The China Arrival Card for Malaysian passport holders is still required for visa-free entry. Visa exemption waives the visa, not the entry declaration. You can file it on the NIA filing portal or at kiosks on arrival. For the general process, see our step-by-step online guide.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. We don’t charge fees or file the card for you, so check details and dates on the NIA portal before you travel. Below: where to file and what to enter. If you’re unsure how the entry declaration differs from a visa, read our comparison of the arrival card vs a visa.
China Arrival Card for Malaysian Passport Holders
Yes, you file it even though you don’t need a visa. Malaysian passport holders are covered by the Malaysia – China mutual visa exemption. For the 30-day visa-free context, see our rules for filling out the card under 30-day visa-free entry.
The card launched on 20 November 2025; confirm current details on the NIA portal. Seven categories are exempt from the card:
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders
- Non-Chinese holders of the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao
- Group travellers (collective visa or visa-free)
- Transit passengers staying in the designated port area
- Cruise passengers entering and exiting on the same ship
- Users of fast-track entry lanes
- Foreign employees of exit-entry transport vehicles
Tourist or business commuter from Malaysia? You fit none of these. For the full breakdown of who must file and who is exempt, see our guide to arrival card requirements and exemptions.
Where and When to File
File online before you arrive in China. If you haven’t, use a self-service kiosk or QR code at the port of entry. Start at the NIA filing page, and if you want a walkthrough of the machine, see our self-service kiosk procedure guide.
| Channel | When | Advantage | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIA website, PC or phone | Before arrival | Has English | No Malay |
| The NIA (移民局) app | Before arrival | Phone filing | Use the listed app |
| WeChat mini program (移民局12367) or Alipay (支付宝小程序) | Before arrival | Phone filing | Use the listed name |
| Kiosk or QR code at the port | On arrival | Fixes a missed filing | Not specified in sources |
| Paper form | Transitional period | Backup option | Transitional period only |
The NIA is based at 6 East Chang’an Street, Beijing 100006. Its filing page offers 13 languages, including Thai, but not Malay, so choose English. No hour window or QR validity period is given, so check the portal, or read our guide on when to submit the card and QR code validity.
Filing Steps
On the filing page, choose English. Malay is not offered. Have your passport and travel details at hand, and enter everything as it appears on the NIA filing page. For name order, flight number and other fields, see how to fill personal details on the arrival card.
Open the NIA filing page and choose English
Malay is not offered, so use the English version of the page.
Enter your details as requested
Check them against your passport and bookings before submitting.
| Field | What to enter | Pitfall |
|---|---|---|
| Name, passport number | As shown on the passport bio page | Details not matching your passport |
| Flight number | Your inbound flight, as prompted | Wrong flight |
| Purpose and stay | Tourism, business, visiting relatives or exchange, as prompted | Details inconsistent with your trip |
| Address | Your accommodation or host’s details, as prompted | Incomplete details |
| Contacts | Local and emergency contact, as prompted | Incomplete details |
Read each on-screen prompt before you submit, and recheck your entries against your documents. If you spot an error after submitting, see our guide on correcting arrival card mistakes.
Common Mistakes and Look-Alike Forms
- Filing the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) for China. It’s for foreign visitors entering Malaysia; the China card covers your China leg. See our comparison of the China card and neighbouring arrival cards.
- Treating visa-free as no card. File before you reach the counter.
- Names or addresses that don’t match your documents. Recheck before submitting.
- Paying a third-party site. Stay on NIA channels, and read how to avoid third-party filing fees.
Other doubts? Check the NIA portal or the China Immigration Service Hotline.
Other Entry Requirements to Meet
- Accommodation: foreigners register online nationwide. The NIA English site covers the nationwide online registration. Ask your hotel about registration, and see our hotel address format and 24-hour PSB registration guide.
- Children: check the latest NIA rules before you travel, and see our arrival card rules for minors and family groups.
Check current entry rules on the NIA portal before you fly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is a China arrival card for Malaysian passport holders required for visa-free entry?
Yes. The Malaysia – China mutual visa exemption replaces the visa, not the entry declaration, and the card applies to foreign travellers with or without a visa. Check current wording on the NIA portal before you travel.
Is the China arrival card free of charge?
Some commercial websites charge fees to help with the form; they are not NIA channels. File on the NIA website, app or mini programs, and check the NIA portal for current terms.
Where can I submit the China arrival card for Malaysian passport holders?
Go to s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC on a PC or phone. You can also use the NIA app or the WeChat and Alipay mini programs. If you haven’t filed by landing, use a kiosk or QR code at the port of entry.
What should I enter in the visa number field if I am travelling visa-free?
The exact fields depend on your situation. Open the NIA filing page, choose English, and read the on-screen prompts before you submit; the portal shows what applies to visa-free travellers.
Is Malay available on the China arrival card portal?
No. The filing page offers 13 languages, including English, Thai, Vietnamese, Lao and Burmese, but not Malay. Choose English and keep your passport bio page open to match names. The English NIA site, en.nia.gov.cn, has six languages.
Is the China arrival card the same as the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)?
No. The MDAC is Malaysia’s card for foreign visitors entering Malaysia. The China Arrival Card applies to entry into China only.
Can I fill in the China arrival card after landing?
Yes. If you haven’t filed online, use a self-service kiosk or QR code at the port of entry. Paper forms also remain available, and no end date for the transitional period is given.
Which travellers are exempt from the China arrival card?
Seven categories, including Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders, fast-track entry lane users and transit passengers staying in the designated port area. Ordinary Malaysian tourists and business commuters aren’t among them. Check your case on the NIA portal.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA arrival card filing page: where to file
- NIA English site: general information
- NIA services portal: foreigner services
- VisasNews: launch date, exemption categories and filing channels
- Malaysian Immigration Department: MDAC details
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
