China's Digital Arrival Card (CDAC): A 2026 Guide for Travellers

China's Digital Arrival Card (CDAC): What the National Immigration Administration Requires in 2026

China's Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) has been required for most foreign arrivals since November 2025, replacing the old paper landing card. You file it online through China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) before you land, unless you fall into one of seven exemption categories, most commonly holding a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card or qualifying for China's general visa-free entry.

If China is on the cards this year, either as a planned trip or a pivot from Southeast Asia, here is exactly what changed, who still needs to file the arrival card, and how to actually do it.

What Is China's Digital Arrival Card?

The Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) is an online entry form launched by China's National Immigration Administration on 20 November 2025, replacing the paper arrival or landing card foreign visitors used to fill in on the plane or at the immigration counter. You complete it online before you travel, and the system issues a QR code you show at the border instead of a paper slip. Full detail is on the official notice from the Chinese Embassy.

Who Has to File It, and Who Is Exempt?

Most foreign nationals entering China need to file the arrival card, but seven groups are officially exempt:

• Holders of a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card.
• Mainland Travel Permit holders, covering Hong Kong and Macao residents who are not Chinese nationals.
• Group visa holders, or travellers eligible under China's general visa-free entry policy.
• 24-hour direct transit passengers within designated port areas.
• Cruise passengers on the same-vessel entry and exit.
• Travellers using E-channel entry.
• Foreign crew members of transport vehicles.

The one that trips people up is the third category. China's general visa-free entry policy, which now covers the UK and a growing list of other countries, is a separate scheme from the 240-hour visa-free transit policy that lets travellers from 54 countries stop over for up to 10 days without a visa. General visa-free entrants are exempt from the arrival card. The 240-hour transit exemption only covers a much narrower 24-hour direct transit within designated port areas, so most people using the longer transit window still need to file the card. Check our current list of China's visa-free countries if you are not sure which policy applies to you.

How Do You Actually Complete the Digital Arrival Card?

You can file it before you travel through the official NIA arrival card portal, the NIA 12367 app, the WeChat or Alipay mini program, or by scanning the official QR code on your phone. If you have not completed it in advance, you can also do it on arrival using QR codes or on-site devices at the port, or fall back to a paper form. You will typically need your passport details, flight information, and where you are staying in China.

Do You Need It If You Are Only Transiting Through China?

If you stay airside and never clear immigration, no. You only need to complete the arrival card if you are actually entering China, leaving the airport for a stopover under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy included. The narrow exemption is specifically for 24-hour direct transit within designated port areas, not the full 10-day transit window, so most transit stopovers still need the card filed.

What Should You Have Ready Before You Land?

Complete the card before you fly if you can. Airport Wi-Fi at Chinese ports can be slow during peak arrivals, and in many airports you need to register for Wi-Fi with your passport first, which adds friction if you are trying to file the card on arrival. Have your passport, flight details and accommodation address ready, and consider having mobile data and a VPN sorted before you land, since most Western apps and sites are not accessible on Chinese networks without one.

Why This Matters for Backpackers Pivoting Through Asia

A lot of travellers moving through Southeast Asia end up adding China to the route later than planned, a cheap flight, a visa run that turns into a longer stay, or a simple change of plan. China is an increasingly common add-on for exactly this kind of traveller, so knowing the arrival card system in advance is one less unknown at immigration. Read our guide to essential apps for travelling in China for the WeChat, Alipay and VPN setup you will want sorted before you land.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is China's Digital Arrival Card free?

Yes. There is no fee to file the CDAC, whether you complete it online in advance or on arrival.

Can I still use a paper arrival form?

Yes, as a fallback. Paper forms remain available at Chinese ports if you have not filed the digital card in advance, though the digital route is faster since it skips the immigration counter queue.

Do I need internet or a Chinese phone number to complete it?

No Chinese number is needed. You do need internet access, either before you fly or via airport Wi-Fi on arrival, which can be slow during peak periods, so filing it before you travel is the more reliable option.

What happens if I do not complete the arrival card?

You risk delays at immigration, since the digital card is designed to replace the manual paper process most ports now expect. Filing it in advance takes a few minutes and avoids the on-arrival queue entirely.

Is China visa-free for UK and Canadian travellers now?

China has been expanding its general visa-free trial to cover more countries, including the UK. Policies and eligible nationalities change, so check our guide to China's visa-free policy for UK travellers for the current position before you book.

Travelling through China on a budget? It can still be surprisingly affordable if you plan properly, though payments and transport work differently than in Southeast Asia, you will want Alipay or WeChat Pay set up before you arrive. BudgetBro tracks spending in over 160 currencies, so a detour through China sits alongside the rest of your trip in one place, not a separate tally in yuan.