The China arrival card online free of charge is real: filing through the NIA is free, and paper cards remain available at ports of entry. The NIA warns that fraudsters charge fees through counterfeit sites, so don’t pay anyone to file. File directly on the NIA portal at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/.
This guide is independent and isn’t a government website. It doesn’t charge fees or file the form for you, so confirm details on the portal before you fly. You’ll learn what to prepare, how to file free and what to do if you’ve already paid. For a full walkthrough of the digital filing process, see our step-by-step online arrival card guide.
Is the China Arrival Card Online Free?
Yes. The NIA states that filing the China Arrival Card online is free of charge. Nationwide online filing launched on 20 November 2025. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) also warns about counterfeit sites that charge fees.
It’s an entry information form, not a visa or eTA, so nothing gets “approved”. Foreign travelers entering China must complete the card unless they belong to one of the seven exempt groups below — for the full breakdown, read our guide on who must file and who is exempt from the China arrival card:
- Holders of a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the PRC
- Non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
- Group visa or group visa-free entrants
- Transit passengers within the port area (24-hour direct transit)
- Cruise passengers on the same ship
- Travelers using the express/E-channel
- Foreign crew or employees of transport vehicles
Visa-free entry doesn’t exempt you from the card. Only the seven groups listed above are exempt.
What to Prepare: Field-by-Field Guide
Have your passport, flight number and China address ready before you open the form. For help with the trickiest fields, see our tips on how to fill personal details on the China arrival card.
| Field | What to enter | Common pitfall |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | As written in your passport | Nicknames or reordered names |
| Passport number and nationality | Copy them from your passport | A mistyped digit |
| Arrival flight, vessel or train number | The one landing in China | A connecting flight or booking code |
| Accommodation address in China | Hotel or accommodation address in China | Only the city, or nothing |
| Purpose, length of stay, local contact | Tourism, business or family visit; days; phone | Leaving out the phone number |
| Travel history and health information | Answer as the form asks | Guessing instead of checking your documents |
Check the live NIA form, which has the final say. Need a printable reference with translations? See our China arrival card PDF free download guide.
Submit the China Arrival Card Online Free
Use the NIA filing address, never pay on any screen, and save the QR code at the end. The government offers four digital channels: the NIA website, the Immigration 12367 app, a WeChat or Alipay mini program, and QR scan — our Alipay and WeChat mini program submission guide covers that channel step by step.
Open the NIA portal
Go to the NIA filing address.
Enter your details
Enter your passport and trip details accurately.
Review every field
Check each entry before submitting.
Submit the form
Submit and receive your QR code.
Save the QR code
Save a screenshot or print the code.
At the checkpoint
Let officers scan it at the checkpoint.
A payment request is a warning sign, because the NIA form is free. Close the page and use the NIA address.
File before you arrive in China, through the NIA portal. If you couldn’t file in advance, you can scan a QR code, use smart devices at the port, or fill in a paper card on arrival — our paper arrival card tutorial shows how.
Paper cards remain available at ports of entry, and kiosks or smart devices are also available at ports. Officers can scan the QR code at the checkpoint.
| Item | NIA channel | Charging site |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free of charge | Asks for payment |
| Data collected | Standard form fields | Standard form fields |
| Result at the border | QR code | QR code |
| Warning signs | None; the domain ends in .gov.cn | Promises of faster approval or paid priority handling, upfront payment |
Third-Party Fees and Data Risks
Some private sites charge for the free NIA form. Don’t pay them. They advertise promises of faster approval or paid priority handling.
Providing false information can lead to an entry ban.
If you’ve already paid, take these steps:
Screenshot the evidence
Screenshot the misleading claims and your payment confirmation.
Contact the site
Contact the site about its refund terms.
Re-file for free
Re-file for free on the NIA portal.
Common Mistakes and Look-Alike Documents
- A misspelled name or wrong passport number: check every field against your passport before you submit. If you spot an error after filing, see our guide to China arrival card mistakes and corrections.
- The wrong flight number: enter the flight that lands in China.
- A missing address: add it before you submit.
- Paying for anything: you don’t need to pay for anything, because the NIA form is free.
- A lost QR code: a paper card is available at ports of entry. Learn how to retrieve your China arrival card if the code is gone.
- Arrival card: identity and travel data for immigration, free.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the China arrival card online free to submit?
Yes. The NIA states that online filing is free of charge. If a site asks you to pay, it isn’t the NIA portal, so close it and use the NIA address.
Do Singapore passport holders need to file the card if they’re visa-exempt?
Visa-free status doesn’t exempt you. Only the seven groups listed above are exempt, so you still need to file free of charge on the NIA portal.
How much do third-party websites charge for the China arrival card?
Fraudsters charge fees for the NIA form, which is free. The NIA warns about such sites, so don’t pay them and file on the NIA portal instead.
Do I have to pay for the paper arrival card at a Chinese airport?
No. Paper cards are available at ports of entry, and self-service kiosks or smart devices are also available at ports.
Can I get a refund if I already paid a third-party site?
The NIA portal is free, so there’s nothing to pay there. If you paid another site, check its refund terms and contact your card issuer.
How long is the China arrival card QR code valid?
The NIA material doesn’t state how long a QR code stays valid, so file before you arrive and check the portal for details.
Where can I find the free China arrival card form online?
Go to https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, or use the Immigration 12367 app or the WeChat or Alipay mini program. You can also pick up a paper card at ports of entry.
What is the difference between the arrival card and the customs declaration?
The arrival card covers your identity and travel data for immigration control. Check the NIA portal for other declaration requirements.
Sources and Further Reading
- How to submit your arrival card to China online? Covers the free filing process and the warning about fee-charging sites.
Rules can change, so check the NIA portal before you travel.
