New passport or changed details: reporting within 10 days
If a registered item in your foreign residence permit changes, Article 33 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law says you shall apply for the alteration within 10 days from the date of change. The application goes to the exit/entry administration of the public security organ under the local people's government at or above county level in your place of residence. The National Immigration Administration's English service guides add the rules for a change of personal information and for a new passport held by a visa holder.
See also X1 or X2 on this site.
Registered items on a residence permit
Article 33 says the registered items of a foreign residence permit include:
- name;
- sex;
- date of birth;
- reason for residence and duration of residence of the holder;
- date and place of issuance;
- passport number or other international travel documents number.
What to do when a registered item changes
Article 33 sets the period. Where a registered item in a foreigner's residence permit has changed, the holder shall, within 10 days from the date of change, apply to the exit/entry administration for going through the formalities for alteration.
Section 3 of the National Immigration Administration's English service guide on residence permits (English page dated 2021-04-01) covers the application. A foreigner who needs to change registered items shall submit relevant supporting materials or relevant certification materials for the change of personal information or purpose of residence. The residence period may then be extended, and a new residence permit may be issued.
The same section also sets a separate rule for extending the period of residence. That application is submitted 30 days before the validity period of the residence permit expires.
New passport for visa holders
Item h of the National Immigration Administration's English service guide on visa extension, change and reissuance (English page dated 2021-04-01) covers a foreigner who starts using a new passport because the original is about to expire or is running out of visa pages. Such a foreigner may apply for a change of visa by submitting the original passport for the latest entry, or relevant certificates issued by the embassy or consulate of the applicant's country in China specifying that the original passport has been withdrawn. A visa consistent with the original visa in type, validity period of entry, duration of stay and remaining valid entry times may be issued. The entry times of the new visa will be decided in accordance with the remaining valid entry times of the original visa.
The three rules are summarised below.
| Situation | Document | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| Registered item of a residence permit changes | Exit and Entry Administration Law, Article 33 | Apply within 10 days from the date of change |
| Change of personal information or purpose of residence | NIA service guide on residence permits, section 3 | Submit supporting or certification materials |
| New passport, visa holder | NIA service guide on visa extension, change and reissuance, item h | Apply for a visa change with the original passport or an embassy or consulate certificate |
Questions
Does the 10-day period apply to a new passport?
Article 33 lists the passport number among the registered items and sets the 10-day period for a change of a registered item. Item h of the visa guide covers a visa change for a new passport. Item h does not refer to Article 33 or to the 10-day period. For how your case is handled, ask the exit/entry administration that deals with it.
Where do I apply for the change?
Article 33 names the exit/entry administration of the public security organ under the local people's government at or above county level in the place of residence.
Sources
- Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (English text published by the National Immigration Administration) — National Immigration Administration
- National Immigration Administration — Service Guide on residence permits for foreigners — National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn)
- National Immigration Administration — Service Guide on visa extension, change and reissuance for foreigners — National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn)
Checked 11 October 2026.
This page is an unofficial summary, is not legal or immigration advice, is not published by the bodies named, and the official text and the instructions of the body handling your case prevail if they differ.