must select how you are entering China. The default is set to “Flight”, which likely applies to most of you. If you are entering by train (for example, from Hong Kong) or ferry, select the appropriate category here.
Important: Under “City of Entry”, be sure to enter the first international airport where you land in China, even if you are only transferring there to fly to another destination in China.
Note for train travelers from Hong Kong: If you arrive by train from Hong Kong, you will find the “West Kowloon” station under the province Guangdong -> Shenzhen.
The airports are sorted by province. Below is a table of common international airports and their corresponding provinces so you can find your airport immediately:
| Airport (English + Code) | Chinese Name | Province |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing Capital (PEK) | 北京首都国际机场 (Běijīng Shǒudū Guójì Jīchǎng) | Beijing |
| Beijing Daxing (PKX) | 北京大兴国际机场 (Běijīng Dàxīng Guójì Jīchǎng) | Beijing |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | 上海浦东国际机场 (Shànghǎi Pǔdōng Guójì Jīchǎng) | Shanghai |
| Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) | 广州白云国际机场 (Guǎngzhōu Báiyún Guójì Jīchǎng) | Guangdong |
| Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX) | 深圳宝安国际机场 (Shēnzhèn Bǎo’ān Guójì Jīchǎng) | Guangdong |
| Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) | 成都天府国际机场 (Chéngdū Tiānfǔ Guójì Jīchǎng) | Sichuan |
| Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) | 成都双流国际机场 (Chéngdū Shuāngliú Guójì Jīchǎng) | Sichuan |
5. Visa Information: Fill in the required mandatory fields. Optional fields, such as email, can be left blank. For the contact number, please pay attention to the format with the international prefix (e.g., 001 for US). If you are entering China with a visa, select “Yes” for “Do you hold a valid visa or other entry permit” and enter your visa number in the following field. If you are lucky enough to be a citizen of one of the countries for which China allows visa-free entry, select “No” and choose “Visa-free Entry”.
6. Travel Details in China: Check carefully, and if in doubt, consult the Chinese consulate in your place of residence to see which reason for travel applies to you. For standard tourist trips, the purpose is usually “Visit”. Under “Destination Cities in China”, select the city where you will stay the longest during your trip. If you plan to visit multiple cities, you can list them all under “Cities of Transit in China”. Regarding the address, experience has shown that the name of your hotel is usually sufficient if you don’t have the exact street address at hand. If you are visiting relatives or have been formally invited by a business partner, you can enter them as the inviter. Otherwise, especially for individual tourist trips, you can select “No” for “Do you have any inviting entities or inviters in China”.
7. Adding Fellow Travelers: At the end, you can add information for fellow travelers (e.g., partners or children). This saves time, as much of the travel data is imported directly. If your travel dates are different, it is better to fill out separate forms.
8. Save the QR Code: After submitting, you will receive your personal QR code. Save this as a screenshot or PDF on your phone. Although the data is often already digitally linked to your passport number, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Now, nothing stands in the way of your stress-free arrival at the airport. If you would like to learn more about the other checks that await you when entering China, you can find my guide to the entry process at Chinese airports here.
My personal conclusion on the Digital Arrival Card in China
I believe that China has taken a big step toward stress-free travel with the Digital Arrival Card and I hope this guide has helped you with the process. Being able to complete all the necessary travel information days in advance from the comfort of your sofa takes a lot of pressure out of the arrival situation. I wish you an unforgettable time, many exciting encounters, and, of course, a smooth entry! To help you enjoy your stay in China to the fullest, I have put together the best travel destinations in China for you here.
Have you already had experience with the new system or are you currently planning your first trip? Feel free to write it in the comments—I look forward to exchanging ideas with you!
Note: This article is for general information purposes only and reflects my personal experiences. It does not claim to be complete or up-to-date. Since entry and security regulations can change at short notice, this report does not replace a case-specific check of current daily requirements. Binding information is provided exclusively by the relevant authorities (e.g., the embassy or the foreign office). Liability for the content is excluded.
1 thought on “China Digital Arrival Card Guide (2026 Update)”