In the China Arrival Card vs Chinese visa question, the visa is your travel permission and the card is a separate border declaration. A visa or visa-free entry doesn’t exempt you from the card. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) handles the card.
This is an independent guide, not a government site, and it does not file applications for you. Check current rules on the NIA English site before you fly.
China Arrival Card vs Chinese Visa: Core Differences
A visa gets you to a Chinese port of entry, and officers review the card at the port of entry, alongside your passport. The digital version began on 20 November 2025.
| Question | Chinese visa | China Arrival Card |
|---|---|---|
| Who handles it | Consular post; in Singapore, the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) | NIA |
| What it does | Authorizes travel to the border | Registers you and declares stay details |
| When | Weeks ahead; check current processing times with the consular post or CVASC | Shortly before or on arrival |
A valid visa doesn’t replace the card, and mismatched data can cause delays at immigration. If you’re unsure which document applies to you, see who needs to fill the China Arrival Card.
Visa Holders and Visa-Free Travelers: Both Needed?
Yes, unless you’re in an exempt group. That includes Singapore passport holders.
- Visa holders: answer Yes to the visa question and enter your visa number.
- Singapore visa-free entry: Singapore passport holders on visa-free entry answer No to the visa question and select the visa-free entry policy that applies to them. See the full Singaporeans visa-free entry guide.
- Transit without a visa: transit passengers without a visa may qualify for the 240-hour transit policy; check eligibility on the NIA site and read our layover rules for transit passengers.
Seven groups are exempt from the card, as announced in November 2025:
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders
- Non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong or Macao
- Direct transit passengers staying in the port zone
- Cruise passengers entering and departing on the same vessel
- Travelers using fast-track entry lanes
- Foreign employees of exit-entry transport vehicles
- Group travelers, whether they hold a collective visa or qualify for visa-free entry
Not sure you qualify? File the card, or check the full China Arrival Card exemption list.
How and When to File the Card
File the card online before your arrival, and check the NIA site for the current filing window. Our guide to the 72-hour filing window explains the timing for Singapore travellers.
Use the NIA website, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs.
Enter your passport details and nationality
Add your flight number, entry port and arrival date
Enter your hotel or host address in China
Choose your purpose of entry and answer the visa question
Confirm the declaration and save the QR code
Kiosks and paper cards may be available at some ports. The card covers one specific entry, so match the flight, port and arrival date to your ticket. For a field-by-field walkthrough, see how to fill the China Arrival Card step by step.
At the Border: What Officers Check
At primary inspection, you show your passport, your visa if you have one, and the QR code. Travelers who haven’t filed in advance can complete the card on arrival by scanning a QR code, using a kiosk or filling in a paper card.
False data is the bigger risk. Providing false information can lead to an entry ban, which may last up to five years.
Card is not registration. Hotels register guests automatically; a private residence needs its own accommodation registration, so ask your host how to do it. Our article on the difference between the arrival card and police (PSB) registration explains the split.
Staying with friends? Keep their address handy.
China Arrival Card vs Chinese Visa: Common Mistakes
- Skipping the card because you hold a visa or waiver: file it anyway.
- Typing your passport number in the visa field: answer No if you hold no visa.
- Flight number, date or port that doesn’t match your ticket: compare before you submit. If you spot an error after confirming, here’s how to correct details in your China Arrival Card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a China Arrival Card if I already have a visa?
Yes. A visa and the card are separate, so you still file the card and enter your visa number in its visa question. Only the seven exempt groups listed above skip it. Check the NIA English site for current rules.
What is the China arrival card vs Chinese visa difference in simple terms?
A visa is advance permission to travel to a Chinese port of entry, and the card is a declaration you file about yourself and your trip. Neither replaces the other.
China arrival card vs Chinese visa: do Singapore travelers on visa-free entry still need it?
Yes, unless you’re in an exempt group. Waiver entry replaces the visa, not the card. On the form, answer No to the visa question and select the visa-free entry policy that applies to Singapore passports. Confirm the stay limit on the NIA site before you fly.
Where do I submit the China Arrival Card, and is it free?
Start at en.nia.gov.cn and use only NIA channels. Sites that ask for payment are intermediaries, and this guide isn’t one: we don’t submit anything for you. The NIA website is available in Chinese, English, Russian, French, Spanish and Arabic.
How early can I fill in the arrival card?
File the card before you arrive, and check the NIA site for the current window when you file. Then match your arrival date and flight number to your ticket.
Who is exempt from the arrival card?
Seven groups are exempt, such as Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders, cruise passengers entering and departing on the same vessel, and foreign employees of exit-entry transport vehicles. The full list appears earlier in this guide. Check the NIA English site if you’re not sure which group you fall into.
Does the arrival card register my hotel stay?
No. The card is a border declaration, and stay registration is a separate duty. Hotels register guests automatically. At a private home, you need to register separately, so ask your host how to do it. The NIA site has more detail.
What happens if I put false information on the card?
Providing false information can lead to an entry ban. Before you confirm, check each field against your passport, ticket and booking.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA English site: national immigration news and entry rules.
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center: visa applications for Singapore.
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
