If you stay somewhere that is not a hotel in China — a short-term rental, a homestay, a friend's flat, or your own place — Chinese law still requires accommodation registration. From 21 September 2026, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) rolled out nationwide online registration for those non-hotel stays. Checked October 2026. Official NIA notices always win.
Who must register?
Under Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, when foreigners stay in hotels, the hotel registers you and submits the record to the local public security organ. When foreigners reside or stay in domiciles other than hotels, you or the person who accommodates you must complete registration with the public security organ in the place of residence within 24 hours after arrival.
That non-hotel duty covers typical traveler situations such as Airbnb-style rentals, homestays, staying with friends or family, and other private residences. It is separate from visa-free entry and from the online arrival card. Entry permission does not replace stay registration.
Hotel registration vs self-registration
| Where you sleep | Who usually files | Typical channel | |---|---|---| | Licensed hotel / guesthouse that takes foreign guests | The hotel | Hotel front desk (industry public-security rules) | | Non-hotel domicile (rental, homestay, friends, own flat) | You or your host | Online NIA channels, or offline at the local public security organ |
Online registration for non-hotel stays has the same legal effect as registering on site. The offline channel at local public security organs remains available.
What are the official online channels?
Per NIA Announcement No. 7 of 2026 (21 September 2026) and the matching policy interpretation, foreigners or their hosts may register through the NIA Government Service Platform, including:
- the NIA government official website
- the "NIA 12367" app (移民局12367)
- the "NIA 12367" WeChat mini program
- the Alipay mini program
The NIA interpretation says that after user registration and identity verification, users follow the prompts in the Accommodation Registration module under Foreigner Service, and can later use Registration Record Inquiry to view the record. Chinese NIA FAQ pages also point travelers to the same app and WeChat/Alipay mini programs. We do not invent click-by-click steps here — use the live Guide to Online Accommodation Registration on the NIA platform, or call the 12367 hotline if you get stuck.
Who may submit the online form?
Registration may be completed online by the foreign guest or by the person who accommodates them. The host may be a Chinese citizen or a foreigner. The NIA interpretation notes that hosts are usually more familiar with the address details, so the initial registration should be completed with the host's assistance when possible. Foreigners may register independently when they have previously registered the same residence through the NIA platform, or when they reside at a self-owned residence in China.
When is re-registration not required?
The NIA interpretation describes limited cases where, after you have already registered as required after arrival, re-registration is not required — for example returning to your own residence in China after travel, or returning to a habitual residence while holding a valid residence permit or permanent residence permit. Treat those as narrow exceptions; read the official interpretation for the definitions of self-owned and habitual residence before relying on them.
What if online registration fails?
Use the Guide on the NIA accommodation-registration page, call 12367, or go to the exit-entry service window of the local public security organ or the local police station for on-site help. Failure to register as required can bring a warning and may also bring a fine under Article 76 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law — that is the NIA's stated legal basis, not a travel-blog invention.
How does this relate to arrival cards and entry paths?
Most short-stay visitors still need an arrival card at the border. That card is an entry declaration. Accommodation registration is a stay formality after you arrive at a non-hotel address. If you are choosing an entry path, start with visa-free entry or 240-hour transit.
Disclaimer
China by Road does not file accommodation registrations, recommend paid "registration agents," or invent portal steps. Official immigration and public-security rules always win. Re-check the NIA links on this page before you travel or move into a non-hotel stay.