Do transit passengers need China arrival card? Not if you are a 24-hour direct transit passenger who stays within the designated area of the port. Once you pass immigration, you’ll need to file the Digital Arrival Card at s.nia.gov.cn.
This independent guide isn’t a government site. We don’t charge fees or file anything for you, so check the rules on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal before you fly. It’s for travelers connecting through China, including from Singapore.
Do Transit Passengers Need China Arrival Card Airside?
NIA exemption category 4 covers passengers in 24-hour direct transit who stay within the designated area of the port, per the Chinese embassy notice. Passengers on 240-hour visa-free transit still need to fill in the Digital Arrival Card. The Digital Arrival Card applies from 20 November 2025, with paper cards and on-site smart devices as a fallback — see our comparison of the digital arrival card vs the paper form.
| Situation | Airside direct transit | Landside layover |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration | Not passed | Passed |
| Arrival card | Not needed | Needed |
24-Hour vs 240-Hour Transit: Which Rule Applies?
24-hour direct transit passengers who stay within the designated area of the port don’t need to fill in the arrival card. Passengers on 240-hour visa-free transit still need to fill in the Digital Arrival Card.
- Nationality lists change, so check the NIA’s Visa-Free Transit Policies page before you book. For a full breakdown of all seven exemption categories, see our guide to who needs to fill the China arrival card.
How to File the Digital Arrival Card
File through one of the NIA channels listed below, and save the QR code once you receive it. Foreign nationals may fill in the information online before coming to China. Those who can’t do so in advance can complete the process at the immigration inspection site on arrival. For a screen-by-screen walkthrough, see our guide on how to fill out the China arrival card.
Open an NIA channel
Go to s.nia.gov.cn, or open the NIA 12367 app or a WeChat or Alipay mini-program.
Upload your passport
Upload a photo of your passport’s ID page, then check the details that fill in automatically.
Fill in your details
Fill in your name as on the passport, nationality, ID number, flight number and port of entry.
Select your entry policy
If you hold no visa or other entry permit, select your entry policy, such as visa-free transit.
Add your stay details
Fill in where you will stay in China.
Submit and save the QR code
Submit the form, then save the QR code you receive.
Common Transit Mistakes to Avoid
- Mistyping details or picking the wrong entry policy. Double-check each field against your passport and booking before you submit.
- Relying on mobile data for the QR code. Save the QR code, since immigration scans it at arrival checks — learn how to save your China arrival card QR code offline.
- Using a paid third-party site. File only through the NIA channels, and read our tips on avoiding unauthorized agencies and fees.
Exemptions from the Arrival Card
Seven categories are exempt. For transit passengers, only category 4 applies: 24-hour direct transit passengers who stay within the designated area of the port.
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders
- Mainland Travel Permit holders (HK/Macao residents who aren’t Chinese citizens)
- Group visa holders, or those eligible for group visa-free entry
- 24-hour direct transit passengers staying in the designated area of the port
- Cruise passengers entering and leaving on the same vessel
- Travelers entering through the E-channel
- Foreign crew of exit-entry transport
Need help in Singapore? The Chinese embassy is at 150 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247969, with a 24-hour consular protection hotline on +65-64750165. Singapore passport holders can also read our China arrival card entry guide for Singapore passport holders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do transit passengers need China arrival card if they stay airside for under 24 hours?
No, if you are a 24-hour direct transit passenger who stays within the designated area of the port. The sources reviewed don’t list which zone each airport designates.
Do transit passengers need China arrival card to collect checked luggage?
The sources reviewed don’t address baggage collection directly. The 24-hour exemption covers only passengers who stay within the designated area of the port, so if collecting bags takes you out of that area, the card applies.
Is the China arrival card digital or paper for travelers in transit?
Digital is the main route, through the NIA website, the NIA 12367 app or WeChat and Alipay mini-programs. Travellers who can’t file online beforehand can complete the process at the port, using on-site smart devices, a QR code scan or a paper card.
Where do I file the China arrival card online?
Go to s.nia.gov.cn and open the arrival card filling page at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. The same filing is available in the NIA 12367 app and in WeChat and Alipay mini-programs.
Do I need a confirmed onward ticket for 240-hour visa-free transit?
Sources reviewed confirm that 240-hour transit passengers must still fill in the Digital Arrival Card. They don’t list an onward ticket requirement, so check the NIA Visa-Free Transit Policies page.
Do children and infants transiting China need their own arrival cards?
Each traveler transiting China who isn’t exempt files an individual card. Check the NIA portal for how to file for a child, or see our guide to arrival card rules for children, seniors and tour parties.
Do Singapore passport holders still need an arrival card for a short layover stay?
Most travellers, including Singapore passport holders, need to fill in the Digital Arrival Card. The only transit exemption covers 24-hour direct transit passengers in the designated area of the port. Check the NIA Visa-Free Transit Policies page for the entry rules that apply to Singapore passports.
Is the China arrival card free, and should I pay a third-party website?
Use only the NIA channels listed above. Third-party sites aren’t NIA channels, so file directly at s.nia.gov.cn.
Sources and Further Reading
- s.nia.gov.cn: arrival card filing portal
- NIA service instructions: registration and login
- NIA visa-free transit policies: transit rules, including visa-free transit
- Chinese embassy notice: online arrival card and exemptions
- Chinese embassy in Singapore: consular contacts
Rules can change, so check the NIA portal before you travel.
