China Entry: Online Arrival Card & Shanghai Airport Flow

The first time I flew into Shanghai I hadn’t filled out the arrival card in advance. I stood in the queue while others scanned a QR code and moved through faster. Since November 2025 China has used an online arrival card—free, in several languages, and you can submit it up to six days before landing. Doing it ahead saves time at immigration and reduces the chance of mistakes.

For Shanghai visa requirements and entry, the arrival card is one key step. Only use the official NIA channels. Any site that charges for the arrival card is a scam.

This guide walks you through the online arrival card, what to expect at Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao, and the one thing that tripped me up—writing a vague address. Immigration can reject incomplete addresses; I learned to include hotel name, street number, district, and city. Policies below are as of March 2026; confirm on National Immigration Administration and our 240-hour visa-free and stay regulations pages when you plan your trip.

What the Online Arrival Card Is

China replaced paper arrival cards with an electronic system. You enter your details (passport, flight, accommodation, and for transit users onward travel) and get a QR code or confirmation. At the airport you show that instead of filling a paper form. It’s free, takes a few minutes, and is available in multiple languages. You can submit as early as six days before arrival; I usually do it one to three days before my flight so my dates and address are final.

Official channels are the NIA website (desktop and mobile), the NIA 12367 app, and the WeChat and Alipay mini programs (search “移民局12367” or “入境卡填报”). No other site is needed—and no one should charge you. If you don’t submit online, you can still complete the card at the airport via QR scan, kiosk, or paper, but queues are often shorter if you’ve done it in advance.

China Entry: How to Fill Out the Arrival Card

Pick one official channel and choose your language (English is fine). You can optionally upload a photo of your passport data page; the system will try to fill fields automatically. Check every field: name exactly as in passport (surname first), nationality, passport number, date of birth, gender. Then enter how you’re entering (e.g. flight), flight number, entry city and port (e.g. Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong International Airport).

For visa status: if you have a visa, select “Yes” and enter the number. If you’re on 240-hour visa-free transit, choose “240-Hour Visa-Free Transit” and enter “TRANSIT” in the visa field. If you’re on 30-day visa-free, choose “30-Day Unilateral Visa Exemption.” For travel details, give a clear purpose (e.g. tourism), your arrival date, destination city, and a full address. This is where I got tripped up the first time. “Marriott Shanghai” was too vague.

Use the full hotel name plus street number, street name, district, and city—for example, “Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre, No. 585 West Guangzhong Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai.” Add a phone number with country code and an email. If you’re on 240-hour transit, you’ll also need to enter your departure date, exit port, third country, and outbound flight. Review everything, submit, then save your QR or confirmation (screenshot, PDF, or email to yourself). You’ll need it at immigration.

Who Doesn’t Need to Submit

Permanent residents of China, certain HK/Macau pass holders, some group visa travellers, 24-hour airport transit (not leaving the restricted area), same-ship cruise passengers, e-channel users, and foreign crew may be exempt. If you’re on a normal short-term visit or visa-free transit, assume you need to complete the arrival card unless an official source says otherwise.

At Shanghai Airport: Immigration and Biometrics

After you land, follow signs to Immigration (出入境检查). Allow roughly 30–60 minutes from deplaning to exiting customs, depending on queues. If you’re using 240-hour visa-free transit, look for the 144/240-hour visa-free transit counter (signage: 144/240小时过境免签) in the Joint Inspection hall on 2F at Pudong T1, T2, and Hongqiao T1, T2. Have your passport, arrival card QR or paper form, and (for transit) confirmed third-country ticket ready. Officers may ask about your trip and accommodation—a clear address and hotel name help.

Travellers aged 14–70 usually need to register fingerprints and a facial image if not already on file. You may be directed to a kiosk first, then to the officer with the receipt. Once you’re stamped, collect your bags and go through customs (green channel if you have nothing to declare). For a full picture of stay rules and registration, see our stay regulations guide.

Accommodation Registration Within 24 Hours

Everyone must register where they’re staying within 24 hours of entry. Hotels do this automatically at check-in—no extra step for you. If you’re at an Airbnb or a friend’s place, you must register in person at the local police station (派出所), usually with your host and their ID. Skipping registration can lead to a warning and fines (e.g. up to ¥2,000). Keep any registration slip; you may need it later.

Common Problems and Fixes

These are the issues I’ve seen or heard about most often, and how to fix them.

Address rejected. Use a full address: hotel name, street number, street name, district, city. Avoid abbreviations or only the hotel name.

Third-country ticket not accepted. Make sure the onward ticket is confirmed (not just reserved), and have your booking reference and seat details available. Round-trip tickets (e.g. UK–Shanghai–UK) don’t qualify for 240-hour transit; use 30-day visa-free if eligible or get a visa.

Lost QR code. You can log back into the same official channel with your passport details and retrieve the submission. Immigration can also look it up by passport number in many cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a visa for Shanghai? It depends on your nationality. Many countries have 30-day visa-free or 240-hour visa-free transit; others need a visa before travel. See our visa guides by country (e.g. USA, UK, France) and the China entry guide for the arrival card and border steps.

Do I have to submit the arrival card online? No—you can complete it at the airport via QR, kiosk, or paper. But online submission is recommended; it’s faster and lets you fix mistakes before you travel.

What if my arrival date changes? Submit a new arrival card with the correct date. The previous one is typically invalidated.

Can I use Korean or Japanese? The system supports several languages; English is generally the most polished. Use whichever you’re comfortable with.

Does each family member need their own card? Yes. Everyone submits separately; there may be an option to add accompanying family in the same flow.

Official Links and Contacts

• NIA Online Arrival Card (desktop)
• Shanghai 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit (official)
• National Immigration Administration

Immigration hotline: 12367. Pudong Airport: +86-21-96990. Hongqiao Airport: +86-21-62688899. Shanghai Entry-Exit Bureau: +86-21-28951900 (business hours).

Fill the card early, use a complete address, and have your documents ready—you’ll get through immigration with less stress. For visa and stay rules, use our 240-hour, 30-day, and stay regulations guides and the official links above.

Other Guides

144/240-Hour Visa-Free Shanghai: Who Qualifies & What You Need

144 hour visa free Shanghai (now 240 hours): stay up to 10 days when transiting. Shanghai visa requirements for transit, eligibility, and 30-day comparison.

30-Day Visa-Free vs 240-Hour Transit: Which Fits Your Trip?

Shanghai visa requirements: compare 30-day visa-free and 240-hour transit. No third-country ticket for 30-day. Choose the right option for your Shanghai trip.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai: Spring, Autumn & What to Book

Best time to visit Shanghai is spring and autumn. Shanghai weather by season, crowds to avoid, and what to book ahead. Updated March 2026.