Foreign travellers entering China through Beijing Capital (PEK) complete the China Digital Arrival Card before passport inspection. You can file it on the NIA portal, https://s.nia.gov.cn/, or on paper. For a full walkthrough of the process, see our China Immigration Arrival Card online guide.
This is an independent guide, not a government website. We don’t charge fees or file the card for you. Check dates and rules on the NIA portal before you fly. Below you’ll find the form fields, filing channels and transit notes.
Who Files a PEK Arrival Card
Almost every traveller files their own card, either before arrival or on arrival at the port of entry. Some exemptions apply — our overview of China Immigration Arrival Card requirements and exemptions explains who must file and who doesn’t.
Each traveller, including children and infants, files an individual card. Family or group submissions are not possible. See our guide to China Arrival Card rules for minors and children for details.
Since 20 Nov 2025 the China Digital Arrival Card has been the default way to register entry. Check that on the NIA portal.
Flying via a third country? Check whether your route needs a separate procedure.
Citizens holding border resident certificates from DPRK, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos or Vietnam have a dedicated entry declaration on the NIA platform.
Where and How to Submit the Card
Do it before you fly if you can. If you prefer submitting from your phone, our tutorial on submitting the China Arrival Card on your phone covers camera uploads, OCR and browser errors.
Before you fly
Use the NIA web form, the NIA 12367 app (移民局), or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs (移民局12367). The portal has 13 interface languages, English included.
On arrival
You can use smart devices, scan a QR code at the inspection point or fill in a paper card.
Commercial intermediaries may charge for help with the form. Before you pay or enter passport data, check that the form is on the NIA domain, s.nia.gov.cn. Our guide to filing the China Arrival Card online for free helps you avoid third-party fees.
Need help at the airport? Call the PEK hotline 010-96158 (BCIA). Beijing’s municipal hotline is 12345. The city portal also lists a “One-stop City Service at Airports” (Beijing municipal government).
Card Fields and Common Mistakes
These fields are based on the current list and may change.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| ID upload and names | Clear data-page photo; names as in passport |
| Gender, birth date, citizenship, passport number | Check the details against your passport data page |
| Entry mode, flight number, port of entry | Air, and your PEK flight number |
| Valid visa or entry permit | Yes or no; if no, pick your entry policy |
- Details that differ from your passport: check each field. Our article on arrival card mistakes and corrections shows how to fix names and passport numbers.
- One card per family: each child files their own.
Keep your passport valid for your whole stay; six months from entry is only a recommendation.
Clearing Immigration at PEK, Step by Step
We have no verified step-by-step description of the inspection process at PEK, including kiosks and counter procedures. If you filed online, a QR code can be scanned at the inspection point. For how self-service devices work in general, see our guide to the China immigration self-service kiosk procedure. Confirm the current process with your airline and on the NIA portal.
Check on your ticket whether you fly from Terminal 2 or Terminal 3. Asiana Airlines moved its Beijing operations from T3 to T2 from 1 Sep 2026.
We have no verified information about Beijing Daxing (PKX) card procedures. For other airports, our overview of China Arrival Card procedures at regional airports may help.
Transit Through Beijing: Is a Card Needed?
Sources do not confirm whether a card is needed for airside transfers; confirm with your airline and the NIA portal.
Some travellers, such as US passport holders, may qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit. Eligibility depends on nationality and route. Our 144-hour visa-free transit arrival card rules explain what transit passengers must file.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Beijing Capital International Airport arrival card PEK free of charge?
Filing is done on the NIA platform (s.nia.gov.cn), on airport smart devices or on a paper card. Check the fee rules on the NIA portal before you pay anyone.
Where can I submit the Beijing Capital International Airport arrival card PEK online?
Use the NIA web form at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs. The same platform handles accommodation registration and visa information queries. Pick the language you read best.
Do Singapore passport holders still need an arrival card when travelling visa-free?
Yes. Visa-free entry does not replace the card. Answer No to holding a visa or entry permit, then choose the entry policy that applies to you. Check the NIA portal for current policies.
Do infants and children need their own PEK arrival card?
Yes. Every child, including infants, needs an individual card. Families cannot be filed together. Prepare each child’s passport details and photo before you start, and check the NIA portal.
Do I need an arrival card to transit in Beijing without leaving the airside area?
Sources do not confirm whether a card is needed for airside transfers. Confirm with your airline and the NIA portal before flying.
What should I do at PEK if my phone dies or I have no internet?
If you have no internet, paper cards are one of the on-site options listed for arrival. If you filed online, a QR code can be scanned at the inspection point.
What is the difference between the arrival card and the customs declaration?
We have no verified information on customs procedures at PEK. The arrival card is your entry declaration, filed before inspection. For customs questions, check the NIA portal or ask airport staff.
How do I correct a mistake on my arrival card after submitting it?
We have no verified rule on correcting a submitted card. Log back in to the platform you used to see whether editing or resubmitting is possible, and check the NIA portal for guidance.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA arrival card filing: the web form.
- NIA portal: services and languages. Address: Beijing, Dongcheng District, East Chang’an Street 6, postcode 100006.
- Beijing Capital Airport (BCIA): airport notices and hotline.
- Beijing municipal government: airport city services.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
