ChinaGuide
Residence permit for foreigners
The procedure to obtain, extend or change a residence permit when you live in China to work, study or join your family.
Immigration and residenceView guide
Chinese authoritiesImmigration and residenceGuide
Accommodation registration for foreigners (outside hotels)
The compulsory registration of where you stay when you are not in a hotel in China, now available online.
The form is downloaded and submitted on the authority's website.
What this form is for
- Hotels register you themselves. If you stay with a private host, in a rental or in your own home, you or your host must register within 24 hours of your arrival.
- Online registration has the same legal effect as registering at the police station.
Documents to have ready
- Your passport and your visa or residence permit
- The exact address of the accommodation and the details of the person hosting you
Where to send it
Online on the National Immigration Administration's service platform: the s.nia.gov.cn website, the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat and Alipay mini programs. Otherwise, at the local public security (police) station.
Our tips
- Always download the latest version from the official site.
- Keep a copy of what you send, with the date you sent it.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register again after every trip?
- Not always: if you return to your own home, or to your habitual residence while your residence permit is valid, you generally do not need to register again.
The information on this page is general. If in doubt, the official source prevails.