Business traveler China arrival card requirements apply to foreign travellers with or without a visa, including business travellers: file the China Immigration Arrival Card at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ with your passport and flight details, and your visa number if you hold one. Singapore passport holders entering visa-free for up to 30 days choose the visa-free option instead of entering a visa number.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) runs the card; its English site is en.nia.gov.cn. We don’t charge fees or file the card for you, so check the rules on the NIA portal before you fly.
Business Traveler China Arrival Card Requirements
Do you need the card if you already hold a visa? Yes. It’s an entry declaration, not a visa, and visitors with or without a visa all file it. Seven groups are exempt, so check the current list on the NIA site.
Online filing opened on 20 November 2025, according to the NIA announcement. It’s free of charge. Paper cards are also available at ports.
You file one card per entry. Leave and re-enter, and you file a new one. The form asks for passport data, flight or port, phone with country code, email, accommodation address, and your visa number or visa-free selection.
| Entry category | Visa field |
|---|---|
| M visa (commercial and trade) | M visa number |
| X1/X2 visa (study) | X visa number |
| Z visa (work) | Z visa number |
| Singapore 30-day visa-free | Visa-free selection, no number |
The entry policy you pick should match your passport and your ticket.
Accommodation Details to Enter
Enter your accommodation as the form asks: hotel name, full address and phone number. Give the address as province, city, district, street and building number.
Fill in the card before you travel, once your flight and accommodation are known.
Accommodation Address Entries
Which address goes on the card? The form asks for the name, full address and phone number of the place where you’ll stay, such as a hotel. See our hotel address format guide for the exact layout.
Business Traveler China Arrival Card Requirements: Submission
Fill in the free digital form, save the QR code offline and show it with your passport at border control.
Gather your documents
Gather your passport, flight details and accommodation details.
Open the form
Open s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, the phone version at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone/, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat or Alipay mini-program.
Review and correct
Review the passport data the system reads and correct it.
Submit and save
Submit, then save the QR code or confirmation as a screenshot or email.
Show at immigration
Show passport and QR code at immigration. An identity check and fingerprints are possible.
You can’t edit a submitted card. File a new one and use the new QR code before you reach the counter. If you can’t finish online, ports offer self-service devices, on-site QR codes and paper cards.
The NIA says the service is free and warns about counterfeit websites that collect fees, so be cautious with any site asking for payment. The NIA hotline 12367 can answer questions about entry and the card.
Common Mistakes and Duties After Arrival
One mistake to avoid is reusing an old card for a new entry: file a fresh one each time.
False statements may have consequences under Chinese entry rules, so check the NIA for current rules.
After entry, hotels and licensed guesthouses register you when you show your passport at check-in. If you stay with a private individual, report to the police within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do business traveler China arrival card requirements apply if I already hold an M, X or Z visa?
Yes. A visa doesn’t replace the card, so you file it before entry. If you hold a visa, enter its number in the form. Only the exempt groups on the NIA site skip it, so check that list if you think you qualify.
Where can I fill out my China arrival card online?
On a computer, go to s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. On a phone, use the mobile version, the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat or Alipay mini-program. QR codes at ports of entry also lead to the form.
Can I enter visa-free with a Singapore passport and still travel for business?
Yes. The 30-day visa-free policy covers tourism, business and family visits, so choose the visa-free option instead of entering a visa number. Our 30-day visa-free arrival card rules explain how to fill it out correctly.
Can I correct details after I submit the card?
Submitted cards can’t be edited. Submit a new card with the correct details and use its QR code at the counter.
Should I enter my hotel on the arrival card?
Enter the hotel as your accommodation, with its name, full address and phone number.
Is the China arrival card free, and who can I call with questions?
Yes, it’s free. Use only the channels listed on en.nia.gov.cn; the NIA hotline 12367 can answer questions.
What if I cannot complete the digital card before boarding?
Use the fallback at the port: self-service devices, on-site QR codes or a paper card at the counter.
What if I spot a mistake in my arrival card details?
If you spot a mistake before you arrive, submit a new card, since submitted cards can’t be edited. See our guide to arrival card mistakes and corrections for details.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA English site: announcements, official channels and notices about the arrival card.
- Beware of Fraudulent Websites for Arrival Card Filling: the NIA warning about fake sites and fees.
Rules can change, so check the NIA portal before you travel. For a full walkthrough, see our step-by-step online guide to the China Immigration Arrival Card.
