Your luggage is already packed, but your phone is cluttered with flight confirmation emails, hotel reservations, and passport details. The most common cause of delays when filling out the Foreigner Entry Card is often not the complexity of the form itself, but rather that the required information is not organized in one place. Completing the form as part of your pre-departure preparations will make your arrival smoother and allow you to identify any ambiguities in your address or flight itinerary.
The official procedure is based on the announcement from the National Immigration Administration: Starting November 20, 2025, applications can be submitted online through government websites, government service platforms, the Immigration Bureau app, and WeChat or Alipay mini-programs. The following outlines the process for compiling the required materials; it does not replicate the current webpage, nor does completing the form constitute approval of entry eligibility.
First, organize three sets of information that correspond to one another
Document Group: Prepare the valid travel documents that will actually be used for this entry, and verify your personal information based on the details listed on the documents; each traveling companion should retain their own documents and materials.
Itinerary Group: Compile the actual port of entry, arrival flight, or other transportation details in one place. If there are changes, update your checklist with the final confirmed information.
Accommodation Group: Keep the actual name of the accommodation, the Chinese address, and contact information on hand; confirm the exact spelling with the respective providers for both booked accommodations and stays with relatives or friends.
The purpose of this checklist is to reduce the number of times you switch between apps, not to require you to copy all sensitive information into a public document. Keep your identification documents on your own secure device or in their original form; the pre-trip checklist should only note where to find them. When sharing an itinerary with friends, it is generally more appropriate to disclose the meeting location and accommodation names than to send passport pages to a group chat.
What is the most convenient way to prepare your address information? Prioritize retaining the complete Chinese address provided by your accommodation provider, while also saving the name and contact information from your booking confirmation. Transliterated place names or map abbreviations may be used for communication, but the information you enter must correspond to actual locations. If you are staying in multiple cities consecutively, list each stop in the order of arrival and select the appropriate entry based on the current form’s requirements during the submission process to avoid mistakenly listing the last night’s accommodation as the first.
If you will be staying with relatives or friends, ask them in advance to provide the exact address and contact information. Do not substitute a nearby hotel for your actual place of residence, and do not omit parts of the address that could be used for location tracking simply because it is too long. The key is to clearly convey accurate information, not to make your application form resemble a tourist brochure.
Then, access the official portal to begin the application.
You can obtain this information fromAnnouncement from the National Immigration AdministrationFamiliarize yourself with the procedures and use the information listed thereinOfficial Online Submission Portal. In addition to the website, the announcement also lists the Immigration Bureau app and related mini-programs as available channels. Simply choose the official method that is easiest for you to use; there is no need to register for unverified third-party services just to prepare the application form.
When filling out the form, use the on-screen prompts as a guide and match each item to the original documents. It is especially important to review the information regarding names, travel documents, and itinerary thoroughly before submission. Names may be displayed differently across various booking systems; entry materials should be based on the actual travel documents and official requirements; If you have any questions, contact official support channels—this is more reliable than making assumptions based on someone else’s screenshot.
Once completed, save the necessary information according to the results and instructions provided on the page. Do not assume that every channel will display the same results interface, nor should you treat old screenshots as a definitive user manual. Keep your submission records and corresponding itinerary in an easily accessible location so that you can present them or continue processing as requested by staff upon arrival—this fulfills the purpose of your preparation.
Family members traveling together may divide the task of organizing transportation and accommodation information, but each person’s identity details must still correspond individually. When an adult is completing the application on behalf of others, it is especially important to verify each person’s information item by item at the end to avoid carrying over the previous person’s details when switching between family members’ records. While the shared address may be the same, each person’s travel document information must be based on their own records; keeping these two categories separate on the preparation sheet will provide greater clarity.
I forgot to complete this on the plane. Can I still handle it upon arrival?
Yes. The announcement states that foreign nationals who are unable to complete the form online may go to the border inspection area at the port of entry to scan a QR code with their mobile phone, use on-site smart devices to complete the form online, or fill out a paper Foreign National Entry Card. This provides alternative options for travelers who lack the necessary devices, internet access, or have difficulty with the process. Completing the form in advance can reduce the tasks you need to handle upon arrival, and the on-site options are also valid alternatives.
If you need assistance, first inform the on-site staff that you have not yet filled out the form and follow the port of entry’s instructions. If your phone runs out of battery or the internet is unavailable, the most helpful preparation is to have your passport, itinerary, and accurate accommodation information readily available, rather than insisting on restoring a specific app. Keep legible backups of important materials so that the same set of facts can be used across different processing methods.
Do all foreign nationals need to fill this out? The announcement lists seven scenarios exempt from filing, including holders of a Foreigner Permanent Residence ID Card, holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese nationals), holders of group visas or those eligible for group visa exemption, those transiting directly within 24 hours without leaving the designated area, cruise passengers returning on the same vessel, those entering via the fast-track channel, and relevant foreign national transportation staff. Determine whether you fall under one of these categories by reviewing your documents, itinerary, and official guidelines; if in doubt, consult the 12367 service hotline.
The descriptions of scenarios here are subject to strict conditions. For example, “not leaving a designated area” is not the same as planning to visit a city for sightseeing. You must clearly state your actual plans to determine how to prepare. This article focuses on the entry card and does not imply the number of visa-free days or permitted areas of stay for any specific nationality; for those matters, please refer to the corresponding current entry policies.
Separate three items that appear similar
The entry card contains information related to entry; visa or visa-exemption eligibility conditions determine entry qualifications and activity arrangements; and post-entry accommodation registration takes place at the actual place of residence. While these may use the same personal and address information, they serve distinct purposes. After completing one step, other required procedures must still be carried out in accordance with the relevant regulations; the information preparation checklist is intended solely to help ensure accurate coordination among these three elements.
This distinction is particularly useful for travelers changing accommodations. When filling out the form, provide information based on your actual itinerary and the page requirements. After entering China, complete registration according to your actual lodging arrangements; if your itinerary changes, communicate with the corresponding accommodation provider. You can mark “Already Prepared,” “Already Completed,” and “To Be Handled Upon Arrival” in your personal plan to avoid treating a single checkmark as the completion of all steps.
Save this task for after your transportation and hotel arrangements have been largely finalized, when you still have time to review the information before departure. It doesn’t need to take up the entire pre-trip planning session, but it’s best to complete it all at once while organizing your flight and accommodation details. ArrivalShanghaior when arriving in another city, having information that corresponds with each other is more helpful than having to search for names across multiple emails on the spot.
Source and Editing Notes
They do not serve as proof of actual travel or services provided to Dongxing Travel clients.
National Immigration Administration · Announcement on the Implementation of 10 Innovative Measures to Support Expanded Opening-Up and High-Quality Development · Official documents; Verification/Compilation Date: October 3, 2026.
National Immigration Administration · Online Submission of Foreigner Entry Card · Official documents; Verification/Compilation Date: October 3, 2026.
Prepare the information first
Before completing a China arrival card, assemble matching passport, inbound flight and China hotel address details. Confirm the hotel's full name and address before using the official arrival card website. A Chinese address helps communication, but complete each field as instructed rather than relying only on a map screenshot.
Avoid unnecessary paid filing
China arrival card online filing is free, according to Shanghai's official guidance. Use official channels and avoid paid sites promising faster processing. The card is a declaration, not a visa or entry approval. Check details after itinerary changes and follow arrival inspection.
Planning references
