HowToLiveWorse

CHAPTER 21 · 11 SOURCE ENTRIES

International Travel Safety

出国、旅行与境外安全

[← 回总目录](../README.md) 这一节算的是钱和人身自由，有几条还关系到人身安全。到了国外，管你的是所在国的法律，不是中国的。中国使领馆能帮你到哪一步，有明确的界线。

Open this pinned source chapter ↗
21-001
Evidence AlifespanSource-sensitive

Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs safety advisories before you travel; steer clear of any locations marked “Do Not Travel”

出发前查一次外交部安全提醒，标了「暂勿前往」的地方就别去

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs classifies overseas safety risks into four levels, with the highest level labeled “Do Not Travel.” As of September 15, 2026, avoiding high‑risk countries and regions has been codified in administrative regulations. When processing travel documents or at border control, officials will remind travelers and may even advise them against going. A quick glance at that page before departure is all you need.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs safety advisories before you travel; steer clear of any locations marked “Do Not Travel”” to Future Me's calendar

Future Me has a clearer calendar, more patience, and apparently the same responsibilities.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off
21-002
Evidence AfreedomSource-sensitive

Save the 12308 hotline number and your local embassy/consulate’s consular protection number in your phone, then write them down and keep a copy in your wallet — don’t wait until an emergency to look them up.

把 12308 和当地使领馆的领保电话存进手机，再抄一份放钱包，别等出事再找

There is only one main hotline to call for help in an emergency. Inside China, dial 12308; abroad, call +86-10-12308. Since this hotline launched, it has handled over 3 million calls. During the same period, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its overseas missions dealt with more than 500,000 consular protection cases.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Save the 12308 hotline number and your local embassy/consulate’s consular protection number in your phone, then write them down and keep a copy in your wallet — don’t wait until an emergency to look them up.” to Future Me's calendar

If I do not open the notes, no new task has technically appeared.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off
21-003
Evidence AmoneySource-sensitive

Understanding what consular protection can and cannot do: it can visit you, but cannot bail you out, and you still have to pay the costs

知道领事保护能做什么、不能做什么：能探视，不能捞人，费用还得自己付

If you’re arrested abroad, what consulates can do is verify your situation locally, demand fair and lawful treatment, visit you, and attend court hearings as observers. They cannot overturn a verdict or take you away. Any expenses such as food, lodging, transportation, or medical care paid in advance by others must ultimately be covered by you. Therefore, before traveling abroad, make sure you have sufficient funds and insurance — don’t assume the government will cover everything if something goes wrong.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Understanding what consular protection can and cannot do: it can visit you, but cannot bail you out, and you still have to pay the costs” to Future Me's calendar

One more exception feels free because the bill arrives outside the current scene.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off
21-004
Evidence CmoneySource-sensitive

Purchase insurance covering overseas medical care and medical evacuation — don’t settle for just flight delay coverage.

买一份含境外医疗和医疗转运的保险，别只买航班延误险

Medical expenses incurred abroad must be paid out of pocket. Domestic medical insurance rarely covers such costs, and embassies or consulates will not advance the money either. What can truly devastate a family financially is not routine outpatient care, but hospitalization following a serious injury — and the cost of repatriating the patient via a private jet or medical escort. When buying travel insurance, focus on two key coverage limits: overseas medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation/repatriation.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Purchase insurance covering overseas medical care and medical evacuation — don’t settle for just flight delay coverage.” to Future Me's calendar

I can spend longer deciding whether to start than the small action would take.

Today I keep a little money, a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off
21-005
Evidence AfreedomSource-sensitive

Treat all “high-paying overseas jobs” as scams — getting caught can lead to a 6‑month to 3‑year travel ban

「境外高薪招聘」一律当诈骗看，被骗去做电诈回来还要被限制出境

Offers with unrealistically high monthly salaries, no educational or experience requirements, no formal contracts, instructions to gather at a border city first, and promises to keep your passport safe are red flags. Accepting such a job means you lose control over both yourself and your passport. Submitting false documents at the border will get you turned away. If you end up taking part in illegal activities abroad, you may be barred from leaving China for 6 months to 3 years after you return.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Treat all “high-paying overseas jobs” as scams — getting caught can lead to a 6‑month to 3‑year travel ban” to Future Me's calendar

The routine already works until the day the source says it may not.

Today I keep a few minutes, a bit of persistence and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off
21-006
Evidence AmoneySource-sensitive

The annual limit of 100,000 RMB for cash withdrawals abroad applies to all cards under your name combined

境外取现一年不能超过 10 万元人民币，是本人名下所有卡合起来算的

The annual cash withdrawal limit of 100,000 RMB for overseas use applies to all bank cards registered under your name, including supplementary cards. This limit resets on January 1 each calendar year. Once you reach it, you cannot make any more overseas cash withdrawals for the remainder of that year or in the following year. Note that this restriction only affects cash withdrawals; regular card purchases remain unaffected, and it does not count against your annual foreign exchange quota of $50,000.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “The annual limit of 100,000 RMB for cash withdrawals abroad applies to all cards under your name combined” to Future Me's calendar

There is no immediate alarm, so the sensible choice can wait for a less busy week.

Today I keep a few minutes, a bit of persistence and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off
21-007
Evidence CmoneySource-sensitive

Take photos of your passport, visa, and ID card and store them in the cloud; if lost, report to police first and then apply for a travel document.

护照、签证、身份证都拍照存一份在云端，丢了先报警再补旅行证

If your passport is lost, the embassy or consulate can issue a travel document allowing you to return home, provided you can prove your identity. Having clear photos of the passport data page, visa pages, and entry/exit records greatly speeds up the replacement process. You must also report the loss to local police to obtain a police report, which is required for border checks and insurance claims. Since phones are often lost together with passports, do not rely solely on storing photos on your phone.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Take photos of your passport, visa, and ID card and store them in the cloud; if lost, report to police first and then apply for a travel document.” to Future Me's calendar

Future Me has a clearer calendar, more patience, and apparently the same responsibilities.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off
21-008
Evidence AfreedomSource-sensitive

Before driving abroad, verify whether local authorities recognize Chinese driver’s licenses; most “international driver’s permits” sold online are legally worthless.

境外自驾先确认当地认不认中国驾照，网上卖的「国际驾照」多数是废纸

Online services offering “international driver’s permits” hold no legal validity in mainland China. Such permits are merely translations recognized among signatory nations of the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. Mainland China is not among the 103 signatory countries, so any permit issued domestically cannot be used legally. Whether a Chinese license is acceptable depends entirely on local laws — do not drive without confirming this first.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Before driving abroad, verify whether local authorities recognize Chinese driver’s licenses; most “international driver’s permits” sold online are legally worthless.” to Future Me's calendar

If I do not open the notes, no new task has technically appeared.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off
21-009
Evidence AfreedomSource-sensitive

When hiring an agency for visas, study abroad, or immigration, first check whether it is registered with immigration authorities

找中介办签证、留学、移民，先问它有没有在移民管理机构备案

Starting September 15, 2026, agencies handling visa applications, study abroad programs, or immigration must register with immigration authorities. Promises such as “guaranteed approval,” “100% success rate,” or “we’ll prepare all your documents” are explicitly prohibited. If you make errors while filling out forms yourself, you may simply receive a visa denial this time. However, if you submit false documents and are found guilty of fraud, this will leave a permanent mark on your immigration record.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “When hiring an agency for visas, study abroad, or immigration, first check whether it is registered with immigration authorities” to Future Me's calendar

One more exception feels free because the bill arrives outside the current scene.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off
21-010
Evidence AfreedomSource-sensitive

Don’t issue invitation letters for strangers, and don’t let others use your name for immigration paperwork

别替陌生人出具邀请函，也别让人借你的名义办出入境手续

Issuing an invitation letter or application documents on someone else’s behalf with false information makes the issuer legally liable. Individuals face fines ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 yuan, plus any illegal earnings are confiscated. Organizations are fined 10,000 to 50,000 yuan, and the individuals directly involved are fined an additional 5,000 to 10,000 yuan. One simple act of kindness can end up costing you a lot of money.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Don’t issue invitation letters for strangers, and don’t let others use your name for immigration paperwork” to Future Me's calendar

I can spend longer deciding whether to start than the small action would take.

Today I keep a few minutes, a bit of persistence and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off
21-011
Evidence ClifespanSource-sensitive

Before traveling abroad, send your itinerary, accommodation details, and travel companions’ information to a family member, and agree on how often you’ll stay in touch.

出境前把行程、住处和同行人发给一位家人，约好多久联系一次

If a traveler goes missing overseas, their family can turn to Chinese diplomatic missions for help. These missions provide relatives with local police contact information and other resources for assistance. Once a police report is filed, the consulate follows up to ensure timely action. Whether this support chain can be activated depends on whether someone back home knows exactly where the traveler is and when they’re supposed to make contact. Sharing flight numbers, hotel addresses, companions’ phone numbers, and agreed-upon check-in intervals with one trusted person is sufficient.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Before traveling abroad, send your itinerary, accommodation details, and travel companions’ information to a family member, and agree on how often you’ll stay in touch.” to Future Me's calendar

The routine already works until the day the source says it may not.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off

Source snapshot: a994b6a0c90598b0fe15cb837343f438dbf7b95d. Every original stays available in Chinese alongside the English edition.