China introduced stricter rules on Tuesday that allow authorities to prevent citizens from leaving the country for up to three years if they are deemed to have harmed national security while abroad. The measures also target violations of technology import and export regulations. Officials maintain the rules protect sovereignty and do not affect ordinary citizens, yet rights groups and legal experts point to a sharp rise in exit bans over the past decade.
What do the new China travel rules require?
Under regulations that took effect on Tuesday, Chinese citizens who violate rules on technology imports and exports face exit bans if the activity is judged to endanger national industrial or technological security. Citizens found to have harmed China's national security or interests while overseas can be barred from leaving again for as long as three years after returning. Border officials must also advise travellers against visiting destinations classified as high-risk.
Public statements from the government describe the measures as a preventative step against fraud, illegal gambling and scam operations abroad. The Piyao platform stated that the rules focus on high-risk destinations and individuals with unusual travel patterns rather than restricting ordinary citizens. Chinese authorities say the rules are to safeguard national sovereignty and security. The regulations were issued to address problems such as people being deceived into leaving the country or engaging in illegal gambling and scam activities abroad, according to the Piyao statement.
How have exit bans changed in recent years?
Records from China's supreme court database show exit ban mentions rose from 89 cases in 2016 to 188,760 last year. The share of civil verdicts involving exit bans increased more than thirty times between 2019 and 2025, moving from 0.23 percent to 7.3 percent. Rights groups note that the true number is likely higher because many judgments remain unpublished. Data provided to the BBC from rights group Safeguard Defenders shows Chinese authorities have drastically stepped up exit bans on its citizens in recent years.
These figures predate the latest rules and already reflect expanded use of travel controls on civil servants, state-owned enterprise staff and private citizens. Some employees must surrender passports and obtain approval before any overseas trip, with certain countries described as off-limits. A 32-year-old employee at a state-owned financial institution in Beijing said managers have verbally reminded staff that sensitive countries such as Japan are definitely off-limits, and some civil servants even in museums find it very difficult to travel abroad.
Who has been affected by passport denials?
Individuals report being questioned after attending protests or speaking to foreign media. One 26-year-old citizen, identified only as Pipi, said his 2023 passport application was rejected after he took part in Hong Kong demonstrations in 2019. He was interviewed by Hong Kong outlets during the protests and later questioned by state security police on his return to the mainland. An immigration official cited the Hong Kong issue verbally, but no written explanation was provided. Pipi said he did not dare to escalate the matter, fearing he would end up in prison, adding that he is just an ordinary young man who has not done anything bad and does not know whether he will ever be able to leave China.
Chinese law requires authorities to give written reasons when denying an administrative licence, yet several people told BBC Chinese that this step is not always followed. Without an official document, applicants cannot easily seek administrative reconsideration. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and immigration authorities did not respond to enquiries from BBC Chinese. According to publicly available information, citizens cannot check their own exit status unless they receive official notification.
What do legal experts say about the rules?
Professor Tom Kellogg of Georgetown University described the measures as an additional tool to control what Chinese citizens say and do overseas. He noted that passport refusals have been used to prevent criticism of the government or to punish rights advocacy. In some cases state security authorities directly refuse to issue passports to stop individuals from criticising the Chinese government overseas or to punish their rights advocacy activities. Kellogg linked the expansion to broader ideological control under current leadership, comparing aspects of the approach to restrictions that existed before the 1990s reforms when China was largely cut off from the world under Mao Zedong's regime. Kellogg called the expanding travel restrictions deeply concerning.
Critics argue the rules increase pressure on nationals living or travelling abroad while limiting avenues for appeal. Government responses have not addressed specific cases raised by the BBC.
How can citizens check their own status?
According to publicly available information, Chinese citizens currently cannot check whether they are subject to exit controls on their own. Unless official written or verbal notification is issued, people generally only discover they are restricted from leaving when applying for documents or attempting to depart. Under China's Administrative Licensing Law, when an administrative authority decides not to grant an administrative licence, it should explain the reasons in writing. But some people interviewed by the BBC said this requirement is not enforced. The lack of a public verification mechanism means individuals often learn of restrictions only at the point of application or attempted departure, leaving them without prior warning or documented grounds for challenge.
Frequently asked questions
Can ordinary Chinese citizens still travel abroad?
Authorities state that the rules target specific risks rather than ordinary travel. In practice, some citizens report repeated difficulties obtaining passports even without formal charges.
Do the rules apply only to people who have already left China?
No. The measures also cover technology regulation violations inside China and can prevent departure before any overseas activity occurs.
Is there an appeals process for denied passports?
Chinese law provides for administrative reconsideration when written reasons are given. Several affected individuals report receiving only verbal statements, which blocks this route.
Which countries are considered high-risk?
Officials have not published a list. State employees have been told verbally that certain destinations, including Japan, require special approval or are prohibited.
Have exit ban numbers been rising steadily?
Yes. Court data show a sharp increase from 2016 onward, with the largest jump occurring after 2019.
Key takeaways
- New rules effective Tuesday allow exit bans of up to three years for national security concerns.
- Exit ban mentions in court records rose from 89 in 2016 to 188,760 last year.
- Some citizens receive only verbal explanations when passport applications are refused.
- State employees and others already face pre-existing restrictions on certain destinations.
- No public database lets individuals check their own exit status.
Outlook
The updated regulations formalise practices that have expanded over the past decade. Legal observers expect continued use of travel controls to address both security and regulatory priorities, while affected citizens face ongoing uncertainty about their ability to leave the country.
