A china arrival card for family trips means one filing per passport: each traveler who doesn’t fall into one of seven exempt categories files a separate China Arrival Card (Foreigner Arrival Card), babies included. Parents can file for children and adult children for seniors at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. Singapore’s 30-day visa-free entry doesn’t exempt anyone.
This independent guide isn’t a government site. It’s for families with children, seniors or a tour booking. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) runs the NIA filing portal. Check dates and rules on the portal before you fly.
China Arrival Card for Family: Who Files?
Each traveler who doesn’t fall into one of seven exempt categories files a separate arrival card, babies included. There’s no joint family form. Visa-free travel doesn’t waive the card, and the card doesn’t grant entry. For the full list of exempt categories, see who needs to fill the China Arrival Card.
Singapore ordinary-passport holders get 30 days visa-free, in force since 9 February 2024, according to the MFA Singapore China page. They still file.
Group members are exempt when they travel on a collective group visa or under a group visa-free arrangement.
| Situation | Who files | Individual cards? |
|---|---|---|
| Independent family of five | Each traveler, with their own passport | Yes, five cards |
| Structured tour party on a group visa | Exempt under the group arrangement | No |
| Tour members on individual visas | Each traveler | Yes |
Not sure your tour qualifies? Ask the operator whether the group travels on a collective group visa.
Permanent residence ID holders, HK/Macao Mainland Travel Permit holders, and foreign crew members of international transport vehicles are exempt too. Transit passengers on a 24-hour direct transit who stay in the restricted area don’t file. Those who leave the airport on 144- or 240-hour transit windows do.
Filing for Minors, Toddlers and Elderly Relatives
A parent or adult relative can file the card on the child’s or senior’s behalf, one card per person. A full screen-by-screen walkthrough is in our guide on how to fill out the China Arrival Card. Have these ready:
- a clear photo of each passport’s identity page
- trip details: flight number, port of entry, visa details, purpose, entry date, longest-stay city
- your mainland address, plus your phone (with country code) and email
Then file for the infant:
Open the filing portal
Go to https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ (mobile: https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone/).
Upload the passport photo
Upload the baby’s own passport photo.
Check the prefilled details
Review the details that were filled in automatically.
Enter your contact details
Enter your email and phone.
Complete the declaration
Click One-click Input to complete the declaration section, then click Confirm.
Submit and save the QR code
Submit and save the confirmation QR code.
For seniors, adult children file ahead and keep the QR code on a phone, as a screenshot or by email. Official wording only says the card can be filed before arrival. Filing a day or two before departure, once flights and address are settled, is a practical choice — for more detail, see when to fill the arrival card for China.
Shared Address and Police Registration for Families
Every card needs an address in mainland China. If you stay at a hotel, staff normally register you with the Public Security Bureau (PSB) during check-in. Otherwise, you must register at the nearest police station within 24 hours of arrival, according to the MFA Singapore China page. The 24-hour PSB registration rules differ between hotels and private apartments.
Enter the address from the largest area to the smallest: province, city, district, then the detailed street address. For the correct format, see our hotel address guide for the China Arrival Card.
Travelers over 16 are expected to carry their passports at all times, and it’s wise to bring prescriptions and medication that may not be available in China for elderly family members and children with pre-existing conditions.
The health declaration is a separate document from the arrival card.
China Arrival Card for Family: Common Mistakes
Common mistakes include wrong passport data, relying on paper cards, and paying an intermediary.
- A typo in a child’s passport number or birth date, or a wrong flight number: if you spot an error in a saved confirmation, return to the official NIA channel and use the available filing option. Don’t rely on a paid intermediary to fix it. For step-by-step help, see how to fix an error on a submitted China Arrival Card.
- Counting on a paper card at every port: paper cards may not be available at every port, so file online before you fly.
- Mismatched passport or visa details between family members: compare each passport with its card before you submit.
- Paying a lookalike site: some fee-charging sites imitate the official form. The NIA portal itself is free, so check that the address starts with s.nia.gov.cn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does a baby or toddler need a China arrival card?
Yes, every foreign passport holder files one, infants included. A parent or accompanying adult completes the card using the baby’s passport details and identity-page photo, then completes the declaration section and submits it. Children traveling on a collective group visa fall under the group exemption instead.
Can one China arrival card for family members cover everyone on a single form?
No. There’s no joint family form, so each passport gets its own submission and its own confirmation QR code. A family of five files five cards.
How do I sign the arrival card on behalf of my child?
Fill in the card with the child’s passport details, complete the declaration section, click Confirm, and save the QR code. Show it at immigration with the child’s passport.
Are tour group members exempt from the China arrival card?
Yes, if the group travels on a collective group visa or under an approved group visa-free arrangement. Individual travelers on individual visas file their own cards.
Do Singapore ordinary-passport holders on 30-day visa-free entry still need to file?
Yes. Visa-free entry lets Singapore ordinary-passport holders stay up to 30 days, but it isn’t an arrival card. Parents, children and grandparents each file their own card. Check current visa-free terms on the MFA Singapore China page before you book.
Is the China arrival card free, and where do I file it?
Filing is free at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. You can also use the NIA 12367 app, a WeChat or Alipay mini-program, or a QR code or kiosk at the port after arrival. Sites that charge a fee are not the NIA portal.
When should I file a China arrival card for family members?
Official wording only says the card can be filed before arrival. Many travelers file a day or two before departure, once flights and their address in China are settled.
What can elderly relatives do if they can’t use a phone or kiosk?
An adult relative can file for them in advance and keep the QR code on their own phone. If a senior can’t use a kiosk at the port, ask for a paper card. Paper cards are offered where available, and availability isn’t guaranteed.
Sources and Further Reading
- MFA Singapore China page: visa-free entry, police registration and medicines advice.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
