China is preparing to revolutionize the international travel experience with the introduction of its new digital arrival card system, set to officially go live on November 20, 2025. This major upgrade signals the country’s commitment to modernizing border control and embracing the global trend toward fully digitized travel processes. For millions of international visitors each year, the digital arrival card promises a smoother, faster, and more streamlined entry into one of the world’s most visited destinations.
Long known for its bustling airports, rich cultural landmarks, and rapid technological adoption, China is now taking another major step forward by eliminating the traditional paper arrival card used for decades. Instead, travelers will be able to complete immigration formalities before even stepping onto a plane—reducing airport congestion, improving processing times, and making the entry process far more convenient.
A Modern System Designed for Today’s Traveler
The digital arrival card replaces the paper forms that international travelers previously filled out upon arrival. Instead of juggling pens and documents at immigration counters, travelers can now submit their details online in advance. This includes basic personal information, passport details, accommodation information, and the purpose of travel.
The move mirrors similar systems implemented in countries across Asia, including India, Indonesia, and Cambodia, where online immigration forms have become the norm. China’s adoption of this system highlights its efforts to optimize tourism, elevate traveler experience, and strengthen digital infrastructure in preparation for future growth in international arrivals.
Multiple Platforms Make the Process Easy and Accessible
China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) has developed several official channels for travelers to complete their arrival card. These include:
- NIA Website for desktop users
- NIA Web App for mobile browsers
- NIA 12367 App, designed specifically for immigration services
- WeChat and Alipay mini-programs, offering convenience through platforms widely used in China
By leveraging digital tools that both locals and visitors are already familiar with, China ensures that the new system is usable, flexible, and accessible from anywhere in the world.
What If Travelers Forget? On-Site Support Still Available
While completing the form in advance is strongly recommended, China will continue offering fallback solutions during the transition period. Travelers who forget or are unable to fill out the digital arrival card before departure can do so upon arrival at designated terminals and QR-code stations within airports and ports. Paper forms will also remain temporarily available, though they will gradually be phased out.
This hybrid approach ensures no traveler is left behind during the transition to a fully digital immigration system.
Who Is Exempt From Filing a Digital Arrival Card?
While most foreign travelers will need to submit the form, certain groups are exempt, including:
- Holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
- Residents of Hong Kong or Macao with a Mainland Travel Permit
- Group visitors entering with collective visas
- Transit passengers who do not leave the airport
- Cruise passengers remaining on the same ship
- Individuals using fast-track entry lanes
- Foreign crew members on international transport vehicles
These exemptions ensure that the system is efficient without adding unnecessary steps for specialized travel categories.
How to Complete the Digital Arrival Card: A Quick Guide
China has designed the system to be user-friendly, with automated data extraction and guided steps. The basic process includes:
Step 1: Upload Passport Details
Travelers begin by taking and submitting a clear image of their passport bio page. The system scans and populates fields automatically.
Step 2: Confirm Personal Data
After auto-fill, travelers verify or complete information such as full name, nationality, gender, passport number, and date of birth.
Step 3: Enter Contact and Entry Details
Travelers provide a phone number or email address, arrival airport, flight number, and visa information or relevant visa-free policy.
Step 4: Submit Travel Information
Visitors specify the purpose of their trip—tourism, business, family visits—and provide accommodation details and onward travel plans.
Step 5: Review and Sign
After checking that all information is accurate, travelers digitally sign the declaration and submit.
Step 6: Save the Digital Card
The system generates a QR-coded digital arrival card. Travelers can download, screenshot, or email it for safe keeping and present it at immigration on arrival.
A Major Milestone in China’s Travel Modernization
The launch of the digital arrival card is part of a larger national push toward smarter travel solutions. China’s airports are among the busiest in the world, and digitizing immigration processes helps enhance efficiency without compromising security. By reducing paperwork and manual data entry, immigration officers can focus on faster clearance and better crowd management.
This digital shift also supports environmental sustainability by cutting down on millions of paper forms annually.
What This Means for Travelers
Visitors can expect a noticeably smoother arrival experience, especially during peak travel seasons. Completing the form before departure significantly shortens time spent in immigration lines and minimizes stress after long-haul flights.
The system also reflects China’s growing integration with global digital travel trends, offering benefits such as:
- Faster border processing
- Less physical paperwork
- Fewer delays at checkpoints
- More accurate digital records
- Better pre-arrival preparation for travelers
Looking Ahead: The Future of Border Control in China
China’s digital arrival card system marks just the beginning of broader reforms aimed at creating a seamless, tech-powered travel environment. As digital identity systems evolve worldwide, China is positioning itself at the forefront of efficient and modernized border management.
For international visitors, the November 2025 rollout represents a major leap forward—one that blends technological innovation with a commitment to improving the global travel experience.
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