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Effective 20 November 2025, China is jumping on the international bandwagon – Digital Arrival Card. Like other Asian countries such as Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, India, and Indonesia, China has replaced the traditional paper arrival form with an e-arrival form for inbound foreign nationals, aiming to expedite their arrival and immigration clearance at all entry airports. This upgrade for entry to China doubles convenience for foreign arrivals and aligns with modern travel standards.
What is China’s Digital Arrival Card?
The new e-arrival card to China is sort of electronic travel authorization (ETA). It is an online form that US nationals, citizens and other foreigners are required to fill out with their details for smooth entry to China. Digital Arrival Card must not be mistaken for an alternative to any Chinese Visa. Precisely, filling out this online within 72 hours prior to arrival is now part of China’s entry requirements for foreign travellers.
Who needs Digital e-Arrival Card to enter China? Who are exempted?
All foreign passengers of flights to China from USA and other countries must apply for China’s new e-Arrival Card, starting 20 November. The following are exempted to this requirement:
- Holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card in China
- Non-Chinese citizens with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao
- Group travellers entering with collective visas or under visa-free arrangements
- Transit passengers staying within the designated port area
- Cruise passengers arriving and departing on the same vessel
- Travellers using fast-track entry lanes
- Foreign employees of exit-entry transport vehicles
How to apply for China’s Digital Arrival Card: Step-by-step guide
China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) website makes it easy to fill out the e-Arrival Card form. It takes only a few minutes. The paper form will be gradually phased out from airports in China. If you are not able to apply for the new digital card in advance, you can do it at self-service airport kiosks on arrival or fill out and submit a paper form at the entry airport.
- Open the NIA website, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat/Alipay mini-program
- Enter your passport information, travel itinerary, address in China, and other details
- Submit the form within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival in China
- Save the QR code or confirmation screenshot for faster immigration clearance
Benefits of Digital Arrival Card to China
- Faster immigration clearance at high-traffic airports like Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, and Shenzhen Bao’an
- Fewer chances for errors in the online form compared to paper forms
- Greater convenience for frequent foreign travellers to China
- Reduced wait time on arrival and quick exit or transfer to domestic flights
- No stress to fill out the form during a flight
- Verifiable data of foreign visitors makes it more efficient for the Chinese government to track their arrival, departure, and visa overstay.
I am a US national. Do I still need a visa along with the Digital Arrival Card and flight tickets to Beijing?
Yes, being a foreign national, you need a visa to China depending on your purpose of visit. Please note the new Digital Arrival Card does not replace China’s visa requirements for you.
I will travel onward to a third country after a 10-day transit-visa free stopover in China. Is the new Digital Arrival Card mandatory for me?
Yes, it is. Whether you plan a 72-hour or a 240-hour stopover in China after 20 November 2025, you must have China’s new Digital Arrival Card for hassle-free entry and seamless immigration clearance.
Does China mandate Digital Arrival Card for US citizens of China origin?
Yes, US citizens of China origin (precisely, Chinese Americans) do also need to apply for Digital Arrival Card whenever they travel to any province in China.
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