How to spot fake government sites

Quick checks

• Type the official address yourself (or use the links below) instead of clicking search ads.
• Compare the price with the official fee. If it is higher, you are probably on a third-party site.
• Check the web address, not the logo or design. Copycat sites often look official.
• A paid middleman cannot get you a faster decision on these forms (GOV.UK says this for the UK ETA; Korea says there is no expedited K-ETA service).

Source: GOV.UK – Apply for an ETA · K-ETA (Korea Immigration Service) – Application guide — Last verified 2026-11-13

Official addresses

What governments warn

• United Kingdom: GOV.UK: “Other websites may charge more to apply. Avoid websites that imitate government services.” You cannot get a faster decision by applying through another website or app.

  Source: GOV.UK – Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) · GOV.UK – Apply for an ETA — Last verified 2026-11-13

• China (mainland): The NIA warns that overseas fraudsters have set up counterfeit websites posing as the official arrival card platform to charge travellers fees.

  Source: National Immigration Administration (China) – Beware of fraudulent websites for arrival card filling — Last verified 2026-11-13

• Japan: Japan Customs has identified fake websites impersonating Visit Japan Web and paid “assistance” sites, including sites charging to create Visit Japan Web QR codes.

  Source: Japan Customs – Beware of fake websites related to customs procedures — Last verified 2026-11-13

• South Korea: Korea's K-ETA site warns about similar agencies and phishing sites that charge high fees for “agency” or “expedited” K-ETA services.

  Source: K-ETA – Official application site — Last verified 2026-11-13

• United States: The U.S. Embassy in Singapore advises applying through the official ESTA website or app to avoid phishing scams and excess fees charged by third-party websites.

  Source: U.S. Embassy in Singapore – ESTA — Last verified 2026-11-13

• Australia: The official fee is the AUD20 app service charge. There is no other charge payable for an ETA.

  Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia) – Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) — Last verified 2026-11-13

• New Zealand: Immigration New Zealand says to use the official NZeTA website or mobile app to request your NZeTA.

  Source: Immigration New Zealand – New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) — Last verified 2026-11-13

Official sources

• GOV.UK – Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
  https://www.gov.uk/eta
• GOV.UK – Apply for an ETA
  https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply
• National Immigration Administration (China) – Beware of fraudulent websites for arrival card filling
  https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c191530/content.html
• Japan Customs – Beware of fake websites related to customs procedures
  https://www.customs.go.jp/english/news/20260528e.html
• K-ETA – Official application site
  https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do
• U.S. Embassy in Singapore – ESTA
  https://sg.usembassy.gov/esta/
• Department of Home Affairs (Australia) – Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
  https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601
• Immigration New Zealand – New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
  https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/new-zealand-electronic-travel-authority-nzeta/
• Digital Agency – Announcement concerning use of Visit Japan Web
  https://services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web/news/20250605-01/

Last verified 2026-11-13