China’s entry rules changed on September 15.
A State Council regulation on exit and entry, published in July, is now in force, and it states that border officers can ask for “electronic data” as well as documents.
Many travellers now visit China visa-free.
Visa-free does not mean no immigration check, so this applies to them too.
What matters for travellers
I read the regulation text on the Chinese government site (State Council Decree No. 841, in Chinese).
Most of its 19 articles cover Chinese citizens leaving the country and exit-entry agencies. Two articles matter for foreign visitors.
| Article | What it says |
|---|---|
| Art. 3 | When verifying identity and purpose, officers may ask questions and require you to show or provide documents, materials, electronic data and other information. Travellers must cooperate |
| Art. 3 | False materials or statements can lead to refused entry |
| Art. 5 | Foreigners who give false materials or statements when applying for a visa or at the border can be barred for 1 to 5 years |
| Art. 19 | In force from September 15, 2026 |
What is “electronic data”?
The regulation does not define it.
As reported by Singapore’s CNA (and cited by Korea’s Travel Times), a Chinese immigration lawyer said it could include information stored on a phone, but that checks would be selective, as needed, rather than routine for everyone.
He also noted that much of what is written down was already happening in practice, so most tourists are unlikely to notice a big change.
So the fair summary is: not “every phone gets searched”, but there is now an explicit legal basis to ask, and you are expected to cooperate.
Visa-free entry for South Koreans
From the Chinese Embassy in Korea (in Chinese):
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who | Ordinary South Korean passport holders (one of several countries covered) |
| Stay | Up to 30 days |
| Purpose | Tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchanges, transit |
| Until | December 31, 2026 |
The policy currently runs to the end of this year. If you are planning China for January or later, watch for an extension.
Before you go
China’s foreign ministry also advises visa-free visitors to carry proof of the purpose of their visit.
| Bring | Why |
|---|---|
| Return or onward flight booking | Shows you leave within 30 days |
| Hotel booking | Confirms where you stay and why |
| For business: invitation letter or company documents | Confirms the purpose |
| Offline screenshots | Your data may not work right after landing |
Most importantly:
answer questions at immigration truthfully.
The new regulation explicitly allows a 1–5 year ban for false statements.
Hiding the real purpose of a trip, or showing made-up bookings, now carries a much bigger risk.
For ordinary tourists this is not a reason to worry.
It just makes sense to travel ready to show things if asked.
Sources: State Council exit and entry regulation (full text) · Chinese Embassy in Korea – visa-free extension · Travel Times
Checked September 26, 2026
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