South Korea Warns Visitors About Travel Payment Traps on Copycat Arrival Card Websites

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In South Korea, visitors are warned about the potential payment scam in the fake arrival card website copies while officials encourage visitors to verify the e-Arrival Card website prior to divulging any details. The legitimate form is completely free, but there are possible fake copies that would mimic its design and collect payment information. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize the distinction between the arrival card and Korea’s other authorization called K-ETA, which comes at a cost when the applicant qualifies. This is one of the issues to consider when going on a trip to this destination.

Taiwan’s latest warning puts passport data in the spotlight

Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency issued a warning about fake Taiwan Arrival Card websites on 5 August 2026. The agency updated the notice on 1 October. It says that some apps and online platforms offer to scan passports and complete or submit applications for travellers. The agency warns that using these services may put personal information at risk.

Taiwan says its official Taiwan Arrival Card, or TWAC, is free. Its warning lists 16 unofficial website links. The list gives travellers concrete examples to avoid, but it should not be described as a list of criminal convictions or confirmed data theft. The notice does not say that every listed website has been shut down.

An earlier notice from Taiwan helps explain how travellers may reach imitation sites. Published in November 2025, it says some fake pages used misleading advertisements and search terms such as “TWAC” and “Taiwan Arrival Card”. The agency said it had referred suspected sites to digital and police authorities and asked airlines, airports and tourism bodies to help share the correct website.

For travellers, this is more than a question of avoiding an unnecessary charge. A passport contains sensitive details. Visitors should check the official address before uploading a scan, entering passport numbers or authorising an app to read their documents.

South Korea shows why travellers must know which form they need

South Korea’s immigration authorities issued a warning on 9 March 2026 after finding websites that copied the official e-Arrival Card service. The government says that the genuine form is free and that websites requesting payment details are not official. It identifies e-arrivalcard.go.kr as the correct portal.

The arrival card is separate from South Korea’s Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation, known as K-ETA. That difference matters. South Korea extended a temporary K-ETA exemption for eligible countries and regions through 31 December 2026. Travellers who qualify for the exemption may still choose to apply for K-ETA to receive certain benefits, such as not having to submit an arrival card. The official notice says a fee applies to that optional application.

This means a fee is not automatically proof of a scam. The traveller must first identify the service being offered and check whether it is required, optional or free. A fake arrival-card site may exploit the fact that visitors have also heard about a paid authorisation.

South Korea’s example offers a useful rule for planning: confirm the exact name of the document you need, then use the government’s official portal for that document.

India warns that fake e-visa sites can cost travellers time and money

India’s Consulate General in Erbil published an advisory on 26 March 2026 about fake websites offering Indian e-visas. It said the Ministry of External Affairs had received complaints from applicants who were charged hundreds of dollars by imitation sites.

The advisory also said that fake links could appear ahead of India’s government e-visa website in search results. It named examples of unauthorised sites and directed applicants to the official portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in. The consulate warned that these websites could lead to financial loss, wasted time and delays.

India also has a separate e-Arrival Card service. The official immigration portal describes this as free. Government guidance says foreign nationals and Overseas Citizen of India cardholders can submit the form within 72 hours before arrival. The e-Arrival Card is not the same as an e-visa.

That distinction is vital. A visitor may need a visa, an arrival declaration, both, or neither, depending on nationality and travel plans. A free arrival card does not make every visa free. Equally, a real visa fee does not mean a traveller should pay a website that merely looks official.

The Philippines warns travellers not to pay for eTravel registration

The Philippines issued a fresh warning during the 2026 Holy Week travel rush. On 1 April, the Bureau of Immigration cautioned travellers against websites charging for the government’s electronic travel declaration system, known as eTravel.

The Bureau said registration is free and directed travellers to etravel.gov.ph or the government’s eGovPH app. It also urged passengers to report suspected fraud to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center. The government news agency reported that the Bureau expected up to 45,000 departing international passengers a day during the holiday period. That was an estimate of passenger volume, not a count of scam victims.

The Philippines’ official eTravel FAQ says the system is the only official registration website. It states that registration and updates are free, and warns travellers about fake websites or entities asking for payment. The form may be completed within 72 hours before arrival or departure, depending on the journey. Travellers should save their QR code after registration.

The timing of the warning is useful. Travellers often prepare documents while juggling bookings, packing and airport plans. A page that promises to complete everything quickly may seem helpful. Visitors should still check the address and cost against government guidance before entering personal information.

Thailand’s digital card is free, but authorised help may be available

Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC, is another service that travellers should check before departure. The Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra stated in November 2025 that the card is free and that tdac.immigration.go.th is the only official website.

Thailand’s official FAQ says that non-Thai nationals must submit the form before entering the country. The submission window is within three days before arrival, including the day of arrival. Travellers need a separate form for each entry. People who transit without passing through immigration do not need to submit one. The FAQ also says that travel agencies or tour leaders may submit the form for clients when authorised.

This creates an important distinction. A service provider may offer help with a government form. That alone does not prove fraud. Travellers should look for clear information about the provider, what it charges and whether the charge is for assistance rather than a government fee.

Visitors who have trouble with the official system can consult airport or immigration staff. They should avoid paying a site that claims a government processing charge exists when the Thai authorities say the TDAC is free.

Singapore makes clear that its arrival card is not a visa

Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority says that submission of the SG Arrival Card is free. It also says that commercial services offering to complete the form for a fee are not affiliated with or endorsed by ICA.

The authority generally requires travellers to submit the form within three days before arrival, including the arrival date. It lists exceptions, including passengers transiting without seeking immigration clearance. Most importantly, ICA states plainly that the SG Arrival Card is not a visa. Travellers should check visa requirements separately.

Singapore has also documented a fake SG Arrival Card website. In an advisory dated 17 December 2020, ICA said the site requested US$30 and sought travellers’ personal information. The authority said it had made a police report and would work to bring the site down. This is a historical example, not a new 2026 incident. The date matters because the page’s later update information should not be mistaken for the date of the scam report.

For visitors, the practical message is simple: completing an arrival card does not replace a visa. Check both requirements through official channels.

Japan’s warning shows that fake services may appear as apps

Japan’s Digital Agency issued a warning in November 2023 about a suspicious app that pretended to be Visit Japan Web and asked users for credit-card information. The agency said the official service did not require those card details and advised people who had downloaded the suspicious app to uninstall it.

The risk is not limited to a website that copies a government page. A traveller may also see an app with an official-sounding name or design. Japan’s current Visit Japan Web guide explains that the legitimate service lets users register travel information and complete entry procedures online. Passport information can be entered or scanned within the service.

That makes the operator and official address more important than the feature itself. Passport scanning can be part of a real government service. It can also be a reason to pause when an unfamiliar app asks for access.

Japan’s warning is older than the 2026 notices from Taiwan, India and South Korea. It provides useful background, but it should not be presented as a newly announced case.

Indonesia offers a useful comparison with its free arrival declaration

Indonesia uses a combined platform called All Indonesia for arrival declarations. Official immigration information says that completing the arrival declaration through the platform is free. A government information sheet also says the platform is free to download and use.

This is a useful comparison because the platform brings border information together in one service. Travellers should still distinguish the arrival declaration from other entry requirements, including any visa that applies to their nationality or purpose of travel.

The evidence reviewed here confirms the official service and its cost. It does not establish a specific 2026 All Indonesia scam takedown or prosecution. Any article using Indonesia should keep to that evidence and avoid implying that the country has reported the same type of fake-site case as Taiwan, India or South Korea.

Why the warnings matter for tourism

Online entry forms are often among the first steps a visitor takes before a trip. A fake page can disrupt that preparation, take money or collect information that the traveller intended to give to an immigration authority. Even when the form itself is simple, uncertainty about which document is required can make a traveller vulnerable to a misleading service.

The issue also affects the wider travel experience. A visitor who discovers a questionable charge shortly before departure may need to contact a bank, recheck official rules or complete the form again. The sources reviewed here do not quantify effects on bookings, arrivals or tourism revenue. The safer analysis is that these schemes create extra friction and risk during trip planning, not that they have been proven to reduce tourism.

The warnings also show different government responses. Taiwan says it reported suspected sites and worked with transport and tourism organisations to distribute the correct link. The Philippines directs people to a cybercrime reporting channel. India names fake visa websites and points applicants to its official portal. These are separate actions, rather than evidence of one regional enforcement campaign.

What travellers should check before submitting a form

Travellers can reduce the chance of paying for a free declaration by checking the form’s name, official web address and stated cost. They should search for the entry requirements on a government immigration or foreign ministry website, then follow its link to the application.

They should also read the payment screen carefully. If an arrival card is supposed to be free, a request for payment needs checking. If a service is a visa or travel authorisation, the charge may be valid, but travellers should still confirm the official portal and fee.

Visitors should be cautious with apps that request passport scans or credit-card data. Before installing one, they can verify it through the destination government’s website. They should avoid links in unexpected messages and should not assume that a polished design, a flag or an official-looking emblem proves the site is genuine.

If a traveller has already entered payment details on a suspicious site, contacting the card provider promptly may help them understand their options. If they shared passport details, they should follow guidance from the relevant immigration authority or their own government.

Asia’s entry rules require clear information, not guesswork

The free arrival cards of Asia are under threat in the digital world as Taiwan, India, and South Korea advise travelers of scams of fraudulent entry into the country. It is important that travelers are warned of these issues since web forms may be encountered prior to traveling. However, it is worth mentioning that a free arrival card is not a visa and paying authorization could be valid. Travelers are supposed to visit the official website of the destination prior to providing any information from the passport or payment. The advisories show varied problems from fake websites to imitations of applications.