Foreign passport holders entering China through Guangzhou need to complete the China Arrival Card for Foreigners, which you complete for arrival at Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), either online before travel or at the port on arrival, including visa-exempt visitors such as Singaporeans. Online filing is free, through the NIA’s online channels. Transit passengers who stay within the designated port area are exempt; check on the NIA portal whether Guangzhou Baiyun is a designated port.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) runs the filing channels, so check its portal before you fly. You’ll find who files, what goes in each field, and how clearance works.
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Arrival Card CAN: Who Files
If you hold a foreign passport, plan on filing one. Visa-exempt visitors also need to complete the card, and foreign travelers with or without a visa are covered. Our overview of who must file and who is exempt applies to every land, sea and air port of entry. Confirm your category on the NIA site.
The NIA launched the digital Arrival Card for Foreigners on 20 November 2025, and paper cards remain available at ports during the transitional period. It’s separate from the China Customs (GACC) declaration.
The exemptions are:
- Transit passengers who remain within the designated port area
- Non-Chinese holders of the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao
- Foreign employees of exit-entry transport vehicles
- Cruise passengers entering and departing on the same vessel
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders
- Group travelers on a collective visa
- Travelers using fast-track entry lanes
| Situation | Immigration | Arrival card | Baggage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-hour direct transit, airside | None | Not needed | Not covered by the exemption; check with your airline. |
| 240-hour visa-free transit | Yes | Needed | You collect it, change terminal or leave |
Visa-free transit of up to 240 hours is available to eligible nationalities, and the arrival card rules for visa-free transit passengers explain what the scheme requires at land and air ports alike. Check the NIA portal for the current list.
Where and When to Submit the Card
File online any time before you travel. Filing through the NIA’s channels is free, and these are the ways:
| Channel | How to find it |
|---|---|
| NIA website | s.nia.gov.cn |
| NIA 12367 mobile app | Search your app store |
| WeChat or Alipay mini-program | NIA 12367 (移民局12367) |
| QR code or self-service kiosk | Scan the code or use a kiosk at the port |
| Paper card | Ask at the port |
At the port, you can scan the designated QR code or use a self-service smart device to complete the card — our self-service kiosk procedure guide walks through the screen steps.
Fake sites charge fees, so use only these channels or the port QR code, as the NIA’s fraud warning explains.
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Arrival Card CAN: Each Field
Copy your passport details, write dates as YYYY-MM-DD and enter VISA-FREE in capitals if you’re visa-exempt. For a field-by-field walkthrough, see our guide on how to fill in personal details like name order, flight number and embarkation city. Check the form on the NIA portal before you fly.
| Field | What to write |
|---|---|
| Name | Surname first, then given names, as in your passport |
| Nationality, Gender | As shown in your passport |
| Passport No. | Check each character against your passport |
| Date of Birth | Write the date as YYYY-MM-DD (year, month, day) |
| Visa No. | VISA-FREE in capitals if you enter without a visa |
| Purpose of Visit | Options include Tourism (L), Business (M) and Transit (T) |
| Arrival Flight/Train/Vessel No. | Your inbound flight number |
| Address in China | Name and city of your first accommodation |
| Contact Tel No. | A phone number where you can be reached in China, such as your hotel’s or a mainland mobile number |
| Date of Arrival | Write the date as YYYY-MM-DD |
| Signature | Same as the signature in your passport |
Enter the name and city of your first accommodation in China, and a phone number where you can be reached.
Clearance at Baiyun Airport, Step by Step
We have no verified details of the arrival procedure at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, so check the airport’s website and the NIA portal for how clearance is organised on the day you land.
The Arrival Card for Foreigners is a national form, so the same NIA online channels apply at other ports, including Shenzhen Bao’an and other regional airports with their own arrival card procedures.
Common Mistakes and Rules After Arrival
- Paying a third-party site. Filing is free, so use the NIA channels listed earlier.
- Mistyping your name or passport number. Check both before you submit.
- Leaving the visa field blank. Write VISA-FREE if you’re visa-exempt.
- Giving false information. False statements in border procedures can lead to an entry ban.
If you stay somewhere other than a hotel, you or your host generally need to register with the local public security authorities within 24 hours. Hotels normally handle the registration when you check in — see our guide on the hotel address format for the arrival card and 24-hour PSB registration. Failing to register may result in a warning or a fine of up to 2,000 CNY.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where can I get the Guangzhou Baiyun Airport arrival card (CAN)?
File online before you travel, through s.nia.gov.cn or the NIA 12367 app. After landing, scan the port QR code, use a self-service kiosk or pick up a paper card.
Who has to fill out the Guangzhou Baiyun Airport arrival card CAN?
Foreign passport holders need to file, including visa-free visitors. Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders are among those exempt. Check your category on the NIA site before you fly.
When should I complete the China arrival card?
You can file online at any time before you travel. If you have not filed in advance, you can scan the port QR code, use a self-service device or fill in a paper card on arrival.
Is the China arrival card free to submit?
Filing is free through the NIA channels. Sites that charge for the form are not the official NIA channel, and the NIA warns that counterfeit sites posing as the platform charge fees.
What do I write in the Visa Number field if I enter visa-free?
If you enter visa-free, write VISA-FREE in capital letters in the Visa No. field. If you hold a visa, enter its number instead and do not leave the field blank, so the form is complete.
Do I need an arrival card for a 24-hour transit?
No, if you stay within the designated port area and do not leave the restricted area. If you leave the restricted area, you need the card.
Which website or app should I use to file online?
Use the NIA online filing page, s.nia.gov.cn, the NIA 12367 mobile app, or the NIA 12367 mini-program in WeChat or Alipay. The NIA warns that counterfeit sites charge fees.
Is the arrival card the same as the customs declaration?
No. The arrival card is an immigration form. The China Customs (GACC) declaration is a separate form.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA: Beware of Fraudulent Websites for Arrival Card Filling. Free filing, official channels and the fraud warning.
