Here’s how to submit China arrival card on phone: open the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) form at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone. Upload your passport identity page, fix any OCR mismatches, add your flight and China address, then save the free QR code. For the full online process on any device, see our step-by-step China arrival card online guide.
This guide is independent and isn’t a government site. It charges nothing and files nothing for you, so check dates and rules on the NIA portal before you travel.
Who Needs a China Arrival Card?
Almost every foreign passport holder needs to file one card, and each child needs their own. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) launched the Foreigner Arrival Card (外国人入境卡) on 20 November 2025, and each entry needs a new card. For a full breakdown of who must file and who is exempt, read our guide to China arrival card requirements and exemptions, and if you’re travelling with kids, see the arrival card rules for minors and family groups.
Seven groups are exempt, per this embassies.gov.il update:
- Foreign permanent resident ID card holders
- Non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau
- Group visa or group visa-free travelers
- Airside transit up to 24 hours in the port’s restricted area
- Cruise passengers boarding and leaving on the same ship
- Fast-track or e-channel users
- Foreign employees of cross-border transport vehicles
The card must be completed within three days (up to 72 hours) before arrival, and filing is free. Sites that charge a fee are not the NIA. The NIA charges no fee, so a page asking for payment is not the NIA service. Check that the address is s.nia.gov.cn. To learn more about timing and QR code validity, see when to submit your China arrival card.
How to Submit China Arrival Card on Phone
Allow 10 to 15 minutes.
| Channel | What to expect |
|---|---|
| NIA 12367 app | Install on iOS or Android first |
Gather your documents
Gather your passport, travel number, port of entry, China address and any visa number. Our documents checklist for the online arrival card covers what to prepare.
Upload your passport photo
Upload a photo of your passport identity page; the system fills in part of your data.
Check each OCR field
Check each OCR field: surname, given names, passport number, birth date, expiry, nationality.
Enter your travel details
Enter transport mode, entry date, port of entry, purpose, entry policy or visa number, and China address. For the correct way to write your accommodation, see our hotel address format guide for the China arrival card.
Declare, submit and save
Tick the declaration, confirm and submit, then save your QR code.
Fixing Camera Upload, OCR and Browser Errors
- Photo rejected: retake a clear, fully visible photo of the passport identity page with all four edges in frame and no glare.
- Wrong OCR text: verify the fields the system fills in and correct any of them by hand before you submit. For deeper fixes, see our guide to arrival card mistakes and corrections.
Saving the QR Code and Changing Details
After submitting, you’ll get a QR code you can download or email to yourself. Printing is optional. The QR code generation and receipt process explains what the code contains and how to store it.
- Take a full-screen screenshot.
- Keep an offline copy, such as a screenshot or an email to yourself.
Each entry, including re-entry, needs its own card, so file a new one if your plans change.
Phone Fails? Paper Card and Common Mistakes
If uploads keep failing, you can still file on arrival at a kiosk, with a QR code scanned on your phone, or on a paper card at selected entry points, per embassies.gov.il. Our paper arrival card tutorial walks through the handwritten version field by field.
| If this happens | Do this |
|---|---|
| You didn’t save the QR code | File a new card for that entry and save its QR code |
| You chose the wrong port of entry | Choose the port you will actually enter, for example Shenzhen rather than Hong Kong |
The health declaration is a separate form. Staying with friends? Most hotels register guests automatically, but you register with the police within 24 hours, and missing it can bring fines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to submit China arrival card on phone from Singapore?
Open s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone, upload your passport photo page, and finish the form. Keep your flight number and China address ready, and save the QR code when it appears.
How to submit China arrival card on phone if OCR fills in wrong details?
Edit any field the system filled in incorrectly. The system extracts only part of your passport data, so check every field before you submit.
Do I have to pay for a China digital arrival card?
No, filing is free and the NIA charges no fee. If a page asks for payment, it is not the NIA form, so close it and open s.nia.gov.cn instead. Corrections go through NIA channels, not paid intermediaries.
How early can I file before my flight?
You can file up to 3 days (72 hours) before you arrive in China.
Why does my passport photo upload fail on an iPhone?
If the upload fails, retake a clear, fully visible photo of the passport identity page and check the fields the system fills in.
What if I submit twice with the same passport?
Each entry, including re-entry, needs its own card, so file a new one if your plans change. Use the QR code from the card that matches your current trip.
Can I still file if my phone stops working at the airport?
Yes, you can still file on arrival at a kiosk, by scanning a QR code at the checkpoint, or on a paper card, which remains available at selected entry points.
Do visa holders and visa-free travelers need to file?
Yes, both do. If you hold a visa, enter its number in the matching field; if not, choose your entry policy, such as the 30-day visa waiver or 24/240-hour transit. Only the seven exempt groups listed above skip the card.
Sources and Further Reading
- CDAC update on embassies.gov.il: timing and exemptions
- au.china-embassy.gov.cn: notice on online filling of the foreigner arrival card
Check the NIA portal before you travel.
