Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners
(Promulgated by Order No. 637 of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China on July 12, 2013; amended according to the Decision of the State Council on Amending the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Entry and Exit of Foreigners dated August 7, 2025)
Article 1These Regulations are formulated in accordance with the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of Entry and Exit of Aliens (hereinafter referred to as the “Entry and Exit Administration Law”) to standardize the issuance of visas and the services and administration related to the stay and residence of foreigners within the territory of China.
Article 2The state shall establish a coordination mechanism for the service and management of foreign nationals’ entry and exit, strengthening overall planning, coordination, and cooperation in this work.
People’s governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government may, as needed, establish coordination mechanisms for the service and management of foreign nationals’ entry and exit, enhance information exchange and coordination, and effectively carry out relevant work within their administrative jurisdictions.
Article 3The Ministry of Public Security shall, in conjunction with relevant departments of the State Council, establish an information platform for the service and management of foreign nationals’ entry and exit, enabling the sharing of pertinent information.
Article 4In the administration of visa issuance and the management of foreigners’ stay and residence in China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, and other departments of the State Council shall provide information on laws and regulations concerning the entry and exit of foreigners, as well as other information that foreigners need to know, through departmental portals, application acceptance sites for entry and exit documents, and other appropriate venues.
Article 5The scope and procedures for issuing diplomatic visas, courtesy visas, and official visas shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Article 6Ordinary visas are divided into the following categories, each indicated on the visa by the corresponding Pinyin letter:
(1) C Visa: issued to international train attendants, crew members of international aircraft, seafarers of internationally navigating vessels, accompanying family members of such personnel, and drivers engaged in international road transport.
(2) D Visa: issued to persons entering China for permanent residence.
(3) F Visa: issued to persons entering China for purposes such as exchanges, visits, or inspections.
(4) G Visa: issued to persons transiting through China.
(5) J1 Visa: issued to resident foreign journalists accredited to Chinese news organizations; J2 Visa: issued to foreign journalists entering China for short-term reporting.
(6) K Visa: issued to young foreign scientific and technological talents entering China.
(7) L Visa: issued to tourists entering China; group L visas may be issued for organized tourist groups.
(8) M Visa: issued to persons engaging in commercial trade activities in China.
(9) Q1 Visa: issued to family members of Chinese citizens or foreign nationals with permanent residency in China who apply for entry and residence due to family reunion, as well as to those applying for temporary residence in China for reasons such as foster care; Q2 Visa: issued to relatives of Chinese citizens residing in China or foreign nationals with permanent residency in China who apply for short-term visits.
(10) R Visa: issued to high-level foreign talents and urgently needed specialized professionals required by the state.
(11) S1 Visa: issued to spouses, parents, children under the age of 18, and parents-in-law of foreigners residing in China for work, study, or other reasons, who apply for long-term visits; also issued to individuals staying in China for other personal matters; S2 Visa: issued to family members of foreigners staying in China for work, study, or other reasons, who apply for short-term visits, as well as to those staying in China for other personal affairs.
(12) X1 Visa: issued to persons applying for long-term studies in China; X2 Visa: issued to persons applying for short-term studies in China.
(13) Z Visa: issued to persons applying for employment in China.
Article 7Foreign nationals applying for a visa shall complete an application form, submit their passport or other international travel document, along with photographs meeting prescribed standards and supporting materials pertaining to the purpose of the application.
(1) For a C Visa, applicants shall submit a guarantee letter issued by a foreign transportation company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant domestic entity.
(2) For a D Visa, applicants shall submit the Confirmation Form of Permanent Residence for Foreign Nationals issued by the Ministry of Public Security.
(3) For an F Visa, applicants shall submit an invitation letter issued by a domestic inviting party.
(4) For a G Visa, applicants shall submit connecting air (train, ship) tickets with confirmed dates and reserved seats to their destination country (region).
(5) For J1 and J2 Visas, applicants shall follow approval procedures stipulated by Chinese regulations regarding resident foreign news organizations and visiting foreign journalists, and submit the corresponding application materials.
(6) For a K Visa, applicants shall meet the conditions and requirements for young foreign scientific and technological talents as specified by the competent authorities of the Chinese government, and submit relevant supporting documentation.
(7) For an L Visa, applicants shall submit materials such as travel plans and itineraries as required; for organized tourist groups, they shall also submit an invitation letter issued by the travel agency.
(8) For an M Visa, applicants shall submit an invitation letter issued by a Chinese commercial partner as required.
(9) For a Q1 Visa, applicants seeking entry and residence for family reunion shall submit invitation letters and proof of family relationships issued by Chinese citizens residing in China or foreign nationals with permanent residency; those applying for entry due to foster care shall submit authorization documents and other supporting materials; for a Q2 Visa, applicants shall submit invitation letters and other supporting materials issued by Chinese citizens residing in China or foreign nationals with permanent residency.
(10) For an R Visa, applicants shall meet the criteria and requirements set by the Chinese government for attracting high-level foreign talents and urgently needed specialized professionals, and submit the corresponding supporting documentation as prescribed.
(11) For S1 and S2 Visas, applicants shall submit invitation letters issued by foreigners residing in China for work, study, or other reasons, proof of family relationships, or other supporting materials required for handling personal affairs upon entry.
(12) For an X1 Visa, applicants shall submit the admission notice issued by the admitting institution and supporting documents issued by the competent authority as required; for an X2 Visa, applicants shall submit the admission notice and other supporting documents issued by the admitting institution as prescribed.
(13) For a Z Visa, applicants shall submit work permits and other supporting documents as required.
Visa authorities may, depending on specific circumstances, require foreign nationals to submit additional application materials.
Article 8Foreign nationals falling under any of the following circumstances shall undergo an interview as required by overseas visa-issuing authorities:
(1) Those applying for residence in China;
(2) Cases where personal identity information or the purpose of entry requires further verification;
(3) Individuals with prior records of being denied entry or ordered to leave within a specified period;
(4) Other situations where an interview is deemed necessary.
When overseas visa-issuing authorities need to verify relevant information with Chinese departments or institutions after issuing a visa, such Chinese departments and institutions shall cooperate accordingly.
Article 9If a visa authority deems an application eligible for issuance after review, it shall issue the corresponding category of visa. For cases requiring subsequent registration of residence, the visa authority shall indicate on the visa the deadline for completing such registration.
Article 10After entering China with a visa, foreign nationals may, in accordance with national regulations, change the purpose of their stay, receive facilitation measures, or, due to objective reasons such as using a new passport or entering as part of a group visa, temporarily split into smaller groups for separate stays. In such cases, they may apply to the immigration management agency of the local people’s government at or above the county level in their place of stay for reissuance of the visa.
Article 11If a foreign national’s visa is lost, damaged, or stolen while in China, they shall promptly apply to the immigration management agency of the local people’s government at or above the county level in their place of stay for a replacement visa.
Article 12When foreign nationals apply for extension, reissuance, or replacement of their visas, or for registration of their stay, they shall complete an application form, submit their passport or other international travel document, along with photographs meeting prescribed standards and supporting materials related to the purpose of the application.
Article 13If a foreign national’s application for visa extension, reissuance, or replacement, or for registration of stay, meets the prescribed acceptance criteria, the immigration management agency shall issue a receipt of acceptance valid for no more than seven days, and make a decision on whether to issue the visa within the validity period of the receipt.
If the procedures or materials submitted by a foreign national for visa extension, reissuance, or replacement, or for registration of stay, do not meet the prescribed standards, the immigration management agency shall inform the applicant once of the required procedures and the materials needing correction.
During the period when the applicant’s passport or other international travel document is retained for processing, they may legally remain in China with the receipt of acceptance.
Article 14A decision by the immigration management agency to extend the permitted duration of stay under a visa applies only to the current entry, does not affect the number of permitted entries or the overall validity period of the visa, and the cumulative extended duration of stay shall not exceed the original duration indicated on the visa.
After the visa’s permitted duration of stay has been extended, foreign nationals shall remain in accordance with both the original purpose of their visit as stated on the visa and the extended duration.
Article 15Residence permits are classified as follows:
(1) Work-related residence permits, issued to persons employed in China;
(2) Study-related residence permits, issued to persons pursuing long-term studies in China;
(3) Journalist residence permits, issued to resident foreign journalists accredited to Chinese news organizations;
(4) Family-reunion residence permits, issued to family members of Chinese citizens or foreign nationals with permanent residency in China who seek to reside in China for family reunion, as well as to those who need to reside in China for reasons such as foster care;
(5) Personal-affairs residence permits, issued to spouses, parents, children under the age of 18, and parents-in-law of foreigners residing in China for work, study, or other reasons, who apply for long-term visits, as well as to individuals staying in China for other personal matters.
Article 16When foreign nationals apply for residence permits, they shall submit their passport or other international travel document, along with photographs meeting prescribed standards and supporting materials related to the purpose of the application; they shall personally go to the immigration management agency of the local people’s government at or above the county level to complete the relevant procedures and provide biometric data such as fingerprints.
(1) For work-related residence permits, applicants shall submit work permits and other supporting documents; those classified as high-level foreign talents or urgently needed specialized professionals required by the state shall submit the relevant documentation as prescribed.
(2) For study-related residence permits, applicants shall submit documents such as admission notices specifying the duration of study issued by the admitting institution as required.
(3) For journalist residence permits, applicants shall submit documents issued by the competent authorities and the journalist certificates issued accordingly.
(4) For family-reunion residence permits, applicants seeking to reside in China for family reunion shall submit proof of family relationships and other materials relevant to their application; those residing in China for reasons such as foster care shall submit authorization letters and other supporting materials.
(5) For personal-affairs residence permits, applicants for long-term visits shall submit proof of kinship and the residence permits of those being visited as required; those handling personal affairs upon entry shall submit supporting materials related to their need to reside in China for personal matters.
Foreign nationals applying for residence permits with a validity period of one year or longer shall submit health certificates as required. Health certificates are valid for six months from the date of issuance.
Article 17When foreign nationals apply for extension, reissuance, or replacement of their residence permits, they shall complete an application form, submit their passport or other international travel document, along with photographs meeting prescribed standards and supporting materials related to the purpose of the application.
Article 18If a foreign national’s application for a residence permit or for its extension, reissuance, or replacement meets the prescribed acceptance criteria, the immigration management agency shall issue a receipt of acceptance valid for no more than fifteen days, and make a decision on whether to issue the permit within the validity period of the receipt.
If the procedures or materials submitted by a foreign national for a residence permit or for its extension, reissuance, or replacement do not meet the prescribed standards, the immigration management agency shall inform the applicant once of the required procedures and the materials needing correction.
During the period when the applicant’s passport or other international travel document is retained for processing, they may legally reside in China with the receipt of acceptance.
Article 19For foreign nationals applying for extensions, reissuances, or replacements of their visas and residence permits, or for registration of their stay, if they fall under any of the following circumstances, the application may be submitted on their behalf by the inviting organization or individual, the applicant’s relatives, or designated professional service agencies:
(1) Those under the age of sixteen or over sixty, as well as individuals with mobility impairments due to illness;
(2) Repeat visitors with a good record of previous stays in China;
(3) Inviting organizations or individuals that have provided financial guarantees for expenses incurred by foreigners during their stay in China.
For foreign nationals applying for residence permits—particularly those classified as high-level foreign talents or urgently needed specialized professionals required by the state, as well as those falling under the first provision mentioned above—the application may be submitted on their behalf by the inviting organization or individual, the applicant’s relatives, or designated professional service agencies.
Article 20Immigration management agencies may verify the authenticity of the stated purpose of an application through interviews, telephone inquiries, field investigations, and other means; applicants, as well as organizations or individuals issuing invitation letters or supporting materials, shall cooperate accordingly.
Article 21Immigration management agencies shall not approve visa extensions, reissuances, or replacements, nor shall they issue permits for stay in any of the following cases:
(1) Applicants unable to provide the required application materials as prescribed;
(2) Those found to have committed fraud during the application process;
(3) Violators of Chinese laws and administrative regulations, deemed unsuitable for stay and residence in China;
(4) Other cases where visa extensions, reissuances, replacements, or permits for stay should not be approved.
Article 22Foreign students holding study-related residence permits who wish to engage in off-campus work-study programs or internships shall obtain consent from their school and then apply to the immigration management agency for an annotation on their residence permit indicating the location and duration of the work-study or internship.
Foreign students holding study-related residence permits without the aforementioned annotations shall not engage in off-campus work-study programs or internships.
Article 23Foreign nationals in China who, due to loss, damage, theft, or other reasons, do not possess a valid passport or international travel document and cannot obtain a replacement through their home country’s representative office in China, may apply to the immigration management agency of the local people’s government at or above the county level in their place of stay for departure procedures.
Article 24Foreign nationals whose entry and exit documents specify a designated area of stay, and who have been granted temporary entry with restrictions on their area of stay by border inspection authorities, shall remain within the designated area.
Article 25Foreign nationals in China who fall under any of the following circumstances shall be considered illegally residing:
(1) Those staying beyond the permitted duration indicated on their visa or residence permit;
(2) Foreign nationals entering without a visa who stay beyond the permitted duration of visa-free entry and fail to register for a residence permit;
(3) Those moving outside the designated area of permitted stay;
(4) Other cases of illegal residence.
Article 26Employers hiring foreign workers or educational institutions recruiting foreign students shall promptly report to the local people’s government at or above the county level, to the immigration management agency, if they discover any of the following situations:
(1) Employed foreign workers leaving their post or changing their work region;
(2) Foreign students graduating, completing their studies, withdrawing, or dropping out, leaving their original recruiting institution;
(3) employed foreign workers or recruited foreign students violating regulations governing entry and exit;
(4) Cases involving death or disappearance among employed foreign workers or recruited foreign students.
Article 27Financial, educational, medical, telecommunications, and other institutions that need to verify the identities of foreign nationals during business transactions may request verification from the immigration management agency.
Article 28The management of issuance of residence permits for foreign nationals staying in China for diplomatic or official purposes shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Article 29Public security organs may establish repatriation facilities as needed.
According to Article 60 of the Law on Administration of Entry and Exit of Aliens, foreigners subject to detention and investigation shall be transferred to a detention center or repatriation facility within twenty-four hours.
If weather conditions or the health status of the individual prevent immediate deportation or expulsion, the foreigner shall be detained in a detention center or repatriation facility based on relevant legal documents.
Article 30According to Article 61 of the Law on Administration of Entry and Exit of Aliens, when restricting the activities of a foreigner, the competent authority shall issue a decision on activity restrictions. Persons subject to such restrictions shall report to public security authorities at designated times; without approval from the issuing authority, they shall not change their place of residence or leave the designated area.
Article 31According to Article 62 of the Law on Administration of Entry and Exit of Aliens, when deporting a foreigner, the issuing authority shall legally determine the specific period during which the deported foreigner is barred from re-entry.
Article 32The costs associated with deporting a foreigner shall be borne by the individual. If the person is unable to pay, particularly in cases of illegal employment, the responsibility shall fall upon the employer or individual responsible for the illegal hiring; in other cases, the costs shall be borne by organizations or individuals providing guarantees for the foreigner’s stay and residence in China.
Deportation of foreigners shall be carried out by public security organs at or above the county level, or by border inspection authorities.
Article 33For foreigners ordered to leave within a specified period, the issuing authority shall, after canceling or confiscating their original entry and exit documents, arrange for departure procedures and set a deadline for departure, which shall not exceed fifteen days.
Article 34For foreign nationals falling under any of the following circumstances, their visas and residence permits shall be declared invalid by the issuing authority:
(1) Visas or residence permits that are damaged, lost, or stolen;
(2) Those ordered to leave within a specified period, deported, or expelled, whose visas or residence permits have not yet been confiscated or canceled;
(3) Those who have changed their original purpose of stay but have failed to report to the immigration management agency within the prescribed time limit, and continue to remain unreported even after public announcements by the authorities;
(4) Those falling under the prohibitions on visa and residence permit issuance stipulated in Articles 21 and 31 of the Law on Administration of Entry and Exit of Aliens.
When the issuing authority lawfully declares a visa or residence permit invalid, the invalidation may be announced on the spot or via public notice.
Article 35For foreign nationals whose visas or residence permits fall under any of the following circumstances, public security organs shall cancel or confiscate them:
(1) Those declared invalid by the issuing authority or misused by others;
(2) Those obtained illegally through forgery, alteration, deception, or other means;
(3) Those whose holders have been ordered to leave within a specified period, deported, or expelled.
The issuing authority making the decision to cancel or confiscate shall promptly notify the original issuing authority.
Article 36The meanings of the following terms used in these Regulations are as follows:
(1) The number of permitted entries on a visa refers to the number of times the holder may enter China within the visa’s validity period.
(2) The visa’s validity period refers to the time range during which the holder’s visa remains effective. Unless otherwise indicated by the issuing authority, a visa takes effect upon issuance and expires at 24:00 Beijing time on the day its validity period ends.
(3) The visa’s permitted duration of stay refers to the length of time allowed for each individual stay after entry, calculated starting from the day following entry.
(4) “Short-term” refers to a stay in China not exceeding 180 days (including 180 days).
(5) “Long-term” or “residing” refers to a stay in China exceeding 180 days.
The time limits for review and the validity periods of receipts of acceptance stipulated in these Regulations by immigration management agencies are calculated in working days and do not include statutory holidays.
Article 37With the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overseas visa-issuing authorities may entrust local agencies to handle service-oriented tasks such as receiving, registering, and consulting on visa applications from foreign nationals.
Article 38The design of visas shall be prescribed jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security; the design of residence permits shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Public Security.
Article 39These Regulations shall come into force as of September 1, 2013. The “Detailed Rules for Implementing the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of Entry and Exit of Aliens,” previously approved by the State Council on December 3, 1986, and promulgated by the Ministries of Public Security and Foreign Affairs on December 27, 1986, together with subsequent revisions made by the State Council on July 13, 1994, and April 24, 2010, shall be simultaneously repealed.