Passenger
International traveler
Destination
China 🇨🇳
Reading Time
6 min
Checklist
4 items
Arrival works better when you board with the arrival card filled out, documents in hand, and an airport-to-hotel plan that does not depend on open internet.
Immigration process step by step
Foreign Passport Sign
Follow the sign when exiting the plane.
Arrival Card QR code
Present the receipt (mandatory since 2025).
Passport submission
Passport with visa or confirmation of exemption.
Biometrics
Fingerprints from both hands + photo.
Brief interview
1-3 questions about purpose, address, and return.
Stamp and clearance
Done — you are in China.
Online Arrival Card — mandatory since 2025
Complete before boarding, not at the airport
Access the NIA portal before your trip
Fill in personal data, passport, and flight information
Save the QR code as a PDF and screenshot offline
Present the QR code to the officer in the immigration line
📌 NIA Portal: s.nia.gov.cn
Limited time offer
Complete Guide to Prepare for China
Operational checklist, documentation, apps, payments, arrival and real execution.
Pre-flight countdown — what to do when
Check visa / exemption status for your passport
Purchase travel insurance with China coverage
Open Nomad or Wise international account
Install Alipay, WeChat, DiDi — link your card
Notify your home bank of travel dates + China
Download Google Translate offline Chinese pack
Complete Online Arrival Card on NIA portal
Save QR code screenshot offline
Download maps, hotel address in Chinese
Passport valid? 6+ months beyond return date
Power bank in carry-on (not cargo) — CCC cert?
Return ticket and hotel booking saved offline
Follow "Foreign Passport" immigration signs
Have Arrival Card QR ready on your phone
Keep hotel address + emergency numbers on you
What to resolve 24 hours before boarding
The last 24 hours define arrival quality. Those who board with everything organized save hours.
Do not rely on cloud to access documents at the destination airport.
- Save passport, reservations, insurance, and ticket offline.
- Print main documents.
- Check initial address in Chinese.
Arrival card and immigration queue
Various entry points have begun to prioritize or require advance digital form completion.
Filling out before your trip avoids redirection and queue loss.
- Fill out form on official portal.
- Save QR/code or proof offline.
- Bring security copy as screenshot.
From airport to hotel without friction
Have a backup route in case your first transport method fails.
Your first night is critical: payment, address, and contact need to be solid.
- Plan A and Plan B for transport.
- Tested payment for initial ride.
- Emergency contact saved in main app.
✓Action checklist
Frequently asked questions
1Is arrival card still necessary?
Operational requirement varies by airport; validate on official portal before your flight.
2Can I leave passport and documents in checked baggage?
No. Critical items must always stay with you.
3Do I need an offline plan even with roaming?
Yes. Coverage and apps may vary upon arrival.
Official sources
Complete Guide
Want the complete roadmap with 25+ chapters and checklists?
This guide covers one aspect of your trip. The e-book covers everything — in execution format, not reading format.