China arrival card scam websites charge fees for a document that’s free. Complete it at no cost on the National Immigration Administration (NIA) portal, s.nia.gov.cn. A paper form is also available at immigration counters; check the portal for the current position before you travel. Check the domain, as official channels charge nothing, so you don’t need to pay anyone to file this card.
This is an independent guide, not a government site. Check details on the NIA portal, s.nia.gov.cn, before you travel.
Is the China Arrival Card Really Free?
Yes. Official channels charge no fee, so a site that asks for payment is not one of them. Read more about the zero-fee rules for digital and paper declarations.
Foreign travellers, including visa-free passengers and transit passengers who leave the port area, file one card per entry, except exempt groups such as crew. The digital card launched on 20 November 2025.
You can file through:
- the NIA portal s.nia.gov.cn (desktop /ArrivalCardFillingPC, mobile /ArrivalCardFillingPhone)
- the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat and Alipay mini-program
- airport kiosks or a paper form at immigration counters
You’ll get a QR code for immigration. Filing 24 to 72 hours ahead is a guideline, not a deadline — see the submission window and QR code validity explained.
Not sure which address to trust? Type s.nia.gov.cn yourself. The US Embassy’s 2018 advice on advance-fee scams warns against paying up front for documents. It predates the digital card.
How China Arrival Card Scam Websites Work
The NIA portal is at s.nia.gov.cn. Some third-party sites add a “processing” or “expedited” fee for a form that is free. Our guide to the s.nia.gov.cn portal shows how the genuine browser and mobile filing process looks.
See a checkout page before any form fields? Close it.
Paid a Third Party? Steps at Arrival
A card from a third party is not an official document, so complete your own free declaration.
Complete a fresh declaration
File it yourself through an official channel
Use a kiosk or paper form
Or ask at the immigration counter for a paper form
Enter your name and port
Write your name as in your passport and enter the port where you actually arrive
Add your contact details
Accommodation address in China, phone number with country code, and email
Did an intermediary misspell your name? The sources don’t describe how to correct a submitted card, so check every detail before you submit — our article on fixing mistakes on the China arrival card covers what to watch for.
Recovering Money After China Arrival Card Scam Websites
Paid already? Refund handling varies between banks and card schemes, so contact your card issuer directly, with your payment confirmation and any screenshots of the site, and ask what options are open to you. Check the portal for the current rules before you travel.
Visas, Transit and Paper Cards Compared
| Procedure | Cost | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Digital arrival card | Free | Any request for payment |
| Consular visa | Check current requirements with the relevant authorities | “Visa included” arrival card packages |
| Visa-free transit | Free; you still need the card outside the port area | Any request for payment |
| Paper arrival card | Paper form at immigration counters (check the portal for availability) | Anyone selling paper cards online |
Confused by the difference between the two procedures? See our comparison of the China arrival card vs a China visa, and if you’re connecting through China, read whether transit passengers need the arrival card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the China arrival card free to fill in?
Yes. The digital card carries no fee on official channels. A request for payment on a site that isn’t one of the NIA channels listed above means a third party is charging for a free form, and you can close the page without filing anything there.
What is the correct website for the China arrival card?
It’s s.nia.gov.cn, run by the NIA. Use /ArrivalCardFillingPC on a computer or /ArrivalCardFillingPhone on a phone. Type the address yourself, or use a link from an embassy page, rather than following search results.
How can I tell China arrival card scam websites from genuine channels?
Start with the domain: anything other than the NIA portal, the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programs isn’t an official channel. Look for any request for payment. Genuine filing never needs payment, so a checkout page is your answer.
Can I get a refund from my UK bank if I paid a third-party site?
Refund handling varies between banks, so contact your card issuer with your payment confirmation and any screenshots of the site, and ask what options are open to you.
Does Section 75 cover a China arrival card fee paid by credit card?
That depends on the details of your purchase and your card agreement, so ask your card issuer whether any statutory protection applies to your payment.
Where do I report China arrival card scam websites in the UK?
Keep your payment confirmation, screenshots of the site and the trader’s name, and contact your card issuer about the payment. For reporting routes in the UK, check the current guidance from national consumer and fraud-reporting services before you act.
Where can I get a paper arrival card at a Chinese airport?
Ask at the immigration counters, where paper forms are available; kiosks are also available at ports of entry. Check the portal for the current position on paper forms before you travel.
A site shows a high trust score but charges a fee, so is it genuine?
No. Ratings from scam-checking tools can disagree, and a rating doesn’t tell you whether a free state procedure is being charged for. Any site outside the listed NIA channels isn’t an official channel.
Sources and Further Reading
- US Embassy and Consulates in China, Scams: advice on advance-fee scams (2018).
Rules can change, so check the portal before you travel.
