China Health Declaration

Q: What is the China Health Declaration?

The China Health Declaration is the digital health registration/Green Health Declaration Code process that collects health data and, where required, PCR and IgM test certificates. Apply via the official embassy HDC portal ( hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5 ) or the national digital arrival card. Save your confirmation (QR/PDF) for airline check-in and arrival immigration. Apply for your China Health Declaration now .

Q: Who needs the China Health Declaration?

Travellers whose airline or departure-country Chinese embassy requires health registration must apply. Exemptions include Chinese nationals, airline crew on duty, diplomatic passport holders and transit passengers who do not clear immigration. Check your local Chinese embassy notice before travel and see China visa information for details.

Q: What happens if I arrive without a valid China Health Declaration?

Arriving without a required health confirmation can delay boarding at your departure airport, cause long waits at immigration, or in some cases result in denied boarding or entry. Airlines and immigration may require on-the-spot testing or document verification — apply ahead to avoid last-minute issues.

Q: Can I edit or correct my application after submission?

Corrections depend on the portal you used. Embassy-issued HDC submissions are verified by the issuing embassy or consulate — contact them directly for edits. If you used the national digital arrival card, use the government portal’s edit function or reapply and save the new confirmation. If you applied via DoVisa, contact support for guidance.

Q: Is a departure China Health Declaration also required?

There is no separate universal outbound health declaration for departures from China — entry health registrations historically applied to inbound travellers. Specific outbound screening may occur per airline or destination country rules; check the airline and the destination’s entry requirements before you fly.

Q: Which airports and seaports accept this document?

Present your confirmation at immigration at any Chinese port of entry. Major international airports explicitly handling international arrivals include Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) , Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) , and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) . The national arrival card can be used at all ports of entry — see the arrival card page at s.nia.gov.cn .

Q: Can I apply from my mobile phone?

Yes. The embassy HDC portal and the national digital arrival card are mobile-friendly. Upload required test certificates and specimen photos from your phone, then screenshot and save the confirmation. For a guided mobile-friendly process, use DoVisa’s apply flow .

Q: How far in advance should I apply?

If your departure requires embassy HDC testing, take any required PCR/IgM tests within the embassy window (commonly within 48 hours of departure) and submit as soon as you have results. For routes using the central digital arrival card, submit before you travel — we recommend 24–72 hours ahead. Start your application to ensure time for corrections.

Q: What is the step-by-step application process?

1) Check whether your departure requires an embassy HDC or the central arrival card; 2) If required, obtain PCR/IgM tests at approved labs within the embassy timeframe; 3) Complete the online form at the embassy portal or national arrival card and upload passport page, itinerary and test files; 4) Save the confirmation (QR/PDF) and present it at airline check-in and immigration. For guided help, apply with DoVisa .

Q: Do children need their own China Health Declaration?

Yes. Each traveller must have their own submission, including infants and minors. A parent or guardian completes the entry for children and uploads any required test documentation on their behalf. Verify age-specific testing exemptions on the issuing embassy notice.

Complete your China Health Declaration online before travel — submit required health data and test results through the official portals or DoVisa for guided help.

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What Is the China Health Declaration?

The China Health Declaration refers to the digital / embassy-issued health registration and Green Health Declaration Code (HDC) historically used to manage infectious-disease screening for passengers bound for the People’s Republic of China. Introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and formalised by embassy notices, the HDC process required travellers to upload test certificates and passport data to an embassy portal or to the national digital arrival card system. Since late 2022 and into 2025, China has moved most arrival processing online via a national digital arrival card and local embassy health-declaration portals for specific routes.

Applications are made through official channels such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs health portal (hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5) or through the National Immigration Administration’s digital arrival card page (Arrival Card). Depending on your departure point and airline, you may need to upload a recent nucleic acid (PCR) test and an IgM antibody test taken within the timeframe specified by the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate. After verification you usually receive an electronic confirmation — historically a Green HDC code — which you should save as a screenshot and an email/PDF for airline check-in and immigration.

The China Health Declaration is a health clearance/arrival registration — it is not a visa. It works alongside visa or visa-free entry rules: travellers still need the correct visa or visa-free entitlement and a passport that meets validity rules. Policy has been phased and updated since 2020: some embassies continue to require HDC submissions and test proofs for passengers originating from specific countries, while other routes rely on the central digital arrival card introduced in late 2025. Always check the embassy page for your departure country and your airline’s boarding requirements.

For full entry details see China visa information and the official embassy portal at hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5. When ready, Apply for your China Health Declaration now.

Who Needs the China Health Declaration?

Who Needs It

All foreign passengers who will clear immigration at a mainland China port of entry and whose airline or local embassy requires a health registration
Passengers travelling on direct flights that require an embassy-issued Green Health Declaration Code or the national digital arrival card
Children and infants (a parent or guardian completes the submission for each child)

Who Is Exempt

Chinese nationals (entering on PRC passports)
Airline and vessel crew on active official duty
Diplomatic and official passport holders travelling on government business
Transit passengers who remain in the international transit area and do not clear Chinese immigration

China Entry Requirements & Restrictions

Passport Validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival and have blank pages for visa stamps — see the UK FCDO guidance at GOV.UK China entry requirements.

Vaccination & Test Requirements

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if you arrive from a yellow fever risk country. Some Chinese embassies have required a negative nucleic acid (PCR) test and an IgM antibody test taken within 48 hours before departure and upload these to the embassy HDC portal (hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5); check the consulate notice for your departure country.

Customs & Prohibited Items

China prohibits importing arms, ammunition, explosives, counterfeit currency and certain animal products. Some agricultural and protected items are restricted or require quarantine. See the General Administration of Customs guide at english.customs.gov.cn.

Drones, Medication & Special Equipment

Import of drones, prescription medicines, and specialised broadcasting or film equipment may require permits or advance declaration — consult customs and apply for licences as needed before travel.

Health Screening & Medical Advice

You may undergo medical screening on arrival (temperature checks, swabs or blood tests). Travel insurance is recommended; local medical evacuation from remote areas can be costly. See travel health advice at Smartraveller China.

Travel Tips for China Visitors

China spans five time zones officially but uses a single standard time — China Standard Time (GMT+8). Major international gateways include Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). Domestic transfers are extensive; allow extra time for long-distance connections.

Currency: Renminbi (RMB / CNY). Major cards are accepted in cities; USD may be accepted at some tourist or duty-free outlets — carry some CNY for small purchases.
Language: Mandarin Chinese is the official language; English is commonly available at major hotels, airports and international attractions but less so in rural areas.
Time zone: GMT+8 year-round — plan long domestic connections accordingly.
Check entry rules early: Some routes still require embassy HDC submission with recent test results — confirm with your airline and the relevant Chinese embassy.
Download apps: Airline and immigration apps can speed check-in; save any health-code confirmation offline (screenshot) before departure.
Respect local rules: Permits are required for travel to Tibet and some border areas — arrange through a licensed operator.
Customs: Declare restricted goods and be cautious with protected wildlife or agricultural products.
SIM & connectivity: Many western social platforms are blocked; consider a VPN before you travel if you need specific services.

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Liang Z.Feb 12, 2026

"Needed the China Health Declaration for a direct flight from Lagos with embassy test requirements. Uploaded PCR and IgM results to the MFA portal and received the green code within hours — airlines checked at departure and immigration at PEK scanned my QR."

Emma R.Jan 20, 2026

"Used DoVisa to prepare my health documents for travel to Shanghai (PVG). Support confirmed which embassy portal I needed and the confirmation email arrived with a PDF I saved for check-in at my departure airport."

Carlos M.Dec 18, 2025

"Great guidance — the form fields for test date and specimen photo were clearly explained. Had everything ready and boarding at my home airport went smoothly before flying to Guangzhou (CAN)."

Sara N.Nov 14, 2025

"Process was quick once I had the lab reports. I appreciated the reminder to screenshot the HDC confirmation and keep the email PDF offline in case of spotty Wi‑Fi on arrival."

Hassan K.Sep 29, 2025

"Support clarified embassy-specific testing windows. One minor delay: my IgM report was uploaded in the wrong format and support helped re-upload it — approved the same day."

Marta P.Aug 7, 2025

"Family trip to Beijing — we completed a separate submission per traveller as required and kept the confirmations on our phones. Immigration at PEK scanned the QR codes without issue."

Olu A.Jul 12, 2025

"The instructions were strong but one embassy had extra documentary requirements for transit passengers — DoVisa flagged that and we avoided boarding problems at departure."

Ingrid L.Jun 22, 2025

"Photograph instructions were confusing at first and I had to retake my specimen-photo. After resubmitting the files the confirmation was accepted — support was helpful and prompt."

Kenji Y.May 14, 2025

"Quick and clear — uploaded my PCR taken 48 hours before departure and received an HDC-style confirmation. Check-in staff at my origin airport asked for the PDF, and immigration in Shanghai accepted it."

Ana V.Apr 30, 2025

"Perfect for business travel. DoVisa confirmed which portal to use and the confirmation arrived by email. No issues at immigration in PEK and my domestic transfer was seamless."

Liang Z.Feb 12, 2026

Emma R.Jan 20, 2026

Carlos M.Dec 18, 2025

"Great guidance — the form fields for test date and specimen photo were clearly explained. Had everything ready and boarding at my home airport went smoothly before flying to Guangzhou (CAN)."