Online registration for foreigners in non-hotel stays goes nationwide

China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) today launched a nationwide online accommodation registration service for foreigners staying in non-hotel accommodations, making it more convenient for overseas visitors to live and travel in China.

The NIA launched a pilot version of the service on March 20 in Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing and Sichuan. The service has now been expanded nationwide.

Under the service, accommodation registration can be completed online without an in-person visit to a public security office. Offline registration channels remain available.

Users can register through the NIA’s official website (https://s.nia.gov.cn), the “移民局12367” app, or the “移民局12367” miniprograms on WeChat and Alipay.

The registration may be completed either by the foreign nationals staying in private homes or by their hosts. For first-time registrations, hosts are generally expected to assist, as they are usually more familiar with the relevant address details. Foreigners may register independently if they have previously registered the same residence through the NIA platform or are staying in a home they own in China. Hosts may be Chinese citizens or foreign nationals.

The policy states that repeat registration is not required in certain circumstances. These include when a foreigner returns to the same residence they own in China after traveling, or when a holder of a residence permit or permanent residence card returns to the same residence where they regularly live during the validity period of the document.

Under China’s Exit and Entry Administration Law, hotels must register the accommodation information of foreign guests and report it to local public security authorities. Foreigners staying in private homes or other non-hotel accommodations must register within 24 hours of moving in, either personally or through their hosts. Foreigners or hosts who fail to complete the required registration may receive a warning or, in some cases, face a fine.

Online accommodation registration is already available in Shenzhen through the local police’s online service.

Click https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c237273/content.html to read the NIA’s policy interpretation.