The China arrival card exemption list is short, and Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders lead it. Visa-free entry doesn’t replace the card: Singapore passport holders still file the China Digital Arrival Card (CDAC) on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. Check the rules on s.nia.gov.cn before you fly.
China Arrival Card Exemption List: Eight Categories
If you’re a foreign visitor who isn’t exempt, you file an entry declaration (not a visa) for each trip. Online filing has been the standard way to file since 20 November 2025.
| Category | Condition |
|---|---|
| Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders | Valid card |
| Non-Chinese holders of the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong/Macao residents | Valid permit |
| Group visa or group visa-free travellers | Individual visa-free travellers still file |
| 24-hour direct transit | Stays in restricted airside area |
| Same-ship cruise passengers | Enter and leave on same vessel |
| e-Channel travellers | Eligible for e-Channel clearance |
| Foreign crew or transport employees | In international service |
| Centralized submission | Courtesy arrangement |
The list has seven groups plus one courtesy arrangement for centralized submission; guides differ on the count. Border-area residents of neighbouring countries have a separate option on the landing page.
Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card Holders
Holders of a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card are exempt from filing. Each traveller needs their own card, children included, so companions who don’t hold the card file their own declarations — see our guide to filing the card for family members.
Visa-Free and 240-Hour Transit Travellers Still File
Visa-free entry isn’t an exemption. Visa-free rules depend on nationality and purpose of travel, so check the current rules before you fly through the visa-free FAQ.
| Route | Condition | Arrival card required? |
|---|---|---|
| Airside 24-hour direct transit | Stay in the restricted area | No |
| 240-hour visa-free transit | Onward ticket needed; returning to departure country doesn’t qualify | Yes |
| Visa-free entry | Ordinary passport valid for the stay | Yes |
Singapore passport holders can also use 240-hour visa-free transit, which requires an onward ticket. Flying visa-free from Singapore? You file — our Singaporean visa-free entry guide walks through it from Changi.
Not on the Exemption List? How to File
File on s.nia.gov.cn (PC and mobile), the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat/Alipay mini-program. Filing through the NIA channels is free of charge. The NIA hotline is 12367.
You can file the card any time before travel. Some guides recommend doing it within 72 hours before arrival, once flight and hotel details are final. Filling it in usually takes about 5 to 15 minutes, depending on how much you have ready.
Prepare your documents
Have your passport data page, expiry date and flight or vessel details ready.
Fill in your details
Add your port and city of entry, phone with country code, email, accommodation address and visa number or policy.
Check and submit
Check every field, then submit.
Each traveller files one card per entry, children included. A submitted card can’t be edited, so file a new one to correct any details. If you haven’t filed online, you can complete the card on arrival, using the port’s self-service devices, QR code or a paper card at the counter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who qualifies for the China arrival card exemption list?
Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders are exempt, as are non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao residents, group-visa travellers, 24-hour direct transit passengers, cruise passengers on the same ship, e-Channel users, foreign crew and transport employees. If your status is uncertain, file a card as a backup.
Do Singaporeans need to fill in a China arrival card for 30-day visa-free travel?
Yes. Singapore passport holders entering visa-free still need to file the card; visa-free entry does not replace it. File on s.nia.gov.cn.
Do Foreign Permanent Resident ID holders have to complete the China arrival card?
No. Holders of a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card are exempt. Each other traveller, including family members on foreign passports, files their own card.
Is an APEC Business Travel Card enough to skip the arrival card?
The arrival card requirement applies to every traveller entering China, regardless of visa arrangements. Exemptions depend on the categories above, such as holding a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card or using e-Channel clearance. If your status is uncertain, check on s.nia.gov.cn or call the NIA 12367 hotline before flying.
Where can I verify the current China arrival card exemption list?
The exemption categories include Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders, Mainland Travel Permit holders, group-visa travellers, 24-hour direct transit passengers, same-ship cruise passengers, e-Channel users, foreign crew and transport employees, plus centralized submission. Check the current wording on s.nia.gov.cn or call the NIA hotline, 12367. For visa-free rules, see the visa-free FAQ.
Do transit passengers need an arrival card in China?
It depends. Direct 24-hour transit that stays airside is exempt. If you pass immigration under 240-hour visa-free transit, you file, and you need an onward ticket.
Can I edit my China arrival card after submitting it?
No, so file a new card. Before you submit, you can correct passport recognition errors, plus entry policy, visa number, contact details, route and accommodation. Check each field first.
Does the arrival card cost anything to submit?
Filing the card is free. Some commercial services charge a fee to fill in the form for you, but this is an optional service and not a government charge. Be cautious with sites that pretend to be the NIA. Start from s.nia.gov.cn or the NIA 12367 app.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA Arrival Card Filling: filing portal and 12367 mini-programs
- NIA English site: visa-free transit and regional visa-free policy pages
- Visa-free entry FAQs: 30-day stay rules
