The documents needed for China arrival card online are your passport details, flight number, port of entry and a China address. Sources describe a valid passport as a requirement but don’t specify a validity period, so check the rules with your airline before you book. File at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/.
This is an independent information guide, not a government site. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) runs the platform linked above, so confirm current details there before leaving Singapore.
Who Files the China Arrival Card Online
Foreign passport holders entering mainland China file the digital card unless they’re exempt. Foreign travelers, with or without a visa, file the digital card unless they are exempt. For a full breakdown of who must file, see our guide on China immigration arrival card requirements and exemptions.
Seven categories are exempt from the arrival card: holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the PRC; foreigners with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao; group travelers on a collective visa or visa-free entry; transit passengers who remain within the designated port area; cruise passengers entering and departing on the same vessel; travelers using fast-track entry lanes; and foreign employees of cross-border transport vehicles. Confirm the current list on the NIA form.
Border Area Residents from DPRK, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam use a separate section of the NIA form. Unsure about your category? Check it with the NIA first.
Documents Needed for China Arrival Card Online
Field lists vary, so check every entry against your passport and tickets. For help with the exact fields, see our step-by-step instructions on how to fill personal details on the China arrival card.
- Full name, exactly as in your passport
- Passport number, nationality and passport details
- Inbound flight, train or vessel number and arrival date
- Port of entry (airport, seaport or land checkpoint) and purpose of travel
- Your local address in China
- Your phone number and email address
Have a clear, legible copy of the passport biodata page ready. For the right way to enter your accommodation details, read our guide on the hotel address format for the China arrival card and PSB registration.
| Category | In the online form | Checked at border or check-in |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Number, name, nationality | Physical passport |
| Travel | Flight number, arrival date, port of entry | Documents for your journey |
| Stay | Your local address in China | Details of where you’re staying |
| Exit | Not requested in the form | Your passport at departure inspection |
Passport, Blank Pages and Onward Ticket Rules
Passport Validity: sources say a valid passport is required but don’t give a minimum validity period. Check the rule with your airline before you travel.
The sources don’t mention a blank-page requirement. Ask your airline whether it applies to your trip. For what carriers check at the gate, see our article on Singapore Airlines and Scoot China arrival card rules.
The 24-hour direct transit policy applies at a set list of airports, and a 240-hour visa-free transit policy covers eligible countries and ports (VisasNews data, November 2025). For details on declaring transit travel, read our 144-hour visa-free transit arrival card rules.
Filing Through the NIA Portal Safely
Be cautious with any site that asks you to pay to file the card, and remember that the NIA form is the filing point for the card. If you’re unsure what to enter in each screen, our step-by-step guide to the China immigration arrival card online walks through the whole process.
Open the NIA form
Go to s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/
Choose your language
Select your language and the Entry Declaration section
Enter your data
Check each field against your passport
Submit the form
Complete your online declaration
The form comes in 13 languages: 中文, English, русский, Français, Español, العربية, 日本語, 한국어, ລາວ, Монгол, မြန်မာစာ, ไทย and Tiếng Việt. Its second section is Entry Declaration for Border Area Residents.
You can file the card online before arriving in China or, if you haven’t, on arrival at the airport.
Children, Infants and Tour Groups
The sources don’t cover rules for children, infants or individual tour group members, so confirm with the NIA how declarations should be handled for your travel party before you fly. For family-specific guidance, see our article on China arrival card rules for minors, children and family groups.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What documents are needed for China arrival card online from Singapore?
The form asks for your passport details, flight number, port of entry, purpose of travel and your local address in China. Keep your passport and travel documents with you. The NIA form shows the current fields.
Do I need printed copies among the documents needed for China arrival card online?
The card is filed online, so keep your passport and travel documents with you throughout your journey. If inspection staff ask for anything extra, they will tell you on the spot.
Is the China arrival card free, and where is the NIA portal?
The form is at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, and the NIA’s English site is at en.nia.gov.cn. Be cautious with any website that asks for payment to file the card.
Do Singapore citizens still have to fill in the China arrival card?
Yes, unless you fall into an exempt category. Sources don’t list Singapore-specific rules, so check the NIA form before you fly.
Who is exempt from the online China arrival card?
Exemptions cover seven categories: holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the PRC; foreigners with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao; group travelers on a collective visa or visa-free entry; transit passengers who remain within the designated port area; cruise passengers entering and departing on the same vessel; travelers using fast-track entry lanes; and foreign employees of cross-border transport vehicles. Check the current list with the NIA.
Is the six-month passport validity rule set by the NIA?
The sources don’t give a number of months. A valid passport is required, so check the validity rule with your airline when you book.
How many blank pages should my passport have for China?
The sources don’t mention a blank-page requirement. Ask your airline whether it applies to your trip.
What if I haven’t filed the arrival card before landing in China?
On arrival, you can use a self-service kiosk or scan a QR code. Paper forms were provided during a transitional period after the system launched in November 2025, so ask staff in the arrival hall what is available now.
Sources and Further Reading
- Arrival Card Filling: the NIA form, its languages and sections.
- NIA English site: general information on the Chinese immigration system.
Rules can change, so check the NIA form before you travel.
