China Digital Arrival Card

No. The China Arrival Card is an arrival registration form, not a visa. If your nationality requires a visa for China, you still need the right visa plus this Arrival Card.

The China Arrival Card plays a key role in immigration procedures:

• At immigration checkpoints: Officers verify the details you submit as part of border control and entry clearance.
• Entry requirements and policies: It supports compliance with China’s entry rules and is linked to your visa and travel document requirements.
• Border management and security: Arrival card data is used for border management, helping enhance security and monitoring at ports of entry.

• A foreigner with a Chinese Permanent Resident ID Card, or
• A non-Chinese holder of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong & Macao residents, or
• An exempt travel/transport category such as tour groups, transport crew, drivers, or vehicle employees.

Not always. You’re exempt if your layover is under 24 hours and you don’t leave the restricted transit area.

This also applies to certain cruise passengers continuing with the same cruise. If you pass immigration or leave the port, complete the Arrival Card.

Yes. If you don’t submit it in advance, you can usually complete the China Arrival Card on arrival at your port of entry. Arrival cards may be available at the airport, and some immigration checkpoints provide assistance if you’re unsure how to complete the form.

However, completing it in advance with iVisa means you can skip the arrival-card queues, avoid rushing through the form after a long flight, and arrive with everything ready to show at immigration.

• Arrival Card
• Arrival Card Application