Lost your passport after entering China visa-free: how you leave

You can leave China on an emergency travel document issued by your embassy or consulate after a visa-free entry, but only after the border inspection authority verifies your identity, entry record or loss report and confirms you have not overstayed or committed any other illegal act (FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China, consular answer). The exit takes place through the border inspection authority upon examination and approval (Law, Article 27). If you cannot get your passport reissued by your country's institution in China, you may apply for exit formalities to the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ (Regulations, Article 23).

What the border inspection authority verifies

The Chinese border inspection authority in charge will verify, in line with the law, your identity, entry record or loss report, and the supporting documents issued by the relevant foreign embassy or consulate in China (FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China, consular answer).

The supporting documents cover a new passport, emergency passport or travel document that you need in order to exit because the original identity document was lost or damaged (same answer).

If those documents are confirmed valid and you have not overstayed or committed any other illegal acts, you may be allowed to exit according to the law (same answer).

If you overstayed or committed an illegal act under border inspection

If you have overstayed, or committed other illegal acts under the jurisdiction of the Chinese border inspection authority, that authority will handle the case according to laws and regulations (same answer).

If the violation is beyond border inspection's jurisdiction

For other violations beyond the jurisdiction of the border inspection authorities, you must first be processed by the exit-entry administration department of a public security organ or other relevant competent authorities (same answer). Thereafter, you may proceed to exit through the border inspection authority by presenting the relevant proof of resolution (same answer).

Applying for exit formalities when you cannot get your passport reissued

Regulations, Article 23: A foreigner who does not hold a valid passport or other international travel documents due to loss, damage, destruction, theft, robbery or other reasons and cannot get the said passport or documents reissued by the relevant institution of his own country stationed in China may apply for exit formalities to the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ of the local people's government at or above the county level in the place of his or her stay or residence.

The exit examination

Law, Article 27: Foreigners who exit China shall submit their exit/entry documents including passports or other international travel documents to the exit/entry border inspection authorities for examination, go through prescribed formalities, and may exit upon examination and approval.

Questions people ask

Can I leave on an emergency travel document after entering China visa-free and losing my passport?

Yes. The border inspection authority may allow you to exit on an emergency travel document issued by your embassy or consulate once it verifies your identity, entry record or loss report and confirms you have not overstayed or committed other illegal acts (FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China, consular answer). The actual exit is subject to examination and approval by the border inspection authority (Law, Article 27).

Sources

• FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China, China Consular Services website
• Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (English text published by the National Immigration Administration)
• Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (English text published by the National Immigration Administration)

Checked 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary, is not published by or affiliated with the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any embassy, consulate or visa application service centre, is not legal or immigration advice, and the official text and the current notice of the office handling your case prevail if they differ.