China: PRC Steps Up Exit Requirements for Chinese Nationals; Visa for Foreign Destination Could Be Required
China: PRC Steps Up Exit Requirements for Chinese Nationals; Visa for Foreign Destination Could Be Required
Chinese nationals leaving mainland China for countries where they will need an entry visa are now more frequently being asked to show a visa or travel permit for their destination to clear Chinese immigration.Recently, there have been reports that the Chinese government is tightening departure requirements for its nationals seeking to travel out of mainland China. Holders of People’s Republic of China (PRC) passports departing to countries that require a visa are now being asked to show the relevant visa in their passports to clear Chinese immigration.
PRC immigration border officers generally have the discretion to allow a Chinese national to leave without a visa for the destination country. Recently, however, there have been cases where immigration officers prevented PRC nationals who did not possess visas from exiting China, even though the travelers showed in-principle approval letters sufficient to allow the collection of a visa upon arrival in the destination country.
This change will be of particular relevance for PRC nationals traveling to the Philippines. As previously reported, the Philippines now allows PRC nationals who hold valid visas for the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the Schengen Area to enter without a visa and stay for seven days. Given the heightened exit controls, PRC nationals traveling to the Philippines and other countries are advised to have the required visa or travel permit in their passports when leaving mainland China to avoid departure issues.
The content herein is provided for informational purposes only. If you have any questions regarding this alert, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen Global Immigration Services or send an email to CNInitiations@fragomen.com.
Source: Fragomen