China Entry and Exit Requirements and Procedures 2023

Written by Sally Guo Updated May. 28, 2023

China has opened its borders to tourists from March 15, 2023. If you are planning to visit China, it's important to understand the entry and exit requirements and procedures that apply to international travelers.

China Entry Requirements

To enter China, international travelers must have a valid passport and a visa unless they are eligible for a visa-free entry or a visa-on-arrival.

In addition to the above requirements, you must also undergo a health check and provide a negative COVID-19 test result before entering China.

One of the most important requirements is the China Health Declaration Form, which is a document that must be completed by all travelers entering China. The form can be obtained from the WeChat mini-program of China Customs (scan the QR code below) or online through the Chinese National Immigration Administration website.

The form requires travelers to provide information about their recent travel history and health status, as well as their contact information in China. Travelers must also agree to abide by China's health and quarantine regulations and to cooperate with health officials if necessary.

China has also implemented specific entry requirements for travelers from different countries and regions based on their COVID-19 risk level. Travelers are advised to check with their local Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest information and requirements.

Customs Procedures

China's custom channels are divided into two types: the red channel (also called the tax channel) and the green channel (also called a free channel).

Red Channel

Foreign travelers usually enter China through the red channel. They must declare first to the custom after filling in the passenger baggage declaration form and can enter after the registration at customs.

The completed customs declaration form must be presented again when leaving China. The form must be filled in truthfully and accurately, and those who provide false information or fail to declare items will be subject to legal action by customs once identified.

The items exceeding the maximum limit listed in the document table should be processed according to other relevant provisions.

Green Channel

Foreign personnel who have been granted a diplomatic visa-passport or courtesy visa-passport by the Chinese authorities or granted free-of-examination courtesy can choose the green channel. But they have to show their own credentials to the customs and the declaration document table filled according to the requirements.

Hygiene Quarantine Requirements for Entering China

Foreigners entering China must truthfully fill in health declaration forms as requested by border quarantine departments. Failure to report infectious diseases may result in punishment for evading quarantine and prevention from entering China upon identification. Those who have entered China without reporting an infectious disease may be ordered to leave in advance.

Infectious patients from affected areas must present a valid certificate of immunization-related diseases (commonly known as the "yellow book"). If they do not have a valid certificate, the Frontier Health and Quarantine infected organs will run a test for six days from the day they left the infected environment.

Commodities from areas that may have been contaminated by infectious diseases or may become media articles of epidemic diseases are subject to health and sanitation inspection and quarantine treatment.

People Forbidden to Enter China

The following individuals are not allowed to enter China:

A. Those who have been deported from China and are under the regulated age.

B. Those who are considered possible terrorists or may undertake violence and subversive activities after entering.

C. Those who are suspected of possible smuggling, drug trafficking, and prostitution activities.

D. Those who have mental illnesses or have leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, open tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases.

E. Those who cannot afford what is needed in China.

F. Those who are considered to possibly engage in activities that endanger the security and interests of China after entering.

The frontier checkpoint has the right to prevent the following individuals from entering:

A. Those who have no valid passports, certificates, or visas.

B. Those who have forged, defaced, or other people's passports or certificates.

C. Those who refuse to be inspected.

D. Those who are forbidden to enter by the Ministry of Public Security and the National Security Ministry.

Exiting China

Foreign tourists must leave China within the allowed time limit of their visa from the allocated port. They must present effective passports or other effective certificates to the port border checkpoint.

People Forbidden to Leave China

A. Defendants in a criminal case or criminal suspects identified by the people's procuratorates, public security organs, or court.

B. Individuals are not allowed to leave the country due to unsettled civil cases according to the People's Court notice.

C. Others whose behaviors have violated China's laws and have been identified by competent authorities as needing pursuit.

The border authorities have the right to prevent the following individuals from leaving China:

A. Those who hold invalid certificates.