From 20 November, foreign passengers heading to China can complete the mandatory arrival-card electronically before boarding, using the NIA’s website, WeChat mini-program, Alipay app or a dedicated QR code. The measure—one of ten ‘high-quality-development’ innovations unveiled by the National Immigration Administration—was highlighted on 28 November after its first full week in operation at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport.
According to border officials, the number of travellers choosing the e-form at Hongqiao is rising daily, with processing times for large tour groups cut from 45 minutes to under 20. The Italian Santa Cecilia Orchestra, for example, cleared 130 members in 20 minutes on arrival for a mainland concert tour, thanks to pre-departure form filing and on-site language support.
![China Launches Online Arrival Card for Foreign Visitors, Slashing Airport Queues]()
Seven categories of travellers—such as 24-hour direct transit passengers, cruise visitors and holders of China’s permanent-residence ID—are exempt from completing any card. Everyone else can save the confirmation QR to their phone and show it at immigration alongside their passport.
For companies that rotate staff through multiple Chinese sites, the new system removes one of the last remaining paper forms and allows mobility teams to check compliance centrally. HR should circulate the registration link (s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC) and advise assignees to submit at least 24 hours before departure to avoid inflight Wi-Fi glitches.
Border-technology suppliers see China’s move as part of a wider Asian shift toward contact-less processing, mirroring Singapore’s Digital SGAC and Korea’s electronic arrival card. As throughput increases ahead of the Lunar New Year peak, authorities plan to extend the e-card to additional airports and land crossings, with Beijing Daxing and Guangzhou Baiyun next on the list.
According to border officials, the number of travellers choosing the e-form at Hongqiao is rising daily, with processing times for large tour groups cut from 45 minutes to under 20. The Italian Santa Cecilia Orchestra, for example, cleared 130 members in 20 minutes on arrival for a mainland concert tour, thanks to pre-departure form filing and on-site language support.
Seven categories of travellers—such as 24-hour direct transit passengers, cruise visitors and holders of China’s permanent-residence ID—are exempt from completing any card. Everyone else can save the confirmation QR to their phone and show it at immigration alongside their passport.
For companies that rotate staff through multiple Chinese sites, the new system removes one of the last remaining paper forms and allows mobility teams to check compliance centrally. HR should circulate the registration link (s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC) and advise assignees to submit at least 24 hours before departure to avoid inflight Wi-Fi glitches.
Border-technology suppliers see China’s move as part of a wider Asian shift toward contact-less processing, mirroring Singapore’s Digital SGAC and Korea’s electronic arrival card. As throughput increases ahead of the Lunar New Year peak, authorities plan to extend the e-card to additional airports and land crossings, with Beijing Daxing and Guangzhou Baiyun next on the list.
