China Entry Procedures Step by Step

slug: entry-procedures title: "China Entry Procedures Step by Step" section: visa summary: "A clear walkthrough of what happens from landing to leaving the airport — immigration cards, customs, and common officer questions." lastVerified: "2026-06-26" officialSourceUrl: "https://www.gov.cn"

Arriving in China for the first time can feel daunting, but the process is straightforward once you know what to expect. Most foreign visitors clear immigration in 20–40 minutes from the moment they step off the plane. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of what happens between landing and leaving the arrivals hall.

Before Landing

Cabin crew on many international flights to China distribute an Arrival Card (also called a Health Declaration Form) before landing. Fill it in with a pen — blue or black ink. You will need:

• Your full name as it appears in your passport
• Your nationality and passport number
• Your flight number
• The address of the hotel or residence where you will stay first (hotel name and city is usually sufficient)
• Your purpose of visit (mark "Tourism" for leisure travel)

If you do not receive a card on the plane, you can collect one at the immigration hall after disembarking.

Step by Step: Immigration Hall

1. 1
   Follow signs to Immigration / 边检

   After disembarking, follow the signs marked 'Immigration' or '边检' (biānjǐan). In larger airports like Beijing Capital or Shanghai Pudong, this involves a walk or transit bus between terminals — allow 15–20 minutes before you reach the immigration hall.

2. 2
   Join the Foreigners queue

   Look for counters marked 'Foreigners / 外国人'. Do not join the Chinese Citizens (中国公民) queue — officers will redirect you, and it adds time. Most major international airports have a dedicated foreigners section.

3. 3
   Prepare your documents before reaching the counter

   Have your passport open to the photo page, your completed arrival card, and your onward or return ticket visible on your phone (screenshot recommended in case of poor WiFi). Place these in your hand before you reach the front of the queue.

4. 4
   Place passport in the electronic reader at the counter

   The immigration officer will direct you to place your passport on a reader. Look at the camera directly above the counter — your photo will be taken. Hold still for 2–3 seconds.

5. 5
   Biometric fingerprint scan

   Most foreign nationals are asked to place all four fingers of each hand on a fingerprint scanner, then both thumbs together. This is standard procedure at Chinese ports of entry for most nationalities and takes under 2 minutes.

6. 6
   Answer the officer's questions

   Common questions: 'Purpose of visit?' (answer: Tourism), 'Where are you staying?' (give hotel name and city), 'How long are you staying?' (give your departure date). Speak clearly and keep answers short. Officers are professional — this is routine.

7. 7
   Check your entry stamp before leaving the counter

   After the officer stamps your passport, check the permitted stay duration before stepping away. It will show the number of days or the permitted-until date. If there is a discrepancy, raise it immediately — it is much harder to correct after you leave immigration.

Customs Declaration

After immigration, collect your checked baggage from the carousel, then proceed to customs. Most travellers take the green lane (nothing to declare).

Use the red lane if you are carrying any of the following:

• More than USD 5,000 (or equivalent) in cash or cash equivalents
• Commercial goods or samples with a total value above the duty-free threshold
• Restricted or controlled items (certain foods, plants, animal products, medications requiring declaration)
• Restricted quantities of alcohol or tobacco above personal allowances

Always declare any medications you are carrying, especially controlled substances or large quantities of prescription drugs. Having a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription is advisable.

After Customs: SIM Cards and Transport

Once you exit customs into the arrivals hall, you will find:

• SIM card counters for China Mobile and China Unicom, offering tourist SIM plans with data. Getting a local SIM here means you can use maps and translation apps immediately.
• Airport express train counters (in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou) — usually the fastest way to reach the city centre.
• Taxi desks with official pre-paid taxis — use the official desk rather than unlicensed drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall.
• Luggage storage for day trips before hotel check-in.