I. Exit and entry of Chinese citizens

 (1) Exit and entry of mainland residents

1. Chinese citizens who reside in the Chinese mainland and exit or enter China shall, in accordance with the law, hold a valid passport or other travel document, complete the prescribed formalities, and may exit or enter only upon approval by the border inspection authorities.

2. Chinese citizens who reside in the Chinese mainland and lose their passports or other travel documents abroad shall apply for replacement travel documents at a Chinese embassy or consulate before re-entering China.

3. Chinese citizens who reside in the mainland and hold Diplomatic Passport, Service Passport, or Passport for Public Affairs  and travel to countries with visa exemption, electronic visa, or visa-on-arrival arrangements shall present their original certificate of exit in accordance with relevant provisions. Those who hold a valid visa or a visa-enabled travel document issued by the destination country shall be exempt from presenting the certificate of exit.

(2) Chinese mainland residents traveling to and from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan

1. Chinese citizens who reside in the mainland and travel between the mainland and Hong Kong, between the mainland and Macao, shall hold a valid Exit/Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao and corresponding endorsements.

Mainland residents who transit through Hong Kong or Macao en route to a third country shall hold a valid ordinary passport and a connecting air ticket departing from Hong Kong or Macao.

2. Chinese citizens who reside in the mainland and travel to or from Taiwan shall hold a valid Mainland Residents Traveling Permit to Taiwan and corresponding endorsements.

(3) Hong Kong and Macao residents traveling to and from the mainland

1. Chinese citizens who reside in Hong Kong or Macao and travel to or from the mainland shall hold a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents.

2. Chinese citizens who reside in Hong Kong or Macao and travel from a foreign country to the mainland and do not hold a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents may apply for a Travel Document of the People's Republic of China at a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, and may enter the mainland with this document.

3. Chinese citizens who reside in Hong Kong or Macao and lose, damage, or hold expired Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents while in the mainland may apply for replacement or reissuance at the local exit and entry administration authority.

4. Non-Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of Hong Kong or Macao may hold a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens) for travel to and from the mainland. Each stay shall not exceed 90 days per entry.

(4) Taiwan residents traveling to and from the mainland

1. Taiwan residents who travel to or from the mainland shall hold a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents.

2. Taiwan residents who travel from a foreign country to the mainland and do not hold a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents may apply for a Travel Document of the People's Republic of China at a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, and may enter the mainland with this document.

II. Entry and exit of foreigners

1. Foreigners who enter or exit China shall hold a valid passport or other travel document, together with a Chinese visa or other entry permit, unless exempted under relevant agreements or policies, may enter or exit only upon inspection and approval by the border inspection authorities.

2. Foreign tour groups that enter China shall present their passports and both the original and a copy of the group visa name list to the border inspection authorities. The inspection authority shall affix the entry seal to the group visa and retain the copy. Upon departure, the tour group shall present the passports and the original name list bearing the entry seal.

3. Foreigners aged between 14 and 70 who enter China shall have fingerprints of all ten fingers collected, unless they hold diplomatic passports, European Union laissez-passers, or passports with Chinese diplomatic or courtesy visas.

4. Foreigners who enter China shall complete an Arrival Card. Those who hold group visas, Foreign Permanent Residence ID Cards, or are registered to use the express clearance channel shall be exempt from completing the card.

5. Foreigners who hold an electronic passport and a residence permit valid for six months or longer may apply for record registration with a border inspection authority that provides express clearance services. Upon approval, they may use the express channel within the validity period of either the passport or residence permit, whichever expires earlier.

In Guangzhou, applicants may call 12367 for appointment and proceed to the Pazhou Hong Kong–Macao Passenger Ferry Terminal for registration.

III. Printing of entry and exit records

Travelers who pass through the Express Channel (E-Channel) may print the certificate of their entry or exit record at the self-service printer located behind the channel. The printed certificate shall have the same legal effect as the entry or exit stamp affixed by China Immigration Inspection.

IV. Transit and Temporary Entry

1. Travelers who hold valid international travel documents, transit through Baiyun Airport to a third country or region by international flight, stay within the port area for no more than 24 hours, hold a confirmed onward boarding pass or booking, and not leaving the restricted area of the airport can be exempt from border inspection procedures and may proceed directly to their connecting outbound flight.

2. Starting from June 12, 2025, nationals of 55 countries, who need to transit through China to third countries or regions, may enter visa-free through any of the designated 60 open exit-entry ports in 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and stay in the permitted areas for no more than 10 days, provided that they hold valid international travel documents and onward tickets with confirmed seats and departure dates. Foreign nationals covered by this policy may, within the designated areas, engage in activities like travel activities, business activities, visits, family reunions, etc., during their stay periods. Activities such as work, study, or news reporting still require prior approvals and appropriate visas.