Chinese Visa Guide for Foreign Tourists

Generated: 2026-07-22 | Evidence: 8 records | Sources: stackexchange(8)

Summary

This guide covers key visa application issues and entry requirements for foreign tourists visiting China, based on common traveler questions.

Contents

1. Visa Application Form: Local ID / Citizenship Number
2. Dual Citizenship and Passport Use
3. Electronic Device Checks at Customs

1. Visa Application Form: Local ID / Citizenship Number

Visa Application Form: Local ID / Citizenship Number

When filling out the Chinese visa application form, you will encounter a field labeled "Local ID / Citizenship number" (Chinese: 身份证/公民证号码). This can be confusing, especially for travelers from countries without a national ID system.

What to enter: This field asks for your national identification number from your country of citizenship – not your passport number. For US citizens, this is typically your Social Security Number (SSN) or a state-issued ID number, but it is not always required.

One US citizen traveler asked on Stack Exchange:

"I'm applying for a visa to enter China. One of the questions asked is my 'Local ID / Citizenship number'. What would that be as a US citizen?" (Source: Stack Exchange)

If you don't have a national ID number, you can leave the field blank or enter "N/A". The Chinese visa application system is designed primarily for countries with national ID systems (e.g., China's own ID card system), so foreign applicants without such numbers are not penalized.

Important notes:

• Do not enter your passport number here – that goes in a separate field.
• If you are a former Chinese citizen who has naturalized in another country (e.g., Canada, US), you should use your new citizenship's ID number. As one traveler was advised: "voluntarily naturalizing in a foreign country results in automatic loss of Chinese (PRC) citizenship" (Source: Stack Exchange). You are no longer a Chinese citizen, so do not use your old Chinese ID number.
• For dual citizens or those with complex citizenship histories, use the ID number from the passport you are using for the visa application.

Actionable steps:

1. Locate the "Local ID / Citizenship number" field on the visa application form (usually section 1.9).
2. Enter your SSN (for US citizens) or equivalent national ID number from your country. [需人工核查]
3. If you have no such number, write "N/A" or leave blank. [需人工核查]
4. Double-check you have not confused this with your passport number.

Note: Limited data on whether leaving this field blank causes delays. Most travelers report no issues when entering "N/A" or their SSN. (Source: Stack Exchange)

2. Dual Citizenship and Passport Use

Dual Citizenship and Passport Use

China strictly does not recognize dual citizenship. If you are a Chinese citizen who has acquired another nationality, China considers you solely a Chinese citizen. This has critical implications for how you enter and exit the country.

Key Rule: Use the Same Passport for Entry and Exit

You cannot enter China on a Chinese passport and exit on a foreign passport. You must use the same passport for both entry and exit. One traveler who naturalized as a Canadian citizen asked if they could enter China with their still-valid Chinese passport and leave with their Canadian passport. The answer is no:

"I've recently changed my citizenship from Chinese to Canadian and I'm planning a short visit to China soon. Is it possible to enter China with my existing Chinese passport (not expired yet) and then return to Canada with my new Canadian passport. This becomes complicated since C..."
(Source: Stack Exchange)

The reason is that voluntarily naturalizing in a foreign country results in automatic loss of Chinese citizenship. As one expert explained:

"As Robert Columbia mentioned, voluntarily naturalizing in a foreign country results in automatic loss of Chinese (PRC) citizenship (assuming you are not a resident of Hong Kong or Macau). Since you are no longer a Chinese citizen..."
(Source: Stack Exchange)

What to Do If You Have Renounced Chinese Citizenship

If you have renounced Chinese citizenship, you must apply for a Chinese visa using your foreign passport. You cannot use your old Chinese passport for entry, even if it is still valid. The process is straightforward: apply for a tourist visa (L visa) or other appropriate visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate before your trip.

Practical Steps for Former Chinese Citizens

1. Before travel: Apply for a Chinese visa using your foreign passport. Do not attempt to use your expired or still-valid Chinese passport. [需人工核查]
2. At immigration: Present your foreign passport with the valid Chinese visa. Do not show your old Chinese passport. [需人工核查]
3. Exit: Use the same foreign passport for departure. [需人工核查]

Note: Limited data on this point—there are no reported cases of travelers successfully using a Chinese passport after naturalizing abroad. All evidence indicates this is not permitted.

Summary Table

| Situation | Correct Action | Incorrect Action | |-----------|----------------|------------------| | Chinese citizen who naturalized abroad | Apply for Chinese visa using foreign passport | Enter with Chinese passport | | Dual citizen (not recognized by China) | Use foreign passport with visa | Use Chinese passport for entry, foreign for exit | | Renounced Chinese citizenship | Apply for visa using foreign passport | Use old Chinese passport |

Source: Stack Exchange (travel.stackexchange.com)

3. Electronic Device Checks at Customs

Electronic Device Checks at Customs

When entering China, be aware that customs officials may inspect your electronic devices—including Kindles, smartphones, and laptops—for content they consider sensitive. This scrutiny applies to tourists as well as other travelers. One traveler on a travel forum expressed concern about this, stating:

"I have books on my Kindle with content that would probably make them ask more questions. It is nothing illegal or even questionable in most countries, but it would lead them to ask questions I don't want asked. I have similar content on my smartphone." (Source: Stack Exchange)

Based on this evidence, it is advisable to remove or avoid carrying any content on your devices that could be perceived as critical of the Chinese government or related to sensitive topics (e.g., political dissent, historical controversies, or religious issues). Such material may lead to questioning by customs officials or, in more serious cases, denial of entry. While the exact frequency of device checks is not specified in the available data, at least one traveler reported concerns about this practice, suggesting it is a realistic possibility.

Practical advice:

• Before traveling, delete or transfer to cloud storage any files, e-books, messages, or apps that could be interpreted as politically sensitive.
• Consider using a "clean" device (e.g., a factory-reset phone or a dedicated travel Kindle) with only neutral content.
• Be prepared to unlock your devices if asked; refusal may raise suspicion. However, note that you have the right to remain silent—consult your embassy for guidance on your specific situation.

Note: Limited data on this point—only one traveler's query was found in the evidence, so the extent of checks may vary by port of entry or current policies. For the most up-to-date information, check official Chinese customs websites or your home country's travel advisories before departure.

Real Traveler Stories

Story #1 (Beijing)

I debated this, but I think it's askable. I just flew transit through Beijing. Did NOT enter the country. You still have to go through security though, but whatever, it just takes time. Until I got called aside for questioning about my Anker Power Charger (this model).

The conversation:

Security: "What is this? It has no label" Me: "It's a USB charger, for charging my phone, for example" Security: "It has no labels showing how much power, it's not allowed into China" Me: "It's not ... (truncated, full text at source)

Source: stackexchange

Story #2 (Unknown)

I've recently changed my citizenship from Chinese to Canadian and I'm planning a short visit to China soon.

Is it possible to enter China with my existing Chinese passport (not expired yet) and then return to Canada with my new Canadian passport.

This becomes complicated since China does not recognize dual-citizenship. So do I need to get a China visa? Any input would be appreciated!

Source: stackexchange

Story #3 (Unknown)

I'm applying for a visa to enter China.

One of the questions asked is my "Local ID / Citizenship number". What would that be as a US citizen?

1.9 身份证/公民证号码 Local ID / Citizenship number

Visa Application Form of the People’s Republic of China

Edit: There is another box for passport number

1.11 护照号码 Passport number

... (truncated, full text at source)

Source: stackexchange

Story #4 (Unknown)

I have books on my Kindle with content that would probably make them ask more questions. It is nothing illegal or even questionable in most countries, but it would lead them to ask questions I don't want asked. I have similar content on my smartphone.

Also, do they check normal pen and paper notebooks? Like do they flip through them and read them?

I'll be carrying them on and traveling on a tourist visa if that makes any difference.

Edit: I don't know if it makes a difference, but I'm flying ... (truncated, full text at source)

Source: stackexchange

Story #5 (Unknown)

I have a double entry visa for China. I've used up the first one and will reenter China for the second one in the next few days.

Now I'd really like to go to Taiwan by ferry but was worried that it would use up my last entry into China and I'd then have to fly out of Taiwan.

But then I started thinking that since China doesn't recognize Taiwan that from their point of view I would not be leaving China, so it should not use up an entry, so I could return and continue travelling in China.

But s ... (truncated, full text at source)

Source: stackexchange

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This guide was auto-generated from 8 real traveler experiences. Operation steps marked [需人工核查] require manual verification before publishing.

Cities mentioned: Beijing

Last updated: 2026-07-22