File the China Arrival Card (Entry Declaration) free at s.nia.gov.cn, or on paper, before immigration inspection. Travellers who didn’t file online can complete the card at smart devices or self-service terminals at ports, or on a paper card. A dead phone? Paper arrival cards remain available at ports. New to the form? Our full China Arrival Card guide explains who must file and how to clear border control.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. You file on the NIA portal, and we don’t charge fees or submit anything for you. Check dates and details there before you travel. You’ll get a hall walkthrough and a dead-phone plan.
Who Needs a China Arrival Card at Airport
Most foreign visitors file, with a visa or without one. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) started online filing on 20 Nov 2025, and paper cards stay available at ports, according to its notice of 5 Dec 2025. For the full list of exemptions, see who needs to fill the China Arrival Card.
Seven categories of travellers don’t need to complete the card. Not sure you qualify? Check the portal before relying on this list:
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders
- Non-Chinese holders of the Mainland Travel Permit for HK/Macao residents
- Group visa or group visa-free entry
- Direct transit under 24 hours in the designated port area
- Cruise passengers entering and leaving on the same ship
- Travellers using an eligible fast-track entry lane
- Foreign crew of exit-entry transport
Submit before you travel. The NIA’s notice doesn’t set a fixed number of hours before arrival. For submission windows and validity rules, see when to fill the arrival card for China.
What to Prepare Before You Fly from Singapore
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Full name | As in your passport |
| Passport number | From the biodata page |
| Nationality | As in your passport |
| Flight number | Arrival flight number, as in your booking |
| Port of entry | Arrival airport |
| Purpose of travel | Purpose of travel |
| Accommodation address | Full address in China |
| Contact number | Local or foreign number |
Save a screenshot of your QR code confirmation. Flying from Changi? Check the portal before you travel for anything else worth packing. Our documents checklist for Singapore travellers covers what to have ready before you fly.
China Arrival Card at Airport: Hall Walkthrough
Follow the signs
Leave the aircraft and follow the airport signs. Layouts differ by airport.
Check your card
Show a QR code from s.nia.gov.cn, use a self-service terminal, or fill in a paper card.
Immigration inspection
Show your passport and card at the immigration inspection counter.
The NIA notice says smart devices or self-service terminals at ports let travellers who didn’t file online complete the card. When you use one:
- Choose your language. The NIA lists 13 for its online service; terminals may differ.
- Review each field before you confirm your declaration. For a screen-by-screen walkthrough of every field, see how to fill out the China Arrival Card.
Dead Phone Battery: Backup Plan at Arrival
If your phone dies, paper arrival cards are still available at ports. For more on both options, see our comparison of the digital arrival card vs the paper form.
| Problem | Quick fix | Where to go |
|---|---|---|
| Dead battery | Fill in a paper card | Ask airport staff where paper cards are available |
| Failed SMS check or crashed app | Use a self-service terminal, or fill in a paper card | Ask airport staff where terminals and paper cards are available |
Keep the QR confirmation somewhere you can open without mobile data, and print a copy if you prefer. Our guide to saving your QR code offline shows how to keep it accessible at the gate.
Common Mistakes and Other Entry Requirements
- If you spot a typo after submitting, check whether the portal lets you edit the declaration. If not, submit a new one and keep the latest confirmation.
- Have your passport and card or QR code ready before you join the queue.
- You don’t have to pay to file. The NIA says the service is free and warns that counterfeit websites posing as its service charge fees.
Also keep in mind:
- Visa or visa-free eligibility: depends on your nationality.
- Travelling with kids? Check the portal for rules on declarations for children before you fly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where do I fill in the China arrival card at airport after landing?
Paper cards and smart devices or self-service terminals are available at ports for travellers who didn’t file online. Complete the card before you head to the immigration inspection counter.
Which website do I use, and is it free?
Use s.nia.gov.cn, the NIA’s Arrival Card Filling service. It costs nothing. You can also file through the 12367 app or a WeChat or Alipay mini-program. Submit before you travel and save the QR code offline.
What if my phone dies before I can show my China arrival card at airport?
Fill in a paper card, or use a self-service terminal at the port. Keep the QR confirmation somewhere you can open without mobile data, and print a copy if you prefer.
How do I use the self-service terminal?
Smart devices or self-service terminals are available at ports for travellers who didn’t file online. Bring your passport, flight number and address in China. Review each field before you confirm your declaration.
Do I need to complete the card before the counter?
Yes. Have your card or QR code ready along with your passport before you reach the immigration inspection counter, so you’re not sent back to complete it at the last minute.
Which queue should foreign passengers join?
Keep your passport and card or QR code ready. The fast-track entry lane is for eligible categories only, such as Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders. Check the portal if you’re unsure which lane applies to you.
Do Singapore passport holders need an arrival card?
Singapore passport holders usually need to complete the card, even when entering visa-free. Don’t assume visa-free means no card. Confirm the rule on s.nia.gov.cn before you fly.
Do transit passengers need to file?
Direct transit under 24 hours within the designated port area is exempt. Passengers on 240-hour visa-free transit still need to complete the card. If you leave the port area, you may still need to complete the card.
Sources and Further Reading
- Arrival Card Filling: the NIA filing service.
- Service instruction: how the service works and its languages.
- NIA fraud warning: notice about fake arrival card websites.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
