• All foreign visitors/residents staying in China, including au pairs and students.
• Hotels/hostels register you automatically at check-in—keep your check-in slip if given.
• Private stays (apartment, homestay) usually must register soon after arrival or after any move. Many cities expect within 24 hours of arriving at the address.
• Re-register when you change address or sometimes after re-entry to China.

Ask your host family, landlord, or school to help—local staff know the nearest registration point and the current paperwork style.

Where Registration Happens

• Your neighborhood police station (派出所 pàichūsuǒ) or its dedicated service desk.
• Some cities offer online portals or landlord-assisted submissions—follow local guidance.
• Universities often run on-campus help desks during intake weeks.

Documents to Bring

Step-by-Step — Apartment / Homestay

1. Confirm your address (building, unit, district) and the responsible police station.
2. Go with host/landlord (recommended) bringing the documents listed above.
3. Fill the form with your passport details, entry date, and address; staff will check copies.
4. Receive your proof—the Registration Form of Temporary Residence (临时住宿登记表).
5. Keep it safe; you’ll often need it for Residence Permit and other admin steps.

If your city supports online submission, the steps are similar; you may still need to collect or download the official receipt.

Hotel / Hostel Registration

• Front desk scans your passport and completes the entry in their system.
• Ask for a printout or note if you need proof for your school/employer.
• If you later move to an apartment, register again for the new address.

Updating, Moving & Re-Entry

• New address? Re-register promptly at the new station with updated documents.
• Re-entering China? Some cities ask you to refresh registration—even if you didn’t move. When in doubt, re-register.
• Lost your paper? Return to the station or portal to request a reprint/duplicate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing the deadline—make it a day-one or day-two task after you move in.
• Bringing the wrong address—copy your address in Chinese exactly as on the lease/building plaque.
• No landlord help—many stations require the landlord’s ID or property proof; coordinate in advance.
• Not keeping the receipt—you’ll likely need it for visas/permits and school admin.

What If I Don’t Register?

Local regulations treat registration as a legal requirement. Failure to register can lead to warnings or fines, and may complicate future immigration steps. If you’ve missed the deadline, go and complete it as soon as possible—staff will advise the proper remedy.

Useful Vocabulary

• 临时住宿登记 (línshí zhùsù dēngjì) — Temporary Residence Registration
• 派出所 (pàichūsuǒ) — neighborhood police station
• 居住地址 (jūzhù dìzhǐ) — residential address
• 房东 (fángdōng) — landlord
• 回执/回单 (huízhí/huídān) — receipt

FAQ — Police Registration

Do I need to register if I’m in a hotel?
Hotels handle it automatically at check-in; keep your check-in record if needed.

How fast do I need to register after moving?
Plan to register immediately after you move in; many places expect within 24 hours.

Can I register online?
Some cities allow online or app submissions—follow local instructions from your school, host family, or landlord.

Do I need to re-register after every trip?
If you changed addresses or your local rules require it after re-entry, yes—re-register to stay compliant.