Why You Should Carry Your Passport When You Go Out This Weekend

Steven Schwankert | Feb 28, 2014 3:00 pm | 23 comments | 13077 reads

Wallet, check. Keys, check. Money, check. Passport...check that one off too.

With March beginning tomorrow, it's time again for the annual Beijing event known as the "Two Meetings" or liang hui. Both the China People's Political Consultative Conference, which starts March 3, and the National People's Congress (NPC), which opens March 5, will bring heightened security to the capital to ensure the two most important national political meetings of the year go off without a hitch. All the excitement dies down around March 10 when the NPC, China's parliament, adjourns.

As we learned the hard way last year when certain individuals decided to do dumb things like run their motor scooter into a pedestrian, thus triggering a harder look at foreigners and especially their visas, the time of  hanging around in China and not be on the legit is over.

All foreigners are required by law to carry their passports at all times. Sometimes a photocopy of the passport's main information page and the page bearing the person's visa will be accepted, but officially foreigners are required to bear the original document on their person at all times.

Case in point: the most recent meeting of Beijing Creatives, held on February 18, received a surprise: a visit by local police, as reported by Beijing Cream. While it seems they were checking host venue Dada's licensing and fire equipment, they also did some credential checks of attendees. The Public Security Bureau (PSB) is authorized to check anyone's identification papers at anytime, and "it's at my apartment" doesn't count.

We offered these three pieces of advice in December and we'll offer them again:

1. If you don't have a driver's license, stop driving and get one. The penalty for driving (an automobile) in China without a license is 15 days in jail.
2. If your vehicle is unregistered, stop driving and get one.
3. If you are working illegally, go on strike until your employer gives you the proper paperwork. The penalty for working illegally in China is deportation.

If you are asked for identification, be nice and cooperate. If your visa and household registration are up to date, then the inspection should end quickly. If not, then this might be a good weekend to stay home and watch DVDs.

Photo: Iambo.com

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Back FromOuterSpace's picture Back FromOuterSpace Submitted by Guest on Fri, 03/07/2014 - 01:31

It happened to me once. As I didn't carry my passport with me, the policemen wanted to know my address. Unfortunately back then I had just moved into a new apartment and didn't know my address either. The two officers discussed the issue several minutes before they threw away the formular they had just started to fill in and told me to leave. Anyways, that must have been in 2008 or 2009...

alwn1708's picture alwn1708 Submitted by Guest on Mon, 03/03/2014 - 13:51

Steven Schwankert wrote:

Thanks as always alwn1708 for your positive attitude and extremely helpful comments. The point is that people need to pay attention to these things, it's not a slap on the wrist anymore.

Apologies if you took my comments as negativity Steven. But when all said and done , the laws of China are very clear and simple and if people choose to ignore them, or try to flaunt them, then they can expect to face the consequence that becomes them. This is standard in any country.

It is, however well documented that law enforcement is rather lax for sure , but that does not evade the responsiblities of the individial.

Does this really look like the face of concern?

squid's picture squid Submitted by Guest on Sat, 03/01/2014 - 20:43

I carry a tiny wallet around with me when I have to, never carry my driver's license, and if I go running I carry almost nothing. My old passport was the size of a Milwaukee phonebook, no way it was taking ride in my pocket every day.

I wouldn't even carry shoes with me, if the road was just a bit tidier.

So Mr. Policeman, I am not a criminal or an illegal alien, I am just a lazy, carefree sod. Can you cut me some slack? I didn't ask to be born this way.

webdude's picture webdude Submitted by Guest on Sat, 03/01/2014 - 13:09

You're supposed to carry the receipt they give you. They told me I could use the receipt to board a train, but not a plane. Not sure if they were thinking only of international flights. I don't see why you shouldn't be allowed on a domestic flight as long as you have the passport receipt.

Re: Squid's comments, yes, I agree. Carrying a passport at all times is asking for a big pain in the butt if you ever lose it. But consider - do you carry a wallet? If so, losing that, with your driver's license, credit cards, etc. is also a big PITA.

webdude's picture webdude Submitted by Guest on Sat, 03/01/2014 - 12:58

If you've been here more than a month and haven't seen police checking the IDs of Chinese citizens, you haven't been paying attention. Or maybe you stay outside the second ring road. Inside the 2RR, I have seen many random checks. If the police check Chinese, why shouldn't they check laowai? Why should we get a free pass?

The only time I've been asked, I didn't have my passport, but I had my expert certificate (same size and color - I grabbed the wrong one). The police politely told me it was okay that time, but they didn't care whether I was an expert in anything - I'd better carry my passport at all times. That was a year ago.

If you're thinking, "Wow, what about privacy rights?" you might want to read Terry v. Ohio (the case that gave rise to "Terry stop" in cop/law lingo), then read up on how the Reagan/Bush Supreme Court has changed interpretations since then. Think more of border security, where the U.S. Supreme Court has basically written that you don't have any privacy rights. In China, that attitude has simply been extended everywhere, not just at the border. They're not frisking you, or going through all your possessions, although they might, if you don't cooperate. They're just asking for ID. Like it or not, this is accepted procedure in most parts of the world now.

britomart's picture britomart Submitted by Guest on Sat, 03/01/2014 - 11:34

yes, yes, yes... do NOT carry physical passport. copies of passport and visa are always sufficient.

and if your passport is at the visa bureau, you've hopefully thought ahead to make a copy of your passport and carry that with you. in general, though, you should carry the phone number of the person handling your visa at your "work unit" or school or whatever organization is sponsoring your visa. whenever my passport has been in for processing, i've had a copy of my passport on hand and the number for the "foreign affairs guy" at my office. once i did have the police come to my door to check, my passport was at PSB visa bureau, so i just called Mr. Q, explained what was happening, and handed the phone to the police. they chatted, police guy then apologized for disturbing me, and left. all was well.

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

charlesliu's picture charlesliu Submitted by Guest on Sat, 03/01/2014 - 11:04

solarioho wrote:

 there's nothing officials are more inept at than giving a definitive answer

Let's just say, arbitrarily, that the definitive fine for not possessing a passport to show to police authorities is RMB 500. Dost peoples believeth that you can pay the equivalent of 81.3 USD out of your debit card and be done with it?

Thanks for crystalizing my thoughts, or, just saying what I didn't want to state out loud. 

That's why the letter of the law isn't important. but that this ruling by-law is. Folks: don't worry about the details because details aren't important. Just take the precaution of following the law of "always carrying your passport" and other guidelines suggested in the article.

The grey haze of bureaucracy usually has a lot of leeway, but sometimes it turns black and white. Don't let it affect you. If it is honestly that impractical to take with you, convince yourself that your visa is some kind of thin smart phone with pages that gets you out of jail.

solarioho's picture solarioho Submitted by Guest on Sat, 03/01/2014 - 10:41

Good luck looking into it Steven, there's nothing officials are more inept at than giving a definitive answer. The real answer for people who are seriously concerned about this is, it's at the officer's discretion, but as long as you are polite and cooperative it shouldn't be a problem.

CharlesLiu is right, Everything can happen to you, or nothing. Don't expect any clarification, since they won't give it in case they want to change their minds later. It's actually a negotiation tactic, which in my opinion shouldn't be used to enforce laws or things that should be concrete.

squid's picture squid Submitted by Guest on Sat, 03/01/2014 - 05:03

I think carrying one's passport with them whereever you go is a good way to lose it. I would much prefer to take my chances with telling someone its at my apartment than have to worry every where I go about which jacket or pants pocket I put it in last.

I have had my passport stolen before, and getting a replacement and then informing all the oultets which use your passport number (banks, housing, reapplying for visa, etc) is a huge huge hassle.

Sorry officer, my passport is tucked safely away at home.

mtnerror's picture mtnerror Submitted by Guest on Fri, 02/28/2014 - 18:29

I, probably along with other readers, are curious. The article is about following the rules -- as every Chinese and non-Chinese should -- and although folks may not like the rules, the time for voicing one's opinion is not AFTER breaking one. The article largely serves as a reminder to carry one's passport around town; it ends with specific penalties for other offences, but not this specific offence. If there are no specifics (which I doubt) but merely up to the discretion of the officer(s) and whichever gov't entity has jurisdiction over such an offence, state it. If there is a min. and a max. penalty, with myriad penalties in between which vary depending on the individual in question, demeanor of the official or which direction the wind is coming from, that actually also tells we readers a lot. Thanks for looking further into this, Steven.

Laowai54321's picture Laowai54321 Submitted by Guest on Fri, 02/28/2014 - 18:14

There's no direct penalty, all you have to do is go to the police station with them while almost every individual on duty or off duty will have an interview with you. some playing nice while some trying to play bad... while some just testing thier english level... and then when the laoda arrives you will need to sign some documents and then go back home and again go back to the police station during the office hours with you passports and documents ... if you are lucky you might not have to go again incase the officer had a fight with his wife you might have to do that for a couple of days ...

charlesliu's picture charlesliu Submitted by Guest on Fri, 02/28/2014 - 17:49

mtnerror wrote:

What's the penalty if asked to produce your passport, but don't have it on the spot? Night in the slammer? Fine? Garnishment of wages...? What does the law actually state could happen?

But isn't that the point? Everything can happen to you... or nothing.

The story regarding the foreigner who bumped into a lady (who morphed from "middle-aged" to "elderly") had the punishments increased as the public scrutiny increased with it. He didn't get deported because he was driving without registration: he got deported because he had to go.

Steven is hard at work trying to find out a definitive answer in a legal grey area, but it honestly doesn't matter: don't let that happen to you. Carry your passport with you this weekend. "Jiayou!" to anything suggested to you. Answer in the affirmative about eating hamburgers everyday.

Be a good guest.

The Equalizer's picture The Equalizer Submitted by Guest on Fri, 02/28/2014 - 17:43

Most probably you will get a free ride home and save your taxi fare, but after losing a couple hours at the station. I want to run both days this weekend and Im pretty slow so they can catch me if they want. I am not in the habit of carrying my passport for a jog. Anyone know a good T shirt printing shop where I can have my passport printed on the back and my visa on the front? Actually it might be pretty cool to have.

All information stated by this poster is for informational purposes only. The content should not substitute you seeking psychiatric advice should you have a problem with it.

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