Do I need to register with the police if I'm staying at a hotel, or does that rule only apply if I'm staying with friends?

Q: Do I need to register with the police if I'm staying at a hotel, or does that rule only apply if I'm staying with friends?

A: Yes, all visitors must be registered. If you stay at a hotel, the staff will take care of this for you at the front desk. For non-hotel stays (like a friend's apartment), just make sure that you or your host registers with the local police within 24 hours of your arrival.

Legally, you are required to complete your accommodation registration upon arrival.

According to Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China:

•For foreigners who stay in hotels in China, the hotel shall register their accommodation in accordance with the Regulations on the Public Security Administration of the Hotel Industry, and submit the foreigner’s accommodation registration information to the public security organ in the place where the hotel is located.

•For foreigners who reside or stay in accommodations other than hotels, they or the person(s) who accommodate them shall, within 24 hours after the foreigner’s arrival, go through the registration formalities with the public security organ in the place where the accommodation is located.

Sources: National Immigration Administration

(Information updated in January, 2026)