Complete your China digital arrival declaration in 3 easy steps
Required for: All foreign nationals entering Mainland China by air, land, or sea under regular visas, unilateral/mutual visa-free entry, Hainan 30-day visa-free entry, ASEAN tour groups, emergency/port visa entry, or 24-hour / 72-hour / 144-hour / 240-hour Visa-Free Transit (TWOV) when leaving the port restricted area.. Applying early? NomadicMart queues your declaration in advance and automatically submits it when the official window opens.
Verified details for China travel authorizations
Up to 3 calendar months (90 days) before arrival
Up to 3 calendar months (90 days) before arrival
Instant – 24 hours
entry
s.nia.gov.cn
Select the country of your passport to view entry requirements, fees, and processing times.
All inbound travelers to China must submit the digital arrival declaration before border clearance.
Prepare these items before starting your application. You can submit clear digital photos taken with your smartphone.
Passport / Travel Document Bio-Data Page Photo Upload (`zjzppic`, JPG/PNG auto-compressed to <= 100 KB for OCR)
ID Document Type (`idType`: Ordinary Passport `14`, Diplomatic `11`, Service `12`, Public Affairs `13`, Seaman's Book `17`, Border Resident Pass `93`, or Other `99`)
Last Name / Surname in English (`ywx`, uppercase letters/spaces/dots/hyphens, max 40 bytes) & First / Given Name (`ywm`, max 30 bytes; if single name, enter in Last Name and check single-name option)
Chinese Name (`zwxm`, optional, max 44 UTF-8 bytes)
Gender (`sex`: Male `1` or Female `2`) and Date of Birth (`birthDate`, YYYY-MM-DD)
Nationality / Region (`nation`, 247 country/region codes; `CHN` rejected for foreigners) and Passport / ID Number (`idNumber`, max 20 characters)
We handle the complexity of international government portals so you can focus on your journey.
Submit your passport details, transport itinerary, and China accommodation address via our mobile-friendly form.
Complete checkout with transparent all-inclusive pricing ($29); our queue engine files your card when the official window opens.
Receive your official NIA Entry Card digital confirmation and QR code PDF directly in your email inbox.
All fees included upfront. Government fee + NomadicMart concierge service. Zero surprise checkout charges.
Compare applying directly through government portals against our full-service concierge experience.
| Feature | NomadicMart Concierge | Government Portal Self-Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Price & Transparency | Transparent all-inclusive $29 filing fee with advance queuing months ahead | Free government portal with strict filing window and no concierge review |
| Processing Time | Automatic scheduled submission the moment the government window opens | Must remember to file manually within the pre-departure window |
| Support | 24/7 dedicated human support via chat, WhatsApp, and email across all time zones | No live customer service available on the government portal |
| Error Handling | Specialist pre-check of passport MRZ, flight numbers, and address formatting | Typographical errors require re-submission at airport arrival kiosks |
| Refund Policy | Full service fee refund if your declaration cannot be submitted | Zero customer assistance for portal timeouts or formatting rejections |
Clear answers on eligibility, processing times, validity, and entry requirements.
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) online system allows you to select an entry date up to 3 calendar months (approximately 90 days) in advance, or right up until you reach the border inspection hall.
The NIA exempts 8 groups: (1) PRC Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card ('Five-Star Card') holders, (2) Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit for HK/Macao Residents holders, (3) Group Visa or Group Visa-Free tour members, (4) 24-hour direct airside transit passengers who do not leave the restricted port area, (5) cruise passengers staying on and departing with their original cruise ship, (6) Fast Track / E-Channel users, (7) international transport crew, and (8) courtesy delegations.
Yes! If you are applying for a temporary entry permit to leave the port restricted area under China's 24-hour, 72-hour, 144-hour, or 240-hour Visa-Free Transit policy, you MUST complete the online declaration (which replaces the paper Temporary Entry Foreigner Arrival Card) and provide your confirmed onward departure ticket details.
Yes. The NIA system covers all air, land, rail, and sea ports across Mainland China, including West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station, Lo Wu/Luohu, Lok Ma Chau/Futian, Shenzhen Bay, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and all international seaports.
Yes. Visa-free travelers must still complete the Foreigner Arrival Card. On the form, select 'No' to holding a visa, then select 'Visa-Free Entry' (or 'Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free' if applicable) under the entry policy prompt.
No commercial service or private agency can guarantee border admission into China. Final entry permission rests exclusively with border control and immigration officers at your port of entry. NomadicMart is an independent private application concierge not affiliated with the Government of China or s.nia.gov.cn. We verify your declaration data and submit it accurately within the official filing window.
Join thousands of happy travelers. Start your online application in 5 minutes and receive your official travel document with peace of mind.