Starting March 20, 2026, foreigners in Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing, and Sichuan can register non-hotel stays online via NIA 12367 app or website—no police station visit required. Registration must be completed within 24 hours.
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NIA Pilot Online Accommodation Registration for Foreigners Staying in Domiciles Other Than Hotels
Starting March 20, 2026, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) has introduced a pilot program to simplify the mandatory accommodation registration process. For the first time, foreigners residing or staying in domiciles other than hotels can complete their registration online, rather than visiting a local police station in person.
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Scope of the New Pilot Program
Pursuant to Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, foreigners staying in hotels are registered by the hotel staff. However, those staying in private homes or other non-hotel accommodations must traditionally register with local public security organs within 24 hours of arrival.
The NIA's new online service is currently being piloted in seven provincial-level regions:
Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing, and Sichuan.
The service is expected to be rolled out nationwide following the progress of this pilot.
How to Register Online
Foreigners or their hosts can now fulfill their legal obligations through several digital channels. Online registration has the same legal effect as on-site registration.
Available Platforms:
NIA Government official website 国家移民管理局政务服务网站
"NIA 12367" ("移民局12367") App
"NIA 12367" WeChat mini program
"NIA 12367" Alipay mini program
The Process:
After completing user registration and identity verification, users may follow the step-by-step prompts of the Accommodation Registration module under Foreigner Service. Upon completion, users may click "Registration Record Inquiry" to view their accommodation registration record.
Who Can Complete the Registration?
The registration can be handled by either the foreigner or the person providing the accommodation (the host).
Initial Registration: Considering that accommodation hosts are generally more familiar with the information regarding the residence, the initial registration should be completed with their assistance to ensure the accuracy of the registration information.
Independent Registration: Foreigners may register independently if they have previously registered at the same residence through the NIA platform, or if they are staying in a self-owned residence (owned by the foreigner or their spouse).
The accommodation host may be either a Chinese citizen or a foreign resident.
Simplified Rules for Re-registration
To further facilitate long-term stays, re-registration is not required in the following circumstances:
where foreigners reside at their own residences within China and return to the same residences after traveling within or outside China;
where foreigners holding residence permits or permanent residence permits reside at their habitual residence in China and return to the same residences 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 foreigner or his/her spouse within China. A habitual residence refers to a residence where the foreigner 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.
Legal Compliance and Assistance
While the online system offers significant convenience, the legal requirement to register within 24 hours of arrival remains mandatory. Failure to comply can result in a warning and a potential fine under Article 76 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law.
If you need help:
Refer to the "Guide to Online Accommodation Registration" on the NIA platform.
Call the NIA 12367 service hotline for inquiries.
Visit local public security organs or police stations for on-site assistance, as the offline channel remains fully available.
Source: 国家移民管理局
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