China’s State Council on July 31 issued new “Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration,” which will take effect on September 15. The regulations expand the government’s authority to restrict overseas travel, strengthen scrutiny of passport issuance and border exit procedures, and delegate enforcement powers to county-level immigration authorities. Critics argue the rules represent a significant tightening of exit controls by shifting border inspections beyond document verification to include scrutiny of travelers’ intentions.
Article 2 states: “For Chinese citizens intending to travel to countries or regions classified as the highest risk level or where incidents seriously endangering personal safety occur frequently, the relevant authorities shall, when necessary, advise them against traveling.” Radio France International (RFI) questioned the provision could allow authorities to discourage, or even prevent, Chinese citizens from traveling to certain destinations.
Article 4 states: “Where a Chinese citizen violates export control regulations, technology import and export administration regulations, or other relevant provisions, and may endanger the country’s industrial security or technological security, the competent authorities of the State Council, including the Ministry of Commerce, may decide that the individual shall not be permitted to leave the country.” RFI noted that the provision employs broad preventive language, allowing exit restrictions based on the possibility that an individual may pose a future risk.
Article 6 states: “For persons who are lawfully decided to be prohibited from leaving the country, the authority making the decision shall promptly notify the immigration administration authorities for enforcement in accordance with regulations, and shall provide the individual with written notice of the fact of the exit prohibition, the reasons, the legal basis, and the available channels for relief. However, where notification may affect national security, the investigation of criminal cases, or other similar circumstances, the individual may not be notified.” As a result, individuals may learn they are subject to an exit ban only when attempting to depart through an airport or border checkpoint.
Article 10 states: “Where public officials, military personnel, or other such persons entrust institutions engaged in exit-entry intermediary services to improperly handle applications for foreign nationality, overseas permanent residence status, overseas residence documents, or other exit-entry documents or procedures, such intermediary institutions shall not process the applications and shall promptly report the matter to the supervisory authorities and other relevant authorities.”
Sources:
1. Xinhua, August 1, 2026
https://www.xinhuanet.com/20260731/08228229f320402fb3a97a095abfd1ad/c.html
2. Radio France International, August 1, 2026
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/中国/20260801-中国出入境新规引发广泛担忧