Police Registration in China (2026): New Online Option + Walk-In Guide

Police registration (住宿登记, zhùsù dēngjì) is a mandatory legal requirement under Article 39 of China’s Exit and Entry Administration Law that requires every foreigner to register their accommodation with local police within 24 hours of arrival or any change of address. It’s one of the first things you need to do after landing in China, and as of March 2026, there’s now an online option in 7 provinces that makes the process significantly easier.

According to the National Immigration Administration (NIA), the online registration pilot launched on March 20, 2026, covering Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Fujian, and Hainan. This guide covers both the new online process and the traditional walk-in method, updated for 2026.

Who Needs to Register (and Who Doesn’t)

Let’s clear up the biggest source of confusion about police registration: it depends on where you’re staying.

Staying in a Hotel? You’re Already Covered

Every licensed hotel in China automatically registers foreign guests with local police during check-in. When the front desk scans your passport, that data goes directly to the police database. You don’t need to visit a police station or fill out any forms. This applies to all hotels, hostels, and guesthouses that accept foreign guests.

Staying in a Private Residence? You Must Register Yourself

If you’re staying anywhere other than a hotel — an Airbnb, a friend’s apartment, your own rented flat, or a relative’s home — you are legally required to register with the local police station (派出所, pàichūsuǒ) within 24 hours. This is not optional, and it applies regardless of your visa type, nationality, or length of stay.

When You Must Re-Register

You need to complete a new registration every time you: move to a new address (even within the same city), travel to a different city and stay in a private residence there, return to China after leaving (even for a day trip to Hong Kong or Macau), or renew or change your visa. Each registration starts a new 24-hour clock.

New: Online Registration (7 Provinces, Launched March 2026)

As of March 20, 2026, the NIA launched an online accommodation registration system for foreigners in 7 pilot provinces and municipalities. This is the first time foreigners can complete police registration without physically visiting a police station. According to the National Immigration Administration, the pilot covers:

• Shanghai — all districts
• Beijing — all districts
• Guangdong Province — including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan
• Zhejiang Province — including Hangzhou, Ningbo
• Jiangsu Province — including Nanjing, Suzhou
• Fujian Province — including Xiamen, Fuzhou
• Hainan Province — including Haikou, Sanya

How to Register Online: Step by Step

1. Open the NIA mini-program on WeChat. Search for “国家移民管理局” (National Immigration Administration) in WeChat’s mini-program search. You’ll need a WeChat account with real-name verification.
2. Select “Accommodation Registration” (住宿登记). The interface is available in Chinese and English. Choose the English option if needed.
3. Upload your passport photo page. Take a clear photo of your passport’s identity page. The system uses OCR to auto-fill your personal information — verify that it’s correct.
4. Upload your entry stamp or visa page. This confirms your legal entry into China.
5. Enter your accommodation address. Type the full Chinese address. If you don’t know the Chinese address, use our Address Translator tool or ask your landlord/host to send it to you.
6. Upload supporting documents. This includes your lease agreement or host’s invitation, and the property owner’s ID card. Digital copies (clear photos) are accepted.
7. Submit and wait for confirmation. Processing typically takes 1–3 business days. You’ll receive a digital registration confirmation in the mini-program. Save or screenshot this — it’s your proof of registration.

Walk-In Registration at the Police Station (Step-by-Step)

The traditional method still works everywhere in China and remains the only option in provinces not yet covered by the online pilot. Here’s exactly what to do:

Step 1: Find Your Local Police Station

You must go to the specific police station (派出所) that covers your residential address. Not the big city police headquarters — the local neighborhood station. Ask your landlord or host which station covers your area, or search on Gaode Maps (高德地图) for “派出所” near your address.

Step 2: Go During Business Hours

Most police stations handle foreigner registration from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Some stations in major cities (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou) have extended hours or weekend availability, but don’t count on it. Go in the morning for shorter wait times — afternoons tend to be busier.

Step 3: Bring All Required Documents

See the documents section below. Missing any single document means you’ll be sent away and have to come back. Bring everything the first time.

Step 4: Fill Out the Registration Form

At the station, you’ll be given a paper form to fill out. It asks for your name, nationality, passport number, visa details, and accommodation address. Most forms are in Chinese only. Use our bilingual templates to help navigate this — we have a specific police station template you can show to the officer.

Step 5: Get Your Registration Slip

After processing, you’ll receive a small white paper slip (临时住宿登记表, línshí zhùsù dēngjì biǎo). This is your proof of registration. Do not lose it. You’ll need it for: visa extensions, bank account applications, apartment rentals, and potentially when checking into some hotels.

Documents You Need

Whether you’re registering online or in person, prepare these documents in advance:

Special Situations

Airbnb / Short-Term Rental

Most Airbnb hosts in China are aware of the registration requirement and will either handle it for you or provide the necessary documents. However, some Airbnbs are technically not licensed to host foreigners. If your host refuses to help with registration or doesn’t have the required documents, that’s a red flag — consider switching accommodation. See our hotel booking guide for foreigner-friendly options.

Staying with a Chinese Friend or Partner

Your host needs to accompany you to the police station (or authorize registration online) and bring their Chinese ID card. Some stations also require the property certificate for the apartment. This is straightforward but requires your host’s cooperation — make sure they know about this requirement before you arrive.

Multiple Cities in One Trip

If you’re traveling to multiple cities and staying in hotels, each hotel handles registration automatically. If you’re staying in private residences in multiple cities, you need to register in each city separately. Yes, it’s tedious. Follow our 72-hour task flow to stay on top of it.

Day Trip to Hong Kong / Macau and Re-Entry

If you leave mainland China (even for a day trip to Hong Kong or Macau) and re-enter, you need to re-register within 24 hours of your return. Your previous registration becomes invalid upon exit. This catches many people off guard.

What Happens If You Don’t Register

Under China’s Exit and Entry Administration Law (Article 76), failure to register carries a fine of 500 to 2,000 RMB (approximately 70–280 USD). In practice, many foreigners have gone unregistered without immediate consequences, but that doesn’t make it legal or wise. Here’s why you should always register:

• Visa extensions require it. If you need to extend your stay, the PSB (Public Security Bureau) will ask for your registration slip. No registration = no extension.
• Bank accounts require it. Opening a Chinese bank account almost always requires proof of registered address.
• Apartment leases require it. Landlords may ask for proof of existing registration before signing a new lease.
• Random checks happen. Police occasionally visit apartments in areas with many foreigners to check registration status. Being unregistered during a check is uncomfortable and results in an on-the-spot fine.
• It creates problems when you leave. At exit immigration, officers can see whether you were registered. While they rarely prevent departure over this, it can flag your file for future visa applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register with police if I’m staying in a hotel in China?

No — hotels handle this automatically. When you check into any hotel in China, the front desk registers your passport information with local police as part of the standard check-in process. You don’t need to visit a police station or fill out any additional forms. This is one of the reasons many short-term visitors choose to stay in hotels — it eliminates the registration hassle entirely. However, if you move from a hotel to a private residence (Airbnb, friend’s apartment, rented flat), you must register yourself within 24 hours of that move.

What happens if I forget to register with police in China?

Failure to register can result in a fine of 500 to 2,000 RMB (approximately 70–280 USD). In practice, enforcement varies by city and district. Some areas are strict, others are lenient. But the real cost isn’t the fine — it’s the downstream problems. Without registration, you can’t extend your visa, open a bank account, or sign certain contracts. If you’ve been in China for a while without registering, go do it now rather than waiting to get caught.

Can I register with police online in China in 2026?

Yes, since March 20, 2026. The NIA launched an online registration pilot in 7 provinces: Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Fujian, and Hainan. You register through the NIA’s WeChat mini-program by uploading photos of your passport, visa/entry stamp, lease agreement, and landlord’s ID. Processing takes 1–3 business days, and you receive a digital confirmation. However, not all districts within these provinces have fully rolled out the system. If your submission is rejected, you’ll need to register in person as a fallback.

Do I need to re-register every time I change cities in China?

Yes. The law requires registration within 24 hours of any change of address, even if you’re just visiting another city for a few nights. Hotels do this automatically at check-in. For private residences, you need to go through the process again at the local police station in the new city. If you’re doing a multi-city trip with a mix of hotels and private stays, keep your registration slips organized — you may need them later.

What documents do I need for police registration in China?

At minimum: your passport with entry stamp or visa, a lease agreement or host’s letter, and the landlord/host’s Chinese ID card (a copy works). Some stations also ask for the property certificate (房产证) or a utility bill to verify the address. Requirements vary between stations, so call ahead or have your landlord check before you go. For online registration, you’ll need clear digital photos of all these documents.