From September 21, 2026, foreigners in China staying outside hotels can register accommodation online via the NIA website, App, WeChat, or Alipay, with the same legal effect as offline registration and offline services still available.
Tags:Source: OT-Team(G), 国家移民管理局
Starting September 21, 2026, foreigners staying or residing in China at places other than hotels can complete accommodation registration online nationwide, according to a new announcement from the National Immigration Administration (NIA).
The nationwide rollout expands on an earlier pilot program and is intended to make accommodation registration more convenient for foreigners in China.
NIA Announcement on Online Accommodation Registration
Pursuant to Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, where foreigners stay in hotels in China, the hotels shall register their accommodation in accordance with the regulations on the public security administration of the hotel industry, and submit foreigners’ accommodation registration information to the public security organs in the places where the hotels are located. For foreigners who reside or stay in domiciles other than hotels, they or the persons who accommodate them shall, within 24 hours after the foreigners’ arrival, go through the registration formalities with the public security organs in the places of residence. To further enhance the convenience for foreigners in China and facilitate accommodation registration for those residing or staying in domiciles other than hotels, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) has decided to roll out online accommodation registration services nationwide starting from September 21, 2026, based on the preliminary pilot program.
Foreigners or the persons who accommodate them may go through the registration formalities online through the NIA Government official website, the “NIA 12367” App, the “NIA 12367” WeChat mini program, or the Alipay mini program. The offline channel for accommodation registration at local public security organs will remain available. Online registration has the same legal effect as registration completed on site.
Who Can Use Online Accommodation Registration?
Under Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, foreigners staying at hotels must have their accommodation registered by the hotel.
For foreigners staying or residing at other types of accommodation, they or the person accommodating them must complete accommodation registration with the public security organ in the place of residence within 24 hours after arrival.
Under the new nationwide service, eligible foreigners staying outside hotels can complete the registration online without having to visit a public security organ in person. Online registration has the same legal effect as registration completed on site.
What Online Registration Channels Are Available?
Online accommodation registration can be completed through:
The NIA Government official website
The “NIA 12367” App
The “NIA 12367” WeChat mini program
The Alipay mini program
The existing offline registration service at local public security organs will also remain available.
Who Can Complete the Registration?
Either the foreigner staying at the accommodation or the person accommodating them can complete the registration.
Because the person accommodating the foreigner is generally more familiar with the accommodation information, the first registration should be completed with the assistance of the person accommodating the foreigner.
A foreigner can complete the registration independently in either of the following circumstances:
The foreigner has previously completed accommodation registration through the NIA Government official service platform and needs to register again at the same address.
The foreigner is staying at a residence they own.
The person accommodating the foreigner may be either a Chinese citizen or a foreigner.
When Can Accommodation Registration Be Simplified?
Foreigners staying or residing outside hotels who have already completed accommodation registration as required do not need to register again in the following circumstances:
They live at a residence they own in China and return to that residence after traveling within or outside China.
They live at their regular residence in China while holding a residence permit or permanent residence permit, and return to the same regular residence after traveling within or outside China during the validity period of the same document.
A self-owned residence refers to a residence in China owned by the foreigner or the foreigner’s spouse.
A regular residence refers to a residence where a foreigner lives or plans to live in China for an extended period. Under Article 36 of the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, “extended period” means staying in China for more than 180 days.
What If You Have Questions About Online Registration?
Foreigners and the people accommodating them can access the Online Accommodation Registration Guide on the NIA Government official service platform and follow the instructions provided.
They can also call the NIA 12367 hotline directly for assistance.
Alternatively, they can visit the public service counter of the exit-entry administration authority of the public security organ in their place of residence or the local police station to seek assistance with completing the registration offline.
What Are the Consequences of Failing to Register?
Foreigners or the people accommodating them who fail to complete accommodation registration as required may face legal consequences.
According to Article 76 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, foreigners or the people accommodating them who fail to complete accommodation registration as required may receive a warning and may also be fined.
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