Fill in the China Arrival Card (the digital entry form) at s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ to get your free China arrival card QR code. Screenshot it and store it offline before you travel.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. We don’t charge fees or file for you, so check dates and details on the NIA portal before you fly from Singapore. Filing is free of charge — see what Singapore travelers should know about the free filing.
Who Needs a China Arrival Card QR Code
Most foreign visitors do, including visa-free entrants and people on 240-hour visa-free transit. Online filling began on 20 November 2025. After you submit, the QR code appears and officers scan it. For the full rules for foreign passport holders, see our guide on who needs to fill the China Arrival Card.
Seven groups of foreign travelers are exempt from filing:
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID holders
- Non-Chinese holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for HK/Macau residents
- Group visa or group visa-free travelers
- Transit passengers who remain within the designated port area
- Cruise passengers who board and leave on the same ship
- Travelers using e-channel or fast-track lanes
- Foreign crew of transport vehicles
Not sure you’re exempt? Check the portal before you fly. Holders of border resident certificates from seven countries use a separate form. Our exemption list explains who skips the card and what to show at the border instead.
Generate Your China Arrival Card QR Code
Filing is free of charge. Fill in the form before you travel, and check the portal for the current filing window — our guide on how early you can submit the China Arrival Card covers the timing rules.
- Desktop browser: s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ — see our complete desktop walkthrough
- NIA 12367 app (移民局12367), from the National Immigration Administration
- WeChat and Alipay mini-programs: search 移民局12367 — our step-by-step mini program guide shows how
The web portal offers 13 interface languages, so set the form to English.
Upload your passport photo page
Upload the photo page of your passport first.
Check the auto-filled data
Check the auto-filled name and passport number.
Add your flight
Enter your flight details and entry port.
Add your stay address and phone
Enter your address in China and a phone number with country code.
Complete the visa or entry policy and the declaration
Add your visa or entry policy details and the declaration, then submit.
| Field | What to enter | Common pitfall |
|---|---|---|
| Passport data | Exactly as in the passport | Typos in the surname |
| Flight | Wrong or missing flight number | Flight number left blank |
| Stay address | Full address in China: province or city, district and street address. | Vague address, for example only the hotel name |
| Contact phone | Phone number with international calling code | Country code missing |
| Entry port | The specific airport, station or border crossing where you enter. | Wrong port or city |
The NIA warned about fraudulent filing sites on 5 December 2025. Filing is free of charge. Use only the channels the NIA lists: the NIA portal, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs. Learn how to avoid paying for the China Arrival Card online.
Screenshot and Store the QR Code Offline
Take the screenshot the moment the code appears. A saved screenshot should let you show the code without internet access, but keep a second copy as well. If you lose it, see how to verify your submission and recover a lost QR code.
Capture the code
Capture the code on screen.
Save a spare copy
Tap Download to Local, or Send to Email.
Organize your album
Move the image into a dedicated album so you can find it quickly.
Save the image where you can reach it without a connection at the counter.
Showing the Code at Border Counters
Have the code ready to open on your phone before you reach the front. At a staffed counter, show your passport and the saved code when the officer asks for it, and the officer scans the code. Wondering which format suits you? Compare the digital arrival card and the paper arrival card.
If the scan fails, follow the officer’s instructions. Paper arrival cards remain available at these ports.
Paper Backup and Re-entry
A printed copy is a sensible backup if your phone battery or device fails. Keep it with your passport.
| Document | When used | Format | Common confusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital QR code | Entry inspection, main use | Screenshot or printout | Shown when the officer asks for your arrival record |
| Paper arrival card | For travelers who did not file online | Paper form | Available at ports as the paper option |
Each entry into mainland China needs its own card and code. If you leave and come back, for example China → Hong Kong → China, file a new one — our guide on China Arrival Card validity and re-entry rules explains the details.
The sources don’t describe how to change a submitted form. Check the portal for the current process before you travel, or read how to correct details in your China Arrival Card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I generate a China arrival card QR code?
Open s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/, upload your passport photo page, and add your flight, entry port, address, phone and declaration. After you submit, the code appears on screen. Take a screenshot straight away so you have it offline.
Do I need internet or roaming at the border?
No. A saved screenshot opens without internet or roaming. That’s why you save it before you leave, rather than trying to reload it at the counter on a connection you may not have.
Screenshot or “Download to Local”?
Use both if you can. A screenshot is quick and works offline. Download to Local and Send to Email give you a spare copy. Keep every copy in your offline album and check that it opens.
Do children need their own QR code?
Every traveler fills in their own arrival card. Check the portal for details on how cards are handled for children and families, and save each traveler’s code separately so you can find it quickly at the counter. See our guide on filling the China Arrival Card for family members.
What if the scanner can’t read my China arrival card QR code?
Follow the officer’s instructions at the counter. Paper arrival cards remain available at ports if the digital code can’t be used.
Do I need a new code after Hong Kong?
Yes. For example, going China → Hong Kong → China means a new card for the return trip. File the new card before your next entry into mainland China.
What’s the web address, and does it cost anything?
Use s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ on a computer. Filing is free of charge, so a site asking for a fee isn’t the genuine channel.
Can I print the China arrival card QR code?
Yes. A printed copy is a sensible backup if your phone battery or device fails. Keep the copy with your passport.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIA arrival card filing: the form and interface languages
- NIA fraud warning: notice about fake filing websites
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
