Entering China via Hong Kong high speed rail arrival card (China Arrival Card) rules come down to one step: file the card online before border control. Filing the card online before you travel is the simplest route. Travellers who haven’t done so can still complete it on arrival at kiosks at the port.
This independent guide isn’t a government site. Check the current rules on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal at s.nia.gov.cn and on the Chinese embassy website before you travel.
Who Needs an Arrival Card by Rail
Foreign nationals entering China by land must file the card whether or not they hold a visa. This includes rail and on-foot arrivals. For a full breakdown of who must file and who qualifies for an exemption, see our guide to China arrival card requirements and exemptions.
The online version launched on 20 November 2025 through National Immigration Administration (NIA) channels.
Exemptions include:
- Holders of a Chinese Permanent Residence Card for Foreigners
- Non-Chinese citizens holding a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao
- Group travellers, with a collective visa or qualifying for group visa-free entry
- Transit up to 24 hours inside the port zone
- Same-ship cruise passengers, fast-track or e-Channel users, vehicle crew
Holders of ordinary Singapore passports are exempt from visa requirements for stays of up to 30 days in China, per the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Check the MFA page before you travel, and read our 30-day visa-free China arrival card rules before you fill in the form. The general arrival card requirement applies to foreign travellers.
Submitting and Saving Your Card Before Travel
Some third-party sites charge for help with the form. File through the official channels listed below — our guide to filing the China arrival card online for free shows you how to avoid third-party fees.
Fill in the details online through the channels below before you travel. On arrival, you can instead complete the card at a kiosk or by scanning a QR code at the port. For the kiosk route, see our China immigration self-service kiosk procedure. The three channels are:
- NIA Government Service Platform
- NIA 12367 app
- WeChat or Alipay mini-programs
File the card online
Submit the form before you leave, within the filing window shown on the NIA portal
Save the QR code
Use Download to Local or Send to Email, keep a screenshot and a passport photo page image handy
Show it at inspection
Your finished card is a QR code you present at border control
Filling In the Card for Land Ports
These entries match the form’s fields:
| Field | What you enter |
|---|---|
| Name | As in your passport, surname first |
| Visa number | The red visa number, or VISA-FREE if you have none |
| Visa or permit question | Answer No if visa-free, then pick the visa-free or transit option |
| First stay | Hotel name, city, detailed address and phone |
For the transport field, pick the mode, then enter:
- For high-speed rail, enter the train number, such as G80
- For a land crossing, the form may offer options such as WALKING or MTR, depending on the port. The field can sometimes be left blank
Screenshot your hotel’s name, address and phone in Chinese and English — our hotel address format guide for the China arrival card and PSB registration explains how to write it correctly. Providing false information on the card can have serious consequences, including entry restrictions.
Clearing West Kowloon, Luohu and Gongbei
Arrival formalities for mainland China take place at the port itself, and the transport field on your card should reflect how you cross. The options differ by port:
| Crossing | How you arrive | What you enter in the transport field |
|---|---|---|
| West Kowloon | High-speed train | The train number, such as G80 |
| Luohu | Rail or on foot | WALKING or MTR, depending on the port |
| Gongbei | On foot | WALKING, or blank if the system allows |
For current arrival procedures at each crossing, check the NIA portal before you travel.
Re-Entry, Registration and Common Mistakes
Each entry into mainland China needs its own card, so after a trip to Hong Kong you must file again before re-entering. If you’re not sure when to submit, our guide to when to submit the China arrival card covers timing and QR code validity.
Hotel staff normally register you with the Public Security Bureau (PSB) at check-in, within 24 hours of arrival. If you are not staying at a hotel, register at the nearest police station. Foreigners aged 16 and over are expected to carry their passports at all times, per MFA Singapore.
Hong Kong’s e-Channel is separate. Discover Hong Kong points to the Go Hong Kong app for e-Channel access on your phone. Don’t confuse the arrival card with a Mainland Travel Permit.
Common slips:
- Paying an intermediary. You don’t need one to file the card. Some third-party sites charge for help, so file through the channels above yourself.
- Check the spelling of your name and passport number before you submit.
- A flight-style code in the transport field. Use the train number.
- A blank visa field. Write VISA-FREE.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the entering China via Hong Kong high speed rail arrival card rules for Singapore passport holders?
Singapore passport holders, like other foreign travellers, file the arrival card. Write VISA-FREE in the visa field and choose the 30-day visa-free option if the form asks. Check the MFA Singapore page for current conditions.
Where do I get the entering China via Hong Kong high speed rail arrival card online, and is it free?
File through the National Immigration Administration (NIA) Government Service Platform at s.nia.gov.cn, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat or Alipay mini-programs. Some third-party sites charge for help with the form, so use the official channels. Your finished card is a QR code you show at inspection.
What should I write in the transport number field for the G-series train?
Choose train as the mode, then enter the train number, such as G80, not a flight-style code. For land crossings, the form may offer options such as WALKING or MTR, depending on the port.
How early should I arrive at West Kowloon Station?
Our sources give no queue times or arrival windows for the station. Allow enough time before departure to complete both Hong Kong exit checks and mainland entry checks, and check the NIA portal for current port conditions.
Is immigration clearance done in Hong Kong or Mainland China at West Kowloon?
Clearance details at the station vary, and our sources don’t describe the exact layout. Both Hong Kong exit checks and mainland entry checks are part of the journey. For current procedures, check the NIA portal and the Chinese embassy website before you travel.
Do I need a new arrival card for a same-day return trip from Hong Kong?
Yes. Each entry into mainland China needs its own card. Save the QR code for each one on your phone.
Is a paper arrival card still available at the border?
Paper arrival cards may still be available at some ports as a backup, usually long blue or yellow rectangular cards. Don’t count on one. File online and keep your QR code on your phone.
Do I need to register with the police after arriving in China?
Yes. Hotel staff normally handle registration at check-in. If you are not staying at a hotel, register yourself at the nearest police station, within 24 hours of arrival, per MFA Singapore.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA portal: online arrival card filing
- Chinese embassy website: general entry information
- MFA Singapore: visa exemption and registration
- Discover Hong Kong: Traveller Essentials
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
