The National Immigration Administration has issued a warning: fake websites imitating China's online foreigner arrival-card system are charging travelers for a filing that is free on official channels. The online arrival card itself has been in force nationwide since November 20, 2025, and remains the fastest way through immigration.

Who this affects

Every foreign national entering China who is not on the exemption list — that includes most tourists, whether visa-free, visa-required or on 240-hour transit. Travelers who search "China arrival card" in English are the primary targets of the scam sites, which buy search ads and rank above the official portal.

What changed

The policy itself is unchanged; the warning is new. The facts to hold on to (source: National Immigration Administration, nia.gov.cn / s.nia.gov.cn):

  • Since November 20, 2025, you can file your arrival information online before travel and receive a QR code that border officers scan on arrival — no paper card, no queue-side handwriting.
  • Filing is free, always. No official channel asks for payment. Any site charging a fee is fake.
  • Official channels only: the NIA website (nia.gov.cn), the government service platform (s.nia.gov.cn), the "NIA 12367" app, its WeChat and Alipay mini programs, or the QR code printed on the paper arrival card.
  • Exempt from filing: holders of a Chinese permanent residence card, group visa-free tour members, 24-hour direct transit passengers staying airside, cruise passengers returning on the same ship, E-channel users, and foreign crew.
  • Over 15.5 million foreign travelers used the online system in its first months; the NIA notes it cuts several minutes per person off peak-hour inspection queues.

What to do

  1. File 1–3 days before departure at s.nia.gov.cn or via the "NIA 12367" app — type the address yourself, don't click the first search result.
  2. Screenshot or save the generated QR code offline — you will need it at immigration before you have Chinese data or Wi-Fi.
  3. If you cannot file online, you can still scan the on-site QR code or fill a paper card at the border; the paper option has not been removed.
  4. Paid already on a fake site? Keep the receipt and report it to your bank; then re-file on the official channel — the fake payment does not register you with border authorities.

Last updated: 2026-10-21 · Confirm details with official channels before you travel.