China Digital Arrival Card: What Foreign Visitors Should Prepare Before Landing
Airlines and ports increasingly push digital arrival forms. Save passport details, hotel address in Chinese, and flight numbers offline.
Key takeaway
- Have passport number, flight, and Chinese hotel address ready before the cabin Wi‑Fi disappears.
- If the form fails, keep a paper backup of the same fields—officers still need the same data.
- Link this with Alipay/eSIM setup so you are not juggling forms and payments at once.
Full report
Details for travelers
Here is how the takeaways play out on a real trip:
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Have passport number, flight, and Chinese hotel address ready before the cabin Wi‑Fi disappears.
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If the form fails, keep a paper backup of the same fields—officers still need the same data.
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Link this with Alipay/eSIM setup so you are not juggling forms and payments at once.
Keep screenshots of tickets, wallet QR codes, and hotel addresses in Chinese before you lose Wi‑Fi.
FAQ
Do all airports use the same digital form?
Interfaces vary by airline and port. The data fields are similar—passport, flight, address, contact.
Where should I double-check before booking?
Official immigration/attraction/operator pages for your travel dates, plus ChinaPie Plan for itinerary fit.
Does this apply to every nationality?
No—visa-free, transit, and payment limits vary by passport. Always check your nationality.