You fill in the China arrival card for Singapore PR and expat pass holders with your national passport details, not your Singapore status. File it on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal, s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC, before you travel to China. If you miss this step, you can still complete the card on arrival.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. Check dates and rules on the NIA portal before you travel. For a full overview of the digital declaration and how it fits into the entry workflow, see our China Arrival Card requirements and digital declaration guide.
Does Singapore PR or EP Status Change Anything?
No. Singapore PR and Employment Pass status are not among the exempt groups, so you still need to file the card. The form is completed with passport details. For the full breakdown of who must file, read our guide on who needs to fill the China Arrival Card as a foreign passport holder.
Enter your passport number, not your FIN or NRIC. The form asks for passport data. The digital card started on 20 November 2025, and paper forms were to remain available during a transition period.
The exempt groups are:
- Holders of China’s Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, which is not Singapore PR
- Non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong or Macao
- Group travellers, including collective visas or group visa-free entry
- Transit passengers who stay in the designated port zone
- Cruise passengers who leave on the same ship they arrived on
- Travellers using fast-track entry lanes
- Foreign crew of transport vehicles
Each exemption comes with its own conditions at the border, so check our detailed China Arrival Card exemption list before you fly.
Preparing Your Documents Before You Fly
Have these ready before you reach check-in:
- Your physical national passport
- Your Chinese visa number, or the entry policy you’re using, such as a visa-free entry policy or transit
- The flight number of your trip to China
- A hotel or host address in China
- Your phone number and email
Check passport validity requirements with the Chinese embassy or consulate.
Short on time? Finish the digital card first and save the QR code as a screenshot and an email copy. Blank paper cards at Changi terminals or gates aren’t confirmed, so ask your airline. For more on how to store and present your code, see our tips on saving and showing the China Arrival Card QR code.
Filling In the Arrival Card Field by Field
Review the details the portal reads from your passport (last name, first name, gender, date of birth, citizenship, passport number), complete any missing fields, add your China address and visa details, and leave FIN and NRIC out. The portal has six steps:
Upload your passport data page
Upload or photograph your passport data page.
Check your passport details
Check the last name, first name, gender, date of birth, citizenship and passport number.
Add personal and visa details
Add country and city of birth, phone, email and visa status in China.
Fill in travel and stay details
Purpose of entry, arrival date, main destination city and address of stay. Transit cities, details of an inviting person or entity, and return-travel confirmation are optional.
Read the declaration and sign digitally
Read the declaration and sign digitally.
Download the QR code or email it to yourself
Download the QR code or email it to yourself.
| Field | What you enter |
|---|---|
| Passport number | The number in your national passport |
| Name | Last and first name as printed |
| Address of stay | Hotel name and full street address |
| Flight number | Your flight number from Singapore to China |
| Port of entry | The city and airport where you land in China |
With a valid visa, enter the visa number. Without one, select your entry policy, for example a visa-free entry policy or transit. If you are flying on to a third country, select the transit option. For a complete walkthrough of every input, see our step-by-step guide to filling the China Arrival Card.
Submitting on the NIA Portal and at Arrival
Go to https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC to start. The portal works in 13 languages, including English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese.
The card can also be completed in the NIA 12367 app or a WeChat mini program, and on arrival at self-service kiosks or by scanning a QR code. The NIA portal also has a border-area declaration for border-resident certificate holders from seven countries: DPRK, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. It applies only to holders of border-resident certificates from those countries.
Use the NIA address directly. Look-alike sites and paid intermediaries exist, and some paid intermediaries are private companies, not government agencies. Learn how to spot them in our guide on avoiding China Arrival Card fees and unauthorised intermediaries.
Staying in private housing? Register your accommodation yourself, because hotels usually handle the 24-hour rule.
Common Mistakes and Confusable Documents
| Document | Purpose | Who completes it | Common confusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Arrival Card | NIA immigration entry declaration | Foreign nationals entering China | Mixed up with other travel forms |
- Don’t skip the QR code. Save a screenshot and an email copy before you leave home.
- Compare your visa and booking with the card before you submit.
- Don’t wait until the airport. File the digital card ahead of your trip.
Returning to Changi: the SG Arrival Card
Coming home is a separate step from the China card.
The SG Arrival Card (SGAC) includes a health declaration and isn’t a visa. The SG Arrival Card can be submitted up to 3 days before arrival. Check the current rules on the ICA website. For a side-by-side comparison, see our article on the difference between the China Arrival Card and the SG Arrival Card.
Paid third-party services exist. Their fees are not government fees. Submit it within the window before your arrival, up to 3 days before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need the china arrival card for singapore pr and expat pass holders if I live in Singapore?
Yes, unless you belong to one of the seven exempt groups. Singapore residency is not among them. Only China’s own Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card appears there, so file with your passport details.
Which ID number do I enter on the China arrival card, passport or FIN/NRIC?
Enter your passport number, not your FIN or NRIC. Your citizenship, name and date of birth also come from your passport, so keep it next to you while you fill in the form.
What is the web address for submitting the China arrival card, and does it cost anything?
Start at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC. Read the portal page itself for current terms before you enter any payment details. If another site asks for payment, check that the address matches before you enter any details.
What do I enter in the visa status field if I travel visa-free?
Select your entry policy instead of a visa number, such as a visa-free entry policy or transit. Confirm which entry policy applies to you with the Chinese embassy or consulate before you fly.
Is Singapore PR one of the exemptions from the China arrival card?
No. The only permanent-residence exemption is China’s Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card. Singapore PR, Employment Pass, S Pass and Dependent Pass are not on the list of exempt groups, so they do not exempt you.
Can I still use a paper China arrival card when departing from Changi?
Possibly, but it isn’t confirmed. Paper forms were to remain available during a transition period, but the sources reviewed don’t confirm this for departures from Changi. Ask your airline, and complete the digital card beforehand so you hold a saved QR code.
How do I complete the china arrival card for singapore pr and expat pass holders when transiting China without a visa?
Select the transit option in the visa status field. Which transit rule applies to you depends on your passport nationality, so check it with the Chinese embassy or consulate before you book.
Is the SG Arrival Card the same as the China arrival card, and how early can I submit it?
No. The SG Arrival Card is a Singapore return declaration with a health declaration, and it isn’t a visa. You can submit it up to 3 days before arrival. Confirm the window on the ICA website.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA Arrival Card Filling portal: the direct place to file the digital card, with 13 languages and the border-area declaration.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
