China requirements for entry: China travel entry requirements, Visa, Regulations, Tips & MORE

Are you planning to travel to China, what are the requirements to enter China
what are the requirements to travel to China? Find out the latest details on China tourist entry requirements, China travel entry requirements and China requirements for entry. Get ready for your trip to China with the China visit requirements that compiled by Klook in this article.

Compared to countries like Japan or Korea, the immigration process to China is more stringent, documents need to be prepared more carefully, and it is not uncommon to be asked in-depth questions about your itinerary, stay or reason for arrival. Especially in 2025, when tourism demand increases sharply again and visa and border control policies are updated quarterly, you will need a clear and reliable guide to avoid mistakes right at the border gate.

This article will help you prepare all the steps – from applying for a visa, filling out an Arrival Card, understanding customs regulations, to how to handle common situations at the airport. Let’s prepare carefully for your upcoming trip!

China visit requirements – Required Documents

5G eSIM China | China Unicom

Although China is a close neighbor, the entry regulations for Vietnamese citizens are still strict and there are no exceptions regarding visa exemption for regular tourists. Except for some special transit cases (which will be discussed later), you are required to apply for a visa before departure – even for tourism, visiting relatives or short-term business.

1. Valid Passport

A passport is the most important document when entering any country. To enter China, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry. Make sure that your passport is not torn or damaged, and has at least 2 blank pages for visas and entry and exit stamps.

2. China Tourist Visa

A visa is a mandatory document before entering China, except for areas less than 100km from the Vietnam border. You need to apply for a visa at Chinese diplomatic missions, consular offices or agencies authorized by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vietnam.

Make sure that the information on the visa matches the information on your passport and other documents. L-type visa is the most popular type for Vietnamese tourists. This is a visa for tourism, visiting relatives or short-term sightseeing.

Duration – length of stay:

• Valid for 3 months from the date of issue
• Maximum stay: 15 – 30 days/time
• Can be single entry (1 entry) or double entry

Visa Exemptions When Entering China

If you are only transiting in China and not leaving the airport, you may not need a visa – depending on the time and city. You need to ask the airline carefully or check directly on the website immigration.cn before booking your ticket!

Visa exemption cases	Condition
24-hour visa exemption	Transit at any airport, do not leave the airport
Visa exemption for 72 hours or 144 hours	Applicable in some big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing
Other	Traveling in the area near the Vietnam - China border: For the areas of Dongxing city (Guangxi province) and Hekou city (Yunnan province), you can use the Chinese Passport. The passport is valid for 1 month, allows 1 entry and can be extended 1 time if you need to stay longer than expected. Have a permanent or residence registration certificate for foreigners. Have a valid APEC business card.

3. Round-trip Air Ticket

Shanghai to Beijing train

It is not required to print, but it is recommended to have a soft copy (PDF file) and a printed copy available in case the immigration officer requests to verify the itinerary. You need to present a round-trip air ticket or a ticket to a third country when entering the country. This proves that you plan to leave China before the visa expires.

4. Arrival Card

• Some major airports such as Shanghai Pudong, Hongqiao, Ningbo allow you to fill out the Arrival Card online, receive a QR code and print it at the kiosk (automatic machine) upon arrival.
• At other airports, you will fill out a paper Arrival Card right at the airport or receive it on the plane.

Whether you fill it in before or after, the Arrival Card is still a mandatory procedure, without it you will not be allowed to enter the passport control area.

5. Recommended Documents to Bring (Not Required)

Although not on the mandatory list, you should prepare to avoid any risks:

• Detailed travel itinerary: helps you explain easily if asked.
• Certificate of employment in Vietnam: helps prove that you do not intend to stay illegally.
• Account statement/savings book: especially necessary if applying for a visa for the first. time.
• Contact information of relatives/inviting units in China.

Arrival Card – China Entry Declaration You Need to Know

The arrival declaration (Arrival Card) is one of the mandatory procedures for you to be allowed to enter the passport control area at the Chinese airport. Without this form, you will not be able to complete the entry procedures, even if you have a valid visa.

What is an Arrival Card?

The Arrival Card is a personal information declaration form that international passengers must fill out when entering China. Contents include:

• Full name, nationality, passport number
•  Date of birth, gender, occupation
• Flight number, arrival date
• Purpose of trip (tourism, business…)
• Address of residence in China
• Contact phone number

You will submit this form with your passport and visa at the immigration control area.

Fill out the Arrival Card – China Entry Declaration Form – Where?

1. Fill out the paper version

• Most common at most Chinese airports.
• Can be obtained on the plane or at the information desk in front of the passport control area.
• Write in English or Chinese, use a blue/black pen, write in capital letters.

If you do not have a pen or are not sure how to fill it out, ask for assistance from airport staff. Some places have sample instructions in English.

2. Online declaration (limited to some airports)

Some major airports in China have now implemented an online Arrival Card declaration system, helping travelers save time and reduce errors when filling out paper forms on the spot. List of supported airports includes:

• Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
• Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA)
• Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG)
• Ningbo Lishe (NGB)

With this form, you can declare before the flight or immediately upon arrival, according to the following process:

1. Scan the QR code or access the airport’s official website (the code is usually posted at the immigration area, or issued through the flight announcement system).
2. Fill in full personal information: passport, flight, entry reason, place of residence, contact phone number.
3. After successful submission, the system will issue a personal QR code.
4. At the airport, you scan the QR code at the automatic kiosk, the system will print out the Arrival Card declaration.
5. Sign directly on the printed form, then submit it with your passport and visa at the immigration control area.

(*) Note: This form is only applicable at some major airports. If your destination is not on the list above, or the airport does not have a working kiosk, you will still need to fill out a paper Arrival Card the traditional way.

China requirements for entry: How to Fill Out the China Arrival Card – Arrival Card

The arrival card is a mandatory form that all international travelers must fill out when entering China. You can get this form on the plane or at the airport immigration area. The form is usually printed in Chinese and English and includes the following items:​

• Family Name: Write in capital letters, without accents (e.g. NGUYEN).
• Middle Name and Given Name: Write in capital letters, without accents (e.g. VAN ANH).
• Passport No.: Fill in your exact passport number.
• Date of Birth: Year-month-day format (e.g. 1985-12-31).
• Nationality: Write in capital letters, without accents (e.g. VIET NAM).
• Gender: Tick the corresponding box (Male or Female).
• Flight/Vessel No.: Fill in the flight number as shown on the ticket (e.g. VN530).
• Occupation: Write your current occupation (e.g. BUSINESS).
• Visa Type: Tick the box corresponding to the type of visa you have applied for.
• Visa No.: Fill in the exact visa number printed on your passport.
• Home Address: Write in capital letters, without accents.
• Residential Address or Hotel Name in China: Write clearly the address where you will stay.
• Contact Phone Number: Write the phone number that can be contacted when necessary.
• Signature: Sign to confirm the information declared.

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Note:

(*) All information on the declaration must match the information on your passport. Small errors can cause delays or refusals of entry.

(*) After crossing the border, you need to keep your entry form and customs declaration to present when returning home.

(*) To save time, bring a ballpoint pen to quickly fill out the declaration form.

(*) If you need further assistance with filling out the declaration or other entry procedures, contact the staff at the airport or consult information from official sources such as the National Immigration Administration.​

Guide to Chinese Customs Declaration – Which Items Need to Declare, Duty-Free Limits and Prohibited Items List

Immediately after completing the entry procedures, you will pass through the customs area. Here, you need to determine: are you carrying goods that need to be declared? Honest declaration is not only mandatory, but also helps you avoid unnecessary detention or fines at the border.

Who Needs to Make a Customs Declaration When Entering China?

Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park Ticket

If you are not carrying special goods, you can choose the green lane (nothing to declare). If you are carrying items that are on the restricted list, exceed the duty-free allowance or are of high value, you must choose the red lane and fill out a Customs Declaration Form. You can get a paper declaration form at the airport, or declare it online in advance at some major airports.

Items That Must Be Declared

According to China Customs regulations, you must declare if you are carrying:

• Cash exceeding 20,000 RMB or 5,000 USD
• Jewelry, watches, cameras, camcorders, computers of high value (easily suspected of being carried for trading)
• Alcohol: over 1,500ml (concentration >12%)
• Cigarettes: over 400 cigarettes (2 packs) or 100 cigars
• Food, pharmaceuticals, liquid cosmetics in large quantities
• Electronic devices not for personal use
• Animals and plants, seeds, dried seafood, traditional Chinese medicine, agricultural products
• Items prohibited or restricted by international agreements

If you are not sure whether your item is subject to declaration, it is best to declare it – to avoid being detained for inspection and being fined for “false declaration”.

Duty Free Limits When Entering China

If you are bringing goods for personal use, not exceeding the following limits, you do not need to declare:

Items	Tax-free allowance
Alcohol	1,500ml (1 bottle) if concentration >12%
Tobacco	400 cigarettes (2 packs) or 100 cigars
Cash	Under 5,000 USD or 20,000 RMB
Other goods	Total value not exceeding 5,000 RMB

(*) Each person is only entitled to the duty-free allowance once per entry. If you exceed the limit, you will need to pay tax or your goods may be detained.

Prohibited Items Entering China

Shanghai Disneyland Ticket

In addition to the items that need to be declared, visitors should also pay special attention to the list of items that are absolutely prohibited when bringing into China. These are items that are not allowed to be brought into the country in any form – including for personal purposes, gifts or short-term use. Specifically, you are not allowed to bring:

• Drugs, narcotics and stimulants
• Weapons, ammunition, daggers, tools capable of causing injury.
• Publications, recording devices or images with obscene, reactionary, violent or superstitious content.
• Live animals and plants, plant seeds, and products from rare species such as ivory, rhino horn, wild animal skins.
• Counterfeit money, forged financial documents, devices used to commit fraud in credit or financial transactions.

Intentional violations may result in confiscation of goods, administrative fines, criminal prosecution, or denial of entry at the airport.

It is best to check your luggage carefully before departure. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed into China, contact the airline or customs in advance to confirm.

Immigration Procedures at Chinese Airports

Unlike some other East Asian countries, immigration procedures in China are often stricter and more controlled. But if you have all the necessary documents and understand the steps below, everything will go smoothly and quickly – even if this is your first time in the country.

Step 1: Go to the immigration area

As soon as the plane lands, you just need to follow the signs “Immigration” or “Entry Inspection”. This area is usually quite large, sometimes you have to walk or move by internal tram – depending on the airport you arrive at. Have ready:

• Passport
• Chinese Visa
• Arrival Card (paper or printed from kiosk)

If you have not filled out the Arrival Card, you can get it and fill it out in the area right in front of the inspection gate. Some major airports (such as Shanghai, Chongqing) have kiosks to scan the QR code if you have filled it out online.

Xuyan – Immersive Tang Dynasty Royal Banquet|Shanghai Flagship Store

Step 2: Check passport, visa and biometric data

At the immigration control counter, the staff will:

• Check passport and visa
• Collect Arrival Card
• Take portrait photo
• Take fingerprints of all 10 fingers

This procedure is applied to all international passengers, including those with multiple visas or those who have entered China before. If there are any errors in the declaration, you will be taken to a separate inspection desk for correction.

(*) Note: If you are traveling with children, you will have to do separate procedures for each person. Children over 14 years old must also have their fingerprints taken.

Step 3: Collect checked baggage

After passing through the immigration area, you will be led directly to the baggage claim area. Information about the conveyor number corresponding to your flight is clearly displayed on the electronic board. If your luggage is lost, you should immediately contact the nearby Lost & Found counter.

Step 4: Customs declaration and baggage check

At the exit, you will see two separate lanes:

• Green lane (Nothing to Declare) if you are not carrying any goods to declare
• Red lane (Goods to Declare) if you are carrying alcohol, cash, food, special goods…

Some airports have automatic scanners where you will place your luggage on the conveyor belt and scan the QR code from the customs declaration (if any). If the system warns, you will be taken to the hand-check area to open your luggage.

(*) Do not carry luggage for strangers – you will be fully responsible if you are found to have prohibited or over-limited goods.

Step 5: Leave the airport and start your journey

After completing all procedures, you will step out to the main lobby area. Here, you can find the currency exchange counter, buy a SIM card, get a high-speed train ticket, or connect to a domestic ride-hailing app like DiDi.

(*) Tip: If you are not familiar with China’s digital ecosystem (WeChat Pay, Alipay…), ask the hotel to register a payment account for you in advance or prepare some cash to use immediately upon arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions When Entering China

Can I go to China without a visa?

Yes, but very limited. China only exempts visas in some short transit cases (24h, 72h or 144h) in major cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou…, provided that you do not leave the designated area and have a flight ticket to a third country. If you come for tourism, visiting relatives or business – even for a short time – you still have to apply for a visa in advance.

If I do not declare the Arrival Card in advance, will I be denied entry?

No. The Arrival Card is a mandatory procedure, but you can fill it out right at the airport, in paper form (most airports have it). If you have filled in online, you must still print it out and sign it before presenting your passport. Most importantly, do not go to passport control without your Arrival Card in hand – the staff will ask you to return to the declaration desk.

Can I fill out my Arrival Card online from Vietnam?

Only if the arrival airport supports this system. Currently, only a few airports such as Shanghai (PVG, SHA), Chongqing, Ningbo allow you to fill out your Arrival Card online before flying. After completing, you will receive a QR code to scan at the kiosk upon landing. However, you still need to print the form at the airport, you cannot use an electronic version instead.

Do children need to fill out their own Arrival Card?

Yes. Each passenger, even if they are children, needs their own form. If they are under 14 years old, they will be exempt from fingerprinting, but their passport and documents will still need to be checked like adults.

Why am I still asked for more information when entering the country even though I have a valid visa?

A visa is a necessary condition, but it is not an “absolute pass”. Immigration officers have the right to ask more about the purpose of your trip, where you stay, your itinerary or your finances, especially if:

• This is your first time in China
• You are traveling alone or do not have clear information about your stay
• Your visa application is only sufficient or does not include an invitation letter

Therefore, please prepare documents such as:

• Round-trip ticket booking
• Hotel confirmation
• Detailed itinerary
• Phone number of a contact person in China

Is there a penalty for not declaring to customs?

Yes. If you carry cash exceeding 5,000 USD, food, medicine, special goods… without declaring, you may be fined on the spot, have your goods confiscated or be banned from entering the country again. Please declare if you are not sure – the officer will check and guide you to pay tax if necessary, but will not immediately fine you.

I do not know Chinese, do I need to worry about the procedures?

No need. At international airports, the signs are clearly in English, and most of the staff at passport control and customs know basic English. However, you should:

• Prepare a printed copy of the hotel address in Chinese
• Use Google Translate or an offline translation app (as international networks may be blocked)
• Download the declaration form instructions in advance if you fill them out by hand

Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour by Bus with Options

Entering China can be stressful for many travelers who are not familiar with the strict inspection system. However, as long as you prepare the correct documents, understand the steps and understand the points that can be easily misunderstood (such as declaring the Arrival Card, declaring customs), you will easily pass the border gate without spending too much time.

The information in this article is referenced and verified from official sources, including:

• National Immigration Administration (nia.gov.cn)
• China Customs (english.customs.gov.cn)
• Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Vietnam (vn.china-embassy.gov.cn)
• Chinese Visa Application Service Center (visaforchina.cn)
• Some updated instructions from airlines and international airports in China. As policies may change over time, you should check the information from official sources before departure.

Are you familiar with the procedures for entering China? Plan your trip to China today!

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