Accommodation registration
Service overview: Foreign nationals staying or residing in accommodations other than hotels may use the Online Accommodation Registration for International Visitors of the National Immigration Administration to complete their registration within 24 hours of arriving at the accommodation. There is no need to visit a public security organ for in-person registration. Online registration has the same legal effect as on-site registration.
Nature of matter: Mandatory registration
Administrative level: National
Service platform: Online Accommodation Registration for International Visitors
Laws and regulations: Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China
Log in to the Online Accommodation Registration for International Visitors.
You may scan the QR codes below to sign in through the "NIA 12367" WeChat mini program, Alipay mini program, or the NIA 12367 app.
After opening the mini program or the app, select "Foreigner Service" > "Accommodation Registration".
Click the videos below to see the full procedure.
Q: Who can complete the registration?
A: Both the guest and the host can register the accommodation. For the initial registration, the host should assist with the accommodation registration, as the host is more familiar with the accommodation details, helping ensure that the registration information is accurate.
Under the following circumstances, the guest may go through the registration formalities independently:
- Where the individual has previously completed accommodation registration through the National Immigration Administration's Government Service Platform and needs to register again at the same residence;
- Where the individual resides in a self-owned residence.
The host may be either a Chinese citizen or a foreign national.
Q: Under what circumstances can the registration formalities be simplified?
A: For foreign nationals who reside or stay in accommodations other than hotels and have already completed the registration formalities after arrival in accordance with the relevant regulations, re-registration is not required under the following circumstances:
- Where foreign nationals reside at their own residences within China and return to the same residences after traveling within or outside China;
- Where foreign nationals holding residence permits or permanent residence permits reside at their habitual residence in China and return to the same residence 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 foreign national or their spouse within China; a habitual residence refers to a residence where the foreign national 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).
Q: As a visa-exempt visitor, do I need to register accommodation after entering China?
A: Yes. Visa-exempt visitors are still required to register their accommodation in accordance with the relevant rules.
📞 Immigration hotline: +86-21-12367
Source: Exit-Entry Administration Corps of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau