Under the China arrival card rules for minors and children, most foreign travelers need to complete their own China Immigration Arrival Card (China Arrival Card) unless they are exempt. Filing on the NIA website is free. Paper arrival cards are also available at the port.
This is an independent guide, not a government website. Check the rules at the NIA portal, s.nia.gov.cn, before you fly. It’s for Singapore families with infants, children and seniors who don’t use smartphones.
China Arrival Card Rules: Who Needs to File
Flying from Singapore with children or seniors in your party? Each eligible traveler completes a card, and a new card is filed for each entry, including re-entry from Hong Kong or Macau. For a full breakdown of who must file, see our guide to China Immigration Arrival Card requirements and exemptions.
- Foreign travelers file unless exempt, such as Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders.
- Online filing began on 20 November 2025 under the National Immigration Administration (NIA). Paper cards and port devices remain a fallback.
- The card isn’t a visa application and doesn’t guarantee admission. Singapore passport holders may be able to enter visa-free for short visits, but they generally still need to complete the card — see our 30-day visa-free China arrival card rules for how to fill it out correctly.
The sources reviewed do not set separate arrival card rules for children, infants or families, so check the NIA portal for any specific requirements before you travel.
What to Prepare and Where to File
Have these ready for each traveler:
- Passport, with a clear image of the biodata page
- Flight number, arrival date, port of entry and purpose of travel
- Hotel or host address in China, with a phone number
- Visa or other entry permission, if you hold one
File on the NIA site, in the WeChat or Alipay mini-programs, in the NIA 12367 app or by QR code — our WeChat and Alipay mini-program guide walks through the submission step by step. The official card is free. Sites that charge for it are not the NIA, and the NIA has warned about sites impersonating the official service. Don’t enter a child’s passport data on unverified forms.
Filling In Your Arrival Card
Enter passport details
Exactly as they appear on the biodata page
Enter travel details
Purpose of travel, flight number and arrival date
Enter accommodation details
Address and phone number you will use in China
Check every field
Against your passport, because pre-filled details may be wrong
Each traveler’s data must match their own passport, and the details should be consistent with the entry permission held.
Seniors, Paper Cards and Border Counters
Is your parent without a smartphone? Paper cards and port devices are the fallback. Our step-by-step paper arrival card tutorial shows what to write in each field.
| Format | Best for | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Digital (web, mini-program or 12367 app) | Travelers with a smartphone and internet access | Save the confirmation so you can access it without mobile data |
| Paper card | Seniors without smartphones | Available at the port if you did not file online beforehand |
If you have not filed online, use the port devices or ask for a paper arrival card at the port. Keep the card with your passport for the immigration inspection.
Common Mistakes and Steps After Landing
- Paying an unofficial arrival-card website when the official service is free.
- Treating the arrival card as entry permission, since it doesn’t guarantee admission.
- Pre-filled fields not checked against the passport.
- Forgetting accommodation registration after a private stay.
- Submitting a new declaration without keeping the latest confirmation.
If you spot an error in a family member’s details, our guide on arrival card mistakes and corrections explains how to fix names and passport numbers. Hotels register guests using a valid passport or travel document. If you stay with relatives, register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival — see the correct hotel address format and 24-hour PSB registration rules. Details should match your cards, and the NIA now offers online accommodation registration nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the China arrival card rules for minors and children from Singapore?
Most foreign travelers need to complete the card unless they are exempt, and Singapore passport holders entering visa-free generally still do. The sources reviewed do not set separate rules for children, so check the NIA portal for any specific requirements for minors.
Do China arrival card rules for minors and children require a parent’s signature?
The sources reviewed do not set a signature rule for child arrival cards, so check the NIA portal before you fly.
Does a newborn baby need a separate arrival card?
The sources reviewed do not state a separate rule for infants. Since each eligible traveler completes a card based on their own passport, confirm on the NIA portal how to handle a baby’s card and which travel document you’ll use.
Are children under 14 and travelers aged 70 and over exempt from fingerprinting?
The sources reviewed do not confirm age thresholds for fingerprint collection. Confirm current biometric requirements on the NIA portal before you fly.
Can my elderly parent without a smartphone still enter China?
Yes. Paper arrival cards and port devices are available if you did not file online beforehand. Keep your parent’s passport and the accommodation details at hand.
Is the arrival card free, and where do I file it?
Yes, it’s free. File at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, in the WeChat or Alipay mini-programs or in the NIA 12367 app. If a site asks for payment, don’t pay it. The official service is free.
Do I need a Chinese SIM card to submit a declaration for my family?
Filing online needs internet access. Save the confirmation so you can show it without mobile data, and keep a printed copy as a backup. If you cannot file beforehand, paper cards and port devices are available.
What should I carry if my child has a different surname from mine?
The sources reviewed do not list specific kinship documents for the arrival card. Confirm on the NIA portal what documents, if any, are required when a child’s surname differs from the accompanying adult’s.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA filing page: where to file.
- NIA portal home: general information.
- NIA English site: general information and announcements.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
