Under the 30 day visa free China arrival card rules, you file an individual China Digital Arrival Card before arrival or on arrival, before border clearance. Answer “No” to the valid-visa question, then select “30-day visa waiver”. Filing is done directly through the NIA portal.
This is an independent guide, not a government website. Check dates and rules on the portal before you fly.
30 Day Visa Free China Arrival Card Rules
Visa-exempt visitors also file the arrival card, as almost all travellers now do. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) issues it. If you are new to the process, start with our step-by-step online guide to the China Immigration Arrival Card.
| Passport | Basis | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | Not on the unilateral list; check the NIA English site for its current status | Check the NIA English site |
| Unilateral list, e.g. UK, Australia, Japan | Unilateral visa-free policy | 48 countries: 31 December 2026; Russia: 31 December 2027; Brunei: no announced end date |
Tourism, business, family or friend visits, exchange and transit qualify. Work, study and news coverage don’t.
Only an ordinary passport qualifies, at any sea, road or air port open to foreigners. The NIA has announced adding Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam to the eligible list, so check the NIA English site for the current list. Flying in late December or later? Re-check the extension status first.
What to Prepare and Where to Submit
Bring your passport, flight number and accommodation details. For a full checklist of what to have on hand, see our guide to the documents needed for the China arrival card online.
Do it yourself. You can complete the card yourself on the NIA portal or app. Be cautious with sites that charge for it and imitate government pages.
Submit before arrival or on arrival through:
- s.nia.gov.cn, the NIA service portal
- the “NIA 12367” app for iOS and Android
- the “NIA Arrival Card” mini-programs in WeChat and Alipay
- at the checkpoint: smart devices, QR codes or a paper arrival card
Have ready:
- an ordinary passport valid for at least the length of your stay; six months’ validity is a recommended buffer
- inbound flight number; an air ticket is a recommended proof of purpose
- contact phone number and email; an accommodation reservation is a recommended proof of stay
- recommended proof of purpose: invitation letter, air ticket or accommodation reservation
How to Fill the Card Field by Field
Match your passport
Enter your details exactly as printed in your ordinary passport
Answer “No” to the valid-visa question
Confirm you do not hold a valid visa or other entry permit
Choose “30-day visa waiver”
Select it from the entry policy menu
| Field | What to enter | Common pitfall |
|---|---|---|
| Name, gender, birth details, passport number | As printed in your ordinary passport | Typos in auto-filled data |
| Flight number, city and port of entry | Your inbound flight and landing airport | Wrong flight number |
| Phone and email | Enter your phone number with its international country code | Mismatched contact details |
| Valid visa question | No, if you are entering visa-free | Answering Yes as a visa-free traveller |
| Entry policy | 30-day visa waiver | Selecting an unintended option from the list |
Have your accommodation booking details ready, since a reservation is a recommended proof of stay. For help with names, flight numbers and phone fields, see our tips on filling personal details on the China arrival card.
Your visit must fall under an eligible purpose: tourism, business, family or friends visit, exchange or transit. Work, study and news coverage are excluded.
Counting 30 Days and Clearing the Border
For the duration of stay calculation, the 30 days are counted as calendar days, beginning the day after you enter. If you are unsure about submission timing, our guide on when to submit the China arrival card explains deadlines and QR code validity.
| Date | Count |
|---|---|
| Day of entry | Not counted as part of the 30 days |
| Next calendar day | Day 1 of your 30-day stay |
| Thirtieth calendar day after entry | Last day of your permitted stay |
Book a flight that leaves before your permitted stay ends. Overstaying is handled under Chinese laws and regulations.
At the border, inspection authorities check your arrival card and passport. Accommodation registration for foreigners now runs online nationwide, so confirm it with your hotel.
If you lose your passport after entry, you may be allowed to exit with an emergency or replacement travel document, once border authorities verify your identity and entry record and confirm you have not overstayed.
Common Mistakes and Special Cases
- If you are visa-free, answer No, then select the 30-day visa waiver.
- Select the entry policy option that matches your situation.
- Check that auto-filled passport details and your flight number match your documents, since you must verify them.
- Some third-party sites charge for help with a free service. You can file directly through the NIA channels listed above.
Traveling with kids? Everyone, infants included, files an individual card, with no family or group submissions — see our guide to China arrival card rules for minors and children.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the 30 day visa free China arrival card rules for Singapore passport holders?
Singapore is not on China’s unilateral visa-free list. Check the NIA English site for the current rules for Singapore passport holders, and file the same individual arrival card if you enter visa-free.
Do I need to pay for a China arrival card?
The card is filed directly through the NIA channels listed above. Some third-party sites charge for help with the form, so check carefully before you pay.
What do I enter if the form asks about my visa and I am visa-free?
Select “No” for “Do you hold a valid visa or other entry permit?” Then choose “30-day visa waiver” from the entry policy options.
Where can I submit the China arrival card, and is s.nia.gov.cn the right site?
Yes, s.nia.gov.cn is the NIA service portal, where the service is listed as foreigner arrival card filing. You can also use the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs, and you can submit before arrival or on arrival.
How do 30 day visa free China arrival card rules count the 30 days?
The 30 days are counted as calendar days starting the day after you enter. Your arrival day itself is not part of the count, so plan your departure for before the thirtieth calendar day after entry runs out.
Does my baby or child need a separate China arrival card?
Yes. Each traveller, including children and infants, needs their own card tied to their own passport. Group or family submissions are not accepted.
Does the arrival card replace the customs baggage declaration?
The arrival card is for immigration clearance. Customs and baggage declaration requirements are separate, so check the customs rules that apply to your goods before you pack.
Can I work or study, or stay beyond 30 days, on visa-free entry?
No for work, study, news coverage and similar purposes; they’re excluded from the waiver. For more than 30 days, apply for a visa in advance at an embassy or consulate. If you need to stay longer after entering for appropriate and sufficient reasons, apply for a stay permit at the exit-entry administration of the public security authorities.
Sources and Further Reading
- s.nia.gov.cn: NIA service portal for foreigner arrival card filing.
- en.nia.gov.cn: NIA English site with policy notices and announcements.
- : visa-free entry FAQ with the list of eligible countries (published 2026-02-16).
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
