China introduced a digital arrival card in 2025, replacing paper entry forms. Here’s everything you need to know before arriving in China in 2026.
If travelling to China is on your radar in 2026, either as a planned trip or a pivot from Southeast Asia, there’s a small but important update you should know about before you arrive.
Since November, 2025, China has rolled out a new digital arrival card system for international travellers, replacing the old paper forms many people remember. Although the paper forms can still be used, it is modernising its arrival process and making better efforts to welcome foreign tourists.
We are keeping an updated list of current china visa-free countries 2026, including the recent additions of both Canada and the United Kingdom.
China is moving away from paper arrival forms and standardising a digital entry card, submitted before or on arrival.
Instead of filling out multiple slips on the plane or at immigration, travellers now complete a single electronic arrival card covering immigration and customs information.
Less paperwork
Faster airport processing
Fewer forms to juggle while jet-lagged
This affects most foreign travellers, including:
If you’re flying into China from places like Bangkok, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Seoul, this applies to you.
If you are in transit in the airport, no. Simply, if you remain airside you don't need to complete it as you are not arriving into China. You will only need to complete the arrival form if you are leaving the airport, this could be you have a few days
You’ll complete the arrival card digitally, there are several websites but this is the easiest:
https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/entry-registation-home
You can also use the WeChat App, we'll update details about that soon here.
You’ll be asked for:
Once submitted, immigration officers can access it directly. No paper copies needed.
Source: https://nl.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/ls/zytz/202511/t20251126_11760675.htm
If you don't complete it before your arrival, you will be able to complete it at the airport but you may face difficulties with the wi-fi. In most airports you will have to register for the internet with your passport and this can be subject to technical difficulties. By also having data and a VPN ready, this will smoothen your arrival.
Tip for backpackers:
A lot of travellers moving through Southeast Asia end up pivoting plans:
China is becoming a more common add-on or alternative, so knowing this system in advance helps avoid stress at immigration.
For first-timers especially, this is one less unknown to deal with.
China entry is getting more streamlined, but also more systemised.
China can still be surprisingly affordable if you plan properly, but costs, payments and transport work differently than in Southeast Asia. You'll need Alipay and or WeChat at least.
Read our Essential Apps for China
