BANGKOK - China will enforce tighter controls on entry and exit procedures from September 15, following the implementation of new State Council regulations governing travel applications, immigration restrictions and intermediary services.
The 19-article regulations were approved by the State Council on June 29, signed by Premier Li Qiang on July 22 and published on July 31.
Under the new rules, travellers must provide truthful and lawful reasons when applying to enter, leave, stay or reside in China, while immigration authorities may request supporting documents or electronic data to verify their identity and stated purpose, as reported by The Nation.
Applicants who submit false information or documents could have their travel documents or entry and exit permissions refused.
For Chinese citizens, authorities will strengthen travel warnings for destinations affected by serious security, health or natural-disaster risks, although a warning alone does not automatically constitute an exit ban.
Citizens who are punished for fraudulently obtaining travel documents or illegally crossing borders may also be barred from leaving China for between six months and three years after completing their punishment.
Similar restrictions may apply to Chinese nationals who engage in overseas activities deemed harmful to China's national security or interests, as well as those who violate certain export-control rules.
Foreigners could meanwhile face entry bans of one to five years if they use false documents or statements when applying for visas or seeking entry into China.
The same period of exclusion may apply to foreigners punished for offences involving illegal border crossings or fraudulent acquisition of travel documents.
Individuals and organisations issuing invitation letters or other supporting documents will also be held responsible for their accuracy, with fines imposed for submitting false information.
Immigration service providers will additionally be required to register with local immigration authorities, with new businesses given 15 days to register and existing operators given 90 days from September 15.
The regulations prohibit such intermediaries from using misleading advertising, producing fraudulent documents, improperly obtaining visas or passports, leaking personal information or facilitating illegal cross-border activities.
Businesses that violate the requirements could face fines, suspension or licence revocation, while serious cases may lead to criminal prosecution.
Despite concerns over increased immigration checks, the regulations do not introduce a blanket policy allowing authorities to randomly search the mobile phones of tourists.
Instead, immigration and visa officials may request electronic data when verifying an individual's identity or the purpose of an application.
The new rules also do not cancel China's existing visa-free arrangements, including its unilateral visa-free scheme covering eligible ordinary-passport holders from 50 countries for stays of up to 30 days.
China's separate 240-hour visa-free transit programme also remains in place for eligible nationals from 55 countries travelling onward to a third country or region.
