China will implement new immigration control regulations on 15 September, empowering border control personnel to advise citizens against exiting the country to high-risk countries and regions when necessary.
The new immigration control regulations consist of 19 articles, covering topics such as exit-entry management and the legal rights and interests of personnel entering and leaving the country.
The regulations state that when immigration authorities process and approve exit and entry documents for Chinese citizens, they should remind them to understand the situation when preparing to travel to high-risk countries or regions. This includes “Chinese citizens planning to travel to countries or regions with the highest risk or a high incidence of serious incidents threatening personal safety should be discouraged from doing so when necessary.”
In addition, the new regulations explicitly stipulate that citizens who engage in activities abroad that endanger national security or constitute major illegal crimes may be restricted from exiting the country for six months to three years upon returning to China.
The regulations also strengthen the filing registration and supervision of exit-entry agency services. After China canceled the approval and licensing for exit-entry agencies in 2018, the number of relevant agencies surged. However, the new regulations redraw the red line, introducing strict filing systems and operational standards.
They state that intermediary agencies must be established in accordance with the law, possess appropriate capital and premises, and the person in charge must not have a record of intentional criminal offenses. It is strictly forbidden to publish false or exaggerated advertisements, assist in forging materials or process visas or passports in violation of regulations. It is also strictly forbidden to assist in cross-border illegal crimes or provide false information, while foreign enterprises and institutions shall not provide exit-entry intermediary services within the territory of China.
RelatedPosts
