Border zone

Border management areas of China

Border zone · China

Other zones: China Check a route

In short

For visitors: permit required.

No boundary — routes will not see this zone
Checked against the act on 20 October 2026
Local name: 边境管理区

Who may enter, and with what

Rules by group of people, as the source states them, with dates. We give no assessments of our own.

Citizens of China — permit required. PRC citizens who do not live in a border management area need a border-area pass; since 15 April 2026 it is electronic only and is shown together with an ID document.Issued by: Public security exit-entry authorities, National Immigration Administration · Processing time: Online (12367 app, WeChat and Alipay mini-programs), up to 3 months; for a year — in personExceptions: Residents of a border area within their own province — with an identity card (Order No. 42, Art. 5); Leaving or entering the country through a border area — with border-crossing documents (Art. 7)
Original wording
电子边境管理区通行证应当与持证人居民身份证等有效身份证件同时使用
National Immigration Administration of China (reprinted by news.cn) · as of 2 April 2026 · checked 20 October 2026
Foreign nationals — permit required. Foreigners, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan residents and overseas Chinese apply for a border-area pass in person at public security offices.Issued by: Public security exit-entry authorities at county level and above · Processing time: In personExceptions: Crossing the border at a checkpoint — with border-crossing documents
Original wording
港澳台居民、华侨、外国人……现场申请
National Immigration Administration of China (reprinted by news.cn) · as of 2 April 2026 · checked 20 October 2026

Legal basis

Open the text

Questions

Permits and restricted zones — FAQ

Do you need a permit: Border management areas of China?

For visitors: permit required. Foreigners, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan residents and overseas Chinese apply for a border-area pass in person at public security offices.

Where do I get the permit?

Issued by: Public security exit-entry authorities at county level and above. The link to the official application page is in the rule above.

Will the planner see this zone on my route?

No: we have no boundary for this zone, so the planner cannot see it. Check your route against the rule above.

Other zones: China

Tibet Autonomous Region — Tibet Travel Permit Tibet border management area Xinjiang border management area

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