Accommodation registration within 24 hours: who registers and how

Foreigners who stay in China in a place that is not a hotel must register their accommodation with the public security organ at the place of residence within 24 hours of arrival; hotels register their guests themselves. The rule is in Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China. See also the X1 or X2 page on this site.

The basic rule in Article 39

Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China sets two cases. (The Law was adopted at the 27th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Eleventh National People's Congress on June 30, 2012.)

Where foreigners stay in hotels in China, the hotels shall register their accommodation in accordance with the regulations on the public security administration of the hotel industry, and submit foreigners' accommodation registration information to the public security organs in the places where the hotels are located.

For foreigners who reside or stay in domiciles other than hotels, they or the persons who accommodate them shall, within 24 hours after the foreigners' arrival, go through the registration formalities with the public security organs in the places of residence.

Scope of the online service

The National Immigration Administration has rolled out the online accommodation registration service nationwide for foreigners who reside or stay in domiciles other than hotels. Such foreigners may go through the registration formalities online without the need to visit the public security organs in person. Online registration has the same legal effect as on-site registration.

How to register online

Accommodation hosts or foreigners may use the NIA Government Service Platform, including the official website, the "NIA 12367" App, and "NIA 12367" WeChat mini program, or the Alipay mini program.

1. Complete user registration and identity verification on the platform.
2. Follow the step-by-step prompts of the Accommodation Registration module under Foreigner Service.
3. After completion, click "Registration Record Inquiry" to view the accommodation registration record.

Who may register

Accommodation registration may be completed online either by the foreigners who reside or stay in domiciles or by the persons who accommodate them. The initial registration should be completed with the host's assistance to ensure the accuracy of the registration information.

The foreigners may go through the registration formalities independently under the following circumstances:

• where the foreigners have previously gone through the registration formalities through the NIA Government Service Platform and need to register again at the same residence;
• where the foreigners reside at a self-owned residence.

The accommodation host may be either a Chinese citizen or a foreigner.

When re-registration is not needed

For foreigners who reside or stay in domiciles other than hotels and have already gone through the registration formalities after arrival, re-registration is not required under the following circumstances:

• where foreigners reside at their own residences within China and return to the same residences after traveling within or outside China;
• where foreigners holding residence permits or permanent residence permits reside at a habitual residence within China and return to the same residences after traveling within or outside China during the validity period of the same permit.

A self-owned residence refers to a residence owned by the foreigner or his/her spouse within China. A habitual residence refers to a residence where the foreigner resides or plans to reside in China for a long term. According to Article 36 of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, "long term" refers to residing in China for a period exceeding 180 days.

Where to get help

Accommodation hosts and foreigners may:

• access the Guide to Online Accommodation Registration on the accommodation registration page of the NIA Government Service Platform and follow the instructions;
• call the NIA 12367 service hotline for inquiries; or
• visit the exit-entry administration service windows of the local public security organs or local police stations to seek assistance with on-site registration.

Liability for not registering

Article 76 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law lists, among the circumstances that draw a warning and a possible fine, the case where "persons concerned fail to go through registration formalities in accordance with the provisions in the second paragraph of Article 39 of this Law." Under Article 76, a warning shall be given, and a fine of not more than RMB 2,000 yuan may also be imposed.

The National Immigration Administration's policy interpretation restates that foreigners or their accommodation hosts who fail to process accommodation registration in accordance with the relevant regulations shall be given a warning and may also be subject to a fine.

Article 76 also addresses hotels. Hotels that fail to process accommodation registration for foreigners shall be punished in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Penalties for Administration of Public Security; hotels that fail to submit foreigners' accommodation registration information to public security organs shall be given a warning, and where circumstances are serious, such hotels shall be fined not less than RMB 1,000 yuan but not more than RMB 5,000 yuan.

Questions

Does online registration have the same legal effect as on-site registration?

The National Immigration Administration's policy interpretation states that online registration has the same legal effect as on-site registration.

What is the penalty for failing to register?

Article 76(6) of the Exit and Entry Administration Law provides that a warning shall be given, and a fine of not more than RMB 2,000 yuan may also be imposed.

Sources

• Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (English text published by the National Immigration Administration) — National Immigration Administration
• Policy Interpretation of the Nationwide Implementation of the Online Accommodation Registration Service (21 September 2026) — National Immigration Administration

Checked 11 October 2026.

This page is an unofficial summary, is not legal or immigration advice, is not published by the bodies named, and the official text and the instructions of the body handling your case prevail if they differ.