Traveller 1
Add a passport photo
A photo that reads first time
- Both lines of letters and <<< at the bottom are in the picture
- Passport lies flat, with no glare or shadow
- The data page fills most of the frame
China Arrival Card Online (2026): Free Step-by-Step Prep Tool
Free. LocalKey is not affiliated with China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA). Passport reading stays on your device. You review, sign and submit on the official NIA website or app.
Before you begin
The arrival card records your entry and contact details. It is free. Submit through the NIA website, NIA 12367 app, or its WeChat / Alipay mini programs. You can also scan a code, use a self-service device, or fill a paper card on arrival.
Last checked:
Read the field-by-field guide1 · Passport photos
Passport read on your device. Optional AI reading only with your consent.
How your passport stays private
Passport photos and details stay on your device by default. If reading fails, you can separately agree to send a photo through LocalKey to Alibaba Cloud DashScope (Qwen), a China-based AI provider. LocalKey does not store the image or its contents. Booking text is sent to DeepSeek for extraction. Details stay in this session unless you choose “Keep on this device”. “Start over” clears this tool’s details and photos. Downloaded files remain on your device; delete them separately.
2 · Flight & hotel
Screenshots are read on your device. PDFs use their text layer first. Only extracted booking text is sent for AI reading; sending an image requires separate consent.
Paste booking email text
Only booking text is sent to DeepSeek, a China-based AI provider, through LocalKey. LocalKey does not store the text. Remove any passport details before continuing.
Check or enter travel details
Codeshare? Use the flight number shown on your boarding pass.
Province › City › District: You fill — on the official form
English is accepted; no Chinese is needed. Pick the province, city and district from your hotel’s address, then enter the hotel name and English street address within 100 bytes. These common district names are guidance, not an official dictionary.
0/100 bytes
Create my answer card3 · A few quick questions
All optional. Each answer fills a field on your card and stays on this device, like your passport details.
Digits and + only, for example +44 7700 900123. Used for everyone unless you change it below.
Is anyone inviting you to China?
Which cities will you stay in?
Have you booked your departure from China?
4 · Your answer card
Traveller 1
We prepared 6 answers — you only need to add 17.
Document
- Document typeOrdinary PassportSelect this
Copy from the traveller’s passport on the NIA form.
Do I need to fill it?
Select your nationality and exemption status to see guidance.
Visa-free visitors usually still need a card. Exemption from a visa is separate from exemption from the arrival card. The official form notice also lists centralized document-submission courtesy; the 2025 announcement groups the other exemptions in seven categories.
- Passport data page imageUpload the photo you saved in step 1Upload on the form
Zoom in on the saved file: every letter and both MRZ lines must remain readable. If they are not, take a sharper photo. Delete the downloaded passport photo when you no longer need it.
Add a passport photo in step 1
Basic information
- Entry Transportation ModeFlightSelect this
Match your actual border-crossing transport.
You fill on this screen
- Last NameUse uppercase passport spelling: replace hyphens and apostrophes with spaces, strip diacritics. Last Name: 40 bytes; First Name: 30 bytes (optional). Confirm the MRZ spelling if unsure.
- First NameUse uppercase passport spelling: replace hyphens and apostrophes with spaces, strip diacritics. Last Name: 40 bytes; First Name: 30 bytes (optional). Confirm the MRZ spelling if unsure.
- GenderCopy from the traveller’s passport on the NIA form.
- Date of BirthCopy from the traveller’s passport on the NIA form.
- Country/Region of CitizenshipMatch the country/region label and ISO3 code in the official dropdown.
- Passport NumberCopy from the traveller’s passport on the NIA form.
- Arrival Flight/Train/Vessel No.Enter the operating flight number shown on your boarding pass. The official form then fills City of Entry and Port of Entry for you. Codeshares can have a different marketing flight number.
- Entry categoryAvailability depends on nationality and port. Use the entry-option helper, then confirm on NIA.
Personal information
You fill on this screen
- Country of BirthEnter your country or region of birth on the official form.3 · A few quick questions
- Contact NumberEnter your contact phone number, including country code.3 · A few quick questions
- Hold a valid visa or other entry permit?Yes for a valid visa or other entry permit; otherwise No and choose Entry Policy Selection.3 · A few quick questions
Travel information
- Purpose of Entry3 Sightseeing/LeisureSelect this
For a holiday choose 3 Sightseeing/Leisure. Choose business, family visits, work, study or another purpose if that describes this trip.
- Inviting entity / inviter in China?NoPlease check
Tourists usually choose No, unless there is an inviting entity/person for this trip.
Change
You fill on this screen
- Date of EntryChoose your arrival date; the online calendar permits up to three months ahead.
- Destination Cities in ChinaChoose each city you will stay in.3 · A few quick questions
- Province / City / DistrictHotel name + English street address, no more than 100 bytes. Select province → city → district separately on NIA.
- Address in ChinaHotel name + English street address, no more than 100 bytes. Select province → city → district separately on NIA.
- Confirmed Departure Itinerary?A confirmed departure itinerary is required for transit. Enter the confirmed onward booking, not a plan you have not booked.3 · A few quick questions
Companions
- Need to help your companion fill the form?NoSelect this
One submission can add up to 10 companions. Each needs their own ≤100 KB passport photo, passport details, relationship, phone and visa answer.
Declaration & signature
You fill on this screen
- Declaration and signatureRead and accept the declaration on the official form. Sign on the official form using your finger or mouse.
Optional on the form — fill only if they apply to you: Chinese Name · City of Birth · Email · Cities of Transit
The lead traveller can add companions in one official submission. Each traveller needs their own passport photo and details. Save each photo using the button on their card.
Field help & frequently asked questions
Choose a JPG or PNG photo of your passport data page. Drag a rectangle around the page, include all corners and both MRZ lines at the bottom, and rotate if needed. The output is a metadata-free JPG of 100 KB or less.
Zoom in on the saved file: every letter and both MRZ lines must remain readable. If they are not, take a sharper photo. Delete the downloaded passport photo when you no longer need it.
Enter the operating flight number shown on your boarding pass. The official form then fills City of Entry and Port of Entry for you. Codeshares can have a different marketing flight number.
These are location guidance names, not exact official form values or a complete border-port list. For non-flight entry, match your ticket and look for the corresponding port in NIA.
English is accepted; no Chinese is needed. Pick the province, city and district from your hotel’s address, then enter the hotel name and English street address within 100 bytes. These common district names are guidance, not an official dictionary.
Check that entry is within three months and departure is on or after entry. Transit departure limits also apply.
Complete the declaration and sign on screen with a finger or mouse. Both are required.
After you submit
Download or screenshot each traveller’s QR receipt and keep it with their passport. NIA also offers PDF download and email delivery.
Staying in an Airbnb or with friends?
Since 21 September 2026, non-hotel accommodation registration can be completed online nationwide. You or your host must register within 24 hours of check-in through the NIA website, NIA 12367 app or mini programs; the local police station remains an option. Hotels handle their guests’ registration. This is separate from the arrival card.
Read the NIA announcementCommon mistakes
- Uploading a photo larger than 100 KB. Crop the data page, then save a small readable JPG.
- Keeping hyphens or apostrophes in a name. Use the formatter, then check against your passport.
- Picking Ordinary Entry Filling when you are entering visa-free. Check Entry Policy Selection.
- Using a codeshare marketing flight number. Use the operating number on the boarding pass.
- Exceeding the 100-byte address limit. Keep the hotel name and essential street address.
- Selecting transit without a confirmed departure itinerary. Have your onward booking ready.
Questions before you open the form
Is there a fee?
No. The NIA arrival card service is free. LocalKey’s preparation tool is also free.
How do I recognize fake arrival card websites?
NIA has warned about websites charging for this free service. Use the s.nia.gov.cn links here, or NIA 12367 official app and mini programs.
Can I fill it on arrival?
Yes. Scan the designated code, use the port’s smart devices or fill a paper arrival card.
How early can I fill it?
The observed online calendar allows entry dates up to three months ahead. Use your confirmed travel details and check the form again if your trip changes.
Do children need one?
A child who is not covered by an exemption needs their own traveller record. You can add them as a companion with their own passport photo and details.
Does LocalKey submit it for me?
No. We read your passport on your device and help prepare your answers. You check every field, sign and submit yourself through NIA.
Entry sorted — want a China itinerary that works?
Design a China trip around your dates, interests and pace.