Filing the NIA 12367 app China arrival card is free on the official NIA channels: install the National Immigration Administration 12367 App (NIA 12367), enter your passport and flight details, then screenshot the confirmation QR code.
This independent guide isn’t a government site. File at https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. Check rules there before you travel.
NIA 12367 App China Arrival Card: Who Files?
Entering visa-free with a Singapore passport? You still file, as do visa holders — see the visa-free entry guide for Singaporeans.
The card has applied since 20 November 2025, per the embassy notice. It records arrival details only and doesn’t grant entry or replace a visa.
These seven groups may be exempt from filing:
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders
- Non-Chinese holders of the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
- Group visa or group visa-free entrants
- 24-hour direct transit, staying in the restricted or port area
- Cruise passengers entering and exiting on the same ship
- Fast-lane or e-channel travelers
- Foreign crew of exit-entry vehicles
The embassy notices say to file before coming to China, and give no fixed time window. Many travelers file a day or two before departure, once their flight and China address are settled — here’s how early you can submit the card.
Skip lookalike sites that charge a fee. Unsure? Call the NIA hotline +86-10-12367.
Preparing, Installing and Registering the App
Start with these:
- Passport details
- Arrival flight number and date
- Your address in China, based on your planned stay
Open the app
Open the NIA 12367 app, or search for 移民局12367 in the WeChat or Alipay mini-program.
Select English
Select the English-language option on the form.
Open the form
Open the Foreigner Arrival Card form to start.
You can also file through the WeChat or Alipay mini-program or the PC site.
Completing the NIA 12367 App China Arrival Card
Check each field against your documents:
| Field | Common trap | What to enter |
|---|---|---|
| Passport number | Typos and extra spaces | Enter the passport number exactly as printed |
| Arrival flight | Return flight entered | Your flight number into China |
| China address | Field left blank | Your address in China, based on your planned stay |
The app then shows a confirmation QR code. Screenshot it before you leave; printing isn’t required.
Each passport, including a child’s, needs its own card — see the rules for filing for children and seniors.
Common Mistakes, Errors and Backup Options
Most trouble comes from these:
- Expecting a health declaration: the arrival card is separate from a health declaration, just as it’s separate from the Chinese customs declaration.
At the port, paper cards and on-site smart devices are fallbacks. If you can’t use your phone, ask staff at the port about the on-site smart devices or paper cards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the NIA 12367 app China arrival card the only way to file?
No. You can also use the PC site at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, the WeChat or Alipay mini-program, scan a QR code on your phone, or use smart devices and self-service kiosks at the port of entry. Choose whichever one you already have.
Is the NIA 12367 app China arrival card free?
Yes. Filing through the official NIA channels is free of charge. A site that asks for a fee is not the official service, and NIA has warned about such sites.
Which website works for filing on a computer?
Use https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, the PC form on the government domain s.nia.gov.cn. Open it in a computer browser and check the address bar before entering passport details.
Do I need to print the QR code?
No. Show the confirmation QR code on your phone; a printed copy is not required. Keep the screenshot where you can find it fast, because you show it to the immigration officer.
Do children and infants need their own card?
Yes, each child and infant has their own card tied to their own passport. With no single group form, every family member files separately and gets a separate QR code to save.
Do Singaporeans entering visa-free still file?
Yes. Visa-free entry doesn’t exempt you from the card; visa-free rules decide whether you need a visa, while the card only records your arrival details. File before you fly, through the app or another channel.
Can I use a paper card if the app fails?
Yes. Paper Arrival Cards are available at Chinese ports of entry for travelers who haven’t filed online. Ask staff if you can’t find one. Keep digital filing as your first choice.
What if the SMS code never arrives?
Still nothing? Call the NIA hotline on +86-10-12367.
Sources and Further Reading
Rules can change, so check the rules on the NIA filing site (s.nia.gov.cn) before you travel.
