China Accommodation Registration & Stay Regulations: Complete Guide
Essential info for foreigners: 24-hour registration requirement, hotel vs. Airbnb procedures, overstay penalties, and how to handle emergencies.
What’s Accommodation Registration?
Every foreigner staying in China must register their accommodation within 24 hours. This isn’t optional—it’s required by Article 39 of China’s Entry-Exit Administration Law, and it applies to everyone, including short-term tourists on visa-free entry.
⚠️ Skip this and you could face: Warning + up to ¥2,000 (~$280) fine!
Registration Deadlines
| Who | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Foreigners (urban areas) | 24 hours |
| Foreigners (rural areas) | 24 hours |
| HK/Macau/Taiwan residents (rural) | 72 hours |
When You Need to Re-Register
You’ll need to register again if:
| Situation | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Change hotels (same city) | 24 hours |
| Move to a different city | 24 hours |
| Re-enter China | 24 hours |
| Get a new passport | 24 hours |
Hotel Registration (The Easy Way)
Staying at a hotel? Registration is automatic. The hotel handles everything—you don’t need to visit a police station.
Hotel Check-In Process
- Present your passport at the front desk
- Hotel scans/copies your passport info
- Hotel submits your info to PSB within 2 hours
- Done! (No further action needed)
Get a Registration Receipt (Recommended)
💡 Pro tip: Ask the hotel for a registration certificate (住宿登记证明). Useful if you need proof later.
Hotels That Accept Foreigners
Not every hotel is licensed to host foreigners. Safe bets:
- International chains: Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, InterContinental
- Most 4-star+ local hotels
- Hotels with foreign guest licenses
Before booking:
- Call and ask: “Can foreigners stay here?” (外国人可以入住吗?)
- Check online listings for “accepts foreign guests” badges
Airbnb/Private Accommodation (DIY Registration)
Not staying at a hotel? You need to register in person at a police station.
This Applies To:
- Airbnb, Booking.com apartments
- Friend or relative’s home
- Private rental apartments
- Company housing
How to Register
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| In-person | Visit nearest police station (派出所) |
| Online | Available in some areas (parts of Shanghai) |
| Host registration | Your host can register on your behalf |
What to Bring to the Police Station
| Document | Who Provides |
|---|---|
| Passport (original) | You |
| Host’s ID card | Host (must accompany you) |
| Proof of accommodation | Host |
Acceptable proof of accommodation:
- Property ownership certificate (房产证)
- Rental contract
- Utility bill
Registration Steps
- Arrive at your accommodation
- Visit the nearest police station within 24 hours
- You + host (or representative) go together
- Fill out registration form
- Receive your accommodation registration certificate (住宿登记证明)
- Keep it safe—you’ll need it during your stay
Finding a Police Station in Shanghai
Search for “派出所” (police station) on Baidu Maps or ask your host.
Hours:
- Weekdays: 9 AM - 5 PM (typical)
- Some stations accept registrations 24/7
Multi-City Travel
Traveling around China? You need to re-register in each new city.
Example Itinerary
| Days | City | Accommodation | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Shanghai | Hotel | Automatic ✓ |
| 4-5 | Hangzhou | Hotel | Automatic ✓ |
| 6 | Suzhou | Airbnb | Police station required |
| 7-8 | Shanghai | Hotel | Automatic ✓ |
240-Hour Transit: Where You Can Go
On 240-hour transit? You’re limited to 24 designated provinces.
Full Access (18 Regions)
| Region | Chinese | Major Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | 北京市 | Beijing |
| Tianjin | 天津市 | Tianjin |
| Shanghai | 上海市 | Shanghai |
| Chongqing | 重庆市 | Chongqing |
| Hebei | 河北省 | Shijiazhuang |
| Liaoning | 辽宁省 | Shenyang, Dalian |
| Jiangsu | 江苏省 | Nanjing, Suzhou |
| Zhejiang | 浙江省 | Hangzhou, Ningbo |
| Anhui | 安徽省 | Hefei |
| Fujian | 福建省 | Xiamen, Fuzhou |
| Shandong | 山东省 | Qingdao, Jinan |
| Henan | 河南省 | Zhengzhou |
| Hubei | 湖北省 | Wuhan |
| Hunan | 湖南省 | Changsha |
| Guangdong | 广东省 | Guangzhou, Shenzhen |
| Hainan | 海南省 | Haikou, Sanya |
| Guizhou | 贵州省 | Guiyang |
| Shaanxi | 陕西省 | Xi’an |
Limited Access (6 Regions)
| Province | Allowed Cities |
|---|---|
| Heilongjiang | Harbin only |
| Shanxi | Taiyuan, Datong |
| Jiangxi | Nanchang, Jingdezhen |
| Guangxi | Nanning, Guilin + 10 more |
| Sichuan | Chengdu + 10 more |
| Yunnan | Kunming, Dali, Lijiang + 6 more |
30-Day Visa-Free = No Limits
Using the 30-day policy? Go anywhere in China. No regional restrictions.
How to Calculate Your Stay
Your stay starts at midnight the day after arrival.
240-Hour Transit Example
| Event | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Entry | January 22, 3:00 PM |
| Clock starts | January 23, 12:00 AM |
| Must leave by | February 2, 11:59 PM |
30-Day Visa-Free Example
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Entry | January 1 |
| Must leave by | January 30, midnight |
Overstay Penalties
Overstaying is serious business in China.
Fine Structure
| Duration | Penalty |
|---|---|
| 1-2 days | Warning or ¥500/day fine (may be reduced if self-reported) |
| 3-30 days | ¥500/day fine (max ¥10,000) |
| 30+ days | ¥10,000 fine + 5-15 days detention + deportation |
Long-Term Consequences
| Severity | Impact |
|---|---|
| Minor overstay | Stays on record, may affect future visa applications |
| Serious overstay | Up to 10-year entry ban |
⚠️ There’s no grace period! Even one day over = illegal stay.
What to Do If You Overstay
- Go to the nearest PSB Entry-Exit Administration immediately
- Explain your situation honestly
- Pay the fine
- Get exit clearance
💡 Good to know: Self-reporting with a reasonable excuse (flight cancellation, medical emergency) may reduce your penalty.
Emergency Stay Extension
In general, visa-free stays can’t be extended.
But emergencies are exceptions:
Valid Reasons for Extension
| Reason | Required Proof |
|---|---|
| Medical emergency | Hospital admission, diagnosis, doctor’s note |
| Natural disaster | Government notice, flight cancellation proof |
| Force majeure | Official notice, embassy statement |
| Flight cancellation (no alternatives) | Airline cancellation letter, proof no other flights |
How to Apply
- Apply at least 7 days before your stay expires
- Visit the PSB Entry-Exit Administration office
- Submit:
- Passport
- Recent photo
- Extension application form
- Accommodation registration certificate
- Proof of emergency
- Processing time: ~7 business days
- Fee:
¥160 ($22)
FAQs
Q: I’m switching from a hotel to an Airbnb—what do I do?
After hotel checkout and Airbnb check-in, register at the nearest police station within 24 hours. Bring your host.
Q: I’m changing hotels in the same city—do I re-register?
Yes, but the new hotel handles it automatically when you check in.
Q: What happens if I don’t register?
You might get caught at immigration when leaving. Expect a warning and up to ¥2,000 fine.
Q: I’m a few hours late on registration—is that okay?
Technically a violation, but self-reporting with a good reason usually results in just a warning. Register ASAP.
Useful Contacts
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| China Immigration Hotline | 12367 |
| Shanghai Entry-Exit Bureau | +86-21-28951900 |
Quick Checklist
Within 24 hours of arrival:
- Check into accommodation
- Hotel: Present passport (automatic registration)
- Airbnb/Friend’s place: Visit police station
- Keep registration receipt
When changing cities:
- Re-register within 24 hours
- Hotels = automatic; non-hotels = manual
Before departure:
- Confirm stay expiration date
- Leave on time
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