A China arrival card PDF free download helps you practise, but a paper arrival card is available on arrival for travellers who have not completed the online form. Commercial services charge a private fee for processing an application; the amount is not stated. For a genuinely zero-cost entry declaration, complete the free online submission yourself instead of paying a third party.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. We don’t charge fees or file anything for you. Check details on the State Council’s English portal, english.www.gov.cn, before you fly. For a step-by-step walkthrough of the free submission, see our China Immigration Arrival Card online guide.
Who Needs a China Arrival Card?
Foreign travellers are required to complete the card before entering China, unless they fall into an exempt category. A full breakdown of who must file and who is exempt is available in our requirements guide.
Exemptions include:
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders
- Certain passengers in direct transit for less than 24 hours who do not leave the restricted port area
- Foreigners on a group visa
- Foreigners eligible for visa-free group entry (confirm before travel)
- Travellers using designated fast lanes
- Certain foreign crew members
- Others covered by exemption rules
Passengers who leave the restricted port area are not covered by the transit exemption. Singapore Changi passengers planning a stopover should read the 144-hour visa-free transit arrival card rules before booking. Check your category with the National Immigration Administration; a link to it is on the State Council portal, english.www.gov.cn.
China Arrival Card PDF Free Download Options
A commercial service offers online submission before travel with a QR code; a paper card is also available on arrival. Your options:
- Online submission before travel, with a QR code
- A paper arrival card available on arrival
If you plan to fill in the slip by hand, our paper arrival card tutorial walks you through each section.
| Option | Where you fill it in |
|---|---|
| Paper slip | On arrival, if you have not completed the online form |
| Online submission | Before travel, with a QR code on completion |
China Arrival Card PDF Free Download: Field Translation
Field names and their order may differ on the card you receive, so follow the labels shown on the form itself. For more help with names, flight numbers and other entries, see our guide on how to fill personal details on the China arrival card.
| Field (EN) | Field (ZH) | What to enter | Trap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surname | 姓 | Family name from passport | Different spelling |
| Given Names | 名 | All given names in full | Initials only |
| Nationality | 国籍 | Your nationality | Writing it in Chinese |
| Passport No. | 护照号码 | Number from your passport | One mistyped digit |
| Flight No. | 航班号 | Carrier code and number | Blank or wrong carrier |
| Purpose of Visit | 来华事由 | Tick one box | Ticking several |
| Intended Address in China | 在华住址 | Hotel and street, then city, province, phone | A literal translation of the name |
| Visa No. / Place of Issue | 签证号码 / 签发地 | Leave blank or write N/A if visa-free | Invented numbers |
| Signature / Date | 签名 / 日期 | Sign and date | Forgotten signature |
Copy your details from the passport
Enter names and numbers exactly as shown on the passport page
Choose one purpose of visit
Tick only one purpose box on the card
Recheck each entry
Compare every entry against the passport page before handing the card over
Common Mistakes and Easily Confused Documents
- Copy names and numbers carefully from the passport, and never change a passport number.
- Check the flight number, purpose box and signature before you hand over the card.
Visas, customs declarations and departure slips are separate from the arrival card; for example, our comparison of the arrival card vs the China customs health declaration explains what applies when you land. At the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Medan, visa and service fees can be paid in cash, by bank transfer, or by QR code. Ask the National Immigration Administration about transit conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should I pay for a China arrival card PDF free download?
No. Use the PDF only for practice. Commercial services charge a private fee for processing; the sources give no price for the card itself.
Can I hand in a printed China arrival card PDF free download?
No. Treat it as practice. A paper arrival card is available on arrival for travellers who have not completed the online form.
Is there a digital arrival card for China?
Online submission before travel with a QR code is available through a commercial service, and a paper card is offered on arrival. The sources here do not describe electronic terminals at airports.
Do visa-free travellers still fill it in?
Foreign travellers are required to complete the card unless they fall into an exempt category. Visa-free entry is not on the exemption list, so check your category with the National Immigration Administration via english.www.gov.cn.
What happens after I hand in the card?
The sources here do not describe the inspection steps that follow. For details of what happens at the counter, check with the National Immigration Administration via english.www.gov.cn.
Is it the same as the departure card?
No. The arrival card is completed on arrival. The sources here give few details on the departure slip, so check with the National Immigration Administration via english.www.gov.cn.
Can I fill it in on the plane from Singapore?
The sources here do not describe how cards are distributed on flights from Singapore. If you prefer not to rely on a paper card, complete the online submission before travel, and otherwise ask staff on arrival.
Sources and Further Reading
- english.www.gov.cn: State Council portal with a link to NIA
- VisaForChina: visa process and documents
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
