Police Registration

If you’re in a hotel, you do nothing — the front desk registers your passport with the local police automatically. The rule only matters for long homestays or rural stays, where the host files the form for you.

1 Staying at a Hotel

You don’t need to do anything. The hotel registers you when you check in — they submit your passport to the police system on the backend. Just hand over your passport at the desk and you’re covered.

2 Airbnb, Hostel, or a Friend’s Place

This is different — you must register yourself within 24 hours, because private stays lack the hotel’s automatic system.

3 How to Register: Online (Easiest)

Since March 2026, the National Immigration Administration (国家移民管理局) has offered online accommodation registration for foreigners staying outside hotels. It is free, takes about five minutes, and carries the same legal effect as registering in person at a police station.

Where to register: four channels

The NIA runs one unified platform accessible through four entrances — they all lead to the same service:

Who registers: you or your host?

The system accepts two types of registrants:

• The host (留宿人) — the Chinese citizen or foreigner who owns or rents the property. For first-time registration at a given address, the NIA recommends that the host initiates the process, because hosts know the exact address details.
• The accommodation person (住宿人) — you, the foreign guest. You can self-register if: (a) you have used the platform before at the same address, or (b) you are staying at your own property in China.

In practice: if you are at an Airbnb or a friend’s place, ask the host to start the registration on their phone first. Once the address is in the system, you can handle renewals yourself on subsequent stays.

Method 1 — Alipay step-by-step (recommended)

If you have Alipay installed, this is the smoothest route. The mini-program is free to open — no payments or bank cards required. Tap through the steps below; each screen shows the exact button to tap.

Method 2 — WeChat or NIA website

The process is nearly identical on WeChat or the NIA desktop website:

1. Open WeChat → search 移民局12367 → tap the official account (or visit nia.gov.cn on a browser).
2. Enter the Foreigner Service (外国人服务) area.
3. Tap Accommodation Registration (住宿登记).
4. Sign in with your passport (face recognition or password).
5. Fill in your details and submit.

Both platforms share the same backend. Your registration record is visible under 登记记录查询 (Registration Record Query) regardless of which channel you used.

After you submit

Once approved, you will receive an electronic accommodation registration record. Screenshot it or save a PDF copy. You do not need to print it, but keep it accessible on your phone in case:

• A hotel or hostel asks for proof of registration during a later check-in;
• You extend your visa or residence permit and need to show compliance history;
• A random spot-check occurs (rare, but having the record handy saves time).

If you make a mistake — wrong address, misspelled name — you can usually re-submit a corrected registration through the same platform. The latest valid record overrides earlier ones.

4 If You Must Visit the Station

If the online system is not available for your city, or if it does not work for your situation, register in person at the local police station. It is usually straightforward and takes 15–30 minutes.

You have 24 hours from arrival. Tired from the flight? Rest — but register that evening or the next morning.

Some larger cities let you book an appointment through the 12367 platform (服务预约) to avoid waiting in line. Check the platform even if you must go in person.

5 The Bottom Line