(Promulgated by Decree No. 637 of the State Council of the People's Republic of China on July 12, 2013; revised in accordance with the Decision of the State Council on Amending the Regulations on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners of the People's Republic of China on August 7, 2025)
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 These Regulations are formulated in accordance with the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the Exit and Entry Administration Law) for the purpose of regulating the issuance of visas and the services and administration related to the stay and residence of foreigners in China.
Article 2 The state shall establish a coordination mechanism for the service and management of foreigners' entry into and exit from China, and strengthen the overall planning, coordination and cooperation in the service and management of foreigners' entry into and exit from China.
The people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government may, as needed, establish coordination mechanisms for the work of service and management regarding foreigners' entry into and exit from China, strengthen information exchange, coordination, and cooperation, and do a good job in the service and management of foreigners' entry into and exit from their respective administrative regions.
Article 3 The Ministry of Public Security shall, in conjunction with the relevant departments of the State Council, establish an information platform for the service and management of foreigners' entry into and exit from China to realize the sharing of relevant information.
Article 4 In the work of visa issuance management 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 governing the entry and exit of foreigners and other information that foreigners need to know on their official websites, at places where applications for entry-exit documents are accepted, and other locations.
Chapter II Types and Issuance of Visas
Article 5 The scope and measures for issuing diplomatic visas, courtesy visas, and service visas shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Article 6 Ordinary visas are divided into the following categories, with corresponding Hanyu Pinyin letters marked on the visas:
(1) Visa C is issued to international train attendants, crew members of international aircraft, crew members of internationally navigating ships and their accompanying family members, and drivers of motor vehicles engaged in international road transport, who are performing their duties in crew service, aviation, or shipping.
(2) Visa D is issued to persons entering China for permanent residence.
(3) Visa F is issued to persons entering China for exchanges, visits, inspections and other activities.
(4) Visa G is issued to persons in transit through China.
(5) Visa J1 is issued to foreign resident journalists of foreign news agencies with permanent offices in China; Visa J2 is issued to foreign journalists entering China for short-term interviews and reports.
(6) The K visa is issued to foreign young sci-tech talents entering China.
(7) Visa L is issued to persons entering China for tourism; group Visa L may be issued to persons entering China for tourism in groups.
(8) Visa M is issued to persons entering China for commercial and trade activities.
(9) Q1 visa is issued to family members of Chinese citizens and foreigners with permanent residence status in China who apply for entry and residence for family reunion, as well as persons who apply for entry and residence for reasons such as foster care; Q2 visa is issued to relatives of Chinese citizens residing in China and relatives of foreigners with permanent residence status in China who apply for entry for short-term family visits.
(10) R visa is issued to foreign high-level talents and urgently needed specialized talents required by the country.
(11) The S1 visa is issued to spouses, parents, children under the age of 18, and parents-in-law of foreigners who reside in China for work, study, or other reasons and apply for long-term family visit in China, as well as persons who need to reside in China for other private affairs. The S2 visa is issued to family members of foreigners who stay or reside in China for work, study, or other reasons and apply for short-term family visit in China, as well as persons who need to stay in China for other private affairs.
(12) X1 visas are issued to those applying for long-term study in China; X2 visas are issued to those applying for short-term study in China.
(13) Visa Z is issued to those who apply to work in China.
Article 7 Foreigners applying for a visa shall fill out an application form and submit their passport or other international travel documents, as well as photos that meet the requirements and relevant materials regarding the purpose of the application.
(1) To apply for a C visa, one shall submit a guarantee letter issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China.
(2) To apply for a D visa, one shall submit the confirmation form of foreigner's permanent residence status issued by the Ministry of Public Security.
(3) To apply for an F visa, an invitation letter issued by the inviting party in China shall be submitted.
(4) To apply for a G visa, one shall submit confirmed onward air (train or ship) tickets with fixed dates and seats to the destination country (region).
(5) For applying for J1 and J2 visas, one shall go through the approval procedures and submit the corresponding application materials in accordance with China's regulations on interviews by foreign permanent news agencies and foreign journalists.
(6) To apply for a K visa, one must meet the qualifications and requirements for foreign young scientific and technological talents as stipulated by the relevant competent authorities of the Chinese government and submit the corresponding supporting documents.
(7) To apply for an L visa, one shall submit materials such as travel plans and itineraries as required; those entering China for tourism in a group shall also submit an invitation letter issued by a travel agency.
(8) To apply for an M visa, one shall, as required, submit an invitation letter issued by a commercial or trade cooperation partner in China.
(9) When applying for a Q1 visa, those applying for entry and residence for family reunion shall submit an invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreigner with permanent residence status, as well as a certificate of family member relationship; those applying for entry for reasons such as foster care shall submit supporting documents including a power of attorney. When applying for a Q2 visa, one shall submit supporting documents such as an invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreigner with permanent residence status.
(10) To apply for an R visa, one shall meet the criteria and requirements for the introduction of foreign high-level talents and urgently needed specialized talents as determined by the relevant competent authorities of the Chinese government, and submit the corresponding supporting documents in accordance with regulations.
(11) When applying for an S1 or S2 visa, one shall, as required, submit an invitation letter issued by a foreign national who stays or resides in China for work, study or other reasons, a proof of family relationship, or supporting documents needed for entering China to handle private affairs.
(12) To apply for an X1 visa, one shall, in accordance with the provisions, submit the admission notice issued by the admitting institution and the supporting documents issued by the competent authority; to apply for an X2 visa, one shall, in accordance with the provisions, submit supporting documents such as the admission notice issued by the admitting institution.
(13) To apply for a Z visa, one shall submit supporting documents such as a work permit in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Visa authorities may, according to specific circumstances, require foreigners to submit other application materials.
Article 8 Aliens who fall under any of the following circumstances shall accept an interview as required by the overseas visa authority:
(1) Applying for entry and residence;
(2) Their personal identity information or reasons for entry need further verification;(3) Having a record of being denied entry or ordered to leave the country within a time limit;
(4) Other circumstances where an interview is necessary.
When overseas visa-issuing authorities need to verify relevant information with relevant domestic departments or entities in China for visa issuance, those domestic departments or entities in China shall provide cooperation.
Article 9 Where a visa authority, after examination, deems that the conditions for visa issuance are met, it shall issue a visa of the corresponding category. For aliens who need to apply for a residence permit after entry, the visa authority shall specify on the visa the time limit for applying for the residence permit after entry.
Chapter III Administration of Stay and Residence
Article 10 After entering China with a visa, a foreign national may apply to the exit-entry administration of the public security organ of the local people's government at or above the county level in the place where they stay for a visa renewal if, in accordance with relevant state regulations, they can change the purpose of their stay, are eligible for entry facilitation, need to stay separately from the group due to objective reasons after entering with a group visa, or need to use a new passport.
Article 11 Foreigners in China whose visas are lost, damaged, stolen or robbed shall promptly apply to the exit-entry administration authority of the local people's government at or above the county level in the place where they are staying for a replacement visa.
Article 12 Foreigners applying for visa extension, renewal, reissuance, or for a stay permit shall fill out an application form, and submit their passport or other international travel documents, as well as photos that meet the specified requirements and relevant materials supporting the reason for the application.
Article 13 Where a foreign national's application for visa extension, renewal, reissue or application for a stay permit complies with the acceptance regulations, the exit-entry administration authority of the public security organ shall issue a receipt of acceptance with a validity period of no more than 7 days, and make a decision on whether to issue the visa or permit within the validity period of the receipt of acceptance.
If the procedures or materials submitted by a foreign national for extending, renewing, reissuing a visa or applying for a stay permit do not comply with the regulations, the exit-entry administration authority of the public security organ shall inform the applicant at one time of the procedures to be completed and the application materials to be supplemented or corrected.
During the period when the applicant's passport or other international travel documents are being kept for processing, they may legally stay in China with the acceptance receipt.
Article 14 The decision made by the public security authority's entry-exit administration to extend the duration of stay specified in a visa shall only be valid for the current entry. It shall not affect the number of entries allowed by the visa or the validity period of the visa for entry. Additionally, the cumulative extended duration of stay shall not exceed the duration of stay specified in the original visa.
After the extension of the visa's duration of stay, foreigners shall stay in accordance with the purposes specified in the original visa and the extended duration.
Article 15 Residence permits are divided into the following types:
(1) Work-type residence permits shall be issued to persons working in China;
(2) Study-related residence permits shall be issued to persons who study in China for a long period of time;
(3) Journalist residence permits shall be issued to foreign resident journalists of foreign news agencies with permanent offices in China;
(4) Residence permits for family reunion are issued to family members of Chinese citizens and family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China who need to reside in China for family reunion, as well as persons who need to reside in China for reasons such as foster care.
(5) Residence permits for private affairs shall be issued to the spouses, parents, children under the age of 18, and parents-in-law of foreigners who reside in China for work, study or other reasons and who enter China for long-term family visits, as well as to persons who need to reside in China for other private affairs.
Article 16 When a foreign national applies for a foreign national residence permit, he or she shall submit his or her passport or other international travel documents, photos that meet the prescribed requirements, and relevant materials concerning the reasons for the application. He or she shall go in person to the exit-entry administration agency of the public security organ of the local people's government at or above the county level in the place of residence to go through the relevant procedures and provide biometric information such as fingerprints for retention.
(1) For work-related residence permits, supporting documents such as work permits shall be submitted; for foreign high-level talents and urgently needed specialized talents required by the country, relevant supporting documents shall be submitted in accordance with regulations.
(2)For study-related residence permits, supporting documents such as a letter issued by the admitting institution specifying the duration of study shall be submitted in accordance with relevant regulations.
(3) For a residence permit for journalists, a letter issued by the relevant competent authority and the issued press card shall be submitted.
(4) For family reunion residence permits, those who need to reside in China for family reunion shall submit proof of family membership and supporting documents related to the reason for application; those who need to reside in China for reasons such as foster care shall submit supporting documents such as a power of attorney.
(5) For a residence permit for private affairs, those visiting relatives for a long time shall submit supporting documents such as proof of kinship and the residence permit of the person being visited; those entering the country to handle private affairs shall submit relevant supporting documents proving the need to reside in China for handling private affairs.
Foreigners applying for a residence permit with a validity period of more than one year shall submit a health certificate in accordance with the regulations. The health certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance.
Article 17 When a foreign national applies for an extension, renewal, or reissue of a residence permit, they shall fill out an application form, and submit their passport or other international travel documents, as well as photos that meet the specified requirements and relevant materials concerning the reason for the application.
Article 18 Where a foreign national's application for a residence permit, or for the extension, renewal, or reissuance of a residence permit, meets the acceptance requirements, the exit-entry administration of the public security organ shall issue an acceptance receipt valid for no more than 15 days, and make a decision on whether to issue the permit within the validity period of the acceptance receipt.
If a foreign national's procedures or materials for applying for a residence permit, or for applying for an extension, renewal, or reissuance of a residence permit, do not comply with the regulations, the exit-entry administration of the public security organ shall inform the applicant at one time of the procedures to be completed and the application materials to be supplemented or corrected.
During the period when the applicant's passport or other international travel documents are being kept for document processing, they may legally reside in China with the acceptance receipt.
Article 19 In any of the following circumstances, when a foreign national applies for an extension, renewal, or reissue of a visa or residence permit, or applies for a stay permit, the application may be submitted on their behalf by the inviting entity or individual, the applicant's relatives, or relevant specialized service agencies:
(1) Those who are under 16 years of age, over 60 years of age, or have difficulty moving due to illness or other reasons;
(2) Those who are not entering China for the first time and have a good record of staying and residing in China;
(3) The inviting entity or individual provides guarantee measures for the expenses required by the foreign national during their stay in China.
Foreigners applying for residence permits who are high-level foreign talents or urgently needed specialized talents required by the country, as well as those falling under the circumstances specified in Item (1) of the preceding paragraph, may have their applications submitted by the inviting unit or individual, the applicant's relatives, or relevant specialized service agencies.
Article 20 Public security authorities' exit and entry administration agencies may verify the authenticity of the reasons for an application through interviews, telephone inquiries, on-site investigations, or other means. The applicant, as well as the entity or individual that issued the invitation letter or supporting documents, shall cooperate.
Article 21 The exit-entry administration authority of the public security organ shall not approve the extension, renewal or reissuance of visas and residence permits, or issue stay permits to foreigners who fall under any of the following circumstances:
(1) Failure to provide application materials as required;
(2) Those who practice fraud during the application process;
(3) Those who have violated relevant Chinese laws and administrative regulations and are not suitable for staying or residing in China;
(4) Other circumstances in which it is inappropriate to approve the extension, renewal, reissue of a visa or residence permit, or the issuance of a stay permit.
Article 22 Foreigners holding study-related residence permits who need to work part-time or intern off-campus shall, with the approval of their school, apply to the exit-entry administration of the public security organ for adding information such as the location and duration of the part-time work or internship to their residence permits.
Foreigners holding study-related residence permits that do not have the information specified in the preceding paragraph加注 (added) on their residence permits shall not engage in off-campus work-study or internships.
Article 23 Foreigners in China who, due to loss, damage, theft, robbery or other reasons of their documents, do not hold valid passports or international travel documents and cannot have them reissued by the relevant institutions of their home countries in China may apply to the exit-entry administration of the public security organ of the local people's government at or above the county level in the place where they stay or reside for exit formalities.
Article 24 Foreigners whose exit/entry documents specify a restricted area for their stay, and foreigners who have been approved for temporary entry by the exit/entry border inspection authorities with a restricted area for their stay, shall stay within the restricted area.
Article 25 A foreign national in China shall be deemed to be residing illegally under any of the following circumstances:
(1) Overstaying beyond the period specified in their visa or stay/residence permit;
(2) Aliens who enter China without a visa and overstay the visa-free period without applying for a stay or residence permit;
(3) Aliens who engage in activities beyond the restricted areas for their stay or residence;
(4) Other circumstances of illegal residence.
Article 26 Units that employ foreigners or enroll foreign students shall, upon discovering any of the following circumstances, promptly report to the exit-entry administration of the public security organ of the local people's government at or above the county level in their locality:
(1) The foreign national employed resigns or changes their work location;
(2)Admitted international students who graduate, complete their studies, discontinue their studies, withdraw from school, or leave the original admitting institution;
(3) The foreign nationals employed or the foreign students enrolled violate the provisions on exit and entry administration;
(4) The foreign nationals employed or the foreign students enrolled die, go missing, or other such circumstances arise.
Article 27 When units such as those engaged in finance, education, medical care, and telecommunications need to verify the identity information of foreigners while handling business, they may apply to the exit-entry administration authorities of public security organs for verification.
Article 28 The issuance and administration of stay and residence permits in China for foreigners on diplomatic or official missions shall be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Chapter IV Investigation and Repatriation
Article 29 Public security organs may, based on actual needs, set up repatriation facilities.
Where foreigners are subject to detention for examination in accordance with the provisions of Article 60 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, the foreigners under detention for examination shall be sent to a detention center or a repatriation facility within 24 hours.
If repatriation or expulsion cannot be executed immediately due to reasons such as weather or the health condition of the person involved, the foreign national shall be detained in a detention center or repatriation facility on the strength of relevant legal documents.
Article 30 Where the scope of activities of a foreign national is restricted in accordance with the provisions of Article 61 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, a decision on restricting the scope of activities shall be issued. A foreign national whose scope of activities is restricted shall report to the public security organ at the specified time; without the approval of the deciding authority, he/she shall not change his/her residence or leave the restricted area.
Article 31 Where a foreign national is repatriated in accordance with the provisions of Article 62 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, the authority that makes the decision on repatriation shall, in accordance with the law, determine the specific period during which the repatriated foreign national is not allowed to enter China.
Article 32 The expenses required for a foreign national to be repatriated shall be borne by the foreign national himself/herself. If he/she is unable to bear such expenses, in case of illegal employment, they shall be borne by the unit or individual that illegally employed him/her; in other circumstances, they shall be borne by the unit or individual that provided guarantee measures for the foreign national's stay or residence in China.
The repatriation of foreigners shall be carried out by the public security organs of local people's governments at or above the county level or the entry-exit border inspection authorities.
Article 33 Where a foreign national is ordered to leave the country within a specified time limit, the authority making the decision shall, after canceling or confiscating their original exit/entry documents, complete the formalities for their stay and set a time limit for their exit. The maximum time limit for exit shall not exceed 15 days.
Article 34 In any of the following circumstances, the visa, stay or residence permit held by a foreign national shall be declared void by the issuing authority:
(1) The visa or stay/residence permit is damaged, lost, stolen, or robbed;
(2) Those who have been ordered to leave the country within a time limit, repatriated, or expelled, but whose visas or stay/residence permits have not been confiscated or cancelled;
(3) The original reason for residence has changed, and the person fails to report to the exit-entry administration authority of the public security organ within the prescribed time limit, and still fails to report after a public notice by the public security organ;
(4) There are circumstances under which visas or residence permits shall not be issued as prescribed in Articles 21 and 31 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law.
The issuing authority that legally declares a visa, stay permit, or residence permit void may declare it void on the spot or by announcement.
Article 35 In any of the following circumstances regarding the visa, stay or residence permit held by a foreign national, the public security authority shall cancel or confiscate it:
(1) Those that have been declared void by the issuing authority or fraudulently used by others;
(2) Those obtained illegally by means of forgery, alteration, fraud or other methods;
(3) The holder has been ordered to leave the country within a time limit, repatriated, or expelled.
The authority that makes the decision to cancel or confiscate shall promptly notify the issuing authority.
Chapter V Supplementary Provisions
Article 36 The meanings of the following terms in these Regulations are:
(1) The number of entry times of a visa refers to the number of times the visa holder can enter the country within the validity period of the visa for entry.
(2) The entry validity period of a visa refers to the time frame during which the visa holder is allowed to enter the country using the visa. Unless specified otherwise by the issuing authority, a visa shall take effect from the date of issuance and expire at 24:00 Beijing Time on the day when its validity period ends.
(3) The duration of stay of a visa refers to the period a visa holder is allowed to stay each time after entering the country, which starts from the day following the entry date.
(4) Short-term refers to a stay in China that does not exceed 180 days (including 180 days).
(5) "Long-term" and "resident" mean residing in China for more than 180 days.
The approval period of the exit-entry administration authority of the public security organ and the validity period of the acceptance receipt specified in these Regulations shall be calculated in working days, excluding legal holidays.
Article 37 Upon approval by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overseas visa-issuing authorities may entrust local relevant institutions to handle such service-related matters as receiving, entering and consulting foreign nationals' visa applications.
Article 38 The formats of visas shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Security. The formats of stay and residence permits shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Public Security.
Article 39 These Regulations shall come into force on September 1, 2013. The Rules for the Implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, approved by the State Council on December 3, 1986, promulgated by the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 27, 1986, and revised by the State Council on July 13, 1994 and April 24, 2010, shall be abolished simultaneously.
