China imposes stricter exit‑entry rules, effective Sep 2026

The State Council of China announced new "Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration" on July 31, 2026. The 19‑article regulation will take effect on 15 September 2026 and is designed to protect national sovereignty, security and development interests while safeguarding the lawful rights of travelers.

Key provisions include: (1) enhanced risk‑prevention measures, with diplomatic, cultural and tourism ministries required to issue safety alerts for foreign destinations; (2) stricter verification that the purpose of travel is genuine and lawful; (3) expanded grounds for denying exit or entry, allowing authorities to block Chinese citizens who may endanger industrial or technological security for six months to three years, and to bar foreign nationals who submit false documents for one to five years; (4) mandatory registration and oversight of agencies that provide exit‑entry intermediary services. Decision‑making powers are broadened to include the State Council, relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Commerce, provincial governments and overseas diplomatic missions, all feeding into a unified immigration management system.

The rules replace the 2012‑2013 Exit‑Entry Management Law, tightening controls that were previously limited to passport and visa checks. Analysts describe the measures as the most severe and opaque border controls in China’s recent history, raising concerns about the curtailment of citizens' freedom of movement.