China Airport Arrival: From Immigration to Your Hotel

Before you fly

• Check whether you need a visa or can enter visa-free: China visa-free travel guide · 240-hour visa-free transit.

• Fill in the arrival card online (next section).

• Install an eSIM or set up roaming before you fly: eSIM guide.

• Set up a way to pay: Alipay, or TenPayGo for shops that take WeChat Pay.

• Save your hotel's address in Chinese and take a screenshot of your booking.

For the full list of what to do before you fly, see my China travel checklist.

The arrival card

Since November 20, 2025, you can fill in China's arrival card online before you travel. It's free; the National Immigration Administration warns about websites that charge for it.

• Where: the National Immigration Administration website, the Government Service Platform, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat or Alipay mini program.

• Didn't do it in advance? At the immigration area you can scan a QR code, use the self-service devices or fill in a paper card.

• Who's exempt: seven groups, including holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, group visa holders, and passengers transiting within 24 hours who stay inside the airport's restricted area.

• Questions: the immigration hotline is +86-10-12367.

Step by step: how to fill in China's online arrival card.

Immigration

1. Give the officer your passport and your visa or other entry permit.

2. If you're aged 14 to 70, your fingerprints are taken. Holders of diplomatic passports are among those exempt.

3. Your address in China must be accurate. If you're staying in a hotel, use its full address.

Some airports have automatic e-channels, but they're mainly for foreigners with a Chinese permanent residence ID or a long-term residence permit. Most visitors use the staffed counters.

Baggage and customs

If your bag is missing or damaged, report it at the airline's baggage desk before you leave the baggage hall.

Then choose a customs channel: green if you have nothing to declare, red if you're carrying any of these:

Fruit, solanaceous vegetables (such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants), live animals other than pet cats and dogs, and animal products are banned when they come from places with animal or plant disease outbreaks. Leave them at home.

Before you leave the airport: data and a test payment

• Switch on your eSIM or roaming and check that you have data.

• Make one small payment, like a bottle of water, to check that Alipay, WeChat Pay or TenPayGo works with your card.

• Keep a physical card and some cash as a backup.

Getting into the city

• Metro: in Beijing (including both airport express lines), Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen you can tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard at the gate; in Shenzhen, use a gate that shows your card's logo. Elsewhere, use Alipay's ride code. How to pay for the metro

• DiDi: follow the signs for the ride-hailing pickup area (网约车上车点), check the pickup point in the app, and confirm the last digits of your phone number with the driver. How to use DiDi

• Long rides: an airport ride can cost more than ¥200. Paid through Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card, that may add a 3% fee. DiDi fees

• Taxi: use the official taxi queue, and ignore anyone who offers you a ride inside the terminal.

• Beijing: Beijing airport to the city: PEK vs PKX

Late arrivals

• Tell your hotel if you'll arrive late.

• Check the last metro or airport train before you land. After that, use the taxi queue or DiDi.

• If you're staying somewhere other than a hotel, such as a friend's home, you must register with the local police within 24 hours of arriving: how to register your stay online.

Phrases to show at the airport