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Glossary

China Arrival Card Explained

You are told to fill a form before landing and want to be sure you use the real one.

Check my entry steps

The arrival card is an online form that foreign visitors complete for immigration. China’s online arrival card for foreign travellers became available on 20 November 2025[1]. It replaces the habit of filling a paper form on the plane.

Where you will meet it

You meet it before departure, when airlines and travel sites remind you to prepare for entry. The official channels are the NIA website, the NIA 12367 app, and the WeChat and Alipay mini programs[2]. The web page is s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/[3].

Some groups do not need to file. These include group visa holders, 24-hour direct transit passengers within the port area, E-channel users and foreign crew[4].

A practical tip

Beware of copycat sites. The NIA has warned that fraudulent websites impersonate the platform and that the official service is free[5]. Type the address yourself, and keep your passport details and flight number ready.

If you forget, you can still complete the card at the immigration inspection site by QR code, smart device or paper card[6]. Rules can change, so confirm the steps on the official page shortly before you fly.

If you would like a second pair of eyes on your pre-departure checklist, send us your travel dates and we will walk through the entry steps with you.

Ask about arrival

Read next

  • TermChina's Visa Exemption for Malaysians

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  • TermChina's Visa-Free Transit Rule

    What China's 240-hour transit policy is, who it is for, what it requires, and why Malaysian passport holders rarely need it on a normal holiday.

  • GuideYour China Arrival Card, Step by Step

    How the China online arrival card works for Malaysians: where to file it, what to do if you did not, who is exempt, and how to avoid fake sites.

  • GuideIs Your Passport Ready for China?

    How to check your Malaysian passport before a China trip: validity dates, blank pages, damage and the risk of being refused boarding at KLIA.

Questions Malaysians ask

Where do I fill in the arrival card?

Use an official channel: the National Immigration Administration website, the NIA 12367 app, or the mini programs in WeChat and Alipay. Avoid links from adverts or messages. If you are unsure, type the official web address yourself rather than tapping a link someone sent you.

Is there a fee for the arrival card?

The NIA has said the official service is free. It has also warned about fraudulent websites that copy the platform and charge you. If a page asks for payment, stop and check that you are on an official channel before entering any details.

What if I did not file before the flight?

Travellers who did not file ahead can complete the card at the immigration inspection site, by QR code, on a smart device there, or on a paper card. Filing earlier is calmer, because you avoid typing on a small screen in a queue.

Sources

  1. Chinese Embassy in the US, checked 2026-10-19
  2. Chinese Embassy in the US, checked 2026-10-19
  3. Chinese Embassy in the US, checked 2026-10-19
  4. Chinese Embassy in the US, checked 2026-10-19
  5. Asia News Network, checked 2026-10-19
  6. Chinese Embassy in the US, checked 2026-10-19

Rules, schedules and prices change. Confirm with the official source before you travel.

Thinking about China?

If you would like a second pair of eyes on your pre-departure checklist, send us your travel dates and we will walk through the entry steps with you.

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