Guide for Overseas Personnel on Applying for Accommodation Registration

The Exit-Entry Administration of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau recently released the Guide for Overseas Personnel on Applying for Accommodation Registration in Chinese and English. We highlighted some key sections for reference.

Regulations regarding accommodation registration

• Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals who stay in hotels in China must have their accommodation registered by the hotel in accordance with public security regulations. The hotel is required to submit the accommodation registration information of foreign guests to the public security authorities in the location where the hotel is situated.

Foreign nationals who reside or stay in private residences or their hosts must complete the registration procedures with the local public security authorities within 24 hours of the foreigners’ arrival.

Article 39

«Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China»

• HK/MACAO/TAIWAN

For residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan who travel to the Chinese mainland, they are also required to register their accommodation in accordance with relevant regulations.

Article 17

Interim Administrative Regulations for Chinese Citizens

Article 16

Administrative Regulations for Chinese Citizens’ Travel to the Taiwan Region

Accommodation Registration

Foreign nationals staying at hotels must present valid identification documents[1], which the hotels will use to register the accommodation details. This process applies to all hotels in Shanghai.

Foreign nationals staying in private residences or their hosts can complete the registration through local public security service windows, foreigner service stations, immigration integration service stations, or the online “Self-service Declaration System for Foreigners’ Accommodation Registration”.

Guide for Self-service Declaration System

• Log in via QR Code or Website

• Register via Email

You can use either your email or the email of someone acting on your behalf. This email will be used to log in to the system and to receive the “Accommodation Registration Form for Foreign Nationals” (Registration Form) in electronic format.

• Correctly Filling in the Address

After selecting the road name through the map, fill in the “Lane, Number, Room”” details in the “Detailed Address” field. The gate and lane number are mandatory fields.

• Declaration Review

The system will automatically review your submitted information within 5 to 10 minutes, and you can check the status in the “History” module of the system.

• If the status shows “Approved”, the registered email will receive the Registration Form.
  • If the status shows “Reviewing”, it means the system is still processing your declaration. You can check the results after 24 hours or call the 12367 service hotline for further assistance.
  • If you made an advance declaration, please check the result after your actual check-in date.

• Failure of Registration Online

If the System indicates: “Your declaration was unsuccessful, please declare at the local public police security service window”, check the address details for errors, and submit a new online declaration. If the situation is urgent, visit the local public police station or call the 12367 service hotline for assistance.

Guide for Registration at “Local Public Police Station”

When registering for accommodation through the local public police security service window, you must present valid identification and proof of residence for the foreign nationals.

If proof of residence cannot be provided, the foreign nationals may submit a written declaration in the presence of a police officer to confirm the accommodation details.

If a third party or a designated liaison is handling the registration on behalf of the foreign nationals, they must provide their valid identification as well.

Cases when re-registration is not required

Foreign nationals holding a Permanent Residence Card, or a residence permit issued by the exit-entry administration department, who have already completed accommodation registration at their current place of residence, do not need to re-register as long as their residence remains unchanged during their stay in China. Similarly, residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan who hold a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents or Taiwan Residents and whose residence matches the address on their permit, or those living in self-owned housing without any change in residence, are also exempt from re-registering their accommodation.

For more information, you can check out the Online Platform or contact us.

[1] Valid Identification Documents

Foreign nationals: passport, permanent resident card, exit-entry permit, diplomatic card, united nations laissez-passer, European union laissez-passer, travel document, other identification documents according to the Accommodation registration requirements for hotel establishments.