China Accommodation Registration for Foreigners: New Online Registration Rules from September 2026

Foreign travelers visiting China often know that their hotel will register their stay automatically. But what happens if you are not staying in a hotel?

If you stay at a friend's apartment, a family member's home, a rented apartment, or another private residence in China, there is a separate accommodation registration requirement that is important to understand.

From September 21, 2026, China has introduced a nationwide online service that allows foreigners staying somewhere other than a hotel to complete their accommodation registration online. The service is operated by the National Immigration Administration (NIA), and the online registration has the same legal effect as registration completed in person at a local public security organ.

This is a useful change for foreign tourists, students, business travelers, digital workers and anyone visiting friends or relatives in China. Instead of automatically having to visit a police station after arriving at a private residence, eligible users can now complete the registration through official online channels.

The requirement comes from Article 39 of China's Exit and Entry Administration Law.

When a foreigner stays in a hotel in China, the hotel is responsible for registering the guest's accommodation information and reporting it to the local public security authority.

The situation is different when a foreigner stays somewhere other than a hotel. In that case, the foreigner or the person providing the accommodation must complete accommodation registration with the public security authority in the place of residence within 24 hours after arrival.

The rule applies whether the private accommodation is a friend's home, a relative's home, a rented apartment or another non-hotel residence.

The underlying 24-hour accommodation registration requirement is not new. What changed on September 21, 2026 is how foreigners can complete the procedure.

Following an earlier pilot program, the National Immigration Administration has now expanded online accommodation registration nationwide.

Foreigners staying at non-hotel residences can now use official online channels instead of necessarily visiting a local police station in person.

The NIA says that the online service is available nationwide from September 21, 2026, while the existing offline registration channel remains available. Online and in-person accommodation registration have the same legal effect.

The basic distinction is simple: hotel accommodation and non-hotel accommodation are handled differently.

If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel normally completes the registration process for you.

If you are staying somewhere other than a hotel, such as a private home or rented apartment, the accommodation registration requirement applies.

The NIA specifically states that the person completing the online registration can be either the foreign guest or the person providing the accommodation.

This is particularly useful for travelers visiting Chinese friends or relatives. The host can assist with the registration instead of expecting the foreign guest to handle every part of the process alone.

If you are staying in a non-hotel residence in China, you should not assume that booking an apartment through an accommodation platform automatically completes your immigration accommodation registration.

The key issue is where you are staying, not simply how you booked it.

If the accommodation is a hotel, the hotel handles the registration according to the applicable rules. If you are staying in a private residence or another non-hotel accommodation, the foreign guest or host needs to follow the accommodation registration requirements.

For this reason, if you are booking a private apartment, homestay or staying with friends, it is worth confirming in advance how the accommodation registration will be handled.

The standard requirement is within 24 hours after arriving at the non-hotel residence.

This 24-hour period is important. It is not a general suggestion to register whenever convenient. Article 39 requires the foreigner or the person providing accommodation to complete the registration within the specified period.

If you arrive late at night, on a weekend or during a public holiday, it is therefore better to consider the registration arrangements before you arrive rather than waiting until the last possible moment.

There are two basic options:

The foreign guest can complete it.

The person providing the accommodation can complete it.

The second option is particularly useful when a foreign visitor is staying at a Chinese friend's or relative's home. The host is often more familiar with the exact residential address and other accommodation details, which can help reduce mistakes in the registration.

The accommodation provider can be either a Chinese citizen or a foreign national.

The NIA's latest guidance gives specific circumstances in which the foreign guest can handle the online registration themselves.

A foreigner can register personally if they have previously used the NIA Government Service Platform to complete accommodation registration and are registering again at the same residence.

A foreigner staying at their own residence in China can also complete the registration themselves.

For a first-time registration at another person's home, the NIA recommends that the accommodation provider assist with the process because the host is generally more familiar with the residence information.

From September 21, 2026, the National Immigration Administration provides four official online channels for accommodation registration.

After registration and identity verification, users can enter the Foreigner Service section and select the accommodation registration module. The system then guides the user through the registration process step by step.

The NIA also provides a Registration Record Inquiry function, allowing users to check their accommodation registration record after completing the procedure.

The exact screens may change as the online service is updated, but the basic process is straightforward.

Step 1: Choose an Official NIA Service Channel

Open the National Immigration Administration Government Service Platform, the NIA 12367 App, or the NIA 12367 mini program in WeChat or Alipay.

For a foreign traveler, it is best to use an official NIA channel rather than relying on instructions or third-party websites.

Step 2: Complete Registration and Identity Verification

Users need to register and complete the required identity verification before accessing the accommodation registration service.

Step 3: Open the Foreigner Service Section

After logging in, find the Foreigner Service section and select the accommodation registration function.

Step 4: Enter the Accommodation Information

Follow the prompts to provide the required information about the foreign guest and the residence.

If a host is completing the registration, make sure the residential address and personal information are entered accurately. An incorrect address can create problems later when the registration record needs to be used.

Step 5: Submit the Registration

Complete the required steps and submit the accommodation registration.

Step 6: Check Your Registration Record

After completing the process, use the Registration Record Inquiry function to check the electronic accommodation registration record.

The NIA's current guidance also states that there is normally no need to print the accommodation registration record. If you need to show proof during a visa or immigration-related procedure or an inspection, you can present the electronic record.

No, not normally.

The National Immigration Administration specifically clarified on September 23, 2026 that after completing accommodation registration online, foreigners do not need to print the registration record.

If the record needs to be presented during a visa or immigration document procedure or an inspection, the electronic accommodation registration record can be shown instead of submitting a paper registration form.

If you specifically need a paper copy, the NIA says that you can go to the local police station shown in the electronic accommodation registration record to obtain one.

Yes.

The nationwide online service does not eliminate the traditional offline channel.

Foreigners can still go to the relevant public security authority in their place of residence to complete accommodation registration in person. The NIA explicitly states that the offline channel remains available and that online and in-person registration have the same legal effect.

This is useful if you cannot complete the online procedure or if you need assistance.

Do not simply assume that the registration requirement disappears because the website or mini program does not work.

The NIA's guidance says that if online registration cannot be completed successfully, the foreigner should go to the relevant local public security authority for in-person registration.

If you have questions, you can also consult the online accommodation registration guide provided through the NIA Government Service Platform or contact the 12367 immigration service hotline.

The NIA also states that foreigners can seek assistance at an exit-entry administration public service counter or a local police station.

Yes. The latest NIA policy interpretation describes two situations in which accommodation registration does not need to be repeated after the required registration has already been completed.

Returning to Your Own Residence in China

If a foreigner lives in a residence they own in China and returns to that same residence after traveling inside or outside China, they do not need to complete a new registration each time, provided the relevant conditions are met.

The NIA defines a self-owned residence as a residence in China owned by the foreigner or their spouse.

Returning to Your Registered Usual Residence

A foreigner who holds a valid residence permit or permanent residence permit and returns to their registered usual residence during the validity period of the document may also benefit from simplified registration requirements.

The NIA explains that a "usual residence" refers to a residence where the foreigner lives or plans to live in China for an extended period. Under the relevant regulation, an extended period means more than 180 days.

These exceptions are specific. If you are simply visiting a friend for a few days, do not assume that the exception applies to you.

Accommodation registration is a legal requirement, not merely a recommendation for tourists.

Under Article 76 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, a foreigner or accommodation provider who fails to complete accommodation registration as required may receive a warning and may also be fined.

For this reason, foreign travelers staying outside hotels should treat the 24-hour registration requirement as part of their arrival procedure, alongside checking their passport, visa or visa-free status and accommodation details.

If you are planning to stay with a Chinese friend or relative, there is a simple way to avoid unnecessary problems.

Before you arrive, tell your host that foreigners staying at non-hotel residences need to complete accommodation registration. Ask whether they can help you complete the registration online through the NIA 12367 service.

It is also sensible to have your passport and accommodation address information ready. If your host is handling the registration for the first time, they should check that the information entered into the system matches the actual residence.

Do not wait until the final few minutes of the 24-hour period if you can avoid it.

The change may sound like a small administrative adjustment, but it solves a very practical problem for foreign visitors.

China has increasingly become a destination for independent international travelers who do not necessarily stay in conventional hotels every night. Some visit friends, stay with relatives, rent apartments, live in guesthouses or spend longer periods in one city.

Previously, staying outside a hotel could mean making a separate trip to a local police station to complete the required registration. The nationwide online service makes that process considerably easier for eligible users.

It is particularly useful for foreigners who already use China's digital ecosystem for travel, payments and daily life. The fact that the service is available through both WeChat and Alipay also makes it easier to access from a smartphone.

No.

This is one of the most important points to understand.

The September 21, 2026 change does not remove the accommodation registration requirement for foreigners staying outside hotels. Instead, it adds a nationwide online method for completing the registration.

The basic requirement remains: when staying at a non-hotel residence, the foreigner or accommodation provider should complete the accommodation registration within 24 hours after arrival.

In other words, the procedure has become more convenient, but the underlying requirement has not simply disappeared.

Imagine that you arrive in Chengdu on Monday afternoon and stay at a Chinese friend's apartment rather than a hotel.

Your friend can help complete the accommodation registration through the NIA 12367 service. Alternatively, if you meet the conditions for self-registration, you can complete it yourself.

The registration should be completed within 24 hours after your arrival at the apartment.

Once completed, you can check the electronic registration record through the service. There is normally no need to print it.

If the online process fails, you should use the traditional in-person registration channel instead.

The same basic logic applies whether you are visiting Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie or another city in China.

Do foreigners staying in Chinese hotels need to register themselves?

Normally, no. Hotels are responsible for registering foreign guests' accommodation information and reporting it to the local public security authority.

Do foreigners staying at a friend's home need accommodation registration?

Yes. If the residence is outside the hotel system, the foreigner or the person providing accommodation should complete accommodation registration within 24 hours after arrival.

Can my Chinese friend register my accommodation for me?

Yes. The person providing accommodation can complete the online registration. The NIA specifically allows accommodation providers to handle the procedure, and this can be particularly useful for a first registration at their residence.

Can a foreign host register accommodation for another foreigner?

Yes. The accommodation provider can be either a Chinese citizen or a foreign national.

Can foreigners register accommodation online anywhere in China?

The online service has been rolled out nationwide from September 21, 2026. It is provided through the National Immigration Administration's official service channels.

Do I still need to visit a police station?

Not necessarily. Eligible non-hotel accommodation registrations can now be completed online. However, the traditional in-person channel remains available, and the NIA says users who cannot complete the online procedure should go to the relevant public security authority for assistance.

Does online accommodation registration have the same legal effect as registering at a police station?

Yes. The National Immigration Administration states that online accommodation registration and in-person accommodation registration have the same legal effect.

Do I need to print my online accommodation registration record?

No. According to the NIA's September 23, 2026 guidance, there is normally no need to print the electronic registration record. It can be shown electronically when required.

What if I cannot complete the registration online?

You should go to the relevant local public security authority for in-person registration. You can also contact the NIA 12367 service hotline or consult the official online accommodation registration guide.

Can I use WeChat or Alipay to register my accommodation?

Yes. The NIA provides an "NIA 12367" mini program through both WeChat and Alipay, in addition to the NIA Government Service website and NIA 12367 App.

For most foreign tourists staying in hotels, accommodation registration is something they never need to think about because the hotel handles it.

The situation is different when you stay in someone's home, rent an apartment or use another non-hotel residence.

The September 21, 2026 nationwide rollout makes that process much easier. Foreigners and their accommodation providers can now complete the registration online through the National Immigration Administration's official website, the NIA 12367 App, or its WeChat and Alipay mini programs.

The important points are easy to remember:

Staying outside a hotel? Check the accommodation registration requirement.

Register within 24 hours after arrival at the non-hotel residence.

Use an official NIA online channel or register in person.

Online and in-person registration have the same legal effect.

Keep the electronic registration record accessible, but you normally do not need to print it.

For international travelers, this is exactly the kind of administrative change that may not make headlines around the world but can make everyday life in China noticeably easier.

If you are planning to travel around China independently in 2026 and intend to stay with friends, relatives or in private accommodation, understanding this one rule before you arrive can save you an unnecessary trip to the police station—and help you start your trip with one less thing to worry about.