Temporary accommodation registration (临时住宿登记) — what it is
Every foreigner in China must register where they live with the police within 24 hours of moving in. This form is your "proof of address" for the whole system.
The temporary accommodation registration (临时住宿登记, línshí zhùsù dēngjì) is the police record of where a foreigner is staying in China. Chinese law requires it within 24 hours of moving into any non-hotel accommodation — an apartment you rent, a friend's flat, an Airbnb.
Hotels register you automatically at check-in. Everyone else registers at the local police station (派出所) or online in some districts, and receives a paper form — the 境外人员临时住宿登记表.
Why it matters more than it sounds:
- It's checked for visa extensions and residence permit applications.
- Immigration officers can see your registration history when you exit China.
- It's tied to your address: move apartments or return from abroad → register again.
- It costs nothing and takes about 20 minutes at the station.
Registering late is usually tolerated with a small fine risk (typically ¥500); never registering is the mistake — it surfaces at the airport and can complicate every other application.