Short answer: Yes. If you are a foreigner staying in China outside a hotel, you must register your residence with the local police within 24 hours of moving in; if you stay in a hotel, the hotel registers for you.
What does the 24-hour registration rule require?
Under Article 39 of China’s Exit/Entry Administration Law, a hotel handles registration for its foreign guests and reports the information to the police. If you live in an apartment, a house, or any other non-hotel place, you or your host must register in person at the local police station within 24 hours after check-in. This includes short-term rentals.
Bring your passport with a valid visa or stay permit, plus your lease or your host’s identity details. The registration is free and usually takes only a few minutes.
What happens if you do not register?
Under Article 76 of the same law, failing to register can lead to a warning and a fine of up to 2,000 yuan (about 280 US dollars). It is an administrative violation rather than a criminal offense, but an unregistered address can also create problems when you extend a visa or deal with the police, so it is safer to register on time.
Related Reading
- Guides: China Criminal Law Guides
- Consular Notification in China: What Your Embassy Can and Cannot Do When You Are Arrested
- Prison and Detention in China: What Foreign Inmates Should Expect
Frequently asked questions
Q: What does the 24-hour registration rule require?
A: Under Article 39 of China’s Exit/Entry Administration Law, a hotel handles registration for its foreign guests and reports the information to the police. If you live in an apartment, a house, or any other non-hotel place, you or your host must register in person at the local police station within 24 hours after check-in. This includes short-term rentals. Bring your passport with a valid visa or stay permit, plus your lease or your host’s identity details.
Q: What happens if you do not register?
A: Under Article 76 of the same law, failing to register can lead to a warning and a fine of up to 2,000 yuan (about 280 US dollars). It is an administrative violation rather than a criminal offense, but an unregistered address can also create problems when you extend a visa or deal with the police, so it is safer to register on time.
Wang Guan | Co-founder, Beijing Haolue Law Firm | +86 17813108512