Real-Name Verification Coverage for Inbound Visitors
Real-name verification is a standardized identity confirmation mechanism applied across public administration, public services and commercial service scenarios in mainland China, applicable to all individuals accessing relevant services, including short-term inbound visitors, long-term foreign residents, and travelers from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions. The mechanism links service access eligibility to officially recognized valid identity documents to match identity records held by competent authorities.
Verification requirements apply uniformly across nationalities, with clear public standards for accepted documents and process flows.
Accepted Valid Identity Documents
Per publicly released regulatory standards, documents accepted for visitor real-name verification include valid foreign passports, People’s Republic of China Travel Permits for foreign nationals, Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, Mainland Travel Permits for Taiwan Residents, and other valid entry identity documents specified by public security and immigration authorities. Expired documents, damaged documents with unidentifiable personal information, and unofficial identity vouchers are not accepted for verification.
All service providers covered by real-name management requirements are required to align their document recognition systems with official standards, to ensure holders of valid entry documents can complete verification.
Verification Processes for Common Service Scenarios
For intercity transport services, including railway, domestic civil aviation, long-distance road passenger transport and intercity waterway passenger routes, visitors are required to provide valid original identity documents at the time of ticket purchase and boarding, with information cross-checked against the real-name registration system of the corresponding transport operator. For railway travel, document information can be submitted in advance via the official 12306 platform to complete pre-verification prior to ticket purchase, with dedicated manual verification windows available at all stations for holders of non-mainland resident identity documents.
For licensed accommodation establishments including hotels, hostels and registered homestays, on-site staff are required to record identity document information for all checking-in guests, and upload the information to the public security accommodation registration system in real time. Check-in procedures are only completed after submitted information is successfully matched against official identity records.
For mobile phone number activation, visitors must present valid original identity documents at a physical business hall of a licensed telecom operator to complete in-person identity confirmation before a SIM card can be issued. For licensed internet service venues, visitors are required to present valid original documents for on-site verification before using public internet terminals. For public cultural venues, scenic spots and event venues that implement real-name reservation systems, visitors can submit valid document information through official reservation channels to complete verification prior to arrival. For digital services requiring real-name registration such as licensed third-party payment platforms, visitors can submit valid document information through the platform’s designated channel to complete verification, with manual review support for non-mainland identity document holders. Service providers are prohibited from collecting identity information unrelated to the verification process, per personal information protection requirements.
Manual review and assistance channels are available across most service platforms for cases where automatic system verification does not go through.
Governing Regulatory Provisions
Real-name verification requirements across relevant sectors are stipulated in publicly available national legal and regulatory documents, covering entry-exit administration, anti-terrorism security management, transport safety, hospitality industry public security management, telecommunications service regulation, and personal information protection. These provisions clearly define the verification obligations of service providers, the scope of acceptable identity documents, and mandatory data protection rules for collected personal information.
All collected identity information is required to be stored securely, and cannot be disclosed, sold, or illegally shared with third parties in violation of legal requirements.
Frequent Visitor Inquiries
Use of digital document copies for verification
Original valid identity documents are required for all in-person verification scenarios, including transport boarding, accommodation check-in and telecom service application. Digital copies, photos or scanned versions of documents are not considered valid vouchers for these scenarios, unless explicitly stated in official temporary adjustment notices.
Resolution for failed automatic verification
Major service platforms serving inbound visitors maintain manual verification channels. Users can submit clear images of valid identity documents and relevant entry records as prompted, with reviews completed within the publicly stated processing window for each platform. On-site manual verification support is also available at physical service outlets including railway stations and airport ticket counters.
Verification differences by visa type
Core verification requirements and document acceptance standards apply uniformly to all inbound personnel, regardless of visa category or length of stay. Process adjustments are only made to match the specific type of valid identity document held by an individual, rather than their visa status.
Scenarios without mandatory verification
Real-name verification is not required for routine daily activities including retail shopping, dining at standard restaurants, visiting open public spaces without reservation requirements, and taking urban public transit such as city buses and single-journey subway rides in most jurisdictions.
Verification requirements for minor travelers
Minors entering mainland China are required to hold their own valid entry and identity documents to complete verification. Accompanying adults or guardians cannot use their own identity documents to complete verification on behalf of minors who hold separate travel documents.
Updates or adjustments to real-name verification processes are announced to the public via official channels of relevant government departments and service operators prior to implementation. All physical service outlets covered by real-name requirements are required to display clear guidance on accepted documents and process flows in visible public areas, to support visitors in completing required procedures.
Reference Sources
National Immigration Administration of the People’s Republic of China
Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China
Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China
Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China
China Railway 12306 Official Service Platform
Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China
Personal Information Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China