The Philippine Embassy in Beijing has advised Filipinos to comply with China’s new immigration regulation, State Council Decree No. 841, which will take effect on September 15, 2026.
In its August 24 advisory, the Embassy stressed that the decree does not abolish existing visa categories or restrict legitimate travel.
Instead, it reinforces requirements that visa purposes must match actual activities, that all documents are authentic, and that invitation letter issuers and visa agencies are legally accountable.
A valid visa will not necessarily guarantee admission, as border authorities retain the power to assess whether a traveler meets China’s entry requirements.
Violations could lead to rejection of applications, denial of entry or exit, fines, or bans lasting several years.
China’s State Council Decree No. 841, formally titled the Regulations of the State Council on Exit and Entry Administration, was approved on June 29 and promulgated on July 22, 2026.
It applies to mainland China’s immigration system only. Hong Kong and Macau maintain their own immigration laws, visa categories, and border-control procedures.
This means the decree governs the mainland side of the journey: entry or exit through a mainland airport or land checkpoint is subject to the new rules, while admission into Hong Kong or Macau is decided under those territories’ separate immigration systems.
The regulation introduces clearer grounds for denying foreign nationals’ entry.
Visa or immigration authorities may bar a person for one to five years if false materials are submitted or false statements are made during a visa application abroad or at a Chinese border checkpoint.
The same maximum applies to foreigners punished for obstructing border administration or penalized for fraudulently obtaining documents or crossing illegally.
One of the most consequential provisions is its link to Beijing’s sanctions and economic-security measures.
Under Decree No. 841, foreigners placed on China’s Countermeasure List, Unreliable Entity List or Malicious Entity List-or otherwise subjected to legally authorized countermeasures-may be denied visas or refused entry when the underlying decision calls for such restrictions.
The official explanation says the rule is intended to strengthen China’s legal response to foreign sanctions, interference and what Beijing describes as ‘long-arm jurisdiction.’
The measure does not automatically bar every employee of a listed company.
Instead, it creates a formal link between sanctions designations and immigration controls, potentially exposing designated individuals and relevant personnel to visa denial, entry bans or other immigration consequences.
Officials and legal experts also emphasize that the decree is an enforcement measure, not a wholesale rewrite of China’s visa categories.
It does not abolish visa-free arrangements, create a universal visa requirement, or automatically bar employees of companies targeted by Chinese measures.
Instead, it gives authorities more explicit grounds to scrutinize and reject applications or deny entry where a traveler’s documents, stated purpose, or immigration history raise concerns.
There are about 12,000 Filipinos living in mainland cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Xiamen, while 140,000 Filipinos reside in Hong Kong and 30,000 in Macau, mostly employed in domestic work, hospitality and construction.
Tourism flows are also significant, with more than 1.19 million Filipino tourists visiting Hong Kong and 1.16 million traveling to Macau in 2024.
The Embassy assured that legitimate travel remains permitted but urged Filipinos to keep their visa category, invitation letters and actual activities consistent, and to consult the Embassy or China’s National Immigration Administration hotline (12367) for guidance.