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Accommodation Registration in China: The 24-Hour Rule, and How to Register Online

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Short answer: hotels register foreign guests themselves. If you live anywhere else — a rented flat, a friend's home, your own property — you or the person housing you must register your stay with the public security organ where you live within 24 hours of arriving (Exit and Entry Administration Law, Article 39). The National Immigration Administration (NIA) now offers this registration online nationwide, and it has the same legal effect as registering at a police station.

Everything below comes from the NIA's English policy interpretation, published on 21 September 2026, and the law it interprets. Links are at the end.

Hotel or not: who does what

Where you stay Who registers Legal basis
A hotel The hotel, under hotel-industry rules Law, Article 39, paragraph 1
Any other domicile You, or the person who accommodates you, within 24 hours of arrival Law, Article 39, paragraph 2

The accommodation host can be a Chinese citizen or a foreigner.

The online channels

The NIA lists four ways to reach its Government Service Platform:

  • The official website, s.nia.gov.cn
  • The "NIA 12367" app
  • The "NIA 12367" WeChat mini program
  • The Alipay mini program

After registering as a user and verifying your identity, open Foreigner Service and follow the Accommodation Registration module. When you finish, Registration Record Inquiry shows your registration record.

Who can register online

Either the foreign resident or the host can complete the registration. The NIA says the first registration at an address should be done with the host's help, because hosts usually know the residence details better.

You may register on your own, without the host, in two situations:

  • You registered at the same residence before through the NIA platform and are registering there again; or
  • You live in a self-owned residence — one owned by you or your spouse in China.

When you do not need to register again

Once you have registered after arrival, the NIA says re-registration is not required when:

  • you live in your own residence in China and return to it after travelling inside or outside China; or
  • you hold a residence permit (or a permanent residence permit), live at your habitual residence, and return to the same residence after travelling inside or outside China while that same permit is still valid.

A habitual residence is one where you live or plan to live long-term — and under the Entry and Exit Regulations, "long-term" means more than 180 days.

Anything outside these cases — a new flat, a stay at someone else's home during a trip — means a fresh registration within 24 hours.

What happens if you skip it

Under Article 76 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, failing to register as Article 39 requires brings a warning and may also bring a fine of up to RMB 2,000. The rule applies to the foreigner or to the accommodation host.

Frequently asked questions

I live in a university dormitory. Do I register myself?

The NIA interpretation does not address campus housing specifically. Ask your international student office how registration is handled for university accommodation before you assume it has been done for you.

Is online registration as valid as going to the police station?

Yes. The NIA states that online registration has the same legal effect as on-site registration.

Who can help if the online system does not work for me?

The NIA points to three options: the Guide to Online Accommodation Registration on the platform's registration page, the NIA 12367 service hotline, or the exit-entry service window of the local public security organ or police station, where you can register in person.

Sources (all accessed 22 September 2026):

This page summarises published rules and is not legal advice. Local public security offices may give more specific instructions; follow them where they differ.