Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== chūrùjìng guǎnlǐjú: 出入境管理局 - Exit-Entry Administration Bureau ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 出入境管理局, chūrùjìng guǎnlǐjú, China immigration, China visa office, Exit-Entry Administration, PSB Exit-Entry, Chinese immigration bureau, visa extension China, residence permit China, foreigner registration China. * **Summary:** The 出入境管理局 (chūrùjìng guǎnlǐjú) is the official Exit-Entry Administration Bureau in China, the essential government office for any foreigner dealing with their legal status. Typically a division of the local Public Security Bureau (PSB), this is the "China immigration office" where you go for visa extensions, applying for a residence permit, and handling other critical immigration paperwork after you have arrived in the country. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** chū rù jìng guǎnlǐjú * **Part of Speech:** Proper Noun * **HSK Level:** N/A (This is a specific government entity name, but its component characters are common and useful.) * **Concise Definition:** The government bureau in the People's Republic of China responsible for managing border control, visas, and residence permits for both Chinese citizens and foreigners. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of the 出入境管理局 as the "DMV for foreigners" in China. It's not a place for casual conversation but an absolutely essential location for any expat, student, or long-term visitor. This is where you go to handle the official paperwork that allows you to legally live, work, or study in China. It's the physical office that controls your entry, exit, and legal stay within the country's borders. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **出 (chū):** To exit, to go out. Pictorially, it can be seen as a plant sprouting up and out of the ground (凵). * **入 (rù):** To enter, to go in. The character resembles a wedge or an arrow pointing into a space. * **境 (jìng):** Border, boundary, territory. It's made of the radical 土 (tǔ), meaning "earth" or "land," and 竟 (jìng), suggesting an end or boundary. So, the "end of the land." * **管理 (guǎnlǐ):** To manage, administer, or supervise. This is a common compound word where 管 (guǎn) means to control/oversee and 理 (lǐ) means to arrange/put in order. * **局 (jú):** Bureau, department, or office. This character is used for government agencies or departments within a larger organization. When combined, 出-入-境 (chū-rù-jìng) means "exit-enter-border," and 管理-局 (guǎnlǐ-jú) means "administration-bureau." Together, they form the very literal and descriptive name: **Exit-Entry Border Administration Bureau**. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== The existence and name of the 出入境管理局 reveal a key aspect of Chinese governance: precision in administration and a clear delineation of authority. Immigration and border control are seen primarily through the lens of public order and security. This is why these bureaus are typically a branch of the **公安局 (gōng'ānjú)**, the Public Security Bureau, which is the equivalent of the police force. In the West, particularly the US, immigration services (like USCIS) and border enforcement (like CBP) are often separate federal agencies. In China, the 出入境管理局 is a local, city-level office that handles the practical, in-country paperwork for foreigners. This local nature makes it more accessible than a federal agency, but its connection to the police gives it an undeniable air of authority and seriousness. The term itself is bureaucratic and formal, reflecting a system where processes are structured and non-negotiable. You don't "negotiate" with the 出入境管理局; you follow its procedures (手续, shǒuxù). ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== This term is used in a highly specific and formal context. It's the official name of the office you must visit for any visa or residency matters. * **For Foreigners:** This is your most important government contact point. You'll visit the 出入境管理局 to: * Apply for a visa extension (续签, xùqiān). * Convert a tourist visa to a student or work visa. * Apply for or renew your Residence Permit (居留许可, jūliú xǔkě). * Report a lost passport. * **For Chinese Citizens:** This is where they go to apply for passports and obtain special permits to travel to Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. * **In Conversation:** While the full name is formal, in everyday speech, people often shorten it to **出入境 (chūrùjìng)**. For example, "I'm going to the immigration office" would be "我去出入境 (Wǒ qù chūrùjìng)." Using the full name, 出入境管理局, sounds more official, like you're reading from a document or giving very precise directions. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 我的签证快到期了，明天必须去**出入境管理局**。 * Pinyin: Wǒ de qiānzhèng kuài dàoqī le, míngtiān bìxū qù **chūrùjìng guǎnlǐjú**. * English: My visa is about to expire, I have to go to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau tomorrow. * Analysis: A very common and practical sentence for a foreigner in China. This shows a direct and necessary reason for visiting the office. * **Example 2:** * 请问，去**出入境管理局**怎么走？ * Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, qù **chūrùjìng guǎnlǐjú** zěnme zǒu? * English: Excuse me, how do I get to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau? * Analysis: A crucial phrase for anyone new to a Chinese city. Using the full, formal name is appropriate when asking for directions to ensure there is no confusion. * **Example 3:** * 所有外国留学生都必须在**出入境管理局**登记。 * Pinyin: Suǒyǒu wàiguó liúxuéshēng dōu bìxū zài **chūrùjìng guǎnlǐjú** dēngjì. * English: All foreign exchange students must register at the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau. * Analysis: This demonstrates the official and mandatory nature of the bureau's function. The verb 登记 (dēngjì), "to register," is frequently associated with this place. * **Example 4:** * 为了办居留许可，我在**出入境管理局**排了三个小时的队。 * Pinyin: Wèile bàn jūliú xǔkě, wǒ zài **chūrùjìng guǎnlǐjú** pái le sān ge xiǎoshí de duì. * English: In order to get my residence permit, I waited in line for three hours at the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau. * Analysis: This sentence reflects a common experience associated with the bureau – long waits and bureaucracy. It's a relatable complaint among expats. * **Example 5:** * 你可以在**出入境管理局**的官方网站上下载申请表。 * Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ zài **chūrùjìng guǎnlǐjú** de guānfāng wǎngzhàn shàng xiàzǎi shēnqǐngbiǎo. * English: You can download the application form from the official website of the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau. * Analysis: This shows the term used in a modern, practical context related to online resources. * **Example 6:** (Using the common shortened form) * 我下午要去一趟**出入境**，帮我跟老板请个假。 * Pinyin: Wǒ xiàwǔ yào qù yí tàng **chūrùjìng**, bāng wǒ gēn lǎobǎn qǐng ge jià. * English: I need to make a trip to the immigration office this afternoon, can you help me ask the boss for time off? * Analysis: Here, the speaker shortens the name to **出入境 (chūrùjìng)**, which is very natural in spoken Mandarin. * **Example 7:** * 根据**出入境管理局**的最新规定，你需要提供新的证明文件。 * Pinyin: Gēnjù **chūrùjìng guǎnlǐjú** de zuìxīn guīdìng, nǐ xūyào tígōng xīn de zhèngmíng wénjiàn. * English: According to the newest regulations from the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau, you need to provide new supporting documents. * Analysis: This illustrates the bureau's role as a source of authority and regulation. * **Example 8:** * **出入境管理局**的办公时间是周一到周五，上午九点到下午五点。 * Pinyin: **Chūrùjìng guǎnlǐjú** de bàngōng shíjiān shì zhōuyī dào zhōuwǔ, shàngwǔ jiǔ diǎn dào xiàwǔ wǔ diǎn. * English: The office hours for the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. * Analysis: This is a factual, informational sentence you might see on a sign or website. * **Example 9:** * 如果你的护照丢了，第一件事就是去**出入境管理局**挂失。 * Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ de hùzhào diū le, dì yī jiàn shì jiùshì qù **chūrùjìng guǎnlǐjú** guàshī. * English: If you lose your passport, the first thing to do is go to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau to report the loss. * Analysis: This provides critical advice for foreigners, highlighting another key function of the bureau. * **Example 10:** * 每个城市的**出入境管理局**地址都不一样，你最好先在网上查一下。 * Pinyin: Měi ge chéngshì de **chūrùjìng guǎnlǐjú** dìzhǐ dōu bù yīyàng, nǐ zuìhǎo xiān zài wǎngshàng chá yíxià. * English: The address of the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau is different in every city; you'd better check online first. * Analysis: This emphasizes the local, municipal nature of these offices. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Mistake 1: Confusing it with an embassy/consulate.** * Embassies and consulates (大使馆/领事馆) are foreign diplomatic missions //on// Chinese soil. You deal with your home country's embassy for your passport issues or with another country's embassy to get a visa for that country. You deal with a Chinese embassy/consulate in your home country to get your //first// visa to enter China. * The **出入境管理局** is a //Chinese government// agency that you deal with for your legal status //after you have already arrived// in China. * **Mistake 2: Using the full name in casual speech.** * As mentioned, saying the full "chūrùjìng guǎnlǐjú" is very formal. It's like saying "I am heading to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles." Most people, especially in conversation, will just say "我去出入境 (wǒ qù chūrùjìng)," which is like saying "I'm going to the DMV." Using the short form will make you sound more natural. * **"False Friend": It's not just "immigration."** * While it functions as the immigration office, the term is highly specific. The English word "immigration" can refer to the broad concept or act of moving to a new country. **出入境管理局** refers exclusively to the specific administrative government bureau itself. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[签证]] (qiānzhèng) - Visa. The official document/stamp allowing you to enter China, which this bureau extends. * [[护照]] (hùzhào) - Passport. The essential identity document you must present at this bureau. * [[居留许可]] (jūliú xǔkě) - Residence Permit. The long-term visa for work or study that replaces the entry visa, issued by this bureau. * [[公安局]] (gōng'ānjú) - Public Security Bureau (PSB). The parent organization of the 出入境管理局, essentially the police department. * [[派出所]] (pàichūsuǒ) - Local Police Station. The neighborhood-level station where foreigners must register their address upon arrival, a separate but related process. * [[外国人]] (wàiguórén) - Foreigner. The primary demographic served by the foreigner-facing services of this bureau. * [[续签]] (xùqiān) - To renew or extend a visa. One of the most common reasons for a foreigner to visit the bureau. * [[手续]] (shǒuxù) - Procedures; formalities. A word you will hear and use constantly when dealing with any Chinese bureaucracy, especially this one. * [[表格]] (biǎogé) - Form; application form. You will fill out many of these here. * [[登记]] (dēngjì) - To register. A key action performed at both the 出入境管理局 and the local 派出所.