Merchants Prosperity

State Council Order No. 841 Officially Issued: New Changes in Exit-Entry Security, Document Authenticity and Regulation of Immigration Service Providers

On 31 July 2026, the State Council issued Order No. 841, the Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration of the State Council (hereinafter referred to as the “Regulations”), which will officially take effect on 15 September 2026. The Regulations contain 19 articles and focus on key areas including exit security risk prevention, authenticity of application materials, restrictions on exit and entry, foreign nationals’ entry administration, and the regulation of exit-entry intermediary services.

The Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, which took effect in 2013, together with its related supporting regulations, has provided the legal foundation for China’s exit-entry administration over the past decade. With increasing international mobility and increasingly complex cross-border activities, new challenges have emerged, including exit security risks, fraudulent documentation, illegal cross-border activities and non-compliant intermediary services. The new Regulations therefore further refine, supplement and standardise the existing exit-entry administration framework.

1. What Are the Key Changes Introduced by State Council Order No. 841?
 
01 | Strengthened Exit Security Risk Prevention

The Regulations establish a more comprehensive framework for preventing security risks associated with citizens travelling overseas. Relevant authorities, including the departments responsible for foreign affairs, culture and tourism, as well as Chinese diplomatic missions overseas, will issue safety alerts and risk warnings based on circumstances such as armed conflict, public security conditions, natural disasters, accidents and infectious disease outbreaks in relevant countries and regions.

For high-risk destinations, immigration authorities may remind citizens to exercise caution. In circumstances involving the highest levels of risk or serious threats to personal safety, authorities may, where necessary, lawfully advise or discourage citizens from travelling to those destinations. For people travelling overseas for tourism, study, employment, business or long-term residence, checking official security and travel risk information before departure will therefore become increasingly important.

 

02 | Greater Emphasis on the Authenticity of Application Materials

The Regulations make clear that the purpose stated by Chinese citizens applying to leave the country, as well as the purpose stated by foreign nationals applying for entry, stay or residence, must be truthful and lawful. Applicants must also cooperate with relevant authorities in verifying their identity and the stated purpose of their application. Individuals and organisations issuing invitation letters on behalf of others will likewise be required to ensure that the information provided is truthful. This means that whether applying for a visa, exit, entry, stay or long-term residence, fraudulent documents, false statements and false invitations may carry significant risks. Practices such as “packaging documents,” embellishing personal experience or fabricating employment history may appear to improve an application in the short term, but could create serious legal and immigration risks if the information is subsequently investigated or verified.

03 | Further Clarification of Circumstances in Which Exit May Be Restricted

The Regulations further clarify circumstances in which Chinese citizens may be legally restricted from leaving the country, including:

  • Obtaining exit-entry documents through fraud or illegally entering or leaving the country;
  • Engaging in criminal or other unlawful activities overseas that endanger national security or interests;
  • Violating export control or technology import/export regulations in circumstances that may endanger national industrial or technological security.

It is important to note that these provisions apply to specific circumstances prescribed by law. They do not mean that ordinary travel, study or employment overseas will generally become subject to exit restrictions. For individuals who live overseas long-term, work across borders, invest internationally or plan overseas residency, maintaining a compliant exit-entry record and lawful cross-border activities will be increasingly important.

 

04 | Further Regulation of Foreign Nationals Entering China

The Regulations further clarify the requirements for foreign nationals applying for entry, stay or residence in China, particularly regarding the truthfulness and legality of their applications. Individuals who provide false documents or statements, fraudulently obtain exit-entry documents, or have been subject to criminal or administrative penalties for certain immigration-related offences may be subject to measures including refusal of entry, where permitted by law. The Regulations also provide for corresponding visa and entry management measures for foreign nationals subject to relevant countermeasures, restrictions or applicable lists. For foreign nationals coming to China for employment, business, investment, family visits or long-term residence, accurate declarations and ongoing compliance will therefore become increasingly important.

 

05 | Exit-Entry Intermediary Services Enter a New Era of Filing and Compliance Regulation

For the immigration, visa and exit-entry services industry, one of the most significant developments is the introduction of a filing and registration system for exit-entry intermediary service providers. Institutions and individuals providing services such as exit-entry policy consultation, document applications and procedural assistance on behalf of clients will be required to comply with the relevant filing requirements.

Key requirements include:

  • Newly established institutions must complete filing procedures within 15 days of establishment;
  • Existing institutions already providing relevant services must complete filing procedures within 90 days after the Regulations take effect;
  • Relevant personnel must be filed through their respective institutions.

Service providers must also have appropriate professional personnel, business premises, financial resources and management systems.

Intermediary service providers must not:

  • Publish false information;
  • Use exaggerated or misleading advertising to attract clients;
  • Provide or assist in providing fraudulent documents;
  • Illegally assist clients in obtaining exit-entry documents or completing related procedures;
  • Disclose, sell or unlawfully provide clients’ personal information.

The changes indicate that China’s exit-entry services industry is moving further toward formal filing, standardisation and compliance-based operations.

2. What Does This Mean for Applicants?

State Council Order No. 841 does not mean that ordinary citizens will no longer be able to travel overseas, nor does it mean that all visa and immigration applications will automatically become more difficult. More accurately, the new framework means that regulatory requirements are becoming clearer, document authenticity is receiving greater emphasis, and choosing a legitimate and compliant service provider is becoming increasingly important. 

For people preparing to travel, migrate, study, work or obtain overseas residency, we recommend paying particular attention to the following:

① Assess potential risks in advance

Review your exit-entry history, cross-border activities and immigration plans to identify potential risks before submitting an application.

② Ensure all application information is genuine

Information relating to education, employment, income, finances, marital status and other personal circumstances should be accurate and capable of withstanding subsequent verification.

③ Choose a legitimate and compliant service provider

Do not base your decision solely on price or claimed “success rates”. Consider the provider’s qualifications, filing status, professional team, service agreement, data protection measures and compliance procedures.

④ Be cautious of “guaranteed approval” and “internal channels”

Exaggerated advertising, false promises and document fabrication may not only affect the current application but could also create long-term immigration and legal risks.

 
3. An Important Step Towards Greater Professionalisation of the Immigration Services Industry

For professional service providers that have consistently operated in compliance with the law, the new filing requirements are not simply an additional regulatory burden. More importantly, they help establish clearer responsibilities and service standards for the industry. 

Immigration, visa and residency planning are fundamentally professional services. Genuine professional assistance goes beyond simply preparing and submitting documents. It requires: understanding the law and policy, identifying potential risks, developing appropriate strategies, and maintaining compliance throughout the entire application process. 

As a legitimate and qualified professional immigration services provider, we will continue to closely monitor the implementation of State Council Order No. 841 and subsequent supporting policies. We remain committed to providing clients with professional, transparent and compliant immigration and visa planning services based on accurate and truthful information. Plans can be optimised, but documents must remain truthful. There may be different pathways, but legal boundaries must never be crossed.

From the implementation of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China in 2013 to the introduction of State Council Order No. 841 in 2026, China’s exit-entry administration framework has continued to evolve in response to growing international mobility and increasingly complex cross-border risks.

The new Regulations place particular emphasis on:

Exit security risk prevention | Authenticity of application purposes | Exit-entry restrictions | Foreign national entry administration | Intermediary filing and compliance | Protection of personal information and legitimate rights

For ordinary applicants, the policy changes do not mean that overseas travel or migration is no longer possible. Rather, they reinforce the importance of understanding the rules, complying with the law, and choosing professional, legitimate and compliant service providers.

The Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration of the State Council will officially take effect on 15 September 2026. For individuals currently considering Australian migration, employer sponsorship, partner visas, student visas or overseas residency planning, it is also advisable to assess your individual circumstances in advance and stay informed of relevant policy developments to avoid potential problems caused by outdated information or inaccurate documentation.

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