Arrival Card China — CDAC in English
Fill out your China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) in English with our online form. Coming soon — prepare your trip to Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou with peace of mind.
Welcome to China
Since November 20, 2025, the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) is mandatory for all foreign travelers entering China. Issued by the National Immigration Administration via the official portal s.nia.gov.cn, it replaces the traditional paper arrival card. It must be submitted within 72 hours before arrival. This formality is separate from the Chinese visa or visa-free transit, which are handled independently.
November 2025 modernisation
CDAC: digitalizing China's iconic "yellow card"
For 30 years, arrival in China ended with a yellow card to fill by hand on the plane. Since 20 November 2025, the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) replaced it nationwide.
The yellow card (黄色入境卡) symbolized arrival in China since 1995. Distributed by flight attendants, it asked for passport, flight, accommodation, and visit purpose. Its name came from the typical yellowing paper. A duplicate exit card (white) accompanied the passport throughout the stay.
Why the transition? China hosted 30 million foreign visitors per year pre-2020. Manual entry caused transcription errors (Western names mis-copied) and considerably slowed immigration in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
CDAC in practice: s.nia.gov.cn portal (National Immigration Administration), submission within 72 hours before arrival, QR code to present at boarding and immigration. No paper card is handed out on board anymore.
What about exit?
No CDAC equivalent for exit yet. Departure from China remains handled by biometric scanning at immigration desks, with no specific form to fill.
Who must file the CDAC for China?
Since 20 November 2025, the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) is mandatory for all foreign travellers entering China.
All foreign travellers
The CDAC applies to all non-Chinese nationals entering China, regardless of visa, exemption, or transit regime.
All entry modes
Air, land, or sea arrivals: CDAC is required in all cases.
Minors and infants included
Every child needs their own CDAC. Group submissions on a single form are not allowed.
Compatible with visa-free regimes
Travellers using the 30-day exemption or 240-hour transit still need a CDAC, on top of their applicable visa regime.
Independent from visa
The CDAC does not replace a visa for nationalities that need one. Both procedures remain distinct.
China CDAC Information
What does the China CDAC consist of?
The procedure must be completed within 72 hours before your arrival in China. The online form requires personal data, passport details, flight information, and accommodation address. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation to present at immigration. Each traveler, including minors, must have their own form.
Which nationalities are concerned?
Since November 20, 2025, the CDAC is mandatory for all foreign travelers entering China by air, land, or sea. Chinese nationals are exempt. For those unable to complete it online, kiosks are available at entry points.
Which entry points are concerned?
The CDAC is required at all entry points to China. Main airports: Beijing Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX), Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Chengdu (CTU), Hangzhou (HGH), Xi'an (XIY), Kunming (KMG), Shenzhen (SZX).
Documents to prepare for the CDAC
Log in to s.nia.gov.cn (National Immigration Administration) with these items at hand.
- Valid passport
- Chinese visa or applicable exemption / transit proof
- Flight number and airline
- Planned arrival date and time in China
- Full address of your first accommodation
- Emergency contact details
- Email address for QR code delivery
CDAC validity
The CDAC is tied to a specific entry.
Duration
Valid for the declared entry
Entries
One CDAC per entry into China
Extension
Not applicable: new submission each trip
Exit
No separate exit card
Visa-free compatibility
CDAC and visa-free regime: why they coexist
China opened a 30-day visa-free regime since 2024 for many nationalities. A question keeps coming up: do you still need to file the CDAC? Yes, you do.
The visa-free regime covers entry authorization for a tourist or business stay up to 30 days. No pre-travel procedure is required to activate it — just arrive at an eligible entry point with a valid passport.
CDAC, however, is an arrival declaration. It applies regardless of visa regime: 30-day exemption, 240-hour transit, e-Visa, physical visa. Every entry into China — whatever the status — requires a valid CDAC.
Common case: a traveller goes to Shanghai for 10 days without a visa, leveraging the exemption. They think nothing else is required. Yet without CDAC on arrival, they will be blocked at immigration and redirected to a kiosk in the international zone.
Required Information Table
| INFORMATION TO PROVIDE | PERSONAL DATA |
|---|---|
| PERSONAL DATA | Name, First Name, Date of Birth, Nationality, Passport Number, Passport Expiration Date |
| TRAVEL DETAILS | Arrival Date, Departure Date, Purpose of Travel, Country of Residence |
| FLIGHT INFORMATION | Airline Name, Flight Number, Port of Embarkation |
| ACCOMMODATION | Name and Address of Accommodation in China, City, Province, Contact Phone |
| ITINERARY | Countries visited in the last 14 days, Next destination after China |
Places to visit in China
China
Beijing, the capital, hosts unmissable wonders: the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and of course the Great Wall, easily accessible from the city at Badaling or Mutianyu.
Shanghai, an economic metropolis, fascinates with the contrast between the historic Bund district and the futuristic Pudong skyscrapers, dominated by the Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl.
Xi'an, an ancient imperial capital, is world-famous for its Terracotta Army, but also for its medieval city walls and Great Mosque, witnessing the heritage of the Silk Road.
Guilin and the Li River offer one of China's most iconic landscapes, with karst peaks emerging from terraced rice fields. A cruise to Yangshuo is unforgettable.
Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, is famous for the giant panda research base, its spicy cuisine, and the sacred Mount Emei with its Buddhist temples.
Penalties for a missing CDAC
China enforces strict rules since the nationwide CDAC rollout in November 2025.
Denied boarding
Denied boarding
Airlines verify the CDAC before departure. Without a valid QR code, boarding is refused.
Blocked at immigration
Blocked at immigration
On arrival in China, a missing CDAC causes prolonged processing and can result in denied entry.
Administrative fine
Administrative fine
Chinese authorities may impose a fine for missing submission.
Record in NIA files
Record in NIA files
Any breach is logged and can weigh on future visa or exemption applications.
Document Timeline
History and evolution of the document.
2018
The National Immigration Administration of China is created to centralize border controls.
2018
The National Immigration Administration of China is created to centralize border controls.
2020
COVID-19 pandemic introduces mandatory digital health forms.
2020
COVID-19 pandemic introduces mandatory digital health forms.
2023
Post-COVID border reopening with return of the traditional paper arrival card.
2023
Post-COVID border reopening with return of the traditional paper arrival card.
November 20, 2025
Launch of the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) on s.nia.gov.cn — mandatory online declaration.
November 20, 2025
Launch of the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) on s.nia.gov.cn — mandatory online declaration.
2026
Generalization of CDAC to all land and sea entry points.
2026
Generalization of CDAC to all land and sea entry points.
Arrival procedure in China with the CDAC
Here is the typical flow at Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or any other entry point.
- 1
Show the CDAC QR code at boarding
The airline scans your QR code before departure. Without it, boarding is denied.
- 2
Arrival and CDAC kiosks
At the Chinese airport, kiosks scan the QR code and verify data before immigration.
- 3
Immigration check
Show passport, visa or exemption proof, and CDAC. Fingerprints are taken for travellers aged 14-70.
- 4
Baggage and customs
Collect baggage and pass customs. The green gate is fast if your goods comply.
How It Works
Simple, fast, and stress-free.
Fill in the online form
Complete our secure form with your personal information and travel details
Receive your arrival card by email
We process your application and send your electronic arrival card directly to your inbox
Present your card upon arrival
Upon arrival, simply present your electronic card to immigration authorities
A reliable and secure service.
Processing Time
Your arrival card is typically processed within 24 hours. We recommend applying at least 3 days before your travel date.
Requirements
Valid passport with at least 6 months validity, recent passport photo, travel itinerary, and accommodation details.
Fees
The service fee is €29 incl. tax per arrival card issued, excluding any consular fees. This covers form translation, application verification, and customer support.
Frequently Asked Questions — China
What is the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC)?
The CDAC is the mandatory Chinese digital arrival card introduced on November 20, 2025 by the National Immigration Administration. It replaces the paper arrival card and must be completed online via the official portal s.nia.gov.cn.
Is the CDAC mandatory?
Yes, since November 20, 2025, the CDAC is mandatory for all foreign travelers entering China, regardless of mode of transport (air, land, sea). Without it, you may face delays at immigration.
How to fill out the CDAC online?
You can fill out your CDAC through ArrivalCards. The form asks for your personal details, passport information, flight details, and accommodation address in China.
When should I fill out the CDAC?
The CDAC must be submitted within 72 hours before your arrival in China. We recommend completing it as soon as your travel plans are confirmed.
Do I need a visa in addition to the CDAC?
Yes, the CDAC does not replace the visa. Depending on your nationality, you will need to obtain a Chinese visa or benefit from visa-free transit agreements before your trip.
Which Chinese airports accept the CDAC?
The CDAC is required at all entry points, including main airports: Beijing (PEK/PKX), Shanghai (PVG/SHA), Guangzhou (CAN), Chengdu (CTU), Hangzhou (HGH), Xi'an (XIY), Kunming (KMG), Shenzhen (SZX).
How much does the CDAC cost?
The CDAC is free on the official portal s.nia.gov.cn. On ArrivalCards, the service fee is €29 incl. tax per arrival card issued, excluding any consular fees.
Is the form available in my language?
The official Chinese portal is available in Chinese and English. ArrivalCards offers a translated and simplified form in 9 languages.
What documents are needed for the CDAC?
To complete the CDAC, you will need a valid passport, your Chinese visa (where applicable), flight details, and accommodation address in China.
Is the CDAC required for children?
Yes, every traveler, including children and babies, must have their own CDAC to enter China. Parents or legal guardians must complete the form for each minor child.