Law of the People's Republic of China on the Control of the Entry and Exit of Aliens

Law of the People's Republic of China on the Control of the Entry and Exit of Aliens

Order of the President of the People's Republic of China No. 31

November 22, 1985

(Adopted at the 13th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Sixth National People's Congress November 22, 1985 and promulgated by Order No. 31 of the President of the People's Republic of China on November 22, 1985)

Contents
Chapter I General Provisions
Chapter II Entry into the Country
Chapter III Residence
Chapter IV Travel
Chapter V Exit from the Country
Chapter VI Administrative Organs
Chapter VII Penalties
Chapter VIII Supplementary Provisions

Chapter I General Provisions
　
Article 1 This Law is formulated with a view to safeguarding the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China, maintaining its security and public order and facilitating international exchange.
This Law is applicable to aliens entering, leaving and transiting the territory of the People's Republic of China and to those residing and travelling in China.
　
Article 2 Aliens must obtain the permission of the competent authorities of the Chinese Government in order to enter, transit or reside in China.
　
Article 3 For entry, exit and transit, aliens must pass through ports open to aliens or other designated ports and must be subject to inspection by the frontier inspection offices.
For entry, exit and transit, foreign-owned means of transport must pass through ports open to aliens or other designated ports and must be subject to inspection and supervision by the frontier inspection offices.
　
Article 4 The Chinese Government shall protect the lawful rights and interests of aliens on Chinese territory.
Freedom of the person of aliens is inviolable. No alien may be arrested except with the approval or by decision of a people's procuratorate or by decision of a people's court, and arrest must be made by a public security organ or state security organ.
　
Article 5 Aliens in China must abide by Chinese laws and may not endanger the state security of China, harm public interests or disrupt public order.

Chapter II Entry into the Country
　
Article 6 For entry into China, aliens shall apply for visas from Chinese diplomatic missions, consular offices or other resident agencies abroad authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In specific situations aliens may, in compliance with the provisions of the State Council, apply for visas to visa-granting offices at ports designated by the competent authorities of the Chinese Government.
The entry of nationals from countries having visa agreements with the Chinese Government shall be handled in accordance with those agreements.
In cases where another country has special provisions for Chinese citizens entering and transiting that country, the competent authorities of the Chinese Government may adopt reciprocal measures contingent on the circumstances.
Visas are not required for aliens in immediate transit on connected international flights who hold passenger tickets and stay for no more than 24 hours in China entirely within airport boundaries.
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