Most foreign tourists entering mainland China must submit an arrival card at border inspection, including visa-free visitors from Singapore, unless an exemption applies. These China Immigration Arrival Card requirements for tourists have a short list of exemptions, such as foreign permanent resident card holders. File yours at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. We don’t charge fees or file the card for you, so check details on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal before you fly.
China Immigration Arrival Card Requirements for Tourists
Foreign visitors file an arrival card as an entry declaration at border inspection, separate from customs and health clearances. The online form is available on the NIA portal. If you’re unsure how the two differ, see our explanation of whether the China arrival card is the same as a visa.
Visa-free doesn’t mean card-free. The visa waiver for Singapore citizens waives the visa, not the card. Every foreign passport holder who is not in an exempt group files their own, children and infants included — see our guide to arrival card rules for minors and family groups. The card is needed unless a traveller belongs to one of the exempt groups listed below.
What to Prepare and When to Submit
You’ll enter passport, trip, purpose, contact and lodging details. For the full document checklist, see what documents you need for the China arrival card online.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Passport data | Passport details; you can upload a scan of the biographical page |
| Travel details | Flight, train or ship number, arrival date, port of entry |
| Accommodation | Full hotel or lodging address in China |
Official sources do not specify a universal 72-hour submission window. File shortly before travel, once flight and lodging are confirmed — our guide to China arrival card timing and QR code validity has the details. Each entry needs a new card.
How to Submit: Online, App or Paper
Filing is free. Go online for a QR code, using the web portal, the NIA 12367 app, WeChat or Alipay mini-programs — see our step-by-step Alipay and WeChat mini program guide — or the NIA government services platform. Or fill in a paper card at the port of entry, following our tutorial for completing the China paper arrival card. The form comes in 13 languages.
Open the portal
Go to https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ and choose your language.
Enter passport data
Fill in your passport details and upload a scan of the biographical page.
Add itinerary and accommodation
Enter your travel details and accommodation address.
Check and submit
Check every field, then submit.
Save the QR code
Keep it as a screenshot or printout.
Show at inspection
Present the QR code and your passport at inspection.
The NIA has warned about fake sites that charge fees. Don’t enter payment or card details on any page asking for a fee for this free form.
Who Is Exempt from the Arrival Card
According to the NIA, the following groups may not need to complete the card.
| Category | Condition |
|---|---|
| Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders | Valid card |
| Non-citizens with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents | Valid permit |
| Group travellers | Group visa or qualification for group visa-free entry |
| Direct transit passengers | Under 24 hours, staying in the restricted area |
| Cruise passengers | Enter and leave on the same ship |
| Fast-lane travellers | Use an eligible immigration fast lane |
| Crew | International aircraft, ship, train or transport crew |
Border Area Residents use a separate Entry Declaration for Border Area Residents. It’s for holders of border-resident certificates from seven countries, including the DPRK, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.
Unsure about your group? Check the NIA’s Regional Visa-Free Entry Policies and Visa-Free Transit Policies lists, which show eligible countries.
Related Entry Requirements Beyond the Card
Wondering what else immigration checks? These items are separate from the arrival card. Travel-industry sources list the details, so confirm them before booking.
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visa-free stay | Longer stays, work or study may require a visa |
| Accommodation registration | Separate nationwide NIA online service for foreigners |
Common Mistakes, Re-Entry and Corrections
Entry and exit regulations are published on the NIA site.
- Passport data that doesn’t match your document. Compare each field before you submit.
- Assuming a visa or visa-free status replaces the card. It doesn’t, so file anyway.
- Forgetting a child’s card. Each child needs their own.
After leaving Hong Kong and re-entering mainland China, for example into Shenzhen, you need a new card.
To fix an error, edit the card if the portal allows it. Otherwise submit a new declaration and show the latest QR confirmation — for more fixes, see our article on China arrival card mistakes and corrections.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the China immigration arrival card requirements for tourists holding a Singapore passport?
Singapore passport holders complete the card even when entering visa-free. Enter passport, travel, purpose, contact and lodging details at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ or on paper at the border.
Do China immigration arrival card requirements for tourists apply to babies and children?
Yes. Every traveller with their own passport, infants included, files a separate arrival card.
Where can I fill out the China arrival card online?
Use the web portal at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, the NIA 12367 app, the WeChat or Alipay mini-programs or the NIA government services platform. All are free. Save the QR code or a screenshot for inspection.
Is there a 72-hour deadline for submitting the China arrival card?
Official sources don’t specify a universal 72-hour submission window. File shortly before travel, once your flight and accommodation are confirmed, so the details match. Each entry needs a new card, so older confirmations don’t carry over.
Do I need a new arrival card when returning from Hong Kong or Macau?
When you return from Hong Kong or Macau to mainland China, you need a new card unless an exemption applies. Non-citizens with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents stay exempt and show the permit.
What should I do if I find a mistake after submitting my arrival card?
Edit the card if the portal allows it. If not, submit a new declaration and keep the newest confirmation. The same applies if your itinerary changes: file before arrival and show the updated QR code.
Do transit passengers need an arrival card?
A layover isn’t always exempt. You may need the card if you leave the airport’s transit area or formally enter mainland China.
How much does the China arrival card cost, and how do I spot a fake website?
Filing through the NIA portal costs nothing. Sites charging fees for this form are not the NIA portal, and the NIA has warned about fake sites posing as the service. The form is at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA Arrival Card Filling: the filling service, languages and border-resident form.
- Arrival Card Filling portal: the online form.
- NIA English site: the visa-free policy lists and entry regulations.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
