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China Expands Entry and Exit Ban Powers With Sweeping New Rules

New regulations allow China’s Commerce Ministry to stop people from leaving the country over certain export-control and technology-related conditions.
Mary Man
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Mary Man
Published: 8/3/2026, 8:54:42 AM EDT
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China has issued new regulations on entry and exit management, imposing restrictions ranging from passport applications to outbound and inbound travel.

On July 31, China's State Council announced the Regulations on Entry and Exit Management, which are set to take effect on Sept. 15.

The regulations consist of 19 articles focusing primarily on four key areas: risk standardization, application requirements, restrictive measures, and intermediary services.

The move is widely seen as a strong signal that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is returning to a policy of "seclusion" (closing the country to the outside world).

According to Article 3, authorities may require applicants to present relevant documents, materials, electronic data, and other information to verify the identity and travel purpose of individuals.

During the Mao era, applying for a passport required multi-tiered administrative approvals, making personal international travel nearly impossible for ordinary citizens. It was not until the late 1990s that Chinese citizens gained more freedom in this regard.

'Sealing the Country Off'

Under Article 4, if Chinese citizens engage in "illegal or criminal activities abroad that endanger national security and interests," authorities may decide to bar them from leaving the country for a period ranging from six months to three years.

Furthermore, citizens who violate "regulations on export control, technology import and export management, or other rules that may endanger national industrial and technological security" can also be denied exit.

These provisions have sparked widespread criticism and concern, with many believing that China's doors are gradually swinging shut.

Human rights lawyer You Feiyu told the Chinese edition of NTD Television that the objective of these policies is to restrict the movement of people and capital while strictly controlling domestic public opinion.

"The goal is to keep people inside from knowing what is happening abroad. The regime fears the outbreak of internal risks and dreads losing control of society," You said.

He added that the ultimate purpose is to prevent the flow of people and the spread of truth to mitigate regime risks: "The CCP wants to seal the country off."

Former Chinese human rights lawyer Lei Zhifeng told NTD that the CCP previously restricted entry and exit for only a small subset of people—those who might threaten its power. However, under the new rules, "virtually all Chinese citizens are now subject to entry and exit controls."

No Reason Provided for Exit Bans

Article 6 states that the deciding authority should notify the party concerned in writing of the facts, reasons, and legal grounds for denying exit.

However, in circumstances that may affect national security or criminal investigations, authorities may "withhold notifying the individual" of the reasons for the exit ban.

Li Chengpeng, a Chinese commentator, said on social media platform X that the new regulations represent "the expansion, legalization, and normalization of border exit bans."

You Feiyu anticipates that "the CCP's policies will likely become even harsher and more repressive, potentially reverting to a Cultural Revolution-style system where society is engulfed in widespread fear. At the same time, expanding scrutiny permissions will encourage power-for-cash transactions among officials, driving up corruption."

He added that these measures, along with previous legislation like the Ethnic Unity Law, share the same DNA: "We are witnessing the CCP further tightening its totalitarian rule, trampling on livelihoods and human rights to a deeper degree."
Lei Zhifeng said that the CCP's decision to apply border controls to the entire population stems from a lack of confidence in the face of "the international situation and domestic economic challenges, leading it to implement far stricter controls."

Quiet Pre-Implementation Underway

Although the new entry-exit regulations are officially set to take effect on Sept. 15, insiders in the Chinese system told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times that international airports, land ports, and travel agencies have already begun quietly trial-implementing the rules.

The insider, Ge, said that starting Aug. 1, international airports and land border checkpoints across China began testing the new measures.

Targeted inspections primarily focus on travelers heading to Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. Outbound inspections have also been significantly tightened at land border crossings in Shenzhen and Zhuhai (Guangdong Province), as well as Ruili (Yunnan Province), he said.

Liu, an employee at a Guangzhou travel agency, told The Epoch Times that his agency received notice requiring certain registered travelers to submit approval letters from their employers or neighborhood committees. The measure aims to prevent individuals from using group tours as a cover to overstay overseas or defect.

"Currently, some people holding foreign passports fall into dual citizenship status, with part of their assets stored overseas. To prevent them from leaving and not returning, they are being barred from joining outbound tour groups," Liu said.