If your friend or family member — particularly a foreign national — has been convicted and sentenced to prison in China, you likely have many questions about visiting. When can you first visit? Who is allowed to visit? What documents do you need? This guide answers these questions with reference to the Prison Law of the PRC and practical experience at facilities in Guangzhou and across Guangdong province.

When Can You First Visit After Sentencing?

Under Article 15 of the Prison Law [CN official], after a court issues its judgment, the convicted person is typically transferred from the detention centre to a prison within one month after the judgment takes effect. Once they arrive at the prison, visits can begin during designated visiting hours.

Key exception: If the remaining sentence is three months or less, the person may serve the remainder at the detention centre (kanshousuo) rather than being transferred to prison. In Guangzhou, this is a common arrangement for short sentences, and different visiting rules apply.

Important distinction: The above applies to convicted prisoners. For pre-trial detainees in a detention centre — including those under criminal investigation — family visits are not permitted. Only lawyers can visit pre-trial detainees. See our guides on detention types and criminal detention timelines.

When Are Visiting Hours?

Generally, visits are allowed on designated visiting days. In practice, most prisons in Guangdong province now permit visits on any day except official public holidays. Once the judgment takes effect, family members can apply for visits.

Standard visiting arrangements:

  • Frequency: Usually once per month
  • Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour per visit
  • Extended visits: Prisoners classified as "relaxed management level" or those with special circumstances may receive additional visiting time or frequency

Who Can Visit?

Under Article 48 of the Prison Law, prisoners may meet with relatives and guardians. The definition of "relatives" includes: spouse; parents, grandparents, great-grandparents; children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses; siblings and their spouses and children; parents-in-law; spouse's siblings and their spouses.

In practice, many prisons across China also allow friends to visit with prior approval. For foreign nationals imprisoned in Guangzhou or elsewhere in Guangdong, it is advisable to confirm the specific prison's policy in advance, as rules can vary by facility.

What Documents Do You Need?

Prisons generally require the following for visits:

  1. Photo ID — passport (for foreign visitors), national ID card, temporary ID, household registration booklet, military ID, etc.
  2. Proof of relationship — for first-time visitors, a certificate from the local police station proving your relationship to the inmate

Special rules for cross-border visitors:

  • Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan residents: Must obtain approval from the provincial Prison Administration Bureau before visiting
  • Foreign nationals: Visits are governed by the Regulations on Meeting and Correspondence for Foreign Prisoners (Ministry of Justice Order No. 76). Additional approval procedures apply — consult with a lawyer in Guangzhou familiar with these procedures before planning your visit.

What Can You Bring?

You may bring the following items (subject to inspection and approval by prison staff):

  • Underwear, thermal clothing, cotton blankets, and shoes (except leather shoes)
  • Books, newspapers, and study materials with appropriate content
  • Items for cultural or sports activities suitable for the prison environment
  • Prescription medications approved by the prison hospital or clinic

Important: You generally cannot send money or other items directly from outside during a visit. All funds should be deposited through the prison's official channels. For prisons in the Guangzhou area, each facility has its own procedure — check beforehand or ask your lawyer to confirm.

The Visit Procedure

  1. The inmate requests a visit during the monthly mail or communication cycle
  2. The prison sends a Meeting Notification to the designated visitor
  3. The visitor arrives at the prison on the specified date with required documents
  4. First-time visitors register at the prison administration office to obtain a visitation card
  5. The visit takes place in the designated visiting area, typically with a glass partition and telephone handset for communication
Primary legislation: Prison Law of the PRC, Articles 15 and 48 [CN official]
Related: Detention vs. Jail: Visit Rules →  |  Criminal Detention Timeline →  |  What to Do When Arrested →