How to Apply for a Passport

1.1 Procedures for First-Time Passport Application

All first-time passport applicants must submit applications in person at the Exit and Entry Administration Office of the Public Security Bureau where their household registration is located. Military personnel shall apply at the Exit and Entry Administration Office near their military unit or workplace.

For those studying or working in a city other than their registered household location, you may consult the local Exit and Entry Administration Office to confirm whether you can submit the application locally at your school or workplace.

1.2 Required Documents for Passport Application

Two recent 2-inch front-facing bare-headed color photos. State civil servants shall not wear official uniforms; children shall not wear red scarves. The background color shall comply with local Exit and Entry Administration Office regulations.
Applicants aged 16 and above: Household register (submit Permanent Resident Registration Form for collective household registration) and resident identity card (or temporary resident identity card).
Applicants under 16: Household register (submit Permanent Resident Registration Form for collective household registration), the guardian’s original identity card, and original documents proving guardianship (e.g., household register, birth certificate). The applicant must be accompanied by the guardian when submitting the application.
Non-military students enrolled in military academies: Additional certificate issued by the academy verifying non-military status.
Military personnel: Military officer’s ID (or retirement certificate), original Review Approval Document for Personnel Going Abroad for Personal Matters issued by the military unit. The military unit must provide comments, affix an official seal and obtain the handwritten signature of the person in charge on the Application and Approval Form for Chinese Citizens Going Abroad for Personal Purposes.
Personnel who need to provide workplace approval: Relevant certification issued by their employer.

1.3 Registered State Staff Applying for Private Passports

All state staff with filing records must obtain official comments, the sign-off of the person in charge and the company’s official seal on the Application and Approval Form for Chinese Citizens Going Abroad for Personal Purposes. Covered personnel include:

Serving county/division-level and above leading cadres, and retired department/bureau-level and above cadres from Party and government organs, people’s congresses, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, people’s courts, people’s procuratorates, people’s organizations and public institutions at all levels.
Legal representatives of financial institutions and state-owned enterprises; leading staff of branches and higher-level entities of financial institutions and cadres of equivalent ranks; middle and above management staff of large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises; state-owned equity representatives in state-controlled enterprises.
PLA military personnel and armed police officers (including retired personnel).
Staff of all departments and industries who handle state security, state asset security and trade secrets.
Other personnel filed with public security exit-entry authorities.

Note: If your resident identity card is being collected, renewed or reissued at the time of application, you must submit a temporary resident identity card.

Bring all the above documents to the Exit and Entry Administration Office of your registered household location to fill out the Application and Approval Form for Chinese Citizens Going Abroad for Personal Purposes, make copies of supporting documents and take photos (dark-colored clothing is required).

Note: The application form can also be downloaded, printed and filled out in advance via the official website of the Exit and Entry Administration Office.

1.4 Submission of Application Materials

Submit the completed application form with attached photos and all required documents to the service counter. After staff review, collect the Receipt for Application of Exit/Entry Documents for Personal Travel. Check all information on the receipt and sign it if everything is correct.

1.5 Payment of Fees