The biggest China arrival card vs SG arrival card differences are format and timing. The SG Arrival Card (SGAC) is free and digital, submitted up to three days ahead. China’s standard entry card is completed on the plane or before the immigration control desk. The SG Arrival Card is not a visa.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. The SGAC itself lives on ICA’s SG Arrival Card page. Check dates and rules on the portal before you fly.
China Arrival Card vs SG Arrival Card Differences
All travellers entering Singapore must submit an SGAC, except transit passengers who do not clear immigration and residents using the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. The SGAC is the electronic version of the old paper arrival/departure card and includes an Electronic Health Declaration. China asks foreign nationals to fill in an entry registration card.
| Feature | SG Arrival Card | China Arrival Card |
|---|---|---|
| How you complete it | Online, up to 3 days before arrival | On the plane or before the immigration control desk |
| Health and customs | Health declaration built in | Separate customs and health checks |
| Confirmation | Ask your airline or the NIA |
Two situations change the picture:
- Visa-free entry still requires the entry registration card, so confirm your status under the 30-day visa-free rules with your airline or the National Immigration Administration (NIA) before you fly.
- 144-hour visa-free transit passengers fill in the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners and must hold a connecting ticket for departure within 144 hours.
We found no confirmed online pre-arrival system for China. Ask your airline or the NIA before you fly. Not sure which card? Pick it by your route, visa-free or transit, before you land.
When and Where to Submit Each Card
Submit your SGAC within three days before arrival, counting arrival day. Use the SGAC e-Service or the MyICA mobile app. A confirmation email follows, and the submission is free.
China has no confirmed advance online filing. You complete the card on the plane or before the immigration control desk.
Some third-party sites charge fees for filing, and ICA does not endorse them. Avoid giving passport and health details to unofficial lookalike websites — for China, see our guide on completing the arrival card online free of charge.
Border Clearance Steps in China
At Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, arrival follows these stages.
Complete the entry registration card
On the plane or before immigration
Go through immigration inspection
With your passport and completed card
Collect your baggage
At the baggage claim
Pass customs
Declaring anything over the limits
Items above China’s customs limits must be declared at customs, including large amounts of cash. Travellers arriving from yellow fever infected areas must present a valid vaccination certificate.
Singapore works differently. SGAC carries the Electronic Health Declaration, the SGAC sends you an acknowledgement email after submission, and ICA also describes automated lanes at the passenger halls. In China, keep your completed card and passport ready for immigration.
China vs SG Arrival Card: System Comparison
| System | How you file | Confirmation | Customs and fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | Entry registration card, on board or before immigration | Ask your airline or the NIA | Separate customs step |
| SGAC | e-Service or MyICA, up to 3 days ahead | Emailed confirmation | Health declaration built in; free |
| Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) | Check the official Malaysian immigration portal for the submission window | Check the official Malaysian immigration portal | Check the official Malaysian immigration portal |
| Visit Japan Web | Check the official Visit Japan Web portal for the application details | Check the official Visit Japan Web portal | Check the official Visit Japan Web portal |
Planning a multi-country Asia trip? China has no confirmed online equivalent to the SGAC.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
- Wrong card type, standard or 144-hour transit: check your visa or exemption status first.
- Paying an intermediary because you think it’s required: use the free ICA channels instead.
- Skipping SGAC or giving false information: this can cause problems at immigration.
Made an SGAC error? Log in to the SGAC system and update your health declaration before arrival. China’s 2023 transit rules require a travel document valid for at least three months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the main China arrival card vs SG arrival card differences for travellers from Singapore?
SGAC is free, digital and submitted online up to three days before arrival. China’s standard entry card is completed on the plane or before the immigration control desk. Entry decisions rest with immigration officers.
Where do I submit the SG Arrival Card, and is it free?
Use the SGAC e-Service or the MyICA app. It’s free, and you’ll get a confirmation email afterwards. ICA doesn’t endorse third-party services that charge fees. Check the dates on ICA’s SG Arrival Card page before you travel.
Do I need to fill in a digital arrival card for China?
We found no confirmed online pre-arrival system for China. The card is completed on the plane or before the immigration control desk, so ask your airline or the NIA before you fly.
Does the 30-day visa-free entry to China replace the arrival card?
Visa-free entry removes the visa requirement, but you still complete China’s entry registration card. Confirm current terms with the NIA.
How early can I submit my SG Arrival Card?
Within three days before arrival, counting arrival day. Submit through the SGAC e-Service or the MyICA app. If your health details change before you travel, update them through the SGAC system. Transit passengers who skip immigration don’t need one.
Which card do I need for 144-hour visa-free transit in China?
Transit passengers fill in the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners and must hold a connecting ticket for departure within 144 hours. Confirm the details with your airline or the NIA.
Can I correct my arrival card after submitting or filling it in?
For SGAC, update your health declaration through the SGAC system before arrival. No correction procedure for China’s card is confirmed. Ask your airline or the NIA before you fly.
What are the China arrival card vs SG arrival card differences for health and customs declarations?
SGAC includes an Electronic Health Declaration, so health and immigration data go in one submission. In China, border control, customs luggage checks and health screening are separate steps. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required when arriving from an infected area.
Sources and Further Reading
- ICA: SG Arrival Card with Electronic Health Declaration, where you can check current SGAC rules.
Confirm China entry details with your airline or the NIA before you travel. Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
