The China Arrival Card (Digital Arrival Card) is free according to the NIA, so a site that charges for it is a private intermediary, not an official channel. To avoid paying for China arrival card online, use the NIA portal, the NIA 12367 app, or free paper cards and kiosks on arrival.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. To learn how to recognise official Singapore government sites, see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Check dates and rules on the NIA portal before you fly.
Avoid Paying for China Arrival Card Online
The arrival card is free. It launched on 20 November 2025, and the National Immigration Administration (NIA) says there are no charges, per The Straits Times. Any site charging a service fee is a private intermediary, and you don’t need it to enter. For details on what the China arrival card actually costs, the official channels never ask for payment.
As a Singapore passport holder, you can enter visa-free for up to 30 days (agreement effective 9 February 2024) but still file the card. Longer stays, work, long study, news reporting or other purposes needing prior approval need a visa.
| Your situation | Card needed? | Check with |
|---|---|---|
| One of seven exempt groups | No | NIA website |
| Exempt group or 24-hour transit passenger | No | NIA website |
Spotting Intermediaries: A 5-Point Red Flag Checklist
Some unofficial sites charge for the free form, and the NIA has warned about fake sites posing as official platforms. The warning came on 2 December 2025, per The Straits Times.
- Payment requests: the NIA says its channels are free, so a site that asks for payment is not one of the official channels.
- Domain: Chinese government sites use the .gov.cn domain, such as the NIA site; Singapore government sites use .gov.sg, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains.
- Search placement: results labelled “Sponsored” or “Ad” are not the official channel.
- After you submit, the system gives you a QR code that immigration scans on arrival.
- Read any terms before paying; a site that charges for the free form is not an official channel.
Searching on a phone? Scroll past sponsored results.
Free Submission Channels, Step by Step
Five NIA channels have no payment step:
- NIA website: nia.gov.cn
- Government Service Platform
- NIA 12367 mobile app
- WeChat or Alipay mini-programs
- QR code scan at the port of entry
File before you land. No deadline is stated, so filing before you leave Singapore is sensible — for a full walkthrough, see how to fill in the China arrival card step by step.
Open the channel yourself
Not through an ad, and check the app publisher.
Enter your details as printed
Name, passport number and nationality.
Add travel information
Flight number, stay address, travel history, health declaration and China contact.
Re-check the passport number
Before you submit.
Submit and save the QR code
Immigration scans it on arrival. Learn how to save and show your QR code so it works at the border.
Free Paper Cards and Kiosks on Arrival
You can still enter without paying anyone. Paper forms remain available at the checkpoint during a transitional period, according to VisasNews. Kiosks, smart devices or a QR scan are also offered (VisasNews, The Straits Times), but availability varies by airport. If you’re weighing both options, compare the digital and paper arrival card before you fly.
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Paid online service | Service fee |
| Free kiosk | No charge |
| Paper card | No charge |
Already Paid? Chargebacks and Related Rules
If you paid a third-party site, contact your card issuer and ask whether the charge can be disputed. Keep screenshots, receipts and e-mails.
Change your passwords, secure your e-mail and watch for phishing. If you are unsure whether a site is a scam, call ScamShield on 1799, Singapore’s 24/7 helpline. The sources list no Chinese reporting channel.
Don’t confuse the card with these rules (per Wise):
| Requirement | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation registration | If you stay somewhere other than a hotel, you or your host generally must register within 24 hours. Failure may lead to a warning or a fine of up to 2,000 CNY. Hotels normally register guests. | Wise |
| Cash declaration | Currency and cash declaration rules apply, so check China Customs guidance before you travel. | Wise |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How can I avoid paying for China arrival card online?
Use a free NIA channel, such as the NIA website at nia.gov.cn, the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat or Alipay mini-program. Type the address yourself instead of clicking an ad. If time runs short, paper cards and kiosks at the port of entry cost nothing.
How do I avoid paying for China arrival card online when searching on my phone?
Skip results labelled “Sponsored” or “Ad” and go straight to the NIA website or the NIA 12367 app. A payment request suggests you’re not on one of the free official channels, so close it before entering passport details.
Do Singapore passport holders still need the arrival card on a visa-free trip?
Yes. Visa-free entry for up to 30 days doesn’t waive the card, and only the seven exempt groups skip it. If you’re unsure whether your group or transit status counts, check with the NIA before flying.
Who is exempt from filling in the China arrival card?
Seven groups: Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders; non-Chinese holders of the Mainland Travel Permit for HK/Macao residents; group visa or group visa-free entrants; 24-hour direct transit passengers staying in the port area; cruise passengers entering and leaving on the same vessel; E-channel users; foreign crew of exit-entry transport vehicles.
Can I complete a paper arrival card when I land in China?
Paper forms are available at the checkpoint, though VisasNews describes this as a transitional arrangement. Kiosks and smart devices are a second free option.
What did the NIA warn about regarding fake arrival card sites?
The NIA’s notice of 2 December 2025 warned that fake websites pose as official Arrival Card platforms and are designed to defraud travellers. It urged applicants to use only official channels, which it said are free of charge.
How do I know if an arrival card website is a government site?
Official Chinese government sites use the .gov.cn domain, such as the NIA site. A site that charges for the form is a private intermediary. The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gov.sg) shows how to recognise official .gov.sg sites.
How can I get my money back if I paid a third-party arrival card site?
You can contact your Singapore card issuer, attach screenshots and receipts, and ask whether the charge can be disputed. ScamShield on 1799 is a Singapore helpline if you are unsure whether something is a scam.
Sources and Further Reading
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore: domain tips and ScamShield 1799.
- The Straits Times: NIA notice of 2 December 2025 and the free-of-charge channels.
- VisasNews: transitional paper forms, 4 November 2025.
- Wise: Singapore traveller guide to China rules.
Rules can change, so check the NIA portal before you travel.
