The National Immigration Administration ("NIA") has recently enacted and issued the Administrative Measures for Identity Authentication of Exit and Entry Certificates (for Trial Implementation) (the "Measures"), immediately effectively from the date of issuance.
According to the Measures, the Exit and Entry Administration Information Technology Research Institute affiliated to the NIA is mandated by the NIA to offer free identity authentication services for exit and entry certificates. Business operators obligated to check and verify personal identity information under the laws and regulations may, pursuant to the provisions of the Measures, turn to the authentication platform for real-name authentication, image authentication, and reading of electronic information contained in the certificates. Also, the Measures state that, after the aforesaid authentication platform has been put into operation, foreigners will be enabled from October to handle 35 public service affairs, covering transportation, finance, education, telecommunications, medical care and accommodation, with the exit and entry certificates they use to enter China, adding that it is expected to essentially accomplish by the end of this year the target of facilitating the application of exit and entry certificates. Moreover, the Measures set out in particular detailed requirements for information protection, system security, management bylaws, and supervisory checks, over entities using the said authentication platform, and clearly specify the disciplinary measures to be taken against those entities in violation of relevant provisions, stating that clues to irregularities of such entities will be referred to the relevant organs to pursue their legal liability at worst.