VISA & ENTRY · PRACTICAL GUIDE
Hotel Registration in China for Foreign Visitors
What hotels usually handle and what to do when you stay in a private home or rental.
Accommodation registration is an important arrival task. Hotels generally register foreign guests when you check in, so present the travel document used for the booking and confirm that the details are correct.
Staying somewhere other than a hotel
Official guidance says that a foreigner staying in a domicile other than a hotel, or the host, must complete accommodation registration within the required period. The National Immigration Administration has introduced online registration in pilot regions; availability may expand or differ by location.
Do not leave it until later
Ask your host or property manager how registration will be completed before you arrive. Save the address and contact details, and use the NIA 12367 service or local authorities if you need assistance.
What can change
Entry policies, eligible passports, transit arrangements, document requirements, and airline checks can change with little notice. A visa waiver or transit policy that looks relevant in a general guide may still not fit a particular route or purpose of visit. Confirm the exact facts for your passport and travel date through an official authority before making non-refundable plans.
Key planning actions
- Check the rule for your passport, purpose, route, and travel date through an official source.
- Keep travel documents, onward travel details, and first-night accommodation accessible offline.
- Recheck requirements immediately before departure; airline and border decisions are time-sensitive.
Frequently asked questions
Can this guide confirm that I may enter China?
No. Only the relevant official authorities and border inspection process can determine entry for an individual traveller.
When should I check the rules again?
Check when you start planning, before booking non-refundable travel, and again immediately before departure.
Official sources to verify
Use these sources to confirm any rule, service, schedule, or eligibility condition that could affect your trip: