Wondering how to fix error on China Arrival Card (the digital entry declaration)? Whether you can edit a submitted declaration depends on the portal. If it does not allow changes, file a new declaration at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, keep the latest QR code confirmation, and use a paper Arrival Card at the port if needed. Not sure whether you need the digital or the printed version in the first place? See our comparison of the China digital arrival card vs paper form.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) runs the filing portal at s.nia.gov.cn. This guide charges nothing and doesn’t file for you, so check your details and dates there before you fly.
Who Files the China Arrival Card
Online filing has been in effect since 20 November 2025, according to the embassy notice. It’s an entry form, not a visa, and it doesn’t replace visa-free or transit rules. Singapore passport holders usually file one — our entry guide for Singapore passport holders flying from Changi covers the local filing steps.
Seven groups are exempt:
- PRC Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders
- Non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for HK/Macao residents
- Group visa holders, or those eligible for group visa-free entry
- Direct transit within 24 hours without leaving the port’s restricted area
- Passengers entering and exiting on the same cruise ship
- Fast-lane entrants
- Foreign employees of exit-entry transport vehicles
How to Fix Error on China Arrival Card
Whether a submitted declaration can be edited depends on the portal. None of the official notices describes an edit function, so if you cannot change the declaration, file a new one with the correct details. If you are starting over, our step-by-step walkthrough of every screen shows exactly what goes into each field.
Check your details
Compare every field with your passport biodata page.
Open a filing channel
s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, the NIA 12367 app or a WeChat mini-program.
File a new declaration
Fill in a new declaration with the correct details from your passport and travel bookings.
Save the confirmation
Submit it and screenshot the new QR code confirmation.
| Situation | What to check | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Passport number typo | Pre-filled data against the passport biodata page | File a new declaration |
| Full name | Name matches the passport biodata page | File a new declaration |
| New arrival date, flight number, port or hotel | Compare with your bookings | File a new declaration if the portal does not allow the change |
Fixing Mistakes at the Port or After Landing
Found the mistake after landing? The embassy notice lists kiosks and paper cards as port fallbacks. For the full arrival-hall routine, including kiosk steps and a dead-phone backup, read our guide to the China arrival card at the airport.
Scan the QR code
Scan the QR code at the port with your phone to fill in the declaration online.
Use smart devices
If you cannot connect, use the smart devices at the port.
Ask for a paper card
Ask an officer for a paper Arrival Card.
Handwrite details
Handwrite details that match your passport.
The embassy’s consular section handles Chinese passport and notarization issues. Visa and legalization questions go to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC).
Look-Alike Forms, Risks and Fake Sites
| Form | Purpose | How you fix it |
|---|---|---|
| China Arrival Card | Immigration entry declaration | Resubmit the digital form or complete a paper card |
| Visa or visa-free permit | Permission to enter China | Separate process; visa and legalization questions go to CVASC |
Filing is free. Filing on the government portal costs nothing — our fee facts for Singapore travelers break down what, if anything, you might ever pay for. Third-party services may charge for help, but a site that charges for filing the form itself should be treated with caution. Be wary of sites that ask for payment before you submit the form, or that impersonate the government service — here is how to avoid China arrival card scams and unauthorized agencies. The NIA has warned travellers about fraudulent sites.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to fix error on China arrival card if I typed the wrong passport number?
File a new declaration with the passport number copied exactly from your passport’s biodata page, and check every character against the passport before you submit. Then keep the latest confirmation.
Can I edit my China arrival card after submitting it?
It depends on the portal. None of the official notices describes an edit function, so if you cannot change the declaration, file a new one with the correct details and keep the latest confirmation.
Does submitting a new China arrival card replace the previous one?
Keep the latest confirmation and show that one at the border. None of the official notices says what happens to an earlier declaration, so do not assume it is cancelled.
How to fix error on China arrival card after landing with no mobile data?
If you have no mobile data after landing, use the smart devices at the port or ask an officer for a paper Arrival Card. Save your QR code confirmation before you fly so you can show it without mobile data.
Where can I submit a replacement China arrival card online?
Go to s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. Other NIA channels are the Government Service Platform, the NIA 12367 app, and WeChat or Alipay mini-programs. QR codes at ports also lead to filing.
Do I need a new arrival card if my flight number or hotel address changes?
Yes, if the portal does not let you edit the existing declaration and your flight number, hotel, arrival date or port of entry has changed. Each re-entry into mainland China, including after a trip to Hong Kong or Macao, needs its own declaration unless an exemption applies.
Is there a fee for correcting a China arrival card?
Filing the arrival card on the government portal is free. A third-party service may charge for help, but it is not required to submit the form.
Is the China arrival card a visa?
The China Arrival Card is an entry form, not a visa. It does not replace visa rules, visa-free entry policies or transit rules.
Sources and Further Reading
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
