Entering China as a Foreigner (2026)

First steps in the arrival hall

Three actions happen before you join the main immigration queue:

• Follow Arrival signs (English and Chinese). Do not enter domestic transfer corridors unless you are a connecting passenger with a confirmed transfer route.
• Prepare your health declaration on your phone if possible—details in the next section.
• Walk to the border inspection hall (signs often read “Border Inspection (Entry)” / 入境边防检查).

Health declaration (entry QR code)

Travelers typically complete a health declaration before reaching the officer desk. Many airports ask you to scan and show a QR code at a checkpoint before border inspection.

Option A: WeChat mini program (common)

1. Open WeChat (install before departure if you plan to use this path).
2. Search for the mini program “Customs Passenger Declaration Service” (海关旅客指尖服务 / entry-exit health declaration).
3. Open Health Declaration, choose Entry (not Exit), and fill the form in English or Chinese as prompted.
4. Submit and screenshot the QR code. Screens at the airport often show that the code is for one-time use—generate a fresh code for each entry if required.

Need mobile data first? See airport Wi-Fi vs eSIM—many travelers activate an eSIM before relying on airport Wi-Fi for SMS or forms.

Arrival card (paper form)

In addition to the digital health declaration, many travelers still complete a paper Arrival Card (外国人入境卡).

Where to get the card

• On the aircraft from cabin crew before landing, or
• At arrival card counters in the immigration hall (signs: 外国人入境卡填写 / Arrival Card).

How to fill it

• Use BLOCK LETTERS in English unless the form asks for Chinese.
• Match your passport exactly (name, number, nationality, birth date).
• Flight number, phone, cities you will visit, and hotel or address in China (have your booking confirmation ready).
• Mark purpose of visit (tourism, business, transit, etc.) and visa number, or tick Visa-Free if that applies to your nationality and policy in force on your entry date.

Border inspection (immigration desk)

At China Immigration Inspection (中国边检), officers verify identity and entry eligibility.

Documents to hold ready

• Valid passport (six-month validity is commonly required—check your visa rules).
• Chinese visa in passport, if your nationality requires one.
• Boarding pass (sometimes requested).
• Completed arrival card and health declaration QR (screenshot or app).

Typical sequence at the desk

1. Queue in the foreigners lane (外国人) unless signs direct you to transfer (中转).
2. Biometrics on first entry or when requested—four-finger scan and photo at electronic readers.
3. Officer questions when needed: purpose, length of stay, address, onward ticket. Answer briefly and match your visa or visa-free conditions.
4. Receive your entry stamp before leaving the desk.

Visa-free transit (240-hour) and unilateral visa-free entry have extra conditions on regions and ports—read 240-hour transit rules or visa-free country list before travel, not at the desk under pressure.

Collect checked baggage

After immigration, follow Baggage Claim / 行李提取 signs.

1. Enter the baggage hall for your terminal.
2. Find your flight number on the overhead screen and note the carousel number.
3. Match the tag on your suitcase to your claim tag before you leave the belt.

Customs inspection and exit

With luggage in hand, enter the customs declaration channels.

1. Choose a channel: Nothing to Declare (无申报) if you are within duty-free allowances and carry no restricted goods, or Goods to Declare (申报) if required.
2. Random checks: officers may open bags even in the green channel—cooperate and keep prohibited items out of your luggage.
3. Exit the terminal through the doors after customs—you have completed airport entry procedures.