Foreign travelers landing at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) can file an arrival card online through the Online Arrival Card service on the Shanghai Municipal Government portal, or fill in a paper Entry Registration Card in the arrival hall — see our paper arrival card tutorial for the field-by-field walkthrough. You then present your documents at border inspection. For a general overview of the process, read our step-by-step online arrival card guide.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. Rules and the online form are on the Shanghai Municipal Government portal, so check details there before you fly.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport Arrival Card PVG Rules
Foreign passengers entering China through PVG file an arrival card, while Chinese passengers need a valid passport. The card is an entry document filed at inspection.
Check the current entry rules on the Shanghai Municipal Government portal before you fly. Flying from Singapore? Have these ready — our Changi departure guide for Singaporean travellers covers the same checklist:
- Your passport and, if you need one, your visa
- Your flight details
- Purpose of visit: tourism, business, family visit or transit
- Your destination address in Shanghai and a local contact number
Online or Paper Arrival Card
You can file entry details through the Online Arrival Card, or complete a paper Entry Registration Card in the arrival hall. The portal lists the Online Arrival Card under Online Services. Type the address in yourself.
| Format | Where you complete it | What you hand over |
|---|---|---|
| Online Arrival Card | Online, through the Shanghai Municipal Government portal | Passport plus your completed entry details |
| Paper Entry Registration Card | In the arrival hall at PVG; ask airport staff where to get it | Passport plus the completed card |
The portal sources don’t specify when to file the online form, so check the form itself there — for general timing rules, see our guide on when to submit the China arrival card and QR code validity. In February 2024, Shanghai immigration announced advance guidance for foreign travelers on filling out personal information at PVG.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport Arrival Card PVG Route
From the gate, follow the Arrivals signs to the inspection area, then join the foreigner queue. If you’re directed to a self-service lane first, our overview of the China immigration self-service kiosk procedure explains what to expect.
Open the Online Arrival Card
Before you fly, open the Online Arrival Card at english.shanghai.gov.cn.
Follow the Arrivals signs
After landing, follow the Arrivals signs through the terminal.
Queue at the inspection station
Queue at the Station of Frontier Exit and Entry Inspection with your passport, visa and arrival card.
Processing times at PVG aren’t published in the sources, so allow extra time before onward connections.
Clearance Times and Customs
Shanghai immigration forecast arrival peaks for the 2024 Spring Festival at T1 at 5:00 – 6:00 and 18:00 – 20:00, and at T2 at 16:00 – 17:00 and 21:00 – 23:00. Patterns in 2026 may differ.
Forecasts for the 2024 Spring Festival (Feb 10 – 17) estimated about 662,000 entry and exit trips at PVG.
Declare at the Red Channel, or use the Green Channel if you have nothing to declare. Cash and valuables thresholds aren’t confirmed in the sources, so check current figures on the Shanghai Municipal Government portal before you fly. For what each form covers, see our comparison of the arrival card vs the China customs declaration.
| Item | Declare when |
|---|---|
| RMB cash | Check the current limit on the Shanghai Municipal Government portal |
| Gold or silver | Check the current limit on the Shanghai Municipal Government portal |
| Foreign currency cash | Check the current limit on the Shanghai Municipal Government portal |
Fresh fruit, dairy, meat and soil are prohibited.
Documents to Carry and Mistakes to Avoid
At border control, bring your valid passport, your visa if you need one, and your arrival card — our documents checklist for the China arrival card covers what to prepare.
| Document | Purpose | When you hand it over |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Registration Card | Registers your entry | At passport control |
| Passport and visa | Identity check and entry permission | At passport control |
| China Customs Declaration Form | Declares goods | At customs after baggage claim |
| Outbound forms | Check whether a departure form applies on the Shanghai Municipal Government portal | When you leave China |
- An unclear address or wrong passport number: check both before handing over the card. Our guide to arrival card mistakes and corrections explains how to fix errors.
- Paying a third-party site for services: some third-party sites charge for services. Enter your details only through the portal at english.shanghai.gov.cn, which you type yourself.
Heading to the city? Take the Maglev, Metro Line 2, Airport Link Line, an airport shuttle or a taxi.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does a visa replace the Shanghai Pudong International Airport arrival card PVG requires?
No. A visa is a separate document. Foreign passengers submit the Entry Registration Card together with a valid passport and visa at inspection.
Can I fill out the Shanghai Single Window arrival card before landing?
The Online Arrival Card is listed under Online Services on the Shanghai Municipal Government portal at english.shanghai.gov.cn. The portal sources don’t specify when to file it, so check the form there.
Where do I find the Shanghai Pudong International Airport arrival card PVG paper forms?
The Entry Registration Card is a paper form used at Frontier Inspection. The sources don’t describe where it’s handed out, so follow the signs from your gate and ask airport staff where to get it.
How long does immigration at PVG take?
Processing times at PVG aren’t published in the sources, so allow extra time before onward connections such as Hongqiao.
What if I lose my QR code or fingerprint slip?
The sources don’t describe a replacement process, so ask airport staff or an officer if anything goes missing.
Is the PVG arrival card free?
The sources don’t list fees for the arrival card. Third-party sites may charge for services, so check the form on the portal at english.shanghai.gov.cn.
Who is exempt from fingerprint collection at the kiosks?
The sources don’t cover fingerprint collection at PVG. If fingerprinting applies on the day you travel, ask staff in the inspection area or an officer about exemptions.
Does 240-hour visa-free transit need a separate counter?
Visa-free 240-hour transit is listed as a passenger service at PVG. Eligibility depends on nationality and route, so check the current rules on the Shanghai Municipal Government portal before you fly.
Sources and Further Reading
- Shanghai Municipal Government portal: Online Services and the Online Arrival Card.
- A guide to Shanghai Customs clearance: 2024 Spring Festival airport data.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
