Flying visa-free from Changi to mainland China? You still file the China arrival card online for Singaporean passport holders. The visa exemption removes the visa, not the declaration — the card is not the same thing as a visa. Fill in the free form on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal, s.nia.gov.cn, and keep the QR code ready.
This guide is for Singaporeans heading to China for tourism, business or family visits. It’s an independent guide, not a government site, and we don’t charge fees or file anything for you. Check dates and details on the NIA portal before you travel.
China Arrival Card Online for Singaporean: Required?
Yes. The card is required when entering China, whether you hold a visa or not. You can complete it before your trip or on arrival, at a kiosk or by QR code at the port of entry. Singapore citizens can travel to China under the terms set out in the visa regulations; check the current permitted length of stay before you fly.
| Purpose | Visa-free? | Consular visa needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism, business, family visits | Yes, under the visa regulations | No |
China’s digital arrival card was launched on 20 November 2025. Some categories of travellers, such as transit passengers staying in a designated port zone, are exempt from the card; check the scope of exemptions on the NIA portal.
Where to File, and Which Sites to Avoid
File at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ on a computer, or s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone on a phone. The portal offers 13 languages, including English. Filing through the NIA portal is free of charge, and the NIA warns about imitation sites.
| Channel | Cost | NIA channel? |
|---|---|---|
| NIA website (PC and mobile) | Free | Yes |
| NIA 12367 app | Free | Yes |
| WeChat mini-program | Free | Yes |
| Alipay mini-program | Free | Yes |
| Kiosk or QR scan at the port of entry | Free | Yes |
| Third-party reseller | Paid | No |
File before you leave Singapore. Avoid sites that demand payment for “approval”, ask for your card details, or pose as the NIA portal. NIA channels also include the 12367 app and the mini-programs.
China Arrival Card Online for Singaporean: Steps
The form layout may change.
Open the portal and choose English
Go to s.nia.gov.cn, or open the 12367 app or a mini-program. We also cover the Alipay and WeChat mini-program submission route in a separate guide.
Upload your passport photo page
The system automatically fills in part of your passport data. Check it before you submit.
Check every character against your passport
Especially the name.
Add personal details
Country and city of birth, contact number and email. The Chinese name is optional.
Enter transport details
Transport mode, flight number, city and port of entry, such as Beijing or Shanghai.
Choose your entry policy
If you don’t hold a valid visa, choose a visa-free option under Entry Policy Selection, such as 30-day visa waiver. See our 30-day visa-free arrival card rules for details on filling this section out.
Add trip details
Purpose, entry date, destination city, full address, transit cities and Confirmed Departure Itinerary (Yes/No).
Sign and submit
Then download the QR code or have it emailed.
| Field | Auto-filled? | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Name and passport number | Yes, you check it | A misread character |
| Entry policy | No, you choose | |
| Address | No, you type it | |
| Confirmed Departure Itinerary | No, you choose Yes/No | An answer that doesn’t match your booking |
Write province, city, district, then street or hotel name. Our hotel address format guide for the China arrival card shows acceptable formats. Save the QR code and the confirmation that arrives by email.
From Check-In to Border Control in China
Have your passport and QR code ready. File at home and save the confirmation email.
File at home
Complete the form and save the confirmation email.
Check-in at Changi
Show your passport and ticket, and the QR code if asked.
Immigration check
Present the QR code to the officer.
Customs channel
Green if you’ve nothing to declare, Red if you have goods to declare.
The customs rule follows a source from 2007, so check the current regulations. Customs is a separate declaration from the card.
Keep your passport, QR code, hotel booking and return ticket in hand.
Common Mistakes and Flight Changes
- Choosing a visa category instead of a visa-free option is a mistake; correct it before you submit the form.
- A misread name may not match your passport; compare it with the document, character by character.
- Give your full address in China: province, city, district and street.
- Middlemen charge a fee for a form that the NIA portal provides free of charge.
- Mixing up the form with the Singapore Arrival Card (SG Arrival Card) sends you to the wrong site. That one is for entering Singapore — see our China Arrival Card vs SG Arrival Card comparison.
Did your flight number, entry port or date change? The sources we checked give no official edit rules. If you need to fix details you’ve already submitted, see our guide on arrival card mistakes and corrections. The QR code generated by the portal must be presented at the immigration check.
Other Requirements to Check Before You Go
- The form asks whether you have a Confirmed Departure Itinerary (Yes/No); answer in line with your booking.
- The NIA has announced a nationwide rollout of online accommodation registration for foreigners; check the details on the NIA site.
- Customs: a separate Red or Green channel declaration.
- SG Arrival Card: filed before entering Singapore; check the deadlines on the ICA site.
Staying with relatives? Ask your host about the local procedure for accommodation registration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the China arrival card online for Singaporean travellers really free?
Yes. Filing through the NIA portal costs nothing. Paid intermediary services charge a fee for their assistance.
Where do I fill in the China arrival card online for Singaporean passport holders, and what is the website?
Use s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ on a computer, or s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone on a phone. You can also use the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs. English is one of 13 languages.
Do I have to submit the arrival card before boarding at Changi, or can I do it on arrival?
You can complete the card before departure or on arrival, at a kiosk at the port of entry or by QR code. The sources don’t link it to boarding, but airline staff may still ask for your QR code.
What should I do if my flight changes after I submit the arrival card?
The sources don’t describe rules for changes after submission. The QR code generated by the portal must be presented at the immigration check.
Is a paper arrival card still available at Chinese airports?
The NIA pages we checked don’t confirm paper cards, so don’t rely on paper as your only option. Use the online form before you travel.
How is the China arrival card different from the Singapore Arrival Card (SG Arrival Card)?
The China card is for entering China. The SG Arrival Card is for entering Singapore, and the ICA is the place to check its rules. You won’t need the SG Arrival Card for your outbound flight to China.
Do I need a return ticket to enter China visa-free from Singapore?
The sources don’t state a return ticket requirement. The form asks whether you have a Confirmed Departure Itinerary (Yes/No), so answer in line with your booking.
Do I need to register my accommodation within 24 hours of arriving in China?
Online accommodation registration is part of a nationwide NIA rollout; check the details on the NIA site. If you’re staying with relatives, ask your host about the local procedure.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA Arrival Card Filling: the form itself, with its 13 languages.
- NIA English portal: notices and service information.
- ICA Singapore: information on entering Singapore and the SG Arrival Card.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
