The China arrival card for Singaporeans, the China Digital Arrival Card (NIA), is needed for visa-free entry to mainland China. Filing on the NIA portal at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC does not require payment. Complete it before your flight, and keep a saved copy of the QR code on your phone.
This is an independent guide, not a government site, and we don’t file the card for you. Check the details on the NIA portal before you fly.
China Arrival Card for Singaporeans: Who Files
Yes, if you hold a Singapore passport and enter mainland China without a visa. The China Digital Arrival Card is issued by the National Immigration Administration (NIA), and visa-free travellers must file it too. If you’re unsure who else has to file, see our overview of who needs the China arrival card.
The digital card launched on 20 November 2025 (announced on 4 November 2025). At launch, a paper form remained available temporarily. For a comparison of the two versions, read our guide on the digital vs paper China arrival card.
The form includes a 30-day visa waiver option. Purpose-of-entry options in the form include tourism, business and visiting friends or family.
Seven groups are exempt:
- Holders of a China permanent resident ID for foreigners
- Non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao
- Group travellers, whether on a collective visa or qualifying for visa-free entry
- Transit passengers who stay in the designated port zone
- Cruise passengers who enter and leave on the same ship
- Fast-track travellers
- Foreign crew of transport vehicles
Not sure whether you fall into an exempt group? Check the full China arrival card exemption list and the NIA portal before you fly.
Where to File and What It Costs
The NIA channels do not require payment. Some third-party websites charge a service fee to help with the form. That fee is not a government charge — for more on this, see whether the China arrival card is free.
| Channel | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NIA website | No payment required | PC and phone versions at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC |
| “NIA 12367” app | No payment required | Also shown as “Immigration Bureau 12367” |
| WeChat and Alipay mini-programs | No payment required | Mini-programs on WeChat and Alipay |
You’ll get a card with a QR code to download or send to your email.
Be careful with sites that ask for payment or card details, or that present themselves as government services. Type the NIA address yourself instead of following search ads.
China Arrival Card for Singaporeans: Field by Field
In the roughly 28-field form, if you don’t hold a valid visa, answer No and choose the entry policy that applies, such as the 30-day visa waiver.
The form has six steps, from uploading your passport page to receiving the digital card. Keep your passport and bookings open side by side. For the full walkthrough, see our guide on how to fill the China arrival card step by step.
| Field | What to enter | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Name and Citizenship | Name as in your passport; Singapore | Check the spelling against the passport |
| ID Number | Passport number | Check the photo page |
| City and Port of Entry | Port of entry: the airport where you land | Your landing airport, not your departure airport |
| Contact Number, Email | A phone number with its international calling code; email for the QR | Check the spelling |
| Valid visa or entry permit? | No | Don’t invent a visa number |
| Entry Policy Selection | 30-day visa waiver | Other options: 24/240-hour visa-free transit |
| Date of Entry | Landing date in China | Not your Singapore departure date |
| Address in China | Province, city and district, then the detailed address | Copy from your booking confirmation |
| Confirmed Departure Itinerary | Yes, if you have a confirmed return itinerary | Check your booking first |
Changi Check-In Checklist
Have your passport and QR code ready before you leave for the airport. Save a copy of the QR code on your phone. Complete the form before you fly, if possible.
Arrival Clearance in China: Kiosks to Customs
On arrival, you can complete the form at a kiosk at the port of entry or by scanning the QR code, then go through immigration, baggage and customs.
Complete the form
At a kiosk at the port of entry, or open your saved QR code.
Show your documents
Show your passport and QR code at immigration.
Collect your bags
Pick up your checked baggage.
Go through customs
Choose the customs channel that matches your declaration.
Customs rules are separate from the arrival card. Check current customs rules before you travel.
Worried your QR code won’t open? If you never filed before departure, see what to do if you forget to submit the China arrival card, or read the other fallbacks in the FAQ below.
Common Mistakes and Related Requirements
Most problems come from these slips:
- Name typos: copy your name from the passport photo page.
- Flight details that don’t match your ticket: copy them from your booking.
- Old guides describing a paper card: check the NIA portal for the current process.
The SG Arrival Card with Electronic Health Declaration is a separate document for entering Singapore, according to ICA. For a side-by-side comparison, see our article on the China arrival card vs SG Arrival Card.
Consular visa applications from Singapore are handled in Singapore City, per visaforchina.cn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the China arrival card for Singaporeans mandatory for visa-free trips?
Yes. Foreigners entering China, with or without a visa, must file the card, unless they fall into one of seven exempt groups set by the NIA. Check the current list at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC before you fly.
Is the China arrival card free to submit?
The NIA channels do not require payment. Some third-party services charge a fee for this form, but you don’t have to pay anyone to file the NIA card. Payment pages are not part of the NIA channels, which are free to use.
Where do I fill in the China arrival card online if I fly from Changi?
Use the NIA website at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs. Do it at home before you fly. Then download the card or send it to your email, and keep a copy on your phone.
What should I select in Entry Policy Selection as a Singapore passport holder?
If you are travelling visa-free, you can select the 30-day visa waiver option. The form’s other entry policy option is 24/240-hour visa-free transit, for transit travellers. If you hold a valid visa, answer Yes and enter the visa number instead, and leave the selection for visa-free travellers aside.
What address should I write for my accommodation in China?
Write the full address of your first night: province, city and district, then the detailed address. Copy it from your booking confirmation so the spelling matches. Destination Cities in China asks for the city where you will stay the longest.
What happens if my QR code fails at the Chinese border?
If you didn’t file before flying, you can complete the form at a kiosk at the port of entry or by scanning the QR code on arrival. A paper form remained temporarily available during the initial rollout. Open your saved copy first, and follow airport signs or ask staff if you need help.
Why must I give fingerprints before the immigration counter?
Our research doesn’t confirm a fingerprint step in China’s arrival process. Check the NIA portal at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC for the current arrival procedure, and follow the instructions at the port of entry.
How is the China arrival card for Singaporeans different from the SG Arrival Card?
They’re two separate documents. The China card covers entering mainland China, and the SG Arrival Card is for entering Singapore, per ICA. Filing one doesn’t replace the other. Check ICA before you return for the current submission details.
Sources and Further Reading
- ICA Singapore: SG Arrival Card with Electronic Health Declaration.
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center: visa application centres, including Singapore City.
Rules can change, so check the NIA portal before you travel.
