China Arrival Card Chengdu Tianfu: file the digital form at s.nia.gov.cn before you fly. A paper form remains temporarily available during the initial rollout — see our comparison of the digital arrival card vs the paper version. The QR-code card is the main procedure at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU).
This is an independent guide, not a government site, so check details on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal before you fly.
Who Must Submit the China Arrival Card?
Foreign travelers, with or without a visa, file the card online unless they belong to one of the exempt categories below. For a full breakdown of eligibility rules, read who needs to fill the China Arrival Card.
Seven categories of foreign travelers are exempt from the online card:
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID holders
- Foreigners with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong or Macao
- Group travelers (group visa or visa-free)
- Airside transit within the port zone
- Cruise passengers who enter and leave on the same ship
- Fast-lane users
- Foreign employees of entry and exit transport vehicles
China Arrival Card Chengdu Tianfu: How to File
Start at https://s.nia.gov.cn/, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs. You can file the card online before you enter China. Check the filing window and any fees on the NIA portal. For a screen-by-screen walkthrough, see our guide on how to fill out the China Arrival Card.
Use only the NIA address, s.nia.gov.cn. Other sites may be intermediaries, so check who runs a site before you enter passport data or pay.
| Field | What to enter | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Name and passport details | Check the data against your passport; the system fills in part of it | Spelling that differs from the passport |
| Transport | Plane, flight number, entry city, port | Wrong or missing flight number |
| Address in China | Province, city, district and detailed address | Incomplete address |
| Valid visa? | Yes plus visa number; No, then 30-day waiver or 24/240-hour transit | Picking the wrong policy |
Confirm, then download the QR code or email it. Save a PDF offline before leaving Singapore, and learn how to save your QR code offline for scanning at the gate. If your address details are unclear, our tips on formatting the hotel address on the China Arrival Card can help.
China Arrival Card Chengdu Tianfu: Terminal Walkthrough
Follow the international arrivals signs
Head to Terminal 1, 2nd floor.
Complete the entry quarantine procedure
Finish the required entry quarantine step.
Go to the border inspection counter
Hand over your travel documents, boarding pass and paper card if you filed on paper, and present your QR code.
Collect bags on level 1F
If you have declarable items, take the entry declaration passage; otherwise take the green passage.
Leave the airport
Depart by taxi, airport bus or Metro Line 18.
No signal? Open your offline PDF. For more tips on kiosks and dead-phone backups, see our guide to the China Arrival Card at the airport.
Chongqing, Xi’an, Kunming and Hainan Entry Rules
| 24-hour visa-free transit: airports added from 5 Nov 2025 |
|---|
| Tianjin Binhai |
| Dalian Zhoushuizi |
| Nanjing Lukou |
| Fuzhou Changle |
| Qingdao Jiaodong |
| Wuhan Tianhe |
| Nanning Wuxu |
| Haikou Meilan |
| Chongqing Jiangbei |
| Kunming Changshui |
Common Arrival Card Mistakes
- The system fills in part of your passport data, so check every field against your passport before you submit.
- Don’t confuse the arrival card (immigration) with the customs declaration (customs) — see the key differences between the China customs declaration and the arrival card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the China arrival card cost anything to submit?
Filing details, including any fee, are listed on the NIA portal, so check them there before you file.
How early can I submit the China arrival card Chengdu Tianfu requires?
The card can be filled out online before you enter China, so file it before you fly and save the QR code offline.
Where do I file online, and what’s the NIA website address?
Go to https://s.nia.gov.cn/ and pick English from the language menu. The portal has 13 interface languages, including Thai and Vietnamese. On a phone, use the phone version of the page (ArrivalCardFillingPhone), and read the service instructions there before you start.
Can I still use a paper arrival card at Chengdu Tianfu?
The paper Foreigner Entry Registration Card remains temporarily available during the initial rollout; the QR-code card is the main procedure. Travelers who haven’t filed before arrival can still do so at kiosks at the port of entry or by scanning a QR code.
Do I need a card for Haikou or Sanya with 30-day visa-free entry?
Yes, unless you belong to one of the seven exempt categories, you file the card. Without a visa, choose the matching entry policy under Entry Policy Selection. The sources used here don’t describe Hainan-specific rules, so check the NIA portal before you travel.
Do I need a card for a transit under 24 hours at Chongqing or Kunming?
No, if you transfer to a third country within the airport in under 24 hours, since NIA lets such passengers transfer without immigration inspection. Chongqing Jiangbei and Kunming Changshui are on the list. If you leave the airport, the exemption no longer applies, so file the card.
What’s the difference between the arrival card and the customs declaration?
The arrival card goes to immigration (NIA) and covers you, your flight and your address. The customs declaration goes to China Customs and covers biosecurity, restricted goods and currency. You meet immigration first, customs after baggage reclaim. Check current cash rules with China Customs before you travel.
What if my phone has no signal at Chengdu Tianfu?
Show the PDF or screenshot you saved in Singapore. The card includes a QR code that must be presented at immigration, and it can be downloaded or sent to your email when you file.
Sources and Further Reading
- s.nia.gov.cn: the NIA arrival card filing portal.
- NIA service instructions: interface languages and the border-area residents form.
Rules can change, so check the NIA portal before you travel.
