When a Chinese visa is not issued: the grounds in Article 21

A visa shall not be issued to a foreigner under any of the six circumstances listed in Article 21 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law. Article 21 also states that the visa-issuing authorities are not required to give reasons for refusing to issue a visa. Under the Visa Application Instructions, consular officers may ask for other supporting documents or an interview, and they decide whether to issue a visa and its validity, duration of stay and number of entries.

The six grounds in Article 21

Article 21 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, in the English text published by the NationalImmigration Administration, reads:

"Under any of the following circumstances, visas shall not be issued to foreigners:"

(1) Was deported, or was repatriated upon decision, and the No-Entry-into-China period has not expired;

(2) Is suffering from serious mental disorders, infectious tuberculosis or other infectious diseases that may severely jeopardize the public health;

(3) May endanger China's national security or interests, or disrupt social and public order, or engage in other illegal or criminal activities;

(4) Resort to fraudulent acts in visa application or cannot guarantee expected expenditures during their stay in China;

(5) Fail to submit relevant information required by the visa-issuing authorities; or

(6) Other circumstances in which visa authorities consider a visa should not be issued.

Each item is numbered as in the Law. Item (5) concerns information the visa-issuing authorities require. Item (6) is a general ground that the visa authorities apply on their own judgement, as the wording says.

Whether a reason is given

The last sentence of Article 21 reads: "The visa-issuing authorities are not required to give reasons for refusing the issuance of a visa." Article 21 names no appeal procedure.

Additional material and interviews

Two other provisions deal with what happens while an application is being decided. Each is quoted on its own.

Regulations, Article 7, final paragraph: "The visa authority may, in light of specific cases, require a foreigner to submit additional application material."

Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China, section III, Important Tips, on the China Consular Services website: "When necessary, the consular officers may require the applicant to provide other supporting documents or supplementary materials, or require the applicant to attend an interview."

The same section also states: "The consular officials will decide whether to issue a visa and determine its validity, duration of stay and number of entries according to the applicant's specific circumstances."

If you have a question about an application

For questions about a particular application, ask the office that handled it.

Questions people ask

Is a visa refusal always explained?

Article 21 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law says the visa-issuing authorities are not required to give reasons for refusing the issuance of a visa.

Can I appeal a refusal under Article 21?

Article 21 names no appeal procedure. For questions about a particular application, ask the office that handled it.

Can the office ask for more documents before deciding?

Regulations, Article 7, final paragraph, says the visa authority may, in light of specific cases, require a foreigner to submit additional application material. Section III of the Visa Application Instructions says that when necessary, consular officers may require other supporting documents or supplementary materials, or an interview.

Sources

• Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (English text), National Immigration Administration
• Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (English text), National Immigration Administration
• Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China (申请办理中华人民共和国签证须知), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC (China Consular Services)

Checked 10 and 11 October 2026

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