Important Updates
Important Updates
September 8, 2025 | EcuadorEcuador: Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement Update
September 9, 2025 | GabonGabon: New Foreign National Quota Introduced
September 9, 2025 | United Arab Emirates, Saudi ArabiaGulf Business: Why Immigration Due Diligence is as Critical as Financial Scrutiny in the GCC
September 9, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: EB-3 Immigrant Visa Category Unavailable Through September 30 After Reaching Annual Limit for FY 2025
September 8, 2025 | Poland Fragomen Welcomes Partner Karolina Schiffter to Poland Practice, Adds to Poland Presence with New offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk
September 8, 2025 | EcuadorEcuador: Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement Update
September 9, 2025 | GabonGabon: New Foreign National Quota Introduced
September 9, 2025 | United Arab Emirates, Saudi ArabiaGulf Business: Why Immigration Due Diligence is as Critical as Financial Scrutiny in the GCC
September 9, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: EB-3 Immigrant Visa Category Unavailable Through September 30 After Reaching Annual Limit for FY 2025
September 8, 2025 | Poland Fragomen Welcomes Partner Karolina Schiffter to Poland Practice, Adds to Poland Presence with New offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk
September 8, 2025 | EcuadorEcuador: Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement Update
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Understanding the Chinese e-Passport

April 21, 2015

Marco Deutsch

Country / Territory

  • ChinaChina

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Shanghai

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Shanghai

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Shanghai

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Jenny Wang

New biometric passports have been issued by the Chinese government to its citizens since 15 May 2012. This new style of passport is known as an e-passport, with each passport number beginning with the prefix “e”. Compared to the traditional style of passport, the e-passport has a number of features designed to make it easier to use and more secure against possible fraud, including:
 
  1. A microchip containing the digital data of the Chinese citizen, including their photo, fingerprint, and other identifying information; 
  2. Increased anti-fraud features; 
  3. A total of 48 pages, including 40 visa pages; and 
  4. A map of China watermarked on each page.

Disagreement
 
The map in the e-passport became a source of disagreement between China and several of its neighboring countries, including India, the Philippines and Vietnam. These countries claim that the map included land or maritime areas that fall within their own country’s exclusive territorial jurisdiction. As a result, these countries have placed some restrictions on visa applications and endorsements for e-passports. Indian consulates are not accepting visa applications filed outside China by e-passport holders. Philippine authorities decline to endorse visas onto the e-passport, preferring instead to issue the holder a separate visa document; the Vietnamese consulate in Beijing takes the same approach. However, the Vietnamese consulate in Shanghai endorses visas onto the e-passport. Thus, current practice differs from one consulate to another.
 
Implications for Chinese e-passport holders applying for a visa
 
Chinese e-passport holders should be generally cautioned that if they apply for visas from outside of China, they may be asked to return to the country to apply. Alternatively, they may be issued a separate visa document instead of having the usual visa label stamped on their e-passports. However, the e-passport is still a valid travel document for travelling to these countries and is generally accepted elsewhere.
 
Where to apply
 
Applications for e-passports can be made at the local Public Security Bureau in China. If an e-passport is lost or has expired whilst outside China, the holder can apply at a Chinese embassy or consulate to obtain a temporary travel document to enable their return to China in order to obtain a new e-passport.

Country / Territory

  • ChinaChina

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Shanghai

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Shanghai

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Shanghai

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post

Costa Rica Investment Residency Explained: Requirements and Options

Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gulf Business: Why Immigration Due Diligence is as Critical as Financial Scrutiny in the GCC

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Welcomes Partner Karolina Schiffter to Poland Practice, Adds to Poland Presence with New offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk

Fragomen announces the opening of new offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk, welcoming Partner Karolina Schiffter to its Poland practice.

Learn more

Blog post

How to Get Luxembourg Citizenship: Requirements, Benefits & Application Process

This blog post by Manager Virginie Todesco and Immigration Consultant Chiara Caredda, available in English and Portuguese, outlines the requirements, benefits and application process for obtaining Luxembourg citizenship.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan Named 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs Winners

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Archana Iyer Wins "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards

Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: A War on Fraud: USCIS to Train Special Armed Agents with Powers to Arrest Applicants and Lawyers

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Red Carpet or Red Tape? Indonesia’s Immigration Strategy After the Election

Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Investment Residency Explained: Requirements and Options

Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gulf Business: Why Immigration Due Diligence is as Critical as Financial Scrutiny in the GCC

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Welcomes Partner Karolina Schiffter to Poland Practice, Adds to Poland Presence with New offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk

Fragomen announces the opening of new offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk, welcoming Partner Karolina Schiffter to its Poland practice.

Learn more

Blog post

How to Get Luxembourg Citizenship: Requirements, Benefits & Application Process

This blog post by Manager Virginie Todesco and Immigration Consultant Chiara Caredda, available in English and Portuguese, outlines the requirements, benefits and application process for obtaining Luxembourg citizenship.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan Named 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs Winners

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Archana Iyer Wins "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards

Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: A War on Fraud: USCIS to Train Special Armed Agents with Powers to Arrest Applicants and Lawyers

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Red Carpet or Red Tape? Indonesia’s Immigration Strategy After the Election

Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.