You will be fingerprinted upon entering China
A lot of changes for expats and foreigners have been occurring in China recently, with announcements for new visa policies, crackdowns on foreigners overstaying their visas and stricter checks on residential permits in some cities making news as of late. Now, there’s a new change to add to the list; fingerprinting at the border.
What’s the latest?
The Ministry of Public Security announced yesterday(Feb 9) that from today(Feb 10)onwards foreigners entering China will have their fingerprints taken at border checkpoints. Initially, the procedure will be piloted in the Southern Chinese city of Shenzhen but will be rolled out right across the country towards the end of 2017.
Not all foreigners will be required to have their fingerprints taken however, with diplomats exempt from the requirement, as well as children under the age of 14 and those over the age of 70.
（photo by Chinese Business Morning View)
Why the change?
The ministry has stated that the collecting of fingerprints is commonplace for many border control authorities around the world and is simply a move towards meeting international standards. The practise has already been implemented in countries such as the United States, the U.K. and Japan as well as South Korea for a number of years, and fingerprints are also taken in the Hong Kong SAR for those who use e-channels. The ministry also says the move will step up exit and entry management.
How do you feel about the change?
No information has been released about how the fingerprints collected by border authorities will be used or stored, however the change shouldn’t come as a shock to those who are frequent travellers around the Asian region. We would like to know how you feel about this new change; does your country fingerprint visitors at the border? Do you think this is a positive change that will increase security? Tell us your opinion by e-mailing us at: or send us a comment through our official account: GRTRadio.
Written & Edited by Hazza & Michelle