Foreign arrivals to China can file the arrival card online before travel, and travelers who did not file in advance can use smart devices at exit-entry ports or a paper card. Filing is free at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/.
This is an independent guide, not a government website. We don’t charge fees or file anything for you, so check rules on the NIA official website before you fly.
Who Uses the Kiosks and Who Is Exempt
Foreign arrivals can file the card online before travel. Travelers who did not file in advance can use smart devices at exit-entry ports or a paper card. For a full walkthrough of the online route, see our step-by-step guide to the China Immigration Arrival Card.
The online card started on 20 November 2025, according to the Chinese Embassy in Singapore, which lists the exempt groups:
- PRC Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders
- Holders of the Mainland Travel Permit for HK and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens)
- Group visa holders, or those eligible for group visa-free entry
- Direct transit within 24 hours without leaving the port’s restricted area
- Entering and exiting on the same cruise ship
- Entry through fast lanes
- Foreign employees of exit-entry transport vehicles
Exempt travelers don’t need to file the card. Not sure where you fit? Read the embassy notice or check the full list of who must file and who is exempt.
What to Prepare Before You Land
Filing online before you travel is free of charge. Use any of these:
- https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ (NIA arrival card page)
- Government service platform
- “NIA 12367” app
- WeChat and Alipay mini-programs
- QR code scanning
| Field | Format | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Passport number and name | Enter as requested by the official form | Check the NIA arrival card page for current requirements |
| Inbound flight | Enter as requested by the official form | Check the NIA arrival card page for current requirements |
| Phone and stay address | Enter as requested by the official form | Check the NIA arrival card page for current requirements |
Before you start, have your passport and travel details to hand so you can complete the form in one sitting. If you need help with specific fields, our guide on how to fill personal details like name order and flight number covers the basics.
Filing Options If You Did Not File Online
Travelers who did not file online can use smart devices at ports or a paper arrival card. The notices describe the online filing and these on-site alternatives, not the details of any kiosk screens. Follow airport signs and staff on arrival. If you end up using the paper option, our paper arrival card tutorial explains each field, and airport-specific guides cover kiosk spots at Shanghai Pudong and Beijing Capital.
Common Kiosk Mistakes and How to Fix Them
The official notices don’t list kiosk error fixes. The simplest fallback is always available: if you cannot complete filing on a smart device at the port, ask for a paper arrival card. Exempt travelers don’t need to file at all. If you spot an error after submitting, see our guide on arrival card mistakes and corrections.
Fraud Warnings and Embassy Contacts
NIA warns that fraudsters have set up counterfeit sites posing as the arrival-card platform and charging fees. The service is free; use only the official channels or the QR code.
From Singapore? The Chinese Embassy is at 150 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247969, [email protected].
- Consular Section: +65-64712117 or +65-62581795, 9:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00, Mon-Fri
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the China immigration self service kiosk procedure?
The sources describe online filing as the main route. Travelers who did not file in advance can use smart devices at exit-entry ports or a paper card.
Is it free, and where do I file?
Yes, the arrival card is free of charge. You file the online form at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ or in the NIA 12367 app. WeChat and Alipay mini-programs are other online routes. The government service platform and QR code scanning are also listed.
Can I file before my flight?
Yes. Filing is possible before you travel. These sources don’t state a time limit, so check the NIA portal for any deadline. If you don’t file in advance, you can use a smart device at the port or a paper card.
Who is exempt from the arrival card?
Seven groups are exempt, including group visa holders and fast-lane entrants. Exempt travelers don’t need to file the card. If you’re unsure, read the embassy notice or check the NIA portal.
Do transit passengers need the card?
The exemption covers direct transit within 24 hours without leaving the port’s restricted area. Outside that case, check the NIA portal or ask staff on arrival.
Is the paper arrival card still available?
Yes. Paper cards remain available at ports. Along with smart devices, they’re the on-site option if you didn’t file online.
Is customs part of the kiosk step?
The arrival card is an immigration document. The NIA portal and embassy notices don’t cover customs steps, so check the NIA portal or ask staff on arrival.
Do Singapore passport holders follow the China immigration self service kiosk procedure?
Singapore passport holders aren’t on the exempt list. The exempt list covers group visa holders and those eligible for group visa-free entry, not visa-free travelers in general, so the arrival card applies.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA notice on fake filing websites: free card, fraud warning.
- Embassy notice on online filing: start date, channels, exemptions.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
