New travel regulations in China have come into effect, allowing authorities to ban citizens from leaving the country for up to three years if they are deemed to have harmed national security or violated technology import and export regulations. The Chinese government states that these rules are intended to safeguard national sovereignty and security, while denying that they restrict ordinary citizens' travel. Critics, including Professor Tom Kellogg from Georgetown University, argue that the regulations could enhance the government's ability to control citizens' activities abroad.
The rules, effective from September 15, 2026, specify that citizens may face exit bans if they engage in activities that endanger national industrial or technological security. A government platform claimed that the measures are preventative and do not restrict ordinary citizens, but some individuals have reported facing travel restrictions for years.
One citizen, identified only as Pipi, stated that his passport application was rejected in 2023, which he believes was due to his participation in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2019. He reported being questioned by state security upon his return to mainland China.
Currently, Chinese citizens cannot verify if they are subject to exit controls unless they are informed during passport applications or attempts to leave the country. Reports indicate that the number of exit bans has significantly increased, with records rising from 89 in 2016 to 188,760 by 2025.
Under the new regulations, border officials are required to advise citizens against traveling to high-risk countries. Some individuals, including civil servants and employees of state-owned enterprises, have long faced restrictions on overseas travel. Kellogg expressed concern over the expanding travel restrictions, suggesting they reflect increasing ideological control under the leadership of Xi Jinping, reminiscent of the era under Mao Zedong.