第一章 总则

    第一条 为了规范出境入境管理，维护中华人民共和国的主权、安全和社会秩序，促进对外交往和对外开放，制定本法。

    第二条 中国公民出境入境、外国人入境出境、外国人在中国境内停留居留的管理，以及交通运输工具出境入境的边防检查，适用本法。

    第三条 国家保护中国公民出境入境合法权益。  

  Chapter I    General Provisions

    Article 1 In order to regulate exit/entry administration, safeguard the sovereignty, security and social order of the People’s Republic of China, and promote foreign exchanges and opening to the outside world, this Law is hereby formulated. 

    Article 2 This Law is applicable to the administration of exit and entry of Chinese citizens, entry and exit of foreigners, stay and residence of foreigners in China, and the exit/entry border inspection of transport vehicles. 

    Article 3 The State protects Chinese citizens’ legitimate rights and interests of exiting and entering the country.

    在中国境内的外国人的合法权益受法律保护。在中国境内的外国人应当遵守中国法律，不得危害中国国家安全、损害社会公共利益、破坏社会公共秩序。

    第四条 公安部、外交部按照各自职责负责有关出境入境事务的管理。

    中华人民共和国驻外使馆、领馆或者外交部委托的其他驻外机构（以下称驻外签证机关）负责在境外签发外国人入境签证。出入境边防检查机关负责实施出境入境边防检查。县级以上地方人民政府公安机关及其出入境管理机构负责外国人停留居留管理。

   The legitimate rights and interests of foreigners in China shall be protected by laws. Foreigners in China shall abide by the Chinese laws, and shall not endanger China’s national security, harm public interests and disrupt social and public order. 

    Article 4 The Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall, within the scope of their respective responsibilities, be responsible for administering exit/entry affairs.

    Embassies and consulates of the People’s Republic of China and other institutions stationed abroad entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter referred to as “the visa-issuing authorities abroad”) shall be responsible for issuance of entry visas to foreigners. Exit/entry border inspection authorities shall be responsible for carrying out exit/entry border inspection. Public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level and their exit/entry administrations shall be responsible for the administration of the stay and residence of foreigners.