Travelling to China from Singapore? Here’s everything that you need to know
Thinking of taking a trip as a tourist, for work, or to visit friends and family in China? After all the disruption of the pandemic, you may be wondering: can a Singaporean travel to China now? The good news is that Singaporean passport holders can now visit China with no covid related restrictions, and a generous visa waiver for tourist trips.
If you plan to travel to China from Singapore any time soon, you’ll need to know if your trip is covered by a visa waiver - and if not, all the options and processes for China visa application in Singapore. This guide has you covered. Plus, we’ll touch on Wise as a smart way to manage your money in China and wherever else you travel.
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Singapore to China travel requirements
So, what are the Singapore to China travel requirements now? The good news is that there are no outstanding covid related rules at the time of writing (9th May, 2024), after quarantine and testing rules were ended in August of 2023. Depending on the duration of your stay, and the purpose of travel you may be able to go to China visa free from Singapore, or you might need to apply in advance for permission to enter the country.
Other rules are also in place, including the requirement to register a temporary residence if you’re not staying in a hotel or similar - and customs requirements which limit or prohibit import of certain goods. We’ll dive into these issues as part of this guide.
All the information used in this guide is up to date, as of May 2024. However, as rules and regulations can change abruptly it’s a good plan to check the entry requirements carefully on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore before you book your tickets to China1.
Do I need a visa to enter China from Singapore?
It used to be the case that people holding a Singapore passport were exempt from needing a visa for visits to China of up to 15 days. At the time of writing, according to the_ _Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore, this arrangement has been extended to mean that you can visit China as a Singaporean for up to 30 days without needing a visa2.
If you’re heading there for longer, or if you plan to work or study, you’re likely to need to apply for a visa from the China Visa Application Service Centre in Singapore. Visas are available for things like commercial trade or visits of 180 days or more to stay with a family member, on a walk-in basis. The visa centre is conveniently located in the CBD and operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm3.
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Temporary residence registration for visitors
If you’re visiting China from Singapore and not staying in a hotel - staying with friends or family, or in a private apartment for example - you need to register your temporary residence either online or at a police station within 24 hours of arrival, under National Immigration Administration rules4.
If you’re staying in a hotel, the process is a little easier, as the hotel would do the registration for you automatically once you show them your passport and other paperwork when you check in. Registration of temporary residence is also necessary for various other procedures such as extension of a visa, so it’s useful to read up on the rules and requirements in advance so you maintain your legal status in China. Failing to properly register can mean a warning or a fine of up to 2,000 CNY5.
Register online
The easiest option - if it’s available to you, is to register your temporary residence online. Whether or not this is available, and the documents you’ll need can vary from city to city. Large cities - like Beijing - allow registration online, and via WeChat, and have multilingual service options6.
The required documents for registration vary from city to city, but as an example, in Beijing you’ll need:
- A photo of the first page of your passport or NRIC
- A passport type photo
- A photo of the address information page of the house property right certificate or lease contract
Take a look to see if this option is available wherever you’re staying, to save time and get everything set up without even needing to leave your accommodation.
Register at any police station
If you can’t register online or using a service like WeChat, you’ll need to visit a local police station close to where you’re staying. Again, the documents you need may vary a bit but you’re pretty much guaranteed to need to take along your passport and visa, and some sort of proof of residence, like a rental or lease agreement.
Flying to China from Singapore
You can fly from Changi Airport to various regions in China, with 20+ destinations covered by different airlines direct, and many more if you don’t mind a layover.
As you’d expect with such a huge country, flight times vary widely. It’ll take around 6 hours to get to Beijing from Changi direct, or just over 4 hours to get to Shenzhen for example. Naturally, if you’re taking connecting flights, your travel time will increase - but tickets can often be cheaper.
What can I bring into China?
As with most countries, there are some things you can’t take into China, some restricted items which need a permit, and others which you must declare on entry with China Customs.
There are some pretty familiar restrictions on the import of alcohol and tobacco, animal and food items, but you’ll also need to declare if you’re taking over gift items for friends valued at more than 2,000 CNY, commercial items or many different types of radio and communication equipment7.
Another very important point is that people coming into China can only carry up to 5000 USD or the equivalent of foreign currency, or 20,000 CNY without needing to make a declaration to authorities. This rule also applies on the way out - if you’re leaving China with lots of cash you’ll again need to declare and pass through the Red Channel.
The good news is that there’s no need to carry your travel money as cash when you visit China. Instead, check out Wise, to manage your money with your phone and spend with a card or mobile wallet during your trip. More on that next.
Stay within limits and save on Chinese Yuan transactions with Wise
Use Wise to shop and withdraw while you’re in China, with low, transparent fees, and the mid-market rate8.
Open your Wise account online or in the Wise app for free, and order a Wise card for a one time fee. You can expect to receive your physical Wise card in just 3 working days, or simply use the virtual card in the meantime. You can then add money in Singapore dollars and let the Wise card convert to CNY whenever you pay. Plus, if you find you need cash you can also use your Wise card at ATMs in the PRC. You’ll get up to two free withdrawals every month, with low, transparent fees after that.
| 💡 Tip: Transfer money directly to Wechat (weixin) users and accounts. Check conversion rates here |
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Sources:
- Chinese Embassy in Singapore
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore - China
- China Visa Application Service Centre
- National Immigration Administration
- National Immigration Administration - registration of temporary residence
- Beijing Municipality - register residence online
- China Customs
- Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
