Foreign visitors entering mainland China, including US citizens on an L visa or 240-hour transit, file an arrival card unless they belong to an exempt group. Filing is free at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, with paper and terminal fallbacks. Save your QR code as a screenshot or PDF.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. Filing happens on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal linked above. We don’t charge fees or file for you, so check dates and rules there before you fly. The official notice sets no fixed filing window, so you can file once your travel details are confirmed.
China Arrival Card for US Citizens 2026: Basics
Yes, you file one on an L visa or on transit, unless you’re in one of the seven exempt groups below. For the full breakdown of who must file, see our guide to China Immigration Arrival Card requirements and exemptions for tourists.
- Holders of the PRC Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
- Holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese citizens)
- Group visa or eligible group visa-free entry
- Direct transit within 24 hours without leaving the restricted area of the port
- Entry and exit on the same cruise ship
- Entering through fast lanes
- Foreign employees of entry-exit transport vehicles
Online filling began on 20 November 2025; the change was announced on 27 November.
| Detail | L tourist visa | 240-hour transit |
|---|---|---|
| Document | L visa, applied for before travel | No visa; eligible nationalities only. Check the current list before booking. |
| Stay | Set by your visa | Stay limited by the transit rules; check the authorised entry ports and period. |
| Visa field | Yes, then enter the visa number | Visa-free Entry |
Transit also needs a confirmed onward ticket and a different country on each side: A, then mainland China, then B. Confirm the official counting rule for your stay before you book. Check your route before booking.
Where and How to File the Card
The portal is at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. The 12367 app, WeChat and Alipay mini-programs, and QR scanning are also available; for the latter, see our step-by-step Alipay and WeChat mini program guide.
Gather your documents
Passport, flight details, hotel address, and any visa number or onward ticket.
Fill in each field
Fill in each field and compare it with your passport.
Submit and save the QR code
Submit, then save the QR code as a screenshot or PDF.
The notice sets no pre-arrival window. The card just has to be ready by passport control. For more on timing and how long your QR code stays valid, see our guide on when to submit the China arrival card.
Filing on the NIA portal doesn’t cost anything. Third-party sites that charge to fill in the form for you are a separate service, not the official portal. To keep your filing zero-cost, read our guide to free online filing and avoiding third-party fees.
Portal down? Paper cards and smart devices at the port of entry are the backup; for the offline option, follow our step-by-step paper arrival card tutorial. No source we found explains correcting a submitted card or reusing a QR code, so ask NIA or a Chinese embassy.
China Arrival Card for US Citizens 2026: Fields
Copy every detail from your US passport.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Passport type | Ordinary Passport, the default for most tourists |
| Name and passport number | As printed in your passport |
| Flight and port of entry | Inbound flight; first international airport in China, even with a domestic connection |
| Contact number | International prefix first, such as 001 for the USA |
| Address | Hotel name; full street address if you have it |
For the visa question:
- L visa: choose Yes, then enter the visa number.
- 240-hour transit: choose Visa-free Entry, then complete the flight details.
Hotels normally register foreign guests themselves. For private accommodation, check NIA’s online accommodation registration channels; our guide covers the hotel address format and 24-hour PSB registration rules.
At Immigration and Special Cases
Show your passport and your QR code, screenshot, or paper card at the booth. If your QR code didn’t save properly, see our walkthrough of the China arrival card QR code generation process.
- Keep your hotel booking and onward or return ticket ready for inspection.
- You may be asked for fingerprints on your first entry as a foreign national.
Questions about your case? Carry your supporting documents and ask NIA or the nearest Chinese embassy before you fly.
Common Mistakes and Confused Forms
- A flight number in the visa field: recheck both fields before you confirm.
- A hotel name without a street address is usually enough, but add the full address if you have it.
- Paying a third-party site: you can file the card yourself on the NIA portal.
- A route that breaks the third-country rule: recheck before booking.
Unsure which form is which? The table sorts them out. For help fixing wrong entries after submission, see our article on China arrival card mistakes and corrections.
| Form | What it does | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration arrival card | Records your entry details before passport control | QR code or paper |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the China arrival card for US citizens 2026 free to complete?
Yes. Filing on the NIA portal doesn’t cost anything, and sites that ask for payment are not the portal at s.nia.gov.cn. If the portal won’t load, smart devices or paper cards at the port are other options.
Is the China arrival card for US citizens 2026 required for visa-free transit?
Yes, unless you’re in an exempt group, such as direct transit within 24 hours without leaving the restricted area of the port. The exempt list in the visaforchina.cn notice doesn’t include 240-hour transit passengers, so plan to file before you reach the border control.
How early should I submit the China arrival card before my flight?
A few days before departure is a practical choice, since it leaves time to sort out any problem with the form. The official notice sets no fixed window. Because no source explains edits after submission, check every field before you confirm.
What do I enter in the visa field for 240-hour transit?
Choose Visa-free Entry and don’t make up a visa number. 240-hour transit requires a confirmed onward ticket to a country or region different from the one you came from, so check your ticket before you book.
Can I add family members to one China arrival card?
Traveling with children? Yes, you can add travel companions to the same form. If their travel dates differ, file separate forms. No source we checked covers separate cards for children, so ask NIA or a Chinese embassy.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA arrival card portal: where you file the card.
- visaforchina.cn notice: filing date, channels, exempt groups.
- NIA English site: general immigration information for foreigners.
- Travel.State.gov China page: US government travel advisory for China.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
