Registering with the police
Every foreign visitor in China must register their address with the local police. Hotels do it for you. In a rented flat, someone has to do it, and that someone is usually your landlord.
How long you have
24 hours in cities
72 hours in rural areas
Counted from the moment you arrive at the address, not from your landing time.
What you walk out with
A registration form of temporary residence. Photograph it. Visa renewals, bank accounts and phone contracts all ask for it.
If you are late
Fines run up to 2000 CNY and repeat offences show up at your next visa application. Late is much better than never.
What to bring
- Passport, original
- Visa or residence permit page
- The entry stamp from this trip
- The lease or your booking confirmation
- The landlord, their ID and the property deed
- One passport photo, some stations still ask
Rules by city
Requirements differ by province. Pick your city.
| City | Police registration | How long you have | Everywhere else: the local station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai5 | In person only | 24 hours | Neighbourhood police station (派出所) covering the address. Bring the landlord. |
| Beijing4 | In person only | 24 hours | Local 派出所. Beijing asks for the landlord in person and the property deed. |
| Shenzhen4 | Online for some districts | 24 hours | Most districts accept filing through the landlord's WeChat mini programme; Luohu still asks you to come in. |
| Guangzhou3 | In person only | 24 hours | Local 派出所, open until 17:00 on weekdays. |
| Hangzhou3 | Online filing available | 24 hours | Zhejiang runs the online pilot. Your host files it and forwards you the receipt.www.zjsgat.gov.cn |
| Chengdu3 | Online filing available | 24 hours | Sichuan runs the online pilot through the provincial exit-entry service.sc.122.gov.cn |
| Suzhou2 | In person only | 24 hours | Local 派出所. The industrial park has an English-speaking desk. |
| Xiamen2 | In person only | 24 hours | Local 派出所. Siming district station handles most foreign residents. |
| Qingdao2 | In person only | 24 hours | Local 派出所. Shinan district has a dedicated foreign affairs window. |
| Chongqing0 | Online filing available | 24 hours | Chongqing runs the online pilot; rural districts still need a visit.cq.122.gov.cn |
Your personal pack
Book a stay and we generate this in your language, filled in with the address, the station and your host's details.