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Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China

Order of the President of the People’s Republic of China

Chapter IV
Stay and Residence of Foreigners
Section 1
Stay and Residence
Article 29 Where the duration of stay specified in a visa held by a foreigner does not exceed 180 days, the holder may stay in China within the duration specified therein.
Where the duration of stay needs to be extended, the visa holder shall file an application with the exit/entry administration of public security organ under the local people’s government at or above the county level in the place of his stay seven days prior to the expiry of the duration specified in the visa, and shall submit information of specific application matters in accordance with relevant requirements. If upon examination, the reasons for extension are appropriate and sufficient, such extension shall be granted; if an extension is denied, the foreigner shall leave China on the expiry of the duration.
The accumulated length of extension shall not exceed the original duration of stay specified in the visa. 
Article 30 Where visas held by foreigners specify that foreigners need to apply for residence permits after entry, such foreigners shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners’ residence permits.
Applicants for foreigners’ residence permits shall submit their passports or other international travel documents, as well as relevant information of specific application matters, and provide biometric identification information such as fingerprints. The exit/entry administrations of public security organs shall, within 15 days upon the date of receipt, conduct examination and make a decision thereupon. Based on the purpose of residence, those administrations shall issue the appropriate types of foreigners’ residence permits with the duration.
The validity period of a foreigner’s work-type residence permit shall be 90 days at the minimum and five years at the maximum; and the validity period of a non-work-type foreigner’s residence permit shall be 180 days at the minimum and five years at the maximum. 
Article 31 Under any of the following circumstances, a foreigner’s residence permit shall not be issued:
(1) The visa held does not belong to the type for which a foreigner’s residence permit should be issued;
(2) Resorts to fraudulent acts in application;
(3) Fails to provide relevant supporting materials in accordance with relevant regulations;
(4) Is not eligible to reside in China because of violation of relevant Chinese laws or administrative regulations; or
(5) Other circumstances in which the issuing authority considers a foreigner’s residence permit should not be issued.
Foreigners with expertise and foreign investors who conform to relevant State regulations or foreigners who need to change their status from stay to residence for humanitarian or other reasons, may undergo the formalities for obtaining foreigner’s residence permits upon approval by the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the city with districts. 
Article 32 Foreigners residing in China who apply for the extension of the duration of residence shall, within 30 days prior to the expiry of the validity period on their residence permits, file applications with the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level, and submit relevant information of specific application matters in accordance with relevant requirements. If upon examination, the reasons for extension are appropriate and sufficient, an extension shall be granted; if an extension is denied, the foreigner concerned shall leave China on the expiry of the validity period specified in their residence permits.
Article 33 The registered items of a foreign residence permit shall include name, sex, date of birth, reason for residence and duration of residence of the holder, date and place of issuance, passport number or other international travel documents number.
Where the registered item in a foreigner’s residence permit has changed, the holder shall, within 10 days from the date of change, apply to the exit/entry administration of public security organ under the local people’s government at or above the county level in the place of residence for going through the formalities for alteration. 
Article 34 Where visa-exempt foreigners need to stay in China longer than the visa-free period, or foreign seamen and their accompanying family members need to leave the cities where the ports are located, or under other circumstances in which foreigners’ stay permits should be applied for, they shall apply for such permits in accordance with relevant regulations.
The maximum validity period of a foreigner’s stay permit shall be 180 days. 
Article 35 Where ordinary visas, stay or residence permits held by foreigners need to be reissued due to damage, loss, theft, robbery or other reasons in compliance with relevant State regulations after foreigners enter China, those foreigners shall apply for a reissue with the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level in the places of stay or residence in accordance with relevant regulations. 
Article 36 Decisions made by the exit/entry administration of public security organ on rejecting applications for visa extension or reissuance, or on not issuing foreigners’ stay or residence permits or not extending the duration of residence shall be final.
Article 37 Foreigners who stay or reside in China shall not engage in activities not corresponding to the purpose of stay or residence, and shall leave China prior to the expiry of the prescribed duration of stay or residence. 
Article 38 Foreigners having reached the age of 16 who stay or reside in China shall carry with them their passports or other international travel documents, or foreigners’ stay or residence permits, and accept the inspection of public security organs.
Foreigners who reside in China shall, within the prescribed time limit, submit foreigners’ residence permits to public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level in the places of residence for examination. 
Article 39 Where foreigners stay in hotels in China, the hotels shall register their accommodation in accordance with the regulations on the public security administration of the hotel industry, and submit foreigners’ accommodation registration information to the public security organs in the places where the hotels are located.
For foreigners who reside or stay in domiciles other than hotels, they or the persons who accommodate them shall, within 24 hours after the foreigners’ arrival, go through the registration formalities with the public security organs in the places of residence. 
Article 40 For foreign infants born in China, their parents or agents shall, within 60 days after they are born, on the strength of the birth certificates, go through the formalities for stay or residence registration for them with the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under people’s governments at or above the county level in the places of their parents’ stay or residence.
For foreigners who decease in China, their relatives, guardians or agents shall, in accordance with relevant regulations, on the strength of the death certificates, report their death to the exit/entry administrations of the public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level to cancel their stay or residence permits.
Article 41 Foreigners who work in China shall obtain work permits and work-type residence permits in accordance with relevant regulations. No entities or individuals shall employ foreigners who have no work permits or work-type residence permits.
The administrative measures for foreigners working in China shall be stipulated by the State Council. 
Article 42 The competent department of human resources and social security and the competent department in charge of foreign experts affairs under the State Council shall, in conjunction with relevant departments under the State Council, formulate and regularly adjust the guiding catalogue for foreigners working in China based on the needs for economic and social development as well as the supply and demand of human resources.
The competent department of education under the State Council shall, in conjunction with relevant departments under the State Council, establish an administrative system for foreign students working to support their study in China and set forth regulations on the scope of jobs and the limit of work time for such foreign students. 
Article 43 Any of the following acts of foreigners shall be deemed unlawful employment:
(1) Work in China without obtaining work permits or work-type residence permits in accordance with relevant regulations;
(2) Work in China beyond the scope prescribed in the work permits; or
(3) Foreign students work in violation of the regulations on the administration of foreign students working to support their study in China and work beyond the prescribed scope of jobs or prescribed time limit. 
Article 44 On the basis of the need for maintaining national security and public security, public security organs and national security organs may impose restrictions on foreigners and foreign institutions from establishing places of residence or work in certain areas; and may order that established places of residence or work be relocated within a prescribed time limit.
Without approval, foreigners shall not access foreigner-restricted areas. 
Article 45 Entities that employ foreigners or enroll foreign students shall report relevant information to local public security organs in accordance with relevant regulations.
Citizens, legal persons or other organizations who find foreigners illegal enter, reside or work in China shall duly report such matter to the local public security organs. 
Article 46 Foreigners applying for refugee status may, during the screening process, stay in China on the strength of temporary identity certificates issued by public security organs; foreigners who are recognized as refugees may stay or reside in China on the strength of refugee identity certificates issued by public security organs. 
Section 2
Permanent Residence
Article 47 Foreigners who have made remarkable contribution to China’s economic and social development or meet other conditions for permanent residence in China may obtain permanent residence status upon application approved by the Ministry of Public Security.
The administrative measures for examination and approval of foreigners’ permanent residence in China shall be stipulated by the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with relevant departments under the State Council. 
Article 48 Foreigners who have obtained permanent residence status may reside or work in China on the strength of permanent residence permits, and exit or enter China on the strength of their passports and permanent residence permits. 
Article 49 Where foreigners fall under any of the following circumstances, the Ministry of Public Security shall decide to cancel their permanent residence status in China:
(1) Endanger China’s national security or interests;
(2) Are deported;
(3) Obtain permanent residence status in China by fraudulent acts;
(4) Fail to reside in China for the prescribed time limit; or
(5) Other circumstances in which foreigners are not eligible to reside in China permanently. 
Chapter V
Border Inspection of Transport Vehicles Exiting/Entering China
Article 50 Transport vehicles that exit or enter China shall be subject to border inspection when leaving or arriving at ports. Border inspection of entering transport vehicles shall be conducted at the first arriving port in China; border inspection of exiting transport vehicles shall be conducted at the last port when they leave China. Under special circumstances, border inspection may be conducted in places designated by competent authorities.
Without the permission of exit/entry border inspection authorities in accordance with prescribed procedures, transport vehicles that exit China shall not embark or disembark passengers, or load and unload goods or articles between exit inspection and exit, and nor shall transport vehicles that enter China do so between entry and entry inspection. 
Article 51 Persons in charge of transport vehicles or agencies handling the exit/entry business for transport vehicles shall, in accordance with relevant regulations, report to the exit/entry border inspection authorities in advance on the entering or exiting transport vehicles’ time of arrival at or departure from the port and the places of stay, and truthfully declare information including staff, passengers, goods and articles. 
Article 52 Persons in charge of transport vehicles or agencies handling the exit/entry business for transport vehicles shall provide cooperation in exit/entry border inspection, and shall immediately report any violations of this Law found thereby and give assistance in the investigation and handling of such violations.
Where transport vehicles that enter China carry persons who are not allowed to enter China, the persons in charge of the transport vehicles shall be responsible for their leaving. 
Article 53 Exit/entry border inspection authorities shall supervise transport vehicles that exit or enter China under any of the following circumstances:
(1) Between exit border inspection and exit for transport vehicles that exit China, and between entry and entry border inspection for transport vehicles that enter China;
(2) When foreign ships navigate in China’s inland waters; or
(3) Other circumstances in which supervision is necessary. 
Article 54 Persons who need to embark on or disembark from foreign ships for reasons such as goods loading or unloading, maintenance operations or visit shall apply to exit/entry border inspection authorities for boarding pass.
Where a Chinese ship needs to berth alongside a foreign ship, or a foreign ship needs to berth alongside another foreign ship, the captain or the agency handling the exit/entry business for relevant transport vehicles shall apply to the exit/entry border inspection authority for going through formalities for berth. 
Article 55 Foreign ships and aircrafts shall navigate according to prescribed routes.
Ships and aircrafts that exit or enter China shall not access areas outside the ports open to foreign countries. The aforesaid ships or aircrafts that access such areas due to unforeseeable emergencies or force majeure shall immediately report to the nearest exit/entry border inspection authority or local public security organ, and accept supervision and administration. 
Article 56 Under any of the following circumstances, transport vehicles shall be not allowed to exit or enter China; those that have left ports may be ordered to return:
(1) Exit or enter China without examination and approval when leaving or arriving at port;
(2) Change the port of exit or entry without approval;
(3) Are suspected of carrying persons who are not allowed to exit or enter China and therefore need to be inspected and verified;
(4) Are suspected of carrying articles endangering national security or interests or disrupting social or public order and therefore need to be inspected and verified; or
(5) Other circumstances in which transport vehicles refuse to subject themselves to exit/entry border inspection authorities’ administration.
After the circumstances specified in the preceding paragraph disappear, exit/entry border inspection authorities shall immediately release relevant transport vehicles.
Article 57 Agencies handling the exit/entry business for transport vehicles shall file records with exit/entry border inspection authorities. For agents engaging in such a business, the entities they work for shall file relevant records for them with exit/entry border inspection authorities. 
Chapter VI
Investigation and Repatriation
Article 58 Measures for on-the-spot interrogation, continued interrogation, detention for investigation, movement restriction and repatriation prescribed in this Chapter shall be enforced by public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level or by exit/entry border inspection authorities. 
Article 59 Persons suspected of violating the regulations on exit/entry administration may be interrogated on the spot; upon on-the-spot interrogation, the aforesaid persons may be interrogated in continuation in accordance with the law under any of the following circumstances:
(1) Are suspected of illegally exiting or entering China;
(2) Are suspected of assisting others in illegally exiting or entering China;
(3) Are foreigners suspected of illegally residing or working in China; or
(4) Are suspected of endangering national security or interests, disrupting social or public order, or engaging in other illegal or criminal activities.
On-the-spot interrogation and continued interrogation shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures prescribed in the People’s Police Law of the People’s Republic of China.
Where public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level or exit/entry border inspection authorities need to summon the persons suspected of violating the regulations on exit/entry administration, they shall handle the matter in accordance with the relevant regulations of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Penalties for Administration of Public Security. 
Article 60 Where foreigners involved in any of the circumstances specified in the first paragraph of Article 59 of this Law cannot be cleared of suspicion after on-the-spot interrogation or continued interrogation and therefore need to be further investigated, he may be detained for investigation.
When detaining a foreigner for investigation, the authority concerned shall present a written decision on detention for investigation and shall interrogate the detained foreigner within 24 hours. Where the aforesaid organ finds that a foreigner should not be detained for investigation, it shall immediately release him from detention for investigation.
The period of detention for investigation shall not exceed 30 days; for complicated cases, the period may be extended to 60 days upon approval by the public security organs under the local people’s governments at the next higher level or by the exit/entry border inspection authorities at the next higher level. For foreigners whose nationalities and identities are unknown, the period of detention for investigation shall be calculated from the date when their nationalities and identities are found out. 
Article 61 Under any of the following circumstances, detention for investigation is not applicable to foreigners, however, their movements may be restricted:
(1) Suffer from serious diseases;
(2) Are pregnant or breast-feeding their own infants under one year of age;
(3) Are under 16 years of age or have reached the age of 70; or
(4) Other circumstances in which detention for investigation should not be applied.
Foreigners whose movements are restricted shall subject themselves to investigation as required, and shall not leave the restricted zones without approval of public security organs. The period of movement restriction shall not exceed 60 days. For foreigners whose nationalities and identities are unknown, the period of movement restriction shall be calculated from the date when their nationalities and identities are found out. 
Article 62 Under any of the following circumstances, foreigners may be repatriated:
(1) Are ordered to exit China within a prescribed time limit but fail to do so;
(2) Are involved in circumstances in which they are not allowed to enter China;
(3) Illegally reside or work in China; or
(4) Need to be repatriated for violation of this Law or other laws or administrative regulations.
Other overseas personnel who fall under any of the circumstances prescribed in the preceding paragraph may be repatriated in accordance with the law.
Repatriated persons shall not be allowed to enter China for one to five years, calculating from the date of repatriation. 
Article 63 Persons who are detained for investigation or who are to be repatriated upon decision but cannot be repatriated promptly shall be held in custody in detention houses or places of repatriation.
Article 64 Foreigners dissatisfied with the measure imposed on them in accordance with this Law, such as continued interrogation, detention for investigation, movement restriction or repatriation, may apply for administrative reconsideration in accordance with the law, and the administrative reconsideration decision shall be final.
Where other overseas personnel dissatisfied with the decision of repatriation imposed on them in accordance with this Law apply for administrative reconsideration, the provisions in the preceding paragraph are applicable. 
Article 65 Where persons are not allowed to exit or enter China upon decisions made in accordance with the law, the decision-making authorities shall duly inform the exit/entry border inspection authorities of such decisions in accordance with relevant regulations; where the circumstances in which the persons are not allowed to exit or enter China disappear, the decision-making authorities shall duly cancel the aforesaid decisions and inform exit/entry border inspection authorities of the cancellation. 
Article 66 On the basis of the need for safeguarding national security and maintaining the order of exit/entry administration, exit/entry border inspection authorities may, when necessary, search the persons entering and exiting the country. Personal Search shall be conducted by two border inspectors who are the same sex as the persons subject to the search. 
Article 67 In such cases that the exit/entry documents such as visas or foreigners’ stay or residence permits are damaged, lost or stolen, or that after the issuance of such documents, the holders are found not eligible for being issued such documents, the issuing authorities shall declare the aforesaid documents void.
Exit/entry documents which are forged, altered, obtained by fraudulent means or are declared void by issuing authorities shall be invalid.
Public security organs may cancel or confiscate the exit/entry documents prescribed in the preceding paragraph or used fraudulently by persons other than the specified holders. 
Article 68 Public security organs may seize the transport vehicles used to organize, transport or assist others in illegally exiting or entering China as well as the articles needed as evidence in handling the cases.
Public security organs shall seize banned articles, documents and data involving state secrets, as well as tools used in activities violating the regulations on exit/entry administration, and handle them in accordance with relevant laws or administrative regulations. 
Article 69 The authenticity of exit/entry documents shall be determined by the issuing authorities, the exit/entry border inspection authorities or the exit/entry administrations of public security organs.