2023年11月24日，外交部宣布自2023年12月1日至2024年11月30日，对法国、德国、意大利、荷兰、西班牙、马来西亚6个国家持普通护照人员试行单方面免签政策，上述国家持普通护照人员来华经商、旅游观光、探亲访友和过境不超过15天，可免办签证入境。
On November 24, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the unilateral visa-free policy for holders of ordinary passports from six countries – France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. This policy is effective from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024. Individuals from the mentioned countries holding ordinary passports and engaging in business, tourism, family visits, or transiting in China for up to 15 days are eligible for visa-free entry.
2024年1月25日，中国与新加坡签署互免签证协定，自2024年2月9日起，双方持普通护照人员可免签入境对方国家从事旅游、探亲、商务等私人事务，停留不超过30日。入境对方国家从事工作、新闻报道等须事先批准的活动以及拟在对方国家停留超过30日的，须在入境对方国家前办妥相应签证。
On January 25, 2024, China and Singapore signed a mutual visa exemption agreement. Starting from February 9, 2024, individuals from both countries holding ordinary passports can enter each other's country visa-free for tourism, family visits, business, and other private affairs, with a stay not exceeding 30 days. Activities such as work, journalism, and stays exceeding 30 days require prior approval and the appropriate visa must be obtained before entering the host country.
2024年1月28日，中国与泰国签署互免签证协定，自2024年3月1日起，中方持公务普通护照、普通护照人员和泰方持普通护照人员，可免签入境对方国家单次停留不超过30日（每180日累计停留不超过90日）。入境对方国家从事工作、学习、新闻报道、定居等须事先批准的活动以及拟在对方国家停留超过30日的，须在入境对方国家前办妥相应签证。
On January 28, 2024, China and Thailand signed a mutual visa exemption agreement. Starting from March 1, 2024, individuals holding official or ordinary passports from China and ordinary passports from Thailand can enter each other's country for a single stay not exceeding 30 days (with a cumulative stay of no more than 90 days every 180 days). Activities such as work, study, journalism, settlement, and stays exceeding 30 days require prior approval, and the corresponding visa must be obtained before entering the host country.
一系列来华免签政策的出台，大大促进了外国友人来访中国的热情。国家移民管理局公布的数据显示，自12月1日中国对6国持普通护照人员试行单方面免签政策实施以来，截至2023年12月31日，上述6国来华人员共计21.4万人次，较11月份环比上升28.5%，其中持普通护照免签入境人数共计11.8万人次，占同期6国入境总人数的55.1%，从入境事由来看，持普通护照免签入境人员中来华观光休闲和从事商务活动人员共计9.1万人次，占比77.3%。
The introduction of a series of visa-free policies for visits to China has significantly boosted the enthusiasm of foreign friends to come and visit. According to data released by the National Immigration Administration, since the implementation of the unilateral visa-free policy for holders of ordinary passports from six countries on December 1, the total number of visitors from these six countries to China reached 214,000 by December 31, 2023. This represents a substantial increase of 28.5% compared to November. Among them, the number of individuals entering China visa-free with ordinary passports totaled 118,000, accounting for 55.1% of the total arrivals from these six countries during the same period. Analyzing the purposes of entry, among those entering visa-free with ordinary passports, 91,000 were engaged in tourism and leisure or business activities, constituting 77.3% of the total.
另一方面，2023年公安机关依法查处非法入境、非法居留、非法就业外国人6.5万余人，严格依照法律规定分别给予警告、罚款、行政拘留、限期出境等处罚，对其中符合法定情形的2.6万人执行遣送出境。
On the other hand, in 2023, public security authorities legally dealt with over 65,000 cases of illegal entry, illegal residence, and illegal employment of foreigners. Strictly adhering to legal provisions, penalties such as warnings, fines, administrative detention, and deadlines for departure were imposed. Among these cases, 26,000 individuals who met statutory conditions were deported.
本文将结合目前的外国人在华停留/居留法律法规及相关案例，就免签后，外国人在华停留/居留需注意的事项进行梳理。
In conjunction with current legal regulations and relevant cases regarding the stay/residence of foreigners in China, I would like to elaborate on the matters that foreign individuals should pay attention to when staying or residing in China after the implementation of visa-free policies.
I.Introduction of Stay/Residence Policies for Foreigners in China
1.Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China.
第29条，外国人所持签证注明的停留期限不超过一百八十日的，持证人凭签证并按照签证注明的停留期限在中国境内停留。需要延长签证停留期限的，应当在签证注明的停留期限届满七日前向停留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请，按照要求提交申请事由的相关材料。经审查，延期理由合理、充分的，准予延长停留期限；不予延长停留期限的，应当按期离境。延长签证停留期限，累计不得超过签证原注明的停留期限。
Article 29 Where the duration of stay specified in a visa held by a foreigner does not exceed 180 days, the holder may stay in China within the duration specified therein. Where the duration of stay needs to be extended, the visa holder shall file an application with the exit/entry administration of public security organ under the local people’s government at or above the county level in the place of his stay seven days prior to the expiry of the duration specified in the visa, and shall submit information of specific application matters in accordance with relevant requirements. If upon examination, the reasons for extension are appropriate and sufficient, such extension shall be granted; if an extension is denied, the foreigner shall leave China on the expiry of the duration. The accumulated length of extension shall not exceed the original duration of stay specified in the visa.
第30条，外国人所持签证注明入境后需要办理居留证件的，应当自入境之日起三十日内，向拟居留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请办理外国人居留证件。外国人工作类居留证件的有效期最短为九十日，最长为五年；非工作类居留证件的有效期最短为一百八十日，最长为五年。
Article 30 Where visas held by foreigners specify that foreigners need to apply for residence permits after entry, such foreigners shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people’s government at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners’ residence permits. The validity period of a foreigner’s work-type residence permit shall be 90 days at the minimum and five years at the maximum; and the validity period of a non-work-type foreigner’s residence permit shall be 180 days at the minimum and five years at the maximum.
第34条，免办签证入境的外国人需要超过免签期限在中国境内停留的，外国船员及其随行家属在中国境内停留需要离开港口所在城市，或者具有需要办理外国人停留证件其他情形的，应当按照规定办理外国人停留证件。外国人停留证件的有效期最长为180日。
Article 34 Where visa-exempt foreigners need to stay in China longer than the visa-free period, or foreign seamen and their accompanying family members need to leave the cities where the ports are located, or under other circumstances in which foreigners’ stay permits should be applied for, they shall apply for such permits in accordance with relevant regulations.
The maximum validity period of a foreigner’s stay permit shall be 180 days.
第38条，年满十六周岁的外国人在中国境内停留居留，应当随身携带本人的护照或者其他国际旅行证件，或者外国人停留居留证件，接受公安机关的查验。在中国境内居留的外国人，应当在规定的时间内到居留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关交验外国人居留证件。
Article 38 Foreigners having reached the age of 16 who stay or reside in China shall carry with them their passports or other international travel documents, or foreigners' stay or residence permits, and accept the inspection of public security organs. Foreigners who reside in China shall, within the prescribed time limit, submit foreigners' residence permits to public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level in the places of residence for examination.
（一）被处限期出境，未在规定期限内离境的；（二）有不准入境情形的；（三）非法居留、非法就业的；（四）违反本法或者其他法律、行政法规需要遣送出境的。
其他境外人员有前款所列情形之一的，可以依法遣送出境。被遣送出境的人员，自被遣送出境之日起一至五年内不准入境。
Article 62 Under any of the following circumstances, foreigners may be repatriated:(1) Are ordered to exit China within a prescribed time limit but fail to do so;(2) Are involved in circumstances in which they are not allowed to enter China;(3) Illegally reside or work in China; or(4) Need to be repatriated for violation of this Law or other laws or administrative regulations.
Other overseas personnel who fall under any of the circumstances prescribed in the preceding paragraph may be repatriated in accordance with the law. Repatriated persons shall not be allowed to enter China for one to five years, calculating from the date of repatriation.
第64条，外国人对依照本法规定对其实施的继续盘问、拘留审查、限制活动范围、遣送出境措施不服的，可以依法申请行政复议，该行政复议决定为最终决定。其他境外人员对依照本法规定对其实施的遣送出境措施不服，申请行政复议的，适用前款规定。
Article 64 Foreigners dissatisfied with the measure imposed on them in accordance with this Law, such as continued interrogation, detention for investigation, movement restriction or repatriation, may apply for administrative reconsideration in accordance with the law, and the administrative reconsideration decision shall be final. Where other overseas personnel dissatisfied with the decision of repatriation imposed on them in accordance with this Law apply for administrative reconsideration, the provisions in the preceding paragraph are applicable.
第78条，外国人非法居留的，给予警告；情节严重的，处每非法居留一日五百元，总额不超过一万元的罚款或者五日以上十五日以下拘留。因监护人或者其他负有监护责任的人未尽到监护义务，致使未满十六周岁的外国人非法居留的，对监护人或者其他负有监护责任的人给予警告，可以并处一千元以下罚款。
Article 78 Foreigners who reside in China illegally shall be given a warning; where circumstances are serious, they shall be imposed with a fine of RMB 500 yuan per day, with a cap of RMB 10,000 yuan in total, or be detained for not less than five days but not more than 15 days. Where guardians or other persons responsible for guardianship fail to perform the guardian obligation and result in foreigners below 16 years of age residing in China illegally, the said guardians or other obligated persons shall be given a warning and may also be fined not more than RMB 1,000 yuan.
第79条，容留、藏匿非法入境、非法居留的外国人，协助非法入境、非法居留的外国人逃避检查，或者为非法居留的外国人违法提供出境入境证件的，处二千元以上一万元以下罚款；情节严重的，处五日以上十五日以下拘留，并处五千元以上二万元以下罚款，有违法所得的，没收违法所得。单位有前款行为的，处一万元以上五万元以下罚款，有违法所得的，没收违法所得，并对其直接负责的主管人员和其他直接责任人员依照前款规定予以处罚。
Article 79 Persons harboring or hiding foreigners who illegally enter or reside in China, or assisting such foreigners in evading inspection, or providing, in violation of the law, exit/entry documents for foreigners who illegally reside in China shall be fined not less than RMB 2,000 yuan but not more than RMB 10,000 yuan; where circumstances are serious, such persons shall be detained for not less than five days but not more than fifteen days and shall also be fined not less than RMB 5,000 yuan but not more than RMB 20,000 yuan, with the illegal gains confiscated if there are any. Entities engaging in any of the acts prescribed in the preceding paragraph shall be fined not less than RMB 10,000 yuan but not more than RMB 50,000 yuan, with the illegal gains confiscated if there are any; and the persons in charge of the entities who are directly responsible and other persons directly responsible shall be punished in accordance with the provisions in the preceding paragraph.
第81条，外国人从事与停留居留事由不相符的活动，或者有其他违反中国法律、法规规定，不适宜在中国境内继续停留居留情形的，可以处限期出境。外国人违反本法规定，情节严重，尚不构成犯罪的，公安部可以处驱逐出境。公安部的处罚决定为最终决定。被驱逐出境的外国人，自被驱逐出境之日起十年内不准入境。
Article 81 Where foreigners engage in activities not corresponding to the purposes of stay or residence, or otherwise violate the laws or regulations of China, which makes them no longer eligible to stay or reside in China, they may be ordered to exit China within a time limit. Where a foreigner’s violation of this Law is serious but does not constitute a crime, the Ministry of Public Security may deport them. The penalty decision made by the Ministry of Public Security shall be final. Deported foreigners shall not be allowed to enter China within 10 years calculating from the date of deportation.
2.Beijing Municipal Administrative Penalty Discretion Standards for Entry and Exit Administration
第2章第1节第10项，外国人违反《出境入境管理法》第七十八条第一款的规定，非法居留十日以上属于“情节严重”，处每非法居留一日五百元，总额不超过一万元的罚款或者五日以上十五日以下拘留。
Chapter 2, Section 1, Item 10, if a foreigner violates Article 78, Paragraph 1 of the "Exit and Entry Administration Law" and illegally resides for more than ten days, it is considered "seriously." The penalty is a fine of 500 yuan per day of illegal residence, with a total not exceeding 10,000 yuan, or detention for a period between five and fifteen days.
3.《广东省公安机关出境入境管理行政处罚裁量基准》
3. Administrative Penalty Discretion Standards for Entry and Exit Administration of Public Security Organs in Guangdong Province
第18项，外国人违反《出境入境管理法》第78条，构成非法居留的，非法居留10日以下的，属于“一般情节”，处警告；超过签证、停留居留证件规定的期限非法居留10日以上、60日以下的，或超过临时入境停留期限、免签停留期限、超出限定的区域活动等非法居留20日以下的，或再次非法居留20日以下的，处不超过1万元罚款或5日以下拘留；超出上述期限，则处1万元罚款或5~15日拘留。
Item 18, if a foreigner violates Article 78 of the "Exit and Entry Administration Law" and engages in illegal residence; For illegal residence of up to 10 days, it is considered of "ordinary severity," and the penalty is a warning; For illegal residence exceeding 10 days but not exceeding 60 days beyond the specified visa, stay, or residence permit period, or for engaging in activities beyond the allowed scope during temporary entry, visa-free stay, with a total illegal residence of up to 20 days, or for a repeated offense with illegal residence up to 20 days, the penalty is a fine not exceeding 10,000 yuan or detention for up to 5 days; For illegal residence exceeding the above-mentioned periods, the penalty is a fine of 10,000 yuan or detention for 5 to 15 days.
II.Matters to be noted by foreigners staying/residing in China
1. Be aware of the expiration date of the allowed stay or residence period in China.
2. Avoid participating in activities that deviate from the specified reasons for staying or residing in China.
3. Adhere to the laws, regulations, and cultural customs of China.
在可查询到的有限案例中，STEVEN ZHOUSUN诉北京市公安局朝阳分局、北京市公安局行政诉讼一案值得引起注意，该案历经行政复议、行政诉讼一审、二审、最高院再审，最终最高院认可了北京市公安局的处理决定和一二审法院的判决。
In a limited number of searchable cases, the lawsuit filed by STEVEN ZHOUSUN against Chaoyang Sub-bureau of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau and Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau in administrative litigation is noteworthy. This case has gone through administrative reconsideration, the first and second instance of administrative litigation, and a retrial by the Supreme People's Court. Ultimately, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the police and the judgments of the courts.
四、律师点评
IV. Lawyer Commentary
外国人在华旅游停留、工作学习居留，切记不要从事与停留居留事由不相符的活动，需要注意遵守中国的法律法规和风俗习惯。如果产生相关的纠纷，要配合公安机关的调查执法工作，同时寻求专业律师的帮助。需要特别注意的是，依据法律规定，公安机关作出的遣送出境、驱逐出境决定为最终决定，法院也无权审查，所以我们要避免事情发展到这一步。
Foreigners staying in China for tourism, work, or study should always refrain from engaging in activities inconsistent with the stated reasons for their stay or residence. It is crucial to observe and comply with China's laws, regulations, and cultural customs. In case of disputes, cooperation with the investigation and seeking assistance from a professional lawyer is advisable. Moreover, by law, decisions made by police regarding repatriation or deportation from the country are considered final, and even the courts have no authority to review them. Therefore, it is imperative to take precautions to avoid situations escalating to this point.
如有相关法律需求，欢迎联系笔者。
If you need any kind of legal assistance in China, you are welcome to contact me.
