The U.S. Embassy in Beijing has confirmed instances of fraud in which individuals or entities falsely claim affiliation with the U.S. Embassy and Consulates to collect fees for services not actually performed by the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulates.
Such scams are often initiated through job advertisements reporting to require background checks, employment history checks, and employment registration certifications. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in China do not offer any of these services, nor do we collect payment for such services. Attempts to collect payments for these services on behalf of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates should be scrutinized and regarded as likely fraudulent.
U.S. citizens responding to job offers or other entities attempting to collect funds on behalf of the U.S. Embassy via wire transfer should exercise extreme caution. U.S. citizens concerned about the validity of a message from the U.S. Embassy are welcome to contact the American Citizen Services section at the U.S. Embassy or one of our Consulates in Mission China.
U.S. citizens can become victims of scams at home or abroad. Many scams originate on the Internet; victims come from all ages and backgrounds. As a general rule, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
If you suspect you have encountered or fallen victim to an Internet scam, you can report it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). If you are aware of, or have been a victim of, fraud associated with a U.S. passport or U.S. visa application, please contact PassportVisaFraud@state.gov.
Other Important Information for U.S. Citizens in China:
Chinese Visas & Duration of Stay: If you overstay your visa in China, you may be detained and/or fined. If you think that an overstay is possible given flight changes/cancellations, you should reach out to the Exit & Entry Administration of the local Public Security Bureau to request an extension.
Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel: The Department of State continues to advise U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.
You can register your presence in China by enrolling online in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/step.html/.
Actions to Take:
- Enroll at STEP.state.gov to receive the latest updates from the Embassy. Your registration expires automatically based on the dates entered and you will not receive updates after that date. From within your account settings, update to INDEFINITE to ensure that you continue receiving messages. If you have any trouble, please email CASTEP@state.gov.
- Visit travel.state.gov for the latest Travel Advisories and other guidance regarding COVID-19 for U.S. citizens abroad at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html.
- Follow the advice of the CDC and local health authorities which can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
- Check with airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Monitor the Department of State’s COVID-19 website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Beijing, China
Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Email: BeijingACS@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Chengdu, China
Telephone: +(86)(28) 8558-3992
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Email: AmCitChengdu@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou, China
Telephone: +(86)(20) 3814-5775
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Email: GuangzhouACS@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Shanghai, China
Telephone: +(86)(21) 8011-2400
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Email: ShanghaiACS@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Shenyang, China
Telephone: +(86)(24) 2322-1198
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(24) 2322-1198
Email: ShenyangACS@state.gov