Complete your china arrival card submission at Shanghai Pudong (PVG) online, within three days before you land. Use the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC, then save the QR code offline. Paper forms remain available at selected entry points.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. We don’t charge fees or file for you, so check dates and rules on the NIA portal before you fly. You’ll get the filing steps and the PVG arrival route.
Who Needs the China Arrival Card?
Foreign travelers entering by air, land or sea must complete it unless they are exempt. The CDAC launched on 20 Nov 2025, per an NIA notice shared by the Israeli embassy in Shanghai. It replaces the previous paper-based arrival card.
Seven groups are exempt:
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders
- Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit holders (Hong Kong, Macao)
- Group visa or group visa-free travelers
- Direct airside transit up to 24 hours in the restricted area
- Cruise passengers boarding and leaving the same ship
- Fast-track or E-channel users
- Foreign employees of cross-border transport vehicles
The 24-hour airside exemption isn’t the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme. If you enter the mainland on 240-hour transit, check your route’s requirement. Unsure whether you’re exempt? Check the list above and the NIA portal.
Online China Arrival Card Submission at Shanghai Pudong
File within the three days before your arrival. The filing channels are listed below.
| Channel | Where it opens |
|---|---|
| s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC | Computer browser |
| s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone | Phone browser |
| NIA 12367 | The NIA app |
| WeChat and Alipay mini-programs | Inside either app |
| QR code | Opens the form when scanned |
Upload your passport data page first, then check the details the form fills in. Add your flight number, entry date and Shanghai Pudong as port of entry. Answer Yes or No for a visa: Yes needs the visa number, No needs your entry policy.
Enter your address in China as province, city, district and detailed address — see our hotel address format guide. Add contact details and sign.
Use only the NIA channels listed above. For visa problems, the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau hotline is +86-21-12367.
Flying from Changi? File within the 72 hours before you land, and download or email the card.
China Arrival Card Submission at Shanghai Pudong Terminals
Follow the signs
Follow the signs to the arrival hall.
Scan your QR code
Scan it at the digital kiosk or scanner.
Present at immigration
Present your passport and the card at immigration.
Collect your bags
Take the Green Channel (nothing to declare) or Red Channel (declare).
Signs and staff guide you, and layouts vary by terminal, so we can’t list kiosk spots or waits. For a closer look at airport kiosks, biometrics and smart gates, see our dedicated walkthrough. If you can’t complete the digital card, ask staff about the paper form at your entry point. A paper form remains available at selected entry points.
Pudong and Guangzhou Baiyun Compared
The filing channels below are NIA channels; arrival set-up may vary by airport.
| Airport | QR scanning |
|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | Kiosks and QR scanners |
| Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) | Layout not confirmed; follow signs |
Customs thresholds for cash, alcohol, tobacco and goods can vary by airport, so check them before you fly. The customs declaration is a separate form from the arrival card, and we explain the difference between the customs declaration and the arrival card in a separate guide.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Check these before you fly.
| Mistake | Result | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Flight, hotel or date changed | Old details no longer match | Check the NIA portal for how to update your card |
| Paid agency or look-alike site | Not an NIA channel | Use the NIA channels in this guide |
| Confusing it with a visa | The card is not a visa | Apply for a visa through the Chinese embassy, consulate or visa application centre |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is china arrival card submission at shanghai pudong free?
The sources reviewed don’t mention a fee for the NIA online channels. A site that asks you to pay isn’t one of those channels, so check the address before you pay anything.
Where do I complete china arrival card submission at shanghai pudong airport if I have not filed online?
Complete it on the smart devices available at immigration checkpoints, or scan the QR code on arrival to open the form. Ask staff about the paper card, which remains available at selected entry points. You can also file online at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC.
When can I submit the China arrival card before my flight?
You must complete the card within three days before arrival, that is, up to 72 hours before entry into China. Count from your expected entry date, not your departure.
Which website should I use to fill out the China arrival card online?
On a computer, use s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC. On a phone, use s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone. Both belong to the National Immigration Administration. The NIA 12367 app and the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs are other NIA channels.
Do I need an arrival card if I am only transferring at Shanghai Pudong?
Not if you stay airside and your direct transit is up to 24 hours in the port’s restricted area. That’s one of the seven exemptions. If you leave the airport, check the requirement for your route on the NIA portal.
What should I do if my flight or hotel changes after I submit the card?
If your flight or hotel changes, check the NIA portal for how to update your card before you land.
Is the paper arrival card still available at the airport?
Yes, at selected entry points, as a backup. Ask airport staff whether your port has it, and match your passport data if you fill one in.
What if I have no internet at the airport to show my QR code?
If you have no internet access, complete the declaration on an on-site kiosk, or ask staff about the paper form at your entry point.
