For the purposes of further adapting to the new situation of port law enforcement, the quarantine supervision for pet dogs and cats brought into China shall be conducted in a safe, scientific and standardized way. Relevant issues are hereby announced as follows:

I. Live animals brought into China shall only be limited to dogs or cats (hereinafter referred to as pets), and one person is allowed to bring one pet on each entry. Persons bringing pets into China shall provide the customs with a valid quarantine certificate and a vaccination certificate issued by the official animal quarantine authorities in the exiting countries or regions. Pets shall have electronic chips in them.

II. Pets brought into China shall be quarantined for 30 days (including the withholding period) in an isolated area designated by the Customs. Pets that need to be quarantined shall enter China from a port with quarantine facilities. The Customs shall supervise and inspect the pets in quarantine. The Customs shall carry out classified management of the pets brought into China by designated countries or regions and non-designated countries or regions, and the pets in the following circumstances shall be exempt from quarantine:

(I) Pets coming from designated countries or regions have valid electronic chips, and have passed on-site quarantine;

(II) Pets coming from non-designated countries or regions have valid electronic chips and rabies antibody test reports issued by the recognized laboratories (the rabies antibody titer must be greater than 0.5 IU/ml), and have passed the on-site quarantine;

(III) The pets that are brought in are guide dogs, hearing dogs, or search and rescue dogs, have valid electronic chips and have passed the on-site quarantine, and their carriers have provided corresponding user certificates and professional training certificates.

The list of designated countries or regions, the list of accepted laboratories publishing rabies antibody test results and the list of ports with quarantine facilities shall be those as published by the General Administration of Customs.

III. Under any of the following circumstances, the Customs shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, return or destroy the pets within a specified period:

(I) The number of pets brought into China exceeds the quota;

(II) Any person bringing in the pets fails to provide the Customs with a valid quarantine certificate or a rabies vaccination certificate issued by the official animal quarantine institution in the exiting country or region;

(III) Pets required to be quarantined are planned to enter China from a port without quarantine facilities; and

(IV) Pets fail to pass the quarantine inspection.

Guide dogs, hearing dogs and search and rescue dogs without vaccination certificates may, upon application by their carriers, be vaccinated against rabies in qualified institutions.

For pets to be returned within a specified period, their carriers shall, within the prescribed limit period, claim and bring them out of China by the withholding certificate issued by the Customs; Their failure to make such claim within such period shall be regarded as automatic waiver.

IV. For the specific quarantine requirements for the pets brought into China, please refer to the Annex, the Quarantine Requirements for Pets Brought into the Peoples Republic of China.

This Announcement shall come into force on May 1, 2019.

The Announcement is hereby given.

GG (2019) No. 5

For the purposes of further adapting to the new situation of port law enforcement, the quarantine supervision for pet dogs and cats brought into China shall be conducted in a safe, scientific and standardized way. Relevant issues are hereby announced as follows:

I. Live animals brought into China shall only be limited to dogs or cats (hereinafter referred to as pets), and one person is allowed to bring one pet on each entry. Persons bringing pets into China shall provide the customs with a valid quarantine certificate and a vaccination certificate issued by the official animal quarantine authorities in the exiting countries or regions. Pets shall have electronic chips in them.

II. Pets brought into China shall be quarantined for 30 days (including the withholding period) in an isolated area designated by the Customs. Pets that need to be quarantined shall enter China from a port with quarantine facilities. The Customs shall supervise and inspect the pets in quarantine. The Customs shall carry out classified management of the pets brought into China by designated countries or regions and non-designated countries or regions, and the pets in the following circumstances shall be exempt from quarantine:

(I) Pets coming from designated countries or regions have valid electronic chips, and have passed on-site quarantine;

(II) Pets coming from non-designated countries or regions have valid electronic chips and rabies antibody test reports issued by the recognized laboratories (the rabies antibody titer must be greater than 0.5 IU/ml), and have passed the on-site quarantine;

(III) The pets that are brought in are guide dogs, hearing dogs, or search and rescue dogs, have valid electronic chips and have passed the on-site quarantine, and their carriers have provided corresponding user certificates and professional training certificates.

The list of designated countries or regions, the list of accepted laboratories publishing rabies antibody test results and the list of ports with quarantine facilities shall be those as published by the General Administration of Customs.

III. Under any of the following circumstances, the Customs shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, return or destroy the pets within a specified period:

(I) The number of pets brought into China exceeds the quota;

(II) Any person bringing in the pets fails to provide the Customs with a valid quarantine certificate or a rabies vaccination certificate issued by the official animal quarantine institution in the exiting country or region;

(III) Pets required to be quarantined are planned to enter China from a port without quarantine facilities; and

(IV) Pets fail to pass the quarantine inspection.

Guide dogs, hearing dogs and search and rescue dogs without vaccination certificates may, upon application by their carriers, be vaccinated against rabies in qualified institutions.

For pets to be returned within a specified period, their carriers shall, within the prescribed limit period, claim and bring them out of China by the withholding certificate issued by the Customs; Their failure to make such claim within such period shall be regarded as automatic waiver.

IV. For the specific quarantine requirements for the pets brought into China, please refer to the Annex, the Quarantine Requirements for Pets Brought into the Peoples Republic of China.

This Announcement shall come into force on May 1, 2019.

The Announcement is hereby given.

Annexes: 1. Quarantine Requirements for Pets Entering the People's Republic of China.doc

         2. List of Laboratories Publishing Rabies Antibody Test Results Accepted by the General Administration of Customs.doc

         3. Registration Form for the Information on Pet Dogs and Cats Brought to China.doc

         4. List of Ports with Quarantine Conditions for Pets that Arrive in China.doc

General Administration of Customs

January 2, 2019

In accordance with relevant laws and regulations such as the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China and the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Frontier Inspection of Exit from or Entry Into the Country, foreigners holding an interline ticket of an aircraft, ship, or train of international voyage and transiting through China to a third country or region within 24 hours are exempted from visa application, provided that they do not leave the port; any of them intending to leave the port shall apply for a temporary entry permit from the entry-exit frontier inspection station.

Foreigners applying for a temporary entry permit shall submit their valid passports or other international travel documents, interline tickets and other materials, fill in the landing card for foreigners in transit, and accept inquiries from the entry-exit frontier inspection station. The entry-exit frontier inspection station will not issue temporary entry permits to foreigners in the following cases:

(1) the applicant is not allowed to enter China by laws or administrative regulations;

(2) passports or other international travel documents of the applicant are valid for less than 3 months, or with stamp of rejection by China’s visa-issuing agencies;

(3) the applicant has records of illegal entry or exit, illegal residence, or illegal employment within 5 years; or

(4) the applicant has violations of accommodation registration regulations within 2 years and the circumstances are severe.

Foreigners temporarily entering China shall apply to the exit and entry departments of China's public security organs for corresponding stay permits in accordance with regulations in case that they have to stay beyond the permitted time limit due to sudden illness or force majeure. Foreigners staying beyond the permitted time limit and failing to apply for stay permits will be punished in accordance with law by entry-exit frontier inspection authorities or the public security organs of local people’s governments at or above the county level.

Notice: The English version is only for reference. To learn more, please refer to the authoritative Chinese version.

Ⅰ. Legal Basis

(1) Article 6 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China

Exit-entry border inspection authorities may carry out border inspections on articles carried by passengers upon exit-entry in accordance with the needs to maintain national security and the order of exit-entry. Where necessary, the exit-entry border inspection authorities may carry out border inspections on goods carried by transportation vehicles upon exit-entry, but the customs shall be notified.

(2) Article 66 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China

Exit-entry border inspection authorities may carry out inspections on passengers upon exit-entry in accordance with the needs to maintain national security and the order of exit-entry.

Ⅱ. Things to be Noted

1. Exit-entry passengers and transportation vehicles shall not carry prohibited items stipulated by laws and administrative regulations that endanger national security and social order;

2. Do not leave the country when carrying illegally documents, materials and other items that are classified as state secrets;

3. If exit-entry passengers transport guns and ammunition as carry-on or checked luggage, they shall apply for permission at the frontier inspection stations in accordance with relevant laws and administrative regulations. Without permission, no transportation is allowed of guns and ammunition as carry-on or checked luggage upon exit-entry.

Notice: The English version is only for reference. To learn more, please refer to the authoritative Chinese version.

I. Scope of Application

This service guide is applicable to foreigners applying for exit-entry permits.

II. Legal Basis

Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Exit and Entry of Foreigners.

III. Competent Authorities

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has entrusted the exit-entry administration authorities of public security organs at the prefecture-level (including districts and counties under the administration of municipalities directly under the central government) and above to accept applications for exit-entry permits of foreigners.

With the approval of NIA at the request of exit-entry administration authorities under provincial public security organs, exit-entry administration authorities of county-level public security organs may be authorized by NIA to accept applications for exit-entry permits of foreigners.

IV. Application Conditions

1. Where a foreigner in China has no valid passport or other international travel document due to loss, damage, theft and robbery and is not able to obtain reissued documents from the embassy or consulate of his/her country in China, he/she shall submit a certification of passport loss report or a note from the embassy or consulate of his/her country in China or present invalidated or expired documents and any temporary identity document in use instead of a passport.

2. For other circumstances where NIA considers it necessary to issue exit-entry permits for foreigners., relevant provisions shall prevail.

V. Prohibitive Requirements

Where an applicant does not comply with the aforementioned conditions for application or falls within the circumstances stipulated in Article 28 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, the exit-entry permits for foreigners shall not be issued.

VI. Application Materials

1. Applicants shall fill in the Visa/Stay Permit/Residence Permit Application Form and submit a photo that complies with the Guidelines for Exit and Entry Documents Photographs.

2. Applicants shall submit a certification for passport loss report or a note from the embassy or consulate of his/her country of residence in China, or present invalidated or expired document and any temporary identity document in use instead of a passport.

3. Other supporting materials deemed necessary by NIA.

VII. Basic Process and Way of Application

1. Application. To apply for foreigners' exit-entry permit, foreigners shall complete relevant procedures and accept interview in person at the exit-entry administration authority of public security organs.

2. Acceptance. The competent authority shall review and decide whether or not to accept an application. Where the application falls within the scope of the administrative authority, and the application materials are complete and comply with the requirements, the application shall be accepted on the spot and an acceptance receipt shall be issued. Where the formalities and materials required for the application for exit-entry permit are incomplete, the competent authority shall inform the applicant of the formalities to be completed and the materials to be supplemented at one time.

3. Review and Verification. The public security organs shall strengthen the verification process to ensure authenticity of the application reasons through interviews, telephone inquiries, field investigations and other means, and confirm whether the applicant is of foreign nationality. Where an applicant or relevant entity/individual is notified to take an interview but fails to do that at the agreed time without justifiable reasons, the application may be denied by law.

4. Decision. For applications eligible for the conditions and criteria, the decision-making authority shall decide to issue exit-entry permits for foreigners.

VIII. Time Limit for Issuance

A decision shall be made within 30 working days from the date of accepting the application for exit-entry permit for foreigners.

IX. Charging Basis and Standards

1. Basis for Charges

Notice of the Ministry of Public Security of People's Republic of China on Adjusting the Fees for Visas and Documents of Foreigners (Gong Tong Zi [1996] No. 89).

2. Charging Standards

Exit-entry permit for foreigners: CNY 100

X. Results Delivery

Approved and issued exit-entry permit for foreigners shall be collected by the applicant in person at the relevant exit-entry administration authority of public security organs with the acceptance receipt.

XI. Rights and obligations of administrative counterpart

1. Applicants are entitled to the following rights according to relevant laws and regulations:

a. Those who meet the legal conditions and criteria are entitled to equal rights to obtain an administrative license in accordance with law;

b. They shall have the right to make statements and defend against implementation of the administrative license by an administrative authority;

c. Other rights stipulated by laws and regulations.

2. Applicants shall perform the following obligations in accordance with relevant laws and regulations:

a. Applicants shall submit relevant materials and reflect the reality truthfully to the administrative authority, and shall be held responsible for authenticity of substantive content of the application materials;

b. Applicants shall cooperate with administrative authorities to verify authenticity of the application materials through interviews, telephone inquiries, field investigations and so on;

c. Other obligations stipulated by laws and regulations.

XII. Flowchart for issuance of exit-entry permits for foreigners

XIII. Sample of the exit-entry permit

Notice: The English version is only for reference. To learn more, please refer to the authoritative Chinese version.

China's General Administration of Customs announced on Oct 26 the ending of mandatory health declarations for individuals entering or exiting the Chinese mainland from Nov 1, 2023.

Both inbound and outbound passengers will no longer need to fill in the entry or exit health declaration form, according to the Frontier Health and Quarantine Law and the rules for its implementation.

However, individuals showing symptoms of infectious diseases such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, unexplained subcutaneous bleeding, or those already diagnosed with infectious diseases must voluntarily report their health status to customs officers.

People with infectious disease symptoms must cooperate with customs in carrying out health quarantine procedures, including temperature checks, epidemiological investigations, medical examinations and sample testing, it said.

Those who conceal or evade quarantine measures will bear corresponding legal responsibilities. If their actions result in the spread of infectious diseases or pose a serious transmission risk, they will face corresponding criminal liabilities, the administration said.

China adopted the quarantine declaration system in January 2020 as a measure to combat COVID-19, requiring travelers to fill in exit/entry health declaration forms and declare their health to customs.

This guide is provided on an informational basis to assist you in going through the Customs formalities when you enter or leave China through international airports, seaports, train or bus stations.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

In accordance with “Customs Law of the People’s Republic of China”, inward and outward passengers shall enter or leave the territory at the place where the Customs is established. Passengers shall be subject to Customs control, and shall declare honestly to the Customs.

All inward and outward passengers entering or leaving China, except those who are exempted from examination or control in accordance with relevant regulations and those under the age of 16 traveling with adults, shall complete <CHINA Customs BAGGAGE DECLARATION FOR OUTWARD PASSENGERS> or <CHINA Customs BAGGAGE DECLARATION FOR INWARD PASSENGERS> (hereinafter referred to as <DECLARATION FORM>) and declare truthfully to the Customs.

The inward and outward passengers who have nothing to declare shall choose the “Nothing to Declare Channel” (GREEN CHANNEL). Personal articles, carried by inward passengers, within the limitation set by the Customs, are exempted from duty, and personal articles carried by outward passengers shall be released.

The inward and outward passengers carrying articles to declare shall choose the “Goods to Declare Channel” (RED CHANNEL).

The <DECLARATION FORM> verified and endorsed by the Customs shall be kept properly, and shall be re-submitted to the Customs at the time of return if necessary.

Seals affixed by the Customs on the baggage shall not be opened or broken without Customs prior authorization.

Passengers who are not certain about the above instructions shall ask the Customs officers for details or choose the “Goods to Declare Channel” (RED CHANNEL).

CUSTOMS RELEASE CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES

CAUTION: Inward or outward baggage effects, personal articles carried by international passengers shall be limited to the PERSONAL USE only and subject to REASONABLE QUANTITY control.

CAUTION: Inward passengers with the articles listed below SHALL choose “GOODS TO DECLARE” (RED CHANNEL).

CAUTION: Outward passengers with the articles listed below SHALL choose “GOODS TO DECLARE” (RED CHANNEL).

TIPS! The onsite clearance flow for the inward and outward passengers:

Obtain the declaration form
Read the instruction on the reverse side carefully.
Fill out the declaration form
Choose the Customs declaration channel
Submit the declaration form
Conduct the Customs formalities.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

- PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED ARTICLES

CAUTION: Please don’t bring such articles into or out of China, or you are liable for the violation of the law and the following consequences.

Your are subject to punishment if you fail to declare to the Customs when carrying the articles listed above.

Articles Prohibited from Importation：

Arms, imitation arms, ammunition and explosives of all kinds.

Counterfeit currencies and counterfeit negotiable securities.

Printed matter, films, photographs, gramophone records, cinematographic films, loaded recording tapes and video tapes, compact discs ( video and audio ), storage media for computers and other articles which are detrimental to the political, economic, cultural and moral interests of China.

Deadly poison of all kinds.

Opium, morphine, heroin, marihuana and other addictive drugs and psychotropic substances.

Fruits, solanaceae vegetables, live animals (except dogs and cats as pet), animal products, pathogenic micro-organisms of animals and plants, pests and other harmful organisms, animal carcasses, soil, genetically modified organisms, relevant animals and plants, their products and other objects subject to quarantine from countries or regions with prevalent epidemic animal or plant diseases.

Foodstuff, medicine and other articles coming from epidemic stricken area or harmful to man and livestock or those which might spread disease.

Articles Prohibited from Exportation：

All articles enumerated as articles prohibited from Importation.

Manuscripts, printed matter, films, photographs, gramophone records, cinematographic films, loaded recording tapes and video-tapes, compact discs ( video and audio ), storage media for computers and other articles which involve state secrets.

Valuable cultural relics and other relics prohibited from Exportation.

Endangered and precious rare animals and plants (including their specimens), their seeds and reproducing materials.

- EXCHANGE CONTROL

CAUTION: Passengers fail to observe the exchange regulation are subject to the administrative penalty fine or even get their currencies confiscated.

Foreign exchange:

There are no quantitative restrictions imposed on the foreign currencies, traveler’s checks, or letters of credit brought in.

However, inward passengers shall accurately declare to the Customs if carrying foreign currencies in cash worth more than 5,000 U.S. dollars. The Customs shall release it on passengers' departure upon the declaration made at the last entry.

Without last time declaration record of foreign currencies in cash, or if the recorded amount is less than what the passengers carry this time, the Customs shall release the discrepancies upon certificate issued by the Foreign Exchange Bureau or its authorized banks.

RMB

The limit of RMB allowed to bring in or take out is 20,000 yuan. The exceeding part is prohibited.

  Starting from March 18, 2024, the Hunan International Travel Health Care Center has resumed online reservation service for entry-exit physical examinations and vaccinations. Individuals applying for entry-exit related matters can make an appointment in advance via the center's official WeChat account. Please note that those unable to provide reservation information will not be accepted.

  Starting from March 18, 2024, the Hunan International Travel Health Care Center has resumed online reservation service for entry-exit physical examinations and vaccinations. Individuals applying for entry-exit related matters can make an appointment in advance via the center's official WeChat account. Please note that those unable to provide reservation information will not be accepted.

Reservation time:

  You can make an appointment for the following two weeks starting around 12:00 on the last working day of a week.

Consulting telephone: 86-731-86869403; 86-731-86869431 (Please call during working hours)

Physical examination time: 8:30-11:30 on working days

Address: No. 188, Xiangfu Middle Road, Yuhua District, Changsha

Updated on Feb. 28, 2025

I. Scope of Application

This service guide is applicable to foreigners applying for travel permits.

II. Legal Basis

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

III. Accepting Authority

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has entrusted exit-entry administrations authorities of public security organs at and above the prefecture-level (including districts and counties under the administration of municipalities directly under the central government) to accept and handle foreigners' applications for travel permits.

With the approval of NIA at the request of exit-entry administration authorities of provincial public security organs, exit-entry administration authorities of public security organs at the county-level are authorized by NIA to accept and handle applications for travel permits.

IV. Application Conditions

Foreigner's travel permits with prescribed period may be issued to foreigners who apply to travel to places not open to foreigners and provide relevant identification documents as required in due course.

V. Application Materials

1. Individuals applying for a foreigner's travel permit shall submit evidentiary materials related to the reasons for staying in the destination area;

2. For tourist groups of foreigners who apply for travelling to places not open to foreigners, travel agencies shall submit reception plans to the exit-entry administration authority of the provincial-level public security organs in their location. Reception plans shall be submitted 60 days prior to arrival of the tourist groups, and the exit-entry administration authority shall verify whether tourist routes pass through regions where foreigners are prohibited from entry. No approval procedures are required for tourist routes clear of the prohibited regions, while approval procedures shall be observed for tourist routes passing through regions where foreigners are prohibited from entry and travel agencies shall submit reception plans, lists of relevant personnel, copies of valid passports and visas (or permanent resident ID cards) of the foreigners to apply for approval.

VI. Basic Process and Way of Application

1. Application

To apply for foreigners' travel permit, foreigners shall complete relevant procedures in person at the exit-entry administration authority of public security organs. Where the application meets relevant regulations, travel agencies may apply to the exit-entry administration authority of provincial public security organ under the local government on the behalf of the applicants.

2. Acceptance

Upon examination of applications for foreigners' travel permit, eligible applications shall be accepted, and a receipt of acceptance shall be issued, followed by a decision on issuance or not being made within the validity period of the receipt of acceptance. For applications with incomplete procedures and materials, the exit-entry administration authority of public security organs shall inform the applicant of the formalities to be completed and the materials to be supplemented at one time.

3. Review and Verification

The exit-entry administration authority of public security organs shall verify the authenticity of the application reasons through interviews, telephone inquiries, field investigation and other means, and confirm the applicant is of foreign nationality. Where an applicant or relevant entity/individual is notified to take an interview but fails to do that at the agreed time without justifiable reasons, the application may be denied by law.

4. Decision

For applications eligible for the conditions and criteria, the decision-making authority shall decide to issue travel permits for foreigners.

VII. Time Limit for Issuance

A decision shall be made within 30 working days from the date of acceptance.

VIII. Charging Basis and Standards

1. Basis for Charges

Notice on Adjusting the Fees for Visas and Documents of Foreigners (Gong Tong Zi [1996] No. 89) of the Ministry of Public Security

2. Charging Standards

Travel permit for foreigners: CNY 50

IX. Results Delivery

Approved and issued travel permits for foreigners shall be collected by the applicants in person at the relevant exit-entry administration authority of public security organs with the acceptance receipt.

X. Rights and obligations of administrative counterpart

1. Applicants are entitled to the following rights according to relevant laws and regulations:

a. Those who meet the legal conditions and criteria are entitled to equal rights to obtain an administrative license;

b. They shall have the right to make statements and defend against implementation of the administrative license by an administrative authority;

c. Other rights stipulated by laws and regulations.

2. Applicants shall perform the following obligations in accordance with relevant laws and regulations:

a. Applicants shall submit relevant materials and reflect the reality truthfully to the administrative authority, and shall be held responsible for authenticity of substantive content of the application materials;

b. Applicants shall cooperate with administrative authorities to verify authenticity of the application materials through interviews, telephone inquiries, field investigations and so on;

c. Other obligations stipulated by laws and regulations.

XI. Flowchart for issuance of travel permits for foreigners 

XII. Sample of foreigners' travel permit

Notice: The English version is only for reference. To learn more, please refer to the authoritative Chinese version.

Office Equipment and Vehicles of Resident Offices

A motor vehicle which has been imported duty free as described above may be transferred to another resident officer/official or to another staff member of the resident office or sold to an authorized operating entity if more than four years have elapsed since the vehicle was released by the Customs Office and the term of office of the original staff member who imported the vehicle has expired. At the end of the six-year period of customs supervision, the vehicle may also be transferred, sold or dedicated for another purpose. Resident offices may apply for import and export of office equipment and motor vehicles for resident offices and permanent personnel. They may apply for the import of duty-free motor vehicles in accordance with relevant Customs regulations.

Motor Vehicles for Personal Use  

To apply for import of such a vehicle, the following documents should be submitted to the responsible customs office:

1. Identity papers;

2. Long-term residence permits;

3. Completed Application Form of the Customs of the People's Republic of China for Importation and Exportation of Articles for Personal Use;

4. Bill of lading (waybill), packing list and other required documents.

5. Applicants who are permanent China-based personnel, other than experts, should provide a photocopy of their identity papers and long-term residence permits and submit, through their resident offices, the Filing Certificate of the Customs Bureau of the People's Republic of China for Resident Offices, or their foreign-invested enterprise's Registration Certificate of the People's Republic of China for Consignor and Consignee Customs Declaration of Cargo Imports and Exports.

Permanent personnel importing motor vehicles should, within 10 days of the release of such vehicles by the Customs, obtain a Notice of the Customs Bureau of the People's Republic of China on the Issuance/Cancellation of Licenses for Imported/Exported Vehicles from the responsible customs office, and complete the formalities for obtaining a license for stated motor vehicle.

Motor vehicles imported by permanent personnel may not transfer the titles to their vehicles until they have completed vehicle registration formalities with the competent public security and traffic administration authorities for one year.

To transfer such titles, permanent personnel should file a written application with the responsible customs office and provide the following documents:

1. Identity papers;

2. Long-term residence permits;

3. The Motor Vehicle Operation Permit for the imported motor vehicle;

4. Their resident office's Filing Certificate of the Customs Bureau of the People's Republic of China for Resident Offices or their foreign-invested enterprise's Registration Certificate of the People's Republic of China for Consignor and Consignee Customs Declaration of Cargo Imports and Exports, and/or other certification documents as required by Customs officials.

After being approved by Customs and obtaining a Notice of the Customs Bureau of the People's Republic of China on the Issuance/Revocation of Licenses for Supervised Inbound/Outbound Vehicles, permanent personnel may complete the formalities for the transfer of the titles to their vehicles with any competent public security and traffic administration authority.

Cultural Relics

The Chinese law expressly prohibits valuable cultural relics and other protected cultural relics from exiting the territorial boundaries of China.

To take a cultural relic out of China, an application form should be filled out and submitted to the cultural relics entry and exit supervision authority for review and approval before the cultural relic exits China. The supervision authority should respond to the application within 15 workdays.

If a cultural relic is approved to be taken out of China, the cultural relics entry and exit supervision authority will affix an exit mark to permitted cultural relic and issue a cultural relic exit permit. The cultural relic will be allowed to leave China upon the presentation of its exit permit after the Customs authorities ensure its exit label. If the cultural relic is prohibited from leaving China, the cultural relic entry and exit supervision authority will record the event and return prohibited relic to its original site.

Upon request by the customs office at the port of exit or by the carrier, the cultural relic entry and exit supervision authority may issue certificates for declared objects which have been identified as replicas of cultural relics.

Cultural relics of private owners carried by outbound passengers will be released by Customs upon the presentation of the Cultural Relic Exit Permit and the verification of 1994 version wax mark beginning with the letter "B" stamped by the cultural relics appraisal institution.

Permanent personnel may, after obtaining residence permits, apply for importation of one motor vehicle. Applications for this purpose should be in writing and submitted by the permanent personnel or their appointed customs declaration agency to the responsible customs office. The motor vehicle will be released after the application is reviewed and approved by the responsible customs office and upon presentation of approval and/or other required documents. The vehicle will be subject to duties according to relevant regulations.

●  All the articles that are prohibited from being carried into China;

● Manuscripts, publications, films, photographs, gramophone records, movies, audio and video tapes, laser discs and computer storage media connected with State secrets;

● Valuable cultural relics and other cultural relics that are prohibited from being carried out of China;

● Animals in danger of becoming extinct, rare animals and plants (including respective specimens), their seeds and reproduction materials.

I. Scope of Application

This Guidelines applies to foreign nationals applying for permanent residence status in China.

II. Legal Basis

Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, Measures for the Administration of Examination and Approval of Foreigners' Permanent Residence in China

III. Processing Authorities

Public security organs under municipal people's governments of cities with subordinate districts; public security sub-bureaus and county-level public security sub-bureaus of direct-controlled municipalities.

IV. Eligibility

Foreign nationals who have made remarkable contributions to the economic and social development of China or meet other conditions for permanent residence in China may apply for permanent residence in China.

Foreign nationals applying for permanent residence in China shall abide by Chinese laws and regulations, be in good health, have no criminal record, and meet one of the following conditions:

(I) The applicant has made direct and stable investments in China, with good tax payment records for three consecutive years;

(II) The applicant holds the position of 1) deputy general manager, 2) factory deputy director or above, or 3) those with professional associate senior titles or above, such as associate professor or associate researcher; or has been enjoying the equivalent salary in China for at least four consecutive years, and residing in China for a total of not less than three years within four years with good tax records;

(III) The applicant has made significant and outstanding contribution(s) to China and is especially needed in the country;

(IV) The spouse and the unmarried children (under age 18) of the applicant who meets the foregoing conditions specified in (I), (II) or (III);

(V) The applicant is the spouse of a Chinese citizen or of a foreign national who has obtained permanent residence status in China; The applicant and his or her spouse has been married for a minimum of five years; The applicant has had a minimum of five consecutive years of residence in China with no less than nine months each year, and has a stable source of income and domicile;

(VI) The applicant under the age of 18 is unmarried and dependent on his or her parents;

(VII) The applicant is or above the age of 60, has no direct relatives abroad, and lives with his or her direct relative in China; The applicant has stayed in China for at least five consecutive years with at least nine months of residence in China each year, and has a stable source of income and domicile.

V. Ineligibility

For foreign nationals who do not meet the foregoing conditions, an application for permanent residence in China will not be accepted.

Additionally, according to Article 24 of the Measures for the Administration of Examination and Approval of Foreigners' Permanent Residence in China, where any of the following circumstances occurs, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) has the right to cancel the previously obtained permanent residence status in China of foreign nationals and confiscate their Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards or declare their Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards invalid.

(I) Foreign nationals who may endanger China's national security or interests;

(II) Foreign nationals who have been sentenced to be deported by a people's court;

(III) Foreign nationals who obtained permanent residence in China by false materials or other unlawful means;

(IV) Foreign nationals whose residence in China, without approval, is less than three months each year or less than one year during the five-year residence.

VI. Application Materials

In addition to a valid foreign passport, a Health Certificate, and a foreign Certificate of No Criminal Record, the applicants shall submit the following materials when applying for permanent residence in China.

(I) For investors

1. A copy of the duplicate of the business license of the enterprise legal person;

2. A certificate of the disclosure of the enterprise's annual report;

3. Confirmation Letter on Foreign-funded Projects;

4. A copy of the Capital Verification Report;

5. A copy of the Confirmation Letter on Foreign-funded Projects issued by the national authority or a copy of a certificate issued by competent provincial authorities, which prove that the enterprise is a foreign-funded enterprise encouraged to develop, as well as a copy of the individual tax payment certificate (Only required for those encouraged to develop by the national authority);

(II) For employees

1. A copy of the employment certificate;

2. A copy of the Foreigner's Work Permit;

3. A copy of the registration certificate of the employer;

4. A certificate of the disclosure of the enterprise's annual report;

5. A copy of the project certificate or Confirmation Letter;

6. A copy of the individual tax payment certificate;

(III) For special personnel

1. A copy of the Recommendation Letter;

2. Copies of relevant awards and achievements.

(IV) For the spouse and unmarried children (under age 18) of the above-mentioned eligible investors, employees and special personnel

1. Copies of marriage certificate, birth certificate(s) or parent-child relationship certificate(s);

2. A copy of the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the above-mentioned investor, employee, and special personnel.

(V) For spouse

1. A copy of the marriage certificate;

2. A copy of the identity certificate of the spouse;

3. A copy of the housing rental certificate or property ownership certificate;

4. A copy of a certificate proving that the applicant has a stable source of income.

(VI) For children

1. A copy of the birth certificate or relationship certificate;

2. Copies of the identity certificates of parents who are of Chinese nationality, or copies of valid passports and Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards of parents who are of foreign nationality;

3. If the parents are divorced, a copy of a certificate that proves the sponsor has responsibilities of guardianship of the child shall be submitted;

(VII) For relatives

1. A copy of a certificate that proves the applicant has no direct relatives abroad;

2. A copy of a certificate that proves the domestic kinship;

3. Copies of the Chinese sponsor's household registration document and Resident Identity Card; or copies of the foreign sponsor's valid passport and Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card;

4. A copy of the housing rental certificate or property ownership certificate;

5. A copy of a certificate proving that the applicant has a stable source of income.

VII. Procedure and Means of Application

(I) Application. The applicant shall apply for permanent residence in China at the public security organs under municipal people's governments of cities with subordinate districts, or public security sub-bureaus or county-level public security sub-bureaus of direct-controlled municipalities where the investment is made or where the long-term residence is located. Applications are also allowed to be submitted by entrusted persons. If the applicant is under the age of 18, the application can also be submitted by his/her parent(s) or entrusted person(s). For an application submitted by an entrusted person, a Power of Attorney issued by the applicant and notarized by a notary office is required. If the Power of Attorney is issued by the applicant abroad, it shall be certified by the Chinese embassy or consulate of the corresponding country.

(II) Processing, review, and final decision. Processing authorities shall complete the investigation within three months from the date of acceptance and report the eligible applications to inspection authorities. Inspection authorities shall complete the review of relevant applications within two months and report eligible applications to NIA for approval. For applicants who do not meet the relevant requirements, NIA shall decide to disapprove. Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards shall be issued by NIA to foreigners who are approved for permanent residence in China. For applications of change or re-issuance of Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards, processing authorities shall report the eligible applications to inspection authorities upon investigation. Upon review, inspection authorities shall report to NIA for approval.

VIII. Basis and Standards for Fees

(I) Basis

Reply Letter on Approving the Setup of Application Fees for Foreigner's Permanent Residence Card and the Charging Items of Foreigner's Permanent Residence Card (Cai Zong [2004] No. 32) issued by the Ministry of Finance and the National Development and Reform Commission, Notice on the Charging Standards of Foreigner's Permanent Residence Application Fee and Related Issues (Fa Gai Jia Ge [2004] No. 1267) issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance.

(II) Standards

Application fee: CNY 1,500.

Production of card: CNY 300.

Re-issuance due to loss or damage: CNY 600.

Renewal upon expiration: CNY 300.

IX. Processing Time

Public security organs shall make decisions on approval or disapproval within six months from the date of accepting applications from foreign nationals for permanent residence in China.

The decision made by public security organs is the final decision.

X. Delivery of Foreigner's Permanent Residence Card

If approved, a Foreigner's Permanent Residence Card will be sent by processing authorities to the applicant, guardian, or entrusted person. At the same time, the old valid visa or residence permit of the applicant will be canceled.

XI. Rights and Obligations of Administrative Counterparts

(I) The applicant enjoys the following rights as specified by relevant laws and regulations:

1. The applicant who meets the legal conditions and standards is entitled to equal rights for obtaining administrative certificates;

2. The right to make statements and defend the approval of the administrative certificate implemented by administrative organs;

3. Other rights specified by laws and regulations.

(II) The applicant has the following obligations as specified by relevant laws and regulations:

1. The applicant shall faithfully submit relevant materials, report the actual situation to administrative organs, and shall be liable for the authenticity of the content of the materials submitted;

2. The applicant shall cooperate with administrative organs in interviews, phone calls, and on-site investigation to verify the authenticity of submitted materials for application;

3. Other obligations specified by laws and regulations.

Appendix: Flow Chart for Review and Approval of Foreigners' Permanent Residence in China 

Appendix

If the applicant is an overseas Chinese and has changed his/her name (while his/her English name is not transliterated from the Chinese name) after becoming a foreign citizen, a notarization procedure for the change of his/her name is required.

The certificates of no criminal record, marriage, birth, kinship, and change of name, along with other materials issued by relevant foreign authorities shall be certified by the Chinese embassy and consulate of the corresponding country.

Source: National Immigration Administration

1. Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Changsha Public Security Bureau, Hunan Province [湖南省长沙市公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: No.30 Jindun Road, Yuhua District, Changsha, Hunan [湖南省长沙市雨花区金盾路30号] 

2. Hexi Government Service Center, Changsha, Hunan Province [湖南省长沙市政务服务中心]

Address: No.20 Jinxing North Road 1st Section, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan [湖南省长沙市岳麓区金星北路一段20号] 

3. Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Public Security Bureau of Furong District, Changsha, Hunan Province [湖南省长沙市芙蓉区公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: No.369 Wanbao Avenue, Furong District, Changsha, Hunan [湖南省长沙市芙蓉区晚报大道369号] 

4. Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Public Security Bureau of Tianxin District, Changsha, Hunan Province [湖南省长沙市天心区公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: No.35 Liujiachong North Road, Tianxin District, Changsha, Hunan [湖南省长沙市天心区刘家冲北路35号] 

5. Exit-Entry Reception Hall (Xianfeng Police Station), Furong District Branch, Changsha Public Security Bureau, Hunan Province [湖南省长沙市公安局天心区分局出入境接待大厅（先锋派出所受理点）] 

Address: Next to Xingwei building material market, Xindian Road, Tianxin District, Changsha, Hunan [湖南省长沙市天心区新电路兴威建材市场旁] 

6. Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Liuyang Public Security Bureau, Hunan Province [湖南省浏阳市公安局出入境接待大厅] 

Address: Area D, Second floor, Citizen Home, No.8 Baisha East Road, Liuyang, Hunan[湖南省浏阳市白沙东路8号市民之家二楼D区] 

7.Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Zhuzhou Public Security Bureau, Hunan Province [湖南省株洲市公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: First Floor of Citizen Service Center, No.399 Shennong Avenue, Tianyuan District, Zhuzhou, Hunan [湖南省株洲市天元区神农大道399号株洲市民中心一楼公安专区]

8. Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Xiangtan Public Security Bureau, Hunan Province [湖南省湘潭市公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: No.168 Ji'an Road, Yuetang District, Xiangtan, Hunan [湖南省湘潭市岳塘区吉安路168号] 

9. Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Shaoyang Public Security Bureau, Hunan Province [湖南省邵阳市公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: No.1 Longshan Road, Beita District, Shaoyang, Hunan [湖南省邵阳市北塔区龙山路1号]

10. Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Hengyang Public Security Bureau, Hunan Province [湖南省衡阳市公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: No.28 Zhengshui Avenue, Zhengxiang District, Hengyang, Hunan [湖南省衡阳市蒸湘区华兴街道蒸水大道28号] 

11. Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Yueyang Public Security Bureau, Hunan Province [湖南省岳阳市公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: No.188 Xueyuan Road, Yueyanglou District, Yueyang, Hunan [湖南省岳阳市岳阳楼区学院路188号] 

12. Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Changde Public Security Bureau, Hunan Province [湖南省常德市公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: Citizen Home, Langzhou Road, Changde, Hunan [湖南省常德市朗州路市民之家]

13. Population & Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Zhangjiajie Public Security Bureau, Hunan Province [湖南省张家界市公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: Sixth Floor, Zhangjiajie Citizen Service Center, No.618 Yongding Avenue, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan [湖南省张家界市永定区永定大道618号市政务服务中心六楼] 

14. Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Yiyang Public Security Bureau Heshan Branch, Hunan Province [湖南省益阳市公安局赫山分局出入境接待大厅 ]

Address: First Floor of Fuze Building, No.188 Yiyang Avenue, Heshan District, Yiyang, Hunan [湖南省益阳市赫山区益阳大道188号福泽大厦一楼]

15. Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Chenzhou Public Security Bureau, Hunan Province [湖南省郴州市公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: Second Floor of Office Building of Chenzhou Public Security Bureau, No.318 Qingnian Avenue, Chenzhou, Hunan [湖南省郴州市青年大道318号郴州市公安局办公大楼二楼] 

16 Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Yongzhou Public Security Bureau, Lengshuitan District, Yongzhou, Hunan Province [湖南省永州市公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: Yongzhou Citizen Service Center, Intersection of Yongzhou Avenue and Yingbin Road, Yongzhou, Hunan [湖南省永州市冷水滩区永州大道与迎宾路交叉口（永州市市民服务中心）] 

17. Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Huaihua Public Security Bureau, Hunan Province [湖南省怀化市市民服务中心]

Address: Fifth Floor, Building C, Yongzhou Citizen Service Center, No.2 Fuqian Road, Hecheng District, Huaihua, Hunan [湖南省怀化市鹤城区府前路2号（怀化市民服务中心C栋5楼）] 

18. Exit-Entry Window, Loudi Government Service Center, Hunan Province [湖南省娄底市公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: Shuangke Street, Louxing District, Loudi, Hunan [湖南省娄底市娄星区双科街]

19. Exit-Entry Reception Hall, Public Security Bureau of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province [湖南省湘西土家族苗族自治州公安局出入境接待大厅]

Address: Third Floor, Xiangxi Citizen Service Center, No.9 Wulingshan Avenue, Xiangxi Economic Development Zone, Hunan [湖南省湘西土家族苗族自治州武陵山大道9号州政务服务中心三楼] 

Source: National Immigration Administration 

China's National Immigration Administration issued a statement saying it will optimize immigration management policies from Jan 8, 2023, to adapt to the new situation and requirements in the new stage of epidemic prevention and control.

Immigration authorities will resume acceptance and examination of Chinese citizens' application for ordinary passports for traveling or visiting friends abroad in an orderly manner. The processing of endorsements for Chinese mainland residents to visit the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for tourism and business purposes will be resumed from then, it said.

The businesses of the ordinary visa, stay and residence documents for foreigners will be resumed. The expedited procedures may be applied for applicants with an urgent need, it said.

It said the port visa issuance, the implementation of the 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit policy and the issuance of temporary entry permits will be resumed.

The issuance of exit and entry permit of the People's Republic of China and the issuance of exit and entry permit for the border control area will be resumed. The land ports, channels and corridors for passenger clearance and border residents will resume in an orderly manner, and border inspections will be conducted in accordance with the law, it said.

The fast channels in ports adjacent to Hong Kong and Macao will be restored, allowing residents from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao with qualified documents to go through the channels, it said.

The statement said that the passenger clearance of water ports will gradually resume and allow the liner passengers to exit and entry through water ports that meet relevant requirements.

Pilots will be set to resume the entry and exit of international cruise passengers, and issue temporary entry permits to the foreign crew who meet entry requirements. The previous regulation of "restricting personnel from embarking on vessels engaged in international voyages, restricting crew members of these vessels from disembarking, and restricting these vessels from berthing alongside other vessels" will be canceled, it said.

The facilitation measures, including the operation of "green passages" for key cargo flights at air ports, "fast channels" at land ports and immigration inspection stations for vehicles carrying key supplies, online self-application of "immigration inspection boarding code" used at water ports, will continue to implement, it said.

Source: China Daily