China’s immigration authorities stated today that they are still providing services for required visits outside the country, refuting rumours that passport issuances have been suspended and residence permits for foreign residents have been revoked.

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) stated in a statement that officials had processed certificates for people who needed to go overseas for vital and urgent reasons such as study, scientific research, commerce and business, and medical reasons.

The NIA was reacting to “foreign media reports” that said the agency had halted passport issuance and invalidated residence cards granted by other nations to Chinese residents who were entitled to live abroad by clipping off the corners.

The remark came after the National Institute of Health announced yesterday that it will “strictly limit” needless overseas travel by Chinese people in order to reduce the likelihood of a COVID-19 outbreak caused by illnesses among international travellers.

“There remain great uncertainties in the development of the pandemic and a high risk of getting infected during trips overseas,” the NIA stated in a statement released today and shared on social media.

People in the country should continue not to travel abroad for unnecessary or urgent purposes.

Traveling abroad from China has grown increasingly difficult, with regular flight cancellations and travel restrictions in locations where domestic COVID outbreaks have occurred, as the nation insists on strict measures, including citywide lockdowns, to combat a surge of illnesses this year.

According to NIA statistics, mainland citizens’ trips in and out of the nation decreased by approximately 80% in 2021 compared to 2019.

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