In recent years, China has made steady efforts to attract more foreign visitors and investors. The government has been simplifying entry procedures and improving travel facilities.
As of 20 November 2025, foreign travellers planning to visit China can complete the China arrival card online before entering the country. This will help reduce waiting time at border checkpoints and make the entry process faster and smoother.
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Where Can I Fill in the China Arrival Card Online?
Before entering China, foreign visitors can submit their entry information through the following online channels:
- National Immigration Administration official website: https://s.nia.gov.cn/
- Government service platform: https://gjzwfw.www.gov.cn/index.html
- “Immigration 12367” app: https://www.nia.gov.cn/n1400018/c1400297/content.html
- Alipay or WeChat mini program
- Scanning the QR code of the arrival card form
Can I Still Use a Paper China Arrival Card?
Yes. If you prefer not to complete the form online, you can still fill in a paper China arrival card at the immigration checkpoint when arriving in China. Paper forms remain available for travellers who are less comfortable with digital systems.
Who Doesn’t Need to Fill in the China Arrival Card?
According to the new policy, foreign visitors who meet any of the following seven conditions are exempt from completing the China arrival card:
- Holders of the Permanent Residence ID Card for Foreigners of the People’s Republic of China
- Non-Chinese nationals with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
- Group visa holders or travellers entering under group visa-free arrangements
- Transit passengers staying within the port area for less than 24 hours
- Cruise passengers entering and leaving China with the same cruise ship
- Travellers entering via express channels
- Foreign crew members on international transport vehicles
Do I Need to Fill in the China Arrival Card if I’m Visa-Free to China?
In recent years, China has introduced a number of visa-free entry policies to make travelling easier for international visitors. As of 3 November 2025, the 30-day visa-free scheme has been further extended to cover more European and Asian countries. This means travellers from many nations can now enter China for short-term tourism, business trips, or family visits without applying for a visa in advance.
However, visa-free entry does not automatically exempt you from completing the China arrival card. Unless you fall under one of the 7 exemption categories listed earlier, you still need to fill in the form before passing through immigration, either online or on paper. The card is a record of your basic travel details, such as your passport number, intended length of stay, accommodation address, and contact information in China.
Filling in the China arrival card online before you travel saves you time at the airport or land border. It helps immigration officers process your entry more efficiently and reduces the need for paperwork upon arrival. Even if you are travelling under visa-free status, completing the card online ensures a smoother and faster entry experience.
How Will This Affect My North Korea Tour?
Many travellers visiting North Korea begin and end their journey in China, most commonly in Beijing or Dandong. The introduction of the online China arrival card makes this process far more convenient for travellers joining such tours.
If you are visiting China only as a gateway to North Korea, you can complete the China arrival card online before your departure. This allows you to move through Chinese immigration quickly, saving time for connecting trains or flights. For those planning to spend a few days in China before or after their North Korea trip, the online system makes multiple entries easier as your information is already on file.
Moreover, North Korea has also expanded the WiFi access for foreign visitors recently, so it is more convenient for tourists to fill in the Chinese arrival card online when you are in North Korea.
Check out our blog about Internet in North Korea.
Conclusion
The launch of the online China arrival card marks a major step forward in China’s efforts to modernise its border management and improve the travel experience for foreign visitors. By moving the process online, the government aims to make entry faster, paperless, and more traveller-friendly.
For tourists, this means less time spent queuing at the airport, fewer forms to fill in on arrival, and a smoother start to your trip. Whether you are coming to China for a holiday, business, or as part of a North Korea tour, filling in your China arrival card online before your journey ensures a quicker, easier, and more efficient arrival process.
China’s growing network of visa-free and simplified entry policies reflects its commitment to welcoming the world. With the introduction of the China arrival card online system, visiting China has never been more straightforward.
Click to check out YPT’s China tours and North Korea tours.
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