Here’s the china arrival card airport kiosk process: file your declaration with the National Immigration Administration (NIA) first, then at the airport scan your passport. At Shanghai airports, fingerprint machines stand before immigration, so expect to be fingerprinted on arrival. Then go through immigration inspection.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. You file the card at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. We don’t charge fees or file for you, so check dates and rules on that portal before you fly.
China Arrival Card Airport Kiosk Process Overview
At Chinese airports, self-service machines are an on-site option for travellers who have not filed online. At Shanghai airports, fingerprint machines stand before immigration, so expect to be fingerprinted on arrival.
You file the China Digital Arrival Card separately. NIA has issued it since 20 November 2025. It replaces the paper Foreigner Arrival Card, which was available during a transition period — see our comparison of the digital vs paper arrival card. It’s a declaration, not a visa.
Prepare and Submit Before You Land
Many travellers file 24 to 72 hours before arrival. You can also file right after airline check-in or on the plane, or on arrival, which is slower at peak times. Use the NIA site on PC (https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/) or mobile (https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone/), the NIA 12367 (移民局12367) app, or the mini-program in WeChat or Alipay. Filing through official channels is free.
| Step | Online before landing | At the airport |
|---|---|---|
| When | Many travellers file 24 to 72 hours before arrival | On arrival, which is slower at peak times |
| Who it suits | Travellers who file before the flight | Travellers who have not filed online |
Have these ready: your passport photo page (it fills in name, number and expiry), phone with country code, email, flight number and arrival port. Write your China address as Province, City, District, Street and number. Vague entries are rejected — our step-by-step filling guide explains every field.
Save a screenshot of the confirmation QR code and, if possible, a printed copy. A false statement can mean a 1 to 5 year entry ban. Third-party sites that ask for payment are not official NIA channels, and the NIA form itself is free.
Flying from Changi? File after airline check-in and check the visa-free conditions that apply to your nationality on the NIA portal, since they can change — see our guide for Singaporeans flying from Changi.
China Arrival Card Airport Kiosk Process Steps
Self-service machines at Chinese airports are an on-site option for travellers who have not filed online, and fingerprint machines are used at Shanghai airports. Not sure which machine is which? Follow the signs in the arrival hall.
File your declaration with the NIA
File online 24 to 72 hours before arrival
Scan your passport at the airport
At Shanghai airports expect to be fingerprinted on arrival
Go through immigration inspection
Your declaration is filed separately, online or on arrival
Smart Gates vs Staffed Immigration Lanes
Some traveller groups don’t need to fill in the arrival card at all. The lanes open to you depend on your status, so ask staff on site about the lane that applies to you — the full exemption list explains who skips the card.
| Traveller | Arrival card |
|---|---|
| Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holder | Exempt |
| Non-Chinese holder of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao | Exempt |
| Group traveller | Exempt |
| Transit passenger staying in the restricted port area | Exempt |
| Cruise passenger leaving on the same ship | Exempt |
| Traveller using a pre-approved fast-track lane | Exempt |
| Foreign crew of planes, ships or trains | Exempt |
Most other foreign travellers file the declaration and go through immigration inspection. Unsure which lane applies to you? Ask staff on site.
Fixing Kiosk Errors and Common Mistakes
If something goes wrong at the airport, staff in the arrival hall can help. A few points are worth keeping in mind before you fly:
- Full name must match your passport exactly, with no abbreviations.
- Keep a screenshot or printed copy of the QR code as a backup.
- Host entities that issue false invitations can face fines of up to RMB 50,000.
The arrival card is an entry declaration, not a visa. Travellers who need a visa must obtain one before departure — our article on the arrival card vs Chinese visa explains the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the china arrival card airport kiosk process?
Some Chinese arrival halls, including Shanghai, have self-service machines before immigration, and fingerprint machines are used at Shanghai airports. After the machines, you go through immigration inspection. Your arrival card declaration is filed separately.
Who doesn’t need to fill in the arrival card?
Seven groups are exempt, including holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao, group travellers, transit passengers who stay in the restricted port area, cruise passengers who leave on the same ship, travellers using pre-approved fast-track lanes, and foreign crew of planes, ships or trains.
Where do I submit the China Arrival Card online?
Use https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ on a computer or https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone/ on a phone. The NIA 12367 (移民局12367) app and the mini-program in WeChat or Alipay also work. Scanning a QR code at the airport or from your airline is another route.
When should I fill in the arrival card before my flight?
Many travellers file 24 to 72 hours before arrival. You can also file right after airline check-in or on the plane. Filing on arrival is possible but slower at peak times. Filling in the form usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes, though some travellers finish faster.
Is submitting the China Arrival Card free?
Yes. Filing through official channels is free. Sites that ask for payment are not NIA channels. Start from the NIA portal at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ to check the current channels.
What should I do if a machine at the airport doesn’t work for me?
Staff in the arrival hall can help. Procedures can change, so check the NIA portal at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ before you travel.
Can a foreign tourist use a fast lane at a Chinese airport?
Travellers using pre-approved fast-track lanes are among the groups exempt from the arrival card. For other foreign tourists, the lane depends on status, so ask staff on site and check the NIA portal before you travel.
What should Singapore passengers do before boarding a flight to China?
File after airline check-in, save a screenshot of the confirmation QR code, and check the visa-free conditions for your nationality on the NIA portal at https://s.nia.gov.cn/, since they can change.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA arrival card filling: where you file the card and check current rules.
- NIA online form (PC): the filing page itself.
- NIA online form (mobile): the mobile filing page.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
