China Accommodation Registration: Hotels, Online Rules & 24-Hour Deadline

If you're visiting China, you must make sure your accommodation is registered with the local public-security authorities. Hotels normally handle this when you check in with your passport. If you're staying with friends, relatives, or in a private apartment, you or the person accommodating you must arrange registration within 24 hours of arriving at that address.

Since September 21, 2026, China has offered nationwide online accommodation registration for non-hotel stays through NIA 12367. In most situations, the process is straightforward once you know which registration method applies.

Quick Answer: Do Foreigners Need to Register with Police in China?

Yes, but what you need to do depends on where you stay.

• Hotel: Present your passport at check-in. The hotel normally handles accommodation registration.
• Private apartment, Airbnb-style rental, or a friend's home: Registration must be arranged within 24 hours of arriving at that address. For an initial online registration at someone else's property, the host should assist.
• Online registration: NIA 12367 supports non-hotel accommodation registration nationwide.
• Changing accommodation: A new private address generally requires a new registration, although specific same-address exceptions apply.
• Missed registration: A warning and a possible fine of up to RMB 2,000 are provided for under the law. Complete any overdue registration promptly.

The simplest rule: Hotels normally register their guests. For a private stay, confirm the registration arrangements with your host.

Do Foreigners Need to Register with Police in China?

Under Article 39 of China's Exit and Entry Administration Law, accommodation registration is required for foreign nationals staying in China.

Hotels report the required guest details to the local public-security authorities. For accommodation outside the hotel registration system, the foreign guest or the person accommodating them must arrange registration within 24 hours of arrival.

The deadline is tied to your arrival at the accommodation—not simply to when your international flight lands.

For example: If you land in Shanghai and check into a hotel, the hotel handles that stay's registration at check-in. If you move to a friend's apartment three days later, the 24-hour non-hotel registration deadline starts when you arrive at the apartment.

The requirement also applies to visa-free tourists. If you're unsure about entry eligibility, see whether you need a visa to visit China.

Non-hotel accommodation commonly includes:

• A friend's or relative's home
• A privately rented apartment
• Your own property in China
• Employer-provided housing
• Home exchanges and similar private arrangements
• Other accommodation not registered through a hotel's reporting system

There is no general one-night exemption for private stays. Foreign passport holders should follow the 24-hour rule rather than relying on outdated references to a blanket 72-hour rural exemption.

How Do China Accommodation Registration Methods Compare?

Important: NIA 12367's accommodation-registration service is for non-hotel stays. Hotels continue to use their own public-security reporting procedures.

Do Hotels Register Foreigners with Police in China?

For most tourists, staying in a hotel is the easiest option.

At check-in, present your original valid passport or another accepted travel document. Hotel staff collect the necessary guest information and report it through the appropriate system.

Once the registration has been completed, you normally do not need to visit a police station.

If you move to another hotel, the new hotel handles registration for that stay.

Should You Ask Your Hotel for Proof of Registration?

Hotels do not necessarily give every tourist a printed registration form.

For ordinary sightseeing, you generally do not need to request one. However, if you expect to complete a visa extension, residence-related procedure, or another administrative application, ask the hotel whether it can provide an accommodation-registration record.

You can say:

"Can you provide proof of my accommodation registration?"

If a record is available, save an electronic or printed copy.

What If a Hotel Says "We Don't Accept Foreigners"?

Some travelers still encounter smaller hotels that say they cannot accommodate foreigners or process foreign passports.

In 2024, Chinese authorities introduced measures to address inappropriate restrictions on foreign guests. Accommodation providers should not assume that they need a special nationwide "foreign-guest qualification" simply to accept foreign travelers.

However, some staff may remain unfamiliar with the relevant procedures.

If a hotel refuses your check-in:

1. Ask for clarification. Politely explain that you have a valid passport and an existing reservation. Ask whether the problem concerns passport processing, availability, or another specific issue.
2. Contact the booking platform. Request assistance, confirmation of the hotel's position, or alternative accommodation.
3. Seek official guidance. Call 12367 for immigration or registration-related questions. For an accommodation-service complaint, you can also contact the local 12345 government-service hotline or the relevant tourism or market-regulation authority.
4. Contact local police if necessary. If there is an immediate safety issue, serious confrontation, or another matter requiring police assistance, call 110.
5. Keep records. Save your booking confirmation, payment records, messages, and any explanation provided by the hotel. These may help with a refund request or subsequent complaint.

TripChina Insight: If you're stranded late at night, finding safe alternative accommodation should come first. You can pursue a complaint afterward rather than spending hours arguing at reception.

To reduce the risk of a difficult check-in, read how foreigners can book hotels in China and avoid check-in rejection before reserving a small property.

Staying with Friends or in an Airbnb: Who Registers Your Stay?

A booking confirmation is not the same as official accommodation registration.

If you stay with friends, relatives, or a private landlord, the registration requirement can be fulfilled by the foreign guest or the person providing the accommodation, as provided by Article 39.

For the first online registration at someone else's address, the NIA procedure normally involves the accommodation host. This is particularly helpful because the host knows the exact address and property information.

For rented or borrowed accommodation, the official online instructions provide a host-registration process. A guest who previously registered at the same address through the platform may be eligible to complete a subsequent registration independently.

Do not assume that a host's unwillingness to use the app automatically means the stay is unlawful. Instead, clarify how the required registration will be completed and seek local public-security guidance if needed.

The same concern applies to Airbnb-style and other short-term rentals. A booking through Airbnb, Booking.com, or another platform does not, by itself, prove that accommodation registration has been completed.

Before paying for a private stay, ask:

你会帮我办理住宿登记吗？

"Will you help me register my accommodation?"

After arrival, confirm:

你帮我登记了吗？

"Have you registered my stay?"

If the host seems unsure, ask:

你是否通过官方住宿系统为我办理登记？

"Are you registering me through the official accommodation system?"

These questions usually resolve confusion faster than relying on general assurances.

What If You're Staying with a Friend or Partner After a Hotel Visit?

Suppose you stay in a Beijing hotel for three nights, then move to your friend's apartment.

The hotel handles the first stay. When you arrive at the apartment, arrange the required non-hotel registration within 24 hours.

You do not need to register your friend's apartment before you actually begin staying there.

For other arrangements that can make your first independent trip smoother, see TripChina's first-time China travel tips.

How to Register Accommodation in China Online via NIA 12367

China introduced online accommodation registration in seven pilot regions in March 2026.

On September 21, 2026, the National Immigration Administration expanded the service nationwide.

This means foreigners staying outside hotels can access the national online service throughout mainland China, although successful completion still depends on the applicable identity and accommodation verification procedures.

Online registration has the same legal effect as in-person registration.

Which NIA 12367 Channels Can You Use?

The four official channels are:

• NIA Government Service Platform website
• NIA 12367 app (移民局12367)
• NIA 12367 WeChat mini program
• NIA Alipay mini program

The official website is:

https://s.nia.gov.cn

You can use whichever official channel is most convenient and compatible with your documents and device.

Step-by-Step: Complete Your China Accommodation Registration Online

Step 1: Open an official channel.

Use the NIA Government Service Platform or its app or mini-program equivalents.

Step 2: Register or sign in.

Complete the identity verification requested by the system. Depending on the account and application, this may involve identity-document details, photographs, or other verification prompts.

Step 3: Select the registration service.

Navigate to:

Foreigner Service → Accommodation Registration

For an initial registration at someone else's residence, ask the host to use the host-assisted process.

Step 4: Prepare the information requested.

The NIA's official online instructions identify information such as:

The platform may automatically read information from an uploaded document image.

The host's identity information and property details may also be required. The exact fields depend on whether the applicant is the host, a returning guest, or the owner of the accommodation.

Step 5: Review and submit.

Check the information carefully before confirming. Required fields are marked within the official interface.

Step 6: Check your registration record.

Open Registration Record Inquiry (登记记录查询) to view the record after completing the process.

If the system indicates that additional verification is needed, follow those instructions before treating the process as finished.

An actual registration record is the clearest confirmation that the procedure has been completed.

Helpful for first-time users: The NIA provides an official illustrated online registration guide. It includes example screens for host-assisted registration, accommodation information, and registration-record inquiries. Because interfaces can change, use the live official instructions if your screen looks different.

Should You or Your Host Complete the First Registration?

For an initial online registration at a rented or borrowed private residence, the official process normally involves the host.

The host may be a Chinese citizen or a foreign national.

Independent online registration is specifically available in situations including:

• A foreign guest returning to an address previously registered through the NIA platform
• A foreign guest registering accommodation in a self-owned residence

These arrangements concern who operates the online registration process. They should not be confused with a blanket exemption from the underlying accommodation-registration requirement.

How to Check Your Accommodation Registration Record

After registration, select Registration Record Inquiry within the NIA service.

The displayed electronic record can be retained for later reference.

According to the NIA, an electronic accommodation-registration record can be presented for visa-document procedures or official checks without separately submitting a printed registration form.

If you need a paper registration document, the NIA states that you may obtain one from the police station identified in your electronic registration record.

For other institutions, such as banks or schools, check the receiving organization's documentation requirements in advance.

What If You Have No Internet After Arriving?

Online registration requires access to the official platform, so arrange a workable connection before attempting the process.

You may be able to use your accommodation's Wi-Fi or get assistance from your host.

If you arrive without mobile data, follow TripChina's guide to restoring internet access after landing in China.

For advance planning, the China eSIM versus local SIM comparison explains the available connectivity options.

If online registration remains inaccessible, contact 12367 or the responsible local public-security service.

Which Accommodation Registration Route Should You Use in Major Chinese Cities?

Since September 21, 2026, NIA 12367 has been the nationwide online option for non-hotel accommodation.

Some cities also maintain local registration services, which may be useful when the national platform cannot complete your application.

How Do You Register Accommodation in Beijing?

Start with NIA 12367 for a private stay.

Beijing has also provided online registration services through Beijing Public Security.

The useful Chinese search term is:

网上住宿登记办理 — Online Accommodation Registration

Have your passport details and complete Chinese address available. Follow the current official prompts if using a local service.

If you're deciding between hotel districts and residential neighborhoods, TripChina's guide to the best areas to stay in Beijing can help with the location decision.

How Do You Register Accommodation in Shanghai?

Shanghai supports the nationwide NIA 12367 process and provides a local self-service accommodation-registration channel.

Use the national service first or follow the current official Shanghai instructions.

If a local interface differs from an older screenshot, search for the current accommodation-registration service rather than relying on an outdated button sequence.

For accommodation planning, see TripChina's Shanghai neighborhood and hotel area guide.

How Do You Register in Guangzhou or Shenzhen?

Foreigners staying in private accommodation in Guangzhou or Shenzhen can start with NIA 12367.

Both cities also have public-security services for foreign or overseas-personnel accommodation registration.

Ask the landlord to confirm the exact Chinese address and relevant registration details.

If the national platform cannot process the application, contact the local public-security authority responsible for the property.

What Should You Use in Chengdu, Hangzhou, Guilin, Yangshuo, or Chongqing?

Start with NIA 12367.

These destinations are covered by the nationwide service, so there is no longer a need to distinguish pilot and non-pilot regions.

If the system cannot complete the registration, use the local public-security assistance channel.

In Chengdu, choosing an established hotel can simplify check-in arrangements. TripChina's guide to choosing where to stay in Chengdu explains the main areas.

In Chongqing, the property's exact location and access can also matter when booking. See the Chongqing accommodation and hotel guide before selecting a property.

What Should You Use in Xi'an, Kunming, or Dali?

The national NIA 12367 online service also applies to these destinations.

If you need local assistance, identify the public-security authority responsible for your accommodation address.

A useful Chinese term is:

境外人员住宿登记 — Accommodation Registration for Overseas Personnel

Do not assume the nearest police station to a major tourist attraction is necessarily responsible for your registration.

For visitors to Xi'an, TripChina's comparison of the best areas to stay in Xi'an can help with accommodation planning.

What Should You Do If Online Accommodation Registration Fails?

Although the online system is available nationwide, document recognition and verification can still cause difficulties.

Some travel documents or identity-verification situations may require additional assistance or an in-person procedure.

If the system cannot process your application:

1. Ask your host to confirm the Chinese address and registration details.
2. Check whether your passport information was recognized correctly.
3. Follow any correction or additional-verification prompts.
4. Consult the official online registration guide or call 12367.
5. If online processing remains unsuccessful, contact the local public-security authority for in-person registration.

You can usually resolve a routine registration problem by correcting the information or asking the responsible office for help.

What Should You Bring for Offline Accommodation Registration?

Requirements may vary by location, but useful documents include:

• Original valid passport or accepted travel document
• Full residential address in Chinese
• Host contact and identity information
• Lease or property information, where applicable
• Any relevant online registration error or reference information

You can say:

我要办理境外人员临时住宿登记。

"I need to register my temporary accommodation as a foreign national."

Check which office serves your address before visiting.

Do You Need to Register Again When Changing Hotels or Apartments?

A new private accommodation address generally requires a new registration.

Hotels process their own check-ins, while non-hotel registration relates to the residential address where you are staying.

When Can You Return to the Same Address Without Re-registering?

The National Immigration Administration provides specific simplifications for certain previously registered residences.

Re-registration is not required merely because a foreigner travels and returns when:

• They return to the same previously registered self-owned residence in China.
• They hold a valid residence permit or permanent residence permit and return to the same previously registered habitual residence during the permit's validity.

A self-owned residence includes property owned by the foreigner or their spouse. For the relevant habitual-residence rule, long-term residence refers to a period exceeding 180 days.

What about returning to a friend's apartment or the same short-term rental?

A previous registration at that address may make another online application easier, but it does not automatically create a nationwide exemption for every short-term visitor.

Local public-security authorities may provide additional practical guidance or simplified handling for particular circumstances. If you leave and return to the same private address, confirm whether a new registration is required through 12367 or the responsible local authority.

Do Visa-Free Travelers Still Need Accommodation Registration?

Yes.

Visa-free entry does not remove China's accommodation-registration requirement.

The registration procedure depends on the accommodation, not on whether you arrived with a visa.

For what to do immediately after landing, see TripChina's airport arrival guide for foreign travelers.

Forgot to Register Accommodation in China? Fines and Next Steps

Under Article 76 of China's Exit and Entry Administration Law, failure to complete required non-hotel accommodation registration can result in a warning and a possible fine of up to RMB 2,000.

The law does not require a maximum fine for every missed deadline.

How a case is handled depends on its circumstances and the competent authority. Travelers who discover an omission should arrange registration promptly and explain the situation truthfully.

A separate provision applies to hotels that fail to report foreign-guest accommodation information. Serious violations may result in fines of RMB 1,000–5,000 for the hotel.

What Should You Do If You Miss the 24-Hour Deadline?

Complete the registration as soon as possible.

Provide the correct arrival date and address, explain what happened, and follow any instructions from the local authority.

A late registration does not automatically mean deportation, an exit ban, or visa refusal under these accommodation-registration provisions.

The practical approach is to resolve the oversight promptly rather than let it become an ongoing issue.

What Are the Most Common China Accommodation Registration Mistakes?

TripChina Tip: Before arriving at a private property, confirm the registration arrangements with the host. Most uncertainty can be avoided with a brief conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Foreign Children Need Accommodation Registration in China?

Yes. There is no general age-based exemption for foreign children.

Hotels should process the required guest information. For private accommodation, ensure the child is included in the appropriate registration procedure.

If the online system does not clearly accommodate a child's case, ask 12367 or the local public-security authority for guidance.

Does Booking a Hotel or Airbnb Automatically Register My Stay?

A hotel normally handles registration at check-in.

A booking confirmation from Airbnb or another accommodation platform does not, by itself, establish that registration has been completed.

Confirm which registration procedure the actual property uses.

Can China Accommodation Registration Be Used as Proof of Address?

Yes, it can be useful, but the required document depends on the purpose.

For example:

• Visa extension or residence-related procedures: Accommodation records may be required as part of the application.
• Police or immigration checks: The NIA confirms that the official electronic registration record may be presented without a separate paper form.
• Banking or other private-sector procedures: The institution may have its own address-verification requirements.
• Schools or other administrative services: Ask whether an electronic record, printed registration form, or additional proof of residence is required.

If you need a paper registration form after completing registration through NIA 12367, the official guidance allows you to obtain one from the police station shown in your electronic record.

Do I Need to Carry Accommodation Registration Proof While Sightseeing?

You do not normally need an accommodation-registration form to enter tourist attractions.

Keeping an accessible electronic record may be helpful for later administrative procedures.

What If My China Accommodation Registration Is Rejected or Delayed?

Check the reason given by the platform and correct the relevant details.

If necessary, ask your host for help, call 12367, or use the local public-security service.

Keep any application references or error messages so you can explain the situation if assistance is needed.

Can I Use NIA 12367 to Register My Hotel Stay?

No.

NIA 12367's accommodation-registration service applies to stays outside hotels. Hotels continue to use their own guest-reporting procedures.

Is China Accommodation Registration Free?

Do not confuse an accommodation provider's service charges with official government registration requirements.

If someone asks for a separate registration payment, confirm the charge with 12367 or the relevant public-security authority before paying.

Can I Register My Accommodation Before Arriving at the Address?

You can prepare the necessary information and coordinate with your host before arrival.

Follow the current official platform's instructions concerning submission timing and provide the actual accommodation details.

Conclusion: Hotel or Private Stay Determines What You Need to Do

China's accommodation-registration requirement is manageable once you know who handles the process.

Hotels normally register their guests during check-in. For a private stay, arrange the required registration within 24 hours, with host assistance where appropriate.

NIA 12367 now provides a nationwide online option for non-hotel accommodation, and local public-security services remain available when needed.

The best approach is simple: confirm the procedure before arrival, prepare your passport and address information, and keep a useful record.

With those basics covered, you can focus on enjoying your time in China rather than worrying about paperwork.

Sources & References

1. National Immigration Administration — Nationwide Online Accommodation Registration Announcement
2. National Immigration Administration — Policy Interpretation of Nationwide Online Accommodation Registration
3. National Immigration Administration — Official Illustrated Online Registration Guide
4. National Immigration Administration — Electronic Registration Records and Paper Documents

Research Note

This guide is based primarily on the National Immigration Administration's nationwide registration announcement, official procedures and supporting guidance, China's Exit and Entry Administration Law, and relevant government accommodation policies. Official service pages, app interfaces and local procedures may change. Travelers should use the current NIA platform or contact 12367 whenever instructions or documentation requirements differ from those described here.

TripChina.me creates practical China travel guides shaped by real local experience—helping independent travelers navigate transport, payments, food, neighborhoods, and the cultural details that make traveling in China easier and more meaningful. Find the guide for your destination at tripchina.me.