Beijing Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
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China online arrival card
- Who
- Foreign nationals entering China; optional, since paper arrival cards remain available at ports
- When
- Online before travel, or on arrival
- Cost
- Free
China's National Immigration Administration introduced online arrival card filling on 20 November 2025. It is free of charge, and paper arrival cards remain available at the ports.
Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
China sets visa rules nationally. Beijing follows them. Your entry options depend on your passport and bilateral agreements. Rules shift. Confirm details with official immigration sources before travel.
Certain nationalities enter China visa-free for short visits. Eligibility, duration, and conditions like transit rules or regional limits vary. Check your specific agreement.
Visa-free rules change fast. Qualifying nationalities still face conditions. Specific ports may be required. Regional limits may apply. Verify current terms through official channels before departure.
China's National Immigration Administration runs an online arrival card system. Foreign nationals complete this electronically before travel. This replaces paper cards. It is not a visa. Paper cards remain at all ports. For electronic visa options, contact official immigration directly. Availability varies by nationality and purpose.
Cost: The online arrival card is free. Visa fees vary by nationality and type. Consult your relevant Chinese embassy or consulate.
The online arrival card is optional. Prefer paper? Fill one out on arrival in Beijing. This applies to all foreign nationals entering China.
Most Beijing visitors need a Chinese visa before departure. Apply through embassies, consulates, or authorized centers. Categories include tourist, business, study, and work visas.
Some nationalities need extra documents or face longer processing. Group tour and transit visas follow separate rules. For current requirements, contact your Chinese embassy or consulate. Visit China's National Immigration Administration website.
Arrival Process
Arrival at Capital International or Daxing follows a standard sequence. The process works well. Peak hours bring longer queues. Ready documents and advance arrival cards speed things up.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
China's customs regulations at Beijing's airports are enforced consistently, and the process is manageable if you stay within the allowances. Worth noting: China has specific restrictions on certain categories of goods that might surprise travelers accustomed to more relaxed rules elsewhere.
Prohibited Items
- Weapons, ammunition, and explosives of any kind
- Counterfeit currency and counterfeit securities
- Printed materials, media, or digital content that Chinese authorities deem harmful to the country's political, economic, cultural, or moral interests are restricted.
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances
- Animals and plants, or products derived from them, that are protected under Chinese law or international conventions such as CITES are restricted.
- Certain fresh fruits, meats, and dairy products that do not meet China's quarantine and inspection requirements are restricted.
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications beyond personal-use quantities require a doctor's prescription and should be kept in original packaging. Some medications legal elsewhere are controlled or restricted in China.
- Radio transmitters, satellite phones, and certain communications equipment require prior approval from Chinese authorities.
- Cultural relics, antiques, and artwork purchased in China may require an export permit from the relevant cultural authority before departure.
- Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles are subject to registration and flight restrictions within Beijing.
Health Requirements
China's health entry requirements for travelers arriving in Beijing are relatively light for most nationalities, though certain situations trigger specific documentation needs. As with all entry rules, these can change, so it is worth verifying the current requirements before departure.
Required Vaccinations
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers arriving from, or who have recently transited through, a country where there is risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations should be up to date, including measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, and polio.
- Hepatitis An is commonly recommended for travelers to China
- Hepatitis B is recommended for those who may have close contact with local populations or plan extended stays.
- Typhoid may be worth considering depending on your itinerary and eating habits outside Beijing's major restaurants.
- Japanese encephalitis may be relevant for longer stays or travel outside urban Beijing, though it is less of a concern within the city center.
Health Insurance
China rarely demands proof of health insurance at the border. Buy complete travel health insurance anyway. Medical care at Beijing's international-standard hospitals runs expensive, and staff expect payment before treatment. Check that your policy covers emergency medical evacuation.
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Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children need their own passport. They need their own visa too, if required. Traveling with one parent only? Carry a notarized consent letter from the absent parent, plus a copy of that parent's ID. Chinese immigration might not ask for it. Airlines and transit authorities will. Adoption-related travel to Beijing involves separate documentation requirements. Coordinate these with relevant authorities well ahead of time.
Bringing a pet into Beijing takes planning. China demands a valid rabies vaccination certificate, a health certificate from your home country's veterinary authority, and usually a quarantine inspection on arrival. Documentation and quarantine rules follow strict timelines. Not every port of entry accepts animals. Confirm your Beijing arrival airport handles pet imports. Contact the Chinese embassy and Beijing's entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureau for current rules.
Want to stay longer than your visa or visa-free entry allows? Apply for an extension at the local Public Security Bureau's entry-exit administration office before your current permission expires. Extensions are not automatic. They depend on your circumstances and visa category. Planning a long-term stay for work, study, or family reunion? You generally need the correct visa category before entering China. Overstay and you face fines, detention, and possible future entry bans.
Foreign nationals in Beijing must register their accommodation with local police shortly after arrival. Hotels do this automatically at check-in. Staying with friends, family, or in a private rental? You or your host must register at the nearest police station. This is mandatory. Skip it and you risk fines, or problems when leaving China or extending your visa.
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