China Entry Card Guide – How to Fill & Travel Requirements

If you’re traveling to China from the Philippines, it’s important to know the entry requirements and how to fill out the China arrival card to make your trip hassle-free. We’ve gathered the latest information and helpful tips to get you ready for your journey. Here’s everything you need to know about traveling from the Philippines to China.

What is the China Entry Card?

The China Entry Card, also known as the China Arrival Card, is an arrival form used by Chinese immigration to collect information from foreign travelers entering the country.

You may be asked to provide details such as:

• Personal and passport information
• Flight or transportation details
• Purpose of your visit
• Address or hotel in China
• Other required entry information

China introduced nationwide online arrival card filling on November 20, 2025, allowing foreign travelers to submit their information before traveling to China.

Who Is Exempt from Filling Out the China Arrival Card?

Foreign travelers in the following seven categories do not need to complete the China Arrival Card:

1. Holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People’s Republic of China
2. Holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents who are non-Chinese citizens
3. Travelers holding a group visa or eligible for group visa-free entry
4. Travelers making a direct transit within 24 hours without leaving the restricted area of the port
5. Cruise passengers entering and exiting China on the same cruise ship
6. Travelers entering through eligible fast-track channels
7. Foreign employees working on cross-border transportation vehicles

How to Submit the China Arrival Card

When you travel from the Philippines to China, you need to submit a China Arrival Card (CDAC). This digital form helps immigration record your entry.

You have two ways to submit:

A. Submit Online (Fast and Easy – Best Way)

1. Official Website

You can fill out the China Arrival Card online through the official system:
https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/

2. “Immigration Bureau 12367” Mobile App

Download the official app where you can easily submit your arrival card.

3. WeChat or Alipay Mini-Programs

Wechat

Alipay

Search “Immigration Bureau 12367” in WeChat or Alipay to access the online form.

4. Scan QR Code at the Airport

When you arrive at the airport in China, you will see posters and signboards showing the official QR code. Scan it with your phone to submit the form instantly.

Important: This QR code is only valid for 24 hours, so it’s best to fill out the form close to your arrival time.

Airports in China Where You Can Submit the Arrival Card Online

If you’re landing at any of these airports, you can fill out your China Arrival Card online before or right after your flight:

• Shanghai Pudong International Airport — PVG
• Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport — SHA
• Beijing Capital International Airport — PEK
• Beijing Daxing International Airport — PKX
• Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport — CAN
• Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport — SZX
• Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport — CKG
• Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport — XMN
• Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport — HGH
• Chengdu Tianfu International Airport — TFU
• Kunming Changshui International Airport — KMG
• Nanjing Lukou International Airport — NKG

Heads up: If this is your first time visiting China, you’ll need to scan your fingerprints at the airport. This is a normal step for all first-time visitors.

❤️Pro Tip: Airport WiFi may require login, so always save your QR code before flying to avoid delays.

B. Submit At the Airport (If You Can’t Do It Online)

Self-service Kiosks

Paper Form

If you can’t submit online, you can still complete it after arrival:

• Use self-service kiosks (scan passport + fill details)
• Or fill in a paper form provided by airport staff

Important Reminder for Filipino Travelers

Before submitting your China Arrival Card:

• Check your passport details
  Enter your name, passport number, nationality, and other information exactly as shown on your passport.
• Use accurate flight information
  Make sure your flight number and arrival details are correct.
• Prepare your accommodation details
  Have your hotel name, address, or other accommodation information ready.
• Use official channels only
  The official online China Arrival Card service is free.
• Save your confirmation
  Keep a screenshot or copy of your submitted arrival information for easy access.
• Update incorrect information
  Make sure the information you provide to immigration is truthful and consistent with your actual travel plans.

Tip: If you cannot complete the form online, you can still use the available online facilities or paper Arrival Card after arriving at a Chinese port.

New China Entry Rules From September 15, 2026

Starting September 15, 2026, China will implement new exit and entry regulations. Travelers must provide truthful and accurate information about their identity, travel purpose, visa application, stay, and other entry details.

Immigration and visa officers may ask questions or request relevant documents, information, or electronic data to verify a traveler's identity and reason for entering China.

Foreign travelers who provide false documents or make false statements when applying for a Chinese visa or seeking entry may be refused entry and could face a 1 to 5-year entry ban.

💡 Tip: Make sure the information on your visa, China Arrival Card, hotel booking, flight itinerary, and supporting documents is accurate and consistent.

What You Need to Enter China From the Philippines

If you're flying to mainland China from the Philippines, prepare your travel documents before leaving for the airport.

1. Valid Philippine Passport

For a Chinese visa application, your passport generally needs:

• At least 6 months of remaining validity
• At least one blank visa page

Check your passport early, especially if it is close to expiring.

2. China Visa

Philippine ordinary passport holders generally need a Chinese visa before traveling to mainland China unless they qualify for a specific visa-free policy.

Common Chinese visa types include:

• Tourist visa
• Business visa
• Work visa
• Student visa
• Family visit visa

Can Filipinos Use China's Visa-Free Transit?

China currently offers different visa-free transit policies.

24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

The 24-hour visa-free transit policy is available to travelers of all nationalities who meet the requirements.

You generally need to:

• Hold a valid international travel document
• Be traveling through China to a third country or region
• Have a confirmed onward ticket
• Stay in China for no more than 24 hours

If you remain inside the restricted transit area of the port, a visa is generally not required.

If you need to leave the restricted area, you must first obtain a temporary entry permit from the immigration inspection authority.

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

China also has a 240-hour visa-free transit policy, which allows eligible travelers to stay for up to 10 days within permitted areas.

However, this policy currently applies to nationals of 57 eligible countries, and Philippine passport holders are not included in the current list.

Important: Do not rely on older information mentioning China's previous 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit policies. The eligible extended transit policy is now 240 hours.

Hainan Visa-Free Entry for Filipinos

There is an important exception for Filipino travelers visiting Hainan Province.

Philippine ordinary passport holders are currently eligible for visa-free entry to Hainan for up to 30 days for permitted short-term purposes, including:

• Tourism
• Business
• Visits
• Family visits
• Medical treatment
• Conferences and exhibitions
• Sports activities

Travelers must stay within the administrative region of Hainan Province during the visa-free stay.

The Hainan visa-free policy does not cover activities such as long-term work or study.

💡 Tip: If your trip includes mainland Chinese destinations outside Hainan, check whether you need a regular Chinese visa before traveling.

3. Flight and Accommodation Information

Prepare your:

• Return or onward flight information
• Hotel booking
• Full address of your accommodation
• Contact details if staying with family or friends

Immigration officers may ask for supporting documents when checking your travel plans.

4. China Arrival Card

Complete your China Arrival Card online before traveling or after arriving at a Chinese port.

Make sure the information matches your:

• Passport
• Flight details
• Accommodation
• Travel purpose

5. Other Supporting Documents

Depending on your visa and reason for travel, you may also need documents such as:

• Invitation letter
• Employment documents
• Proof of financial support
• School documents
• Medical documents
• Other documents requested by the visa or immigration authorities

Customs and Declarations When Entering China

After immigration, you may need to pass through China Customs.

Travelers carrying only reasonable amounts of personal belongings for their own use can normally use the Nothing to Declare, or green, channel.

However, some goods and amounts must be declared.

Alcohol and Tobacco

Incoming travelers should use the Goods to Declare, or red, channel if carrying:

• 1,500 ml or more of alcoholic drinks containing 12% alcohol or above
• 400 cigarettes or more
• 100 cigars or more
• 500 g or more of tobacco

Customs duties or other requirements may apply depending on what you are carrying.

Cash to Declare

You should declare if you are carrying:

• RMB 20,000 or more in cash
• Foreign currency in cash equivalent to US$5,000 or more

If you enter China with more than US$5,000 in foreign currency and plan to take the money out again later, keep the customs declaration documentation.

Personal Belongings and Valuable Items

Clothes, personal electronics, toiletries, and other belongings for your own use are generally allowed when carried in a reasonable quantity.

However, non-Chinese residents should declare personal articles valued at RMB 2,000 or more that are intended to remain in China.

Goods that appear to be for commercial use, samples, advertisements, or resale may also need to be declared.

Prohibited or Restricted Items

China Customs prohibits or restricts certain goods, including:

• Illegal narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
• Weapons, ammunition, and explosives
• Counterfeit currency and securities
• Certain poisons
• Restricted animals and plants
• Certain animal and plant products
• Goods subject to China's quarantine rules
• Other goods prohibited or restricted under Chinese law

Food, Plants, and Animal Products

China has strict quarantine controls on food, plants, and animal products.

Items that may be prohibited or require approval include:

• Fresh fruits
• Fresh vegetables
• Meat and meat products
• Dairy products
• Eggs and egg products
• Live animals, with limited exceptions
• Seeds and seedlings
• Soil
• Certain animal products

If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, declare it and ask a customs officer instead of taking the risk.

Customs Channels

When leaving the customs area, choose the correct channel.

🟢 Nothing to Declare, Green Channel

Use this channel when you are not carrying goods that need to be declared.

🔴 Goods to Declare, Red Channel

Use this channel when:

• You exceed customs limits
• You carry restricted or controlled items
• You carry commercial goods
• You are unsure whether something needs to be declared

Tip: China Customs advises travelers who are unsure about their belongings to use the red channel and ask a customs officer.

Tips for Your China Trip

A little preparation can make traveling around China much easier.

• Download important apps before traveling: Set up apps such as Alipay and WeChat before your trip.
• Prepare mobile internet: A SIM card or eSIM can help you access maps, bookings, translation tools, and transportation apps.
• Use local map apps: Amap and Baidu Maps can be useful for getting around Chinese cities.
• Keep your travel documents ready: Save copies of your passport, visa, hotel booking, flight itinerary, and Arrival Card information.
• Check your information carefully: From September 15, 2026, accurate visa and entry information becomes even more important under China's new entry and exit regulations.
• Book ahead: Booking popular attractions, trains, flights, and hotels early can give you more options, especially during Chinese public holidays.