CN
China
Usually admitted, but questioning or secondary inspection is common.
Based on 15 reports. Score 0.42 on a scale from −1 (always refused) to +1 (always admitted), with recent reports counting most. How scoring works
What to expect
Most of the 15 reports, dated 2023 through 2024 with one from 2026, describe entry without problems by air, cruise ship, or airport transit, including visa-free arrivals in Shanghai.1246–91112 All three denials, reported between 2023 and 2024, happened at land or rail crossings from Hong Kong, with one traveler questioned in a separate room and given no reason.51415 Three travelers said officers appeared to already hold US information, questioning them about an alleged second passport; two were admitted anyway, and two others received shortened or restricted visas.38101314
Written by an AI model from the reports below on October 12, 2026. The numbers link to the reports each sentence is based on. Read those before you decide.
Officers may refuse entry on character grounds
China's law has no sex-offence-specific bar; visas and entry may be refused if authorities think a person may endanger public order or commit crimes. Refusals need no reasons.
Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (2012), arts. 21(1),(3),(4),(6), 25, 81 · discretionary
We haven't confirmed this citation against the official text yet.
Last checked against official sources on September 19, 2026.
- 中华人民共和国出境入境管理法 · National Immigration Administration
- Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consular Affairs Department
- 中华人民共和国出境入境管理法(禁止及处罚部分) · Fujian Provincial Public Security Department
Common questions
Can registered sex offenders enter China?
It's rated Caution: Usually admitted, but questioning or secondary inspection is common. Of 1 trips reported in the last two years by people on a US registry, 1 ended in entry and 0 in refusal.
Do China's border officers know about US registrants in advance?
In 2 reports, officers appeared to know before the traveler arrived, which usually points to a US advance notification (often called Angel Watch).
How do travelers usually arrive in China?
Reports on file describe 4 by land, 2 by air, 1 by sea or cruise. Outcomes can differ by how travelers arrive; each report below says which.
- 1Oct 2026 (reported)
Admitted, no issues
The traveler listed this country among destinations visited without reporting any entry problems.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand
- 2Sep 2024 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air
The traveler spent three weeks touring mainland China without problems, having disclosed their conviction on the visa application and submitted a supporting letter from a relative who was a US official there.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 3May 2024 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · Over land, Shenzhen (by train from Hong Kong)
The traveler entered mainland China by train from Hong Kong and found that officials appeared to already know about a recent US State Department query regarding whether the traveler held two passports, suggesting foreign authorities had access to detailed US records.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand · officers appeared to be notified in advance
- 4Apr 2024
Admitted, no issues · Changing planes, Shanghai airport
The traveler had an eight-hour layover in Shanghai while flying home and made the connection without incident.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand
- 5Mar 2024 (reported)
Refused entry · Over land, land crossing from Hong Kong (rail)
The traveler was refused entry at a land/rail crossing from Hong Kong before the IML era. Officers questioned them in a separate room, including about a claim that they held a second passport, gave no reason for the refusal, and directed them back on the return train without stamping the passport.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 6Feb 2024
Admitted, no issues · By air
A commenter described a traveler who is off the registry entering mainland China during a multi-country Asia trip without difficulty, arriving from a third country.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Secondhand · Former registrant
- 7Feb 2024
Admitted, no issues · By sea or cruise, Shanghai cruise port
The traveler walked ashore in Shanghai from a cruise ship; passports were scanned with no issues and no visa was needed due to a newly implemented 72-hour visa exemption.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
- 8Feb 2024
Admitted with conditions · By sea or cruise, Shanghai cruise port
Arriving by cruise ship, the traveler had their passport collected by Chinese immigration officers who boarded in Hong Kong; passengers were issued 72-hour visas allowing two days ashore in Shanghai. The traveler's conviction was not a factor.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 92024
Admitted, no issues · By air, Shanghai
The traveler entered Shanghai for two days under the then-current visa-free policy for the Shanghai metropolitan area, with no entry problems reported.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
- 10Jul 2023 (reported)
Admitted after questioning
On entering China the traveler was questioned at length by immigration about an alleged "second passport" — the same false claim the US State Department had made weeks earlier — suggesting Chinese officials had received information from US authorities.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · officers appeared to be notified in advance
- 11Jul 2023 (reported)
Admitted, no issues
The traveler had to supply extra background information to renew a visa, which was granted. At immigration an officer said something in Chinese about the passport that the traveler did not understand, but entry was allowed.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 12Jun 2023 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air
The traveler obtained a Chinese visa about a month before the trip and passed through Chinese immigration on arrival without any problems.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 13Jun 2023 (reported)
Admitted with conditions
The traveler was able to enter despite a felony conviction, but received only a 30-day visa while their spouse received a one-year visa; a family connection in the US diplomatic service may have helped.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 14Mar 2023 (reported)
Refused entry · Over land, Hong Kong to Shenzhen land/rail crossing
The traveler tried to cross by train from Hong Kong into mainland China and was refused. Officers appeared to have adverse information on file and seemed to believe the traveler held two passports, which the traveler did not; the source of the information was unclear.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 15Jan 2023 (reported)
Refused entry · Over land, land border from Hong Kong
A traveler recounted being refused entry to mainland China at the land crossing from Hong Kong.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 16By 2022
Refused entry
Row from the RTAG Travel Matrix, an undated summary last maintained around 2021.
- Registrants turned away
- Yes
- Law bars sex offenders
- No
- Law bars people with felonies
- No
- Has its own offender registry
- No
Registrant Travel Action Group (RTAG) · Legacy matrix · Summary