China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) — what it is and how to file it
A mandatory entry declaration, separate from your Boarding Kit. File it only on the official NIA site — it's free.
Airport WiFi trap: use the dedicated Arrival Card WiFi
At ports such as Shanghai Pudong, the electronic arrival card often has to be submitted through the dedicated "Arrival Card WiFi", not the airport's public WiFi. iPhone and other Apple phones often still fail to submit or freeze in the mini-program even after joining that network. If this happens, do not keep retrying while tired after a long flight: use the nearby airport self-service tablet, finish the form there, and take a photo backup of the receipt.
Best fallback: file within 24 hours before landing when you still have stable internet, then save a screenshot of the QR code / receipt. Check the official NIA instructions at the time you travel.
After submitting on the official NIA site, save the QR code or receipt number for border inspection.
Offline arrival-card quick card
Save this card before landing so you can show or review it without mobile data.
- File before landing when possible; screenshot the QR code / barcode receipt and keep it in Photos and Files.
- At the airport, choose the dedicated Arrival Card WiFi. If your iPhone gets stuck, switch to the airport self-service tablet and photo the result.
- Prepare your first-night hotel address in Latin script, plus the hotel phone number if your booking shows it.
- Use only the official NIA site and verify current instructions before travel.
What the CDAC is
Since 20 November 2025, the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) is required for all foreign travelers entering mainland China. It is a digital entry declaration you submit online before you arrive. It is separate from this site's Boarding Kit: the Boarding Kit explains your transit eligibility to the airline check-in counter; the CDAC is your legal arrival declaration for border inspection.
Where to file it (official only — it is free)
File only on the National Immigration Administration's official site: https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ (the domain ends in `.nia.gov.cn`). The card is free. Do not pay anyone. Any site that charges a fee, asks you to upload your passport before redirecting, or uses a non-`.gov.cn` domain (.com / .net / .org / .app) is not official.
When to file it
Submit within 72 hours before your arrival. After you submit, the system shows a QR code / barcode receipt — screenshot it and ideally print it for border inspection. You cannot edit the declaration after submitting, so check every field first.
Get your details ready before you start
Have these ready (consistent with your Boarding Kit and hotel booking):
Passport data page (the official form uses OCR — verify O vs 0).
Your inbound flight/train number in IATA/railway format (e.g. MU585, G99) — not the booking reference (PNR).
First-night hotel address in China, in Latin script, matching your booking.
Confirmed onward (departure) itinerary leaving mainland China — flight/train number, date, and destination outside mainland China.
After you file — bring the number to your Boarding Kit
Once you have your CDAC reference number from the official site, you can paste it into your Boarding Kit so the airline counter and border see your declaration is done. We never submit the CDAC for you and never store your data.