China Speeds Up Entry Process with New Online Arrival Card for Foreign Visitors

On November 20, 2026, China officially launched a new online system that allows foreign visitors to fill in their arrival information before coming to China. With this new measure, travelers no longer need to complete a paper arrival card after landing. This makes immigration clearance faster and smoother.

Foreign visitors can submit their arrival information online through several official channels, such as the National Immigration Administration website, the government service platform, the “Immigration 12367” mobile app, WeChat or Alipay mini programs, or by scanning the QR code on their phones. For those who cannot fill in the form online in advance, they can still complete it after arriving in China by scanning a QR code at the airport, using the on-site smart devices, or filling out the paper arrival card as before.

To ensure the new policy works smoothly from day one, Shanghai immigration authorities prepared ahead of time. They explained the policy, promoted it to airlines, and held coordination meetings to clarify each step, such as reminding passengers at overseas check-in counters and making in-flight announcements. This way, travelers can receive reminders from airlines even before leaving for China and complete the online form early. During the flight, the instructions are shown on the onboard screens, and simple guide cards are provided to help passengers quickly understand how to fill in the form, ensuring that most of them complete the submission before landing. After arrival, travelers can go directly to the immigration counters for faster clearance. In addition, on-site staff at the airport also provide guidance to help visitors fill in the online form, making it possible for foreign passengers to “submit in advance and enjoy fast entry.”

This year, with China’s new visa-free policies and improved entry procedures, the number of international visitors has grown quickly. So far, Shanghai immigration authorities have processed more than 5.337 million foreign arrivals, among which 4.937 million entered through airports — the highest number among all airports in the country. The full implementation of this new system will further improve the efficiency of Shanghai’s border clearance and provide more convenient services for travelers from around the world, helping Shanghai continue to build a world-class business environment and an important hub for international openness.

source:shobserver