The China arrival card Singapore passport holders must file is the China Digital Arrival Card, whether or not you hold a visa. Filing on the NIA portal gives you a QR code as soon as you finish. The sources we reviewed do not show a fee for this step, but third-party services do charge. A paper version remains temporarily available as a fallback.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. It’s for Singapore passport holders flying from Changi on Singapore Airlines, Scoot or Chinese carriers. We don’t charge fees or file for you, so check rules and dates on the NIA portal before you fly.
Do Singapore Passport Holders Need the Arrival Card?
Yes. You must file the card whether or not you hold a visa. The digital version has applied since 20 November 2025, and paper is now a fallback. For a full breakdown of who must file and who is exempt, see who needs the China arrival card.
Pick the 30-day visa waiver option in the Entry Policy field. If you’re travelling without a visa, read up on the rules for visa-free travellers on multi-city trips.
Seven groups are exempt from the card:
- Permanent resident ID card holders in China
- Foreigners with a Hong Kong and Macau Mainland Travel Permit
- Group travellers on a collective visa or visa-free group entry
- Transit passengers staying in the designated port zone
- Cruise passengers entering and leaving on the same ship
- Travellers using fast-track entry lanes
- Foreign crew of entry and exit transport vehicles
China Arrival Card Singapore: What to Prepare First
Have these ready before you open the form — a full checklist of documents for the China arrival card helps you avoid delays:
- Photo of your passport bio page
- Full name as printed in your passport
- Passport number
- Arrival flight number, city of entry and port of entry
- Destination cities in China
- Address in China: province, city, district and detailed address
- Contact number, email, purpose and date of entry
- Yes/No answers on an inviting entity and a confirmed departure itinerary
No filing deadline is set out in the material we reviewed.
China Arrival Card Singapore Form: Step-by-Step Filing
Filing is free on any of these NIA channels:
- s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC on a computer
- s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone on your phone
- The “NIA 12367” app
- WeChat and Alipay mini-programs
Upload your passport ID page
Upload a photo of your passport ID page, then check the identity details the system fills in.
Enter flight and contact details
Enter your flight number, city and port of entry, then your contact number and email.
Choose your entry policy
If you answer No to holding a valid visa, choose an entry policy such as the 30-day visa waiver, or the 24/240-hour visa-free transit option.
Add trip details
Add purpose, entry date, destination cities, address in China, any transit cities, inviting entity and itinerary.
Sign and confirm
Press “One-click Input” to fill in the declaration, then sign and press “Confirm”.
For a screen-by-screen walkthrough of every field, see our guide on how to fill out the China arrival card.
The QR code appears immediately, with no approval wait. Download it or have it emailed.
Save a screenshot or printout of the QR code — keeping it saved offline for scanning at the gate is the safest option.
Sites that charge fees or promise “approval” are commercial intermediaries. The card isn’t an “eVisa”, so skip pages that ask for payment first. Learn more about the difference between a China visa and the arrival card.
Flying from Changi
On arrival, you can use the kiosks at the port of entry or scan a QR code. For what happens after landing, see arrival hall steps, kiosks and backups at Chinese airports.
Common Mistakes and How to Correct Them
- Name differs from the passport. Enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport.
- No address in China. The field is required, so enter your hotel or host’s address — see our tips on formatting a hotel address on the arrival card.
- Changed your hotel or flight after filing? The sources we reviewed describe no edit procedure. If you spotted a mistake, check how to fix errors on a submitted China arrival card.
Accuracy matters: false statements on the card can lead to entry bans, according to 2026 reporting. Check current NIA rules.
Arrival, Departure and Return Forms Compared
| Document | Who files | When | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Digital Arrival Card | Foreign visitors entering mainland China | No filing deadline is set out in the material we reviewed | NIA channels, free |
| SG Arrival Card (SGAC) | Travellers entering Singapore | Up to three days before arrival (ICA guidance, 2020) | ICA e-services, app or MyICA (2024), free |
The ICA guidance from 2020 says to submit up to three days before arrival. Agencies that charge for it are commercial intermediaries, not ICA. For a side-by-side comparison, read about the differences between the China arrival card and the SG Arrival Card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the China arrival card Singapore travellers file really free of charge?
Filing through NIA channels is not shown to carry a fee in the sources we checked. Third-party services charge for their help. You’ll get the QR code the moment you finish. Check the portal for current rules before you travel.
Is the China arrival card Singapore passport holders need the same as the SG Arrival Card?
No. The China card is for entering mainland China, while the SG Arrival Card is for entering Singapore. File the SGAC separately for your return at eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard, the SG Arrival Card app or MyICA.
When should I submit the arrival card before flying from Changi?
The sources we checked set no deadline. The QR code appears at once, so there’s no approval period to allow for. Check the NIA portal for any change.
Where do I fill in the China arrival card online?
Go to s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC on a computer or s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone on your phone. The NIA 12367 app and the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs work too. Pick whichever suits your device. This independent site can’t file for you.
Does my child need a separate arrival card?
The sources we reviewed don’t cover filings for children and infants, so check the NIA portal before you travel for the current position. For families, see the rules for children, seniors and tour parties.
Do transit passengers in China have to complete the arrival card?
It depends where you go. Passengers who remain in the designated port area are exempt. Other passengers entering the mainland file the card. If you’re using the 24/240-hour visa-free transit policy, choose that option in the Entry Policy field. Read more about transit passengers and the China arrival card.
What if I have no QR code before landing in China?
Use a kiosk at the port of entry or scan a QR code. A paper version is temporarily available.
Can I change my hotel or flight details after submitting?
The sources we reviewed describe no edit procedure after filing. Check the NIA portal for the current position before you travel.
Sources and Further Reading
- ICA: visiting Singapore and SG Arrival Card
- Chinese Embassy in the US (homepage)
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center: city selector
- ask.gov.sg: general ICA enquiries
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
