China | New exit-entry administration procedures effective Sept. 15

The State Council of the People’s Republic of China published a new regulation on the administration of exit and entry procedures, effective Sept. 15, 2026.

Key takeaways:

According to the government announcement, the regulation will standardize exit and entry administration, protect the rights and interests of exit-entry personnel and safeguard national security. The new rules also impose heightened scrutiny on intermediary service agencies, organizations and foreign nationals for noncompliance and fraud.

For travelers entering or leaving China, immigration and visa authorities will have expanded authority to:

• Ask relevant questions and require travelers to provide relevant documents, electronic data or other information
• Verify invitation letters and application materials issued by organizations or individuals for authenticity
• Refuse the issuance of exit-entry documents or deny exit-entry permissions if travelers provide false materials or false statements
• Prohibit foreign nationals who provide false materials, make false statements or are found liable for immigration violations from entering China for one to five years

Exit-entry procedures under the new regulation take effect Sept. 15, 2026.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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