Every foreign visitor still faces an entry declaration / arrival card step. In 2026 that is commonly a digital form (National Immigration Administration channels / airline prompts / WeChat·Alipay minis — exact entry points evolve). Getting the address field wrong is the classic first-timer stumble.
This guide covers what to prepare, the airport sequence, and your first hour ashore. Visa questions live in Do I need a visa?; payments soft-landing in Alipay setup.
Before the flight: documents checklist
- Passport valid for your trip (plus blank pages if your nationality still uses stamps heavily).
- Visa, visa-free eligibility proof, or 240-hour transit plan — confirm current rules for your passport.
- Hotel name + full Chinese address for night one (screenshot from booking or WeChat).
- Return/onward ticket if officers ask.
- Digital arrival card submitted in the official window (often 24–72 hours before arrival — follow the form you are given).
Save the confirmation QR as a screenshot, email, and paper print if you are anxious about phone battery.
Filling the arrival card without panicking
- Use your China accommodation address, not your home-country street.
- Match passport spelling exactly on name fields.
- Flight number and entry city as on your ticket.
- Occupation / purpose: tourism or business as honestly applies (Canton Fair visitors: business/exhibition).
- If the form rejects an English hotel name, paste the Chinese address from Trip.com or the hotel WeChat card.
Rules and URLs change — if your airline hands a paper card, fill that instead. The principle stays: China address, clear passport data, offline proof.
Airport flow after landing
- Follow Foreigner / International passport lanes.
- Present passport + arrival declaration QR/print + any visa documents.
- Biometrics (fingerprints / photo) are normal — cooperate calmly.
- Baggage claim → customs (usually green channel if nothing to declare).
- Only then turn on eSIM data and open DiDi / metro — internet guide.
First-hour soft landing
- Connect travel eSIM; confirm Alipay/WeChat still open.
- Withdraw a small cash buffer if ATMs are on the way out — ATM guide.
- Official taxi desk or DiDi pickup zone — avoid lobby touts.
- Hotel will register your stay with police — hand over the passport; this is routine.
When to hire meet-and-greet help
Jet-lagged families, tight train connections, or zero Chinese on the phone benefit from an airport pickup with English driver — see airport transfer or post a free pickup request on HeroGuide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need a paper arrival card for China?
Many ports use digital declarations now, but follow what your airline or border officers present. Always keep an offline copy of any QR confirmation.
What address do I write on the China arrival card?
Your first night's hotel or homestay address in China — ideally in Chinese characters — not your home address abroad.
When should I fill the digital arrival card?
Usually within the official pre-arrival window (often about 24–72 hours). Too early and it may expire; too late and you queue at a kiosk.
Can my hotel help if I made a mistake on the form?
They can give you the correct Chinese address for next time and help with police registration after check-in. Fixing an already-submitted border form is handled with officers — stay polite and show hotel confirmation.
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