China: Information on whether a citizen or resident of the People's Republic of China (PRC) would be able to obtain a Chinese passport through a surrogate as opposed to applying for the passport in person
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CHN20626.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, China: Information on whether a citizen or resident of the People's Republic of China (PRC) would be able to obtain a Chinese passport through a surrogate as opposed to applying for the passport in person, 1 May 1995, CHN20626.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab4478.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
An official at the Consular section of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Ottawa stated during a 10 May 1995 telephone conversation that Chinese citizens wishing to apply for a passport must present themselves, in person, at local Public Security Bureaus (PSB), who are responsible for issuing passports. According to this official, passports cannot be obtained through another person or institution (ibid.).
The attached United Press International (UPI) articles reporting on sales of false passports and arrests of their holders indicate, however, that passports for travelling abroad can be obtained through a travel agency that is authorized by the government to handle travel arrangements (UPI 22 Feb. 1995; ibid. 14 Oct. 1994; ibid. 8 Oct. 1994).
Further information on this subject could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB. However, for general information on the application procedures for exit permits in China, including the 1986 Law of the People's Republic of China Governing its Citizens' Entry and Exit, please refer to the attachments.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Ottawa. 10 May 1995. Telephone conversation with official at the Consular Section.
United Press International (UPI). 22 February 1995. "South China Seizes Fake Passports, Visas." (NEXIS)
_____. 14 October 1994. Linda Chong. "South China Fake Tour Organizers." (NEXIS)
_____. 8 October 1994. "China Authorities Warn of Passport Fraud." (NEXIS)
Attachments
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 26 November 1985. "Chinese Citizens' Entry and Exit Control Law." (NEXIS)
China Daily [Beijing, in English]. 21 December 1994. "New ID Cards, Passports to Help Control Fraud." (FBIS-CHI-94-245 21 Dec. 1994, pp. 40-41)
Country Information Service (CIS), DORS Program Support Branch, Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, Australia. September 1993. A Guide to PRC Documentation. Prepared by Peter Coyne. Canberra, Australia: Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, pp. 56-68, 93-94.
Hainan Ribao [Haikou, in Chinese]. 9 October 1994. "Hainan Regulations on Private Overseas Travel." (FBIS-CHI-94-216 8 Nov. 1994, pp. 81-85)
Liaowang Overseas Edition [Hong Kong, in Chinese]. 7 September 1992. "State Relaxes Exit, Entry Visa Procedures." (FBIS-CHI-92-187 25 Sept. 1992, pp. 28-30)
South China Morning Post [Hong Kong, in English]. 7 October 1994. "Guangzhou Curbs Passport Sales, Unauthorized Tours." (FBIS-CHI-94-196 11 Oct. 1994, pp. 62-63)
United Press International (UPI). 22 February 1995. "South China Seizes Fake Passports, Visas." (NEXIS)
_____. 14 October 1994. Linda Chong. "South China Fake Tour Organizers." (NEXIS)
_____. 8 October 1994. "China Authorities Warn of Passport Fraud." (NEXIS)
Zhongguo Xinwen She [Beijing, in English]. 22 February 1995. "Guangzhou Arrests Nearly 200 With Fake Passports." (FBIS-CHI-95-036 23 Feb. 1995, p. 12)
_____. 6 October 1994. "Guangdong Reminds Residents of Exit Permit Rules." (FBIS-CHI-94-217 9 Nov. 1994, pp. 61-62)
Xinhua [Beijing, in Chinese]. 23 December 1994. "Anhui People's Deputy Punished for Passport Fraud." (FBIS-CHI-94-005 9 Jan. 1995, p. 70)
