China’s Nationwide Online Accommodation Registration for Foreign Nationals: What Changed on 21 September 2026
- From 21 September 2026 the National Immigration Administration has rolled out nationwide online registration of foreign nationals’ accommodation outside hotels, after a pilot from 20 March 2026 in Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing and Sichuan.
自 2026 年 9 月 21 日起，国家移民管理局在全国推广网上办理外国人在旅馆以外住宿的住宿登记；此前自 2026 年 3 月 20 日起在河北、辽宁、浙江、湖北、广西、重庆、四川试点。
- The legal duty is unchanged: under Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, a foreign national staying outside a hotel must register with the public security authority of the place of residence within 24 hours of check-in, by himself or through the host.
法律义务未变：依据《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》第三十九条，外国人在旅馆以外的其他住所居住或者住宿的，应当在入住后二十四小时内由本人或者留宿人向居住地公安机关办理登记。
- Online filing runs through the NIA government-service platform, the “12367” application and the 12367 mini-programs on WeChat and Alipay, with the same legal effect as registering in person; the offline channel remains available.
网上办理渠道包括国家移民管理局政务服务平台、12367 应用程序，以及微信、支付宝的 12367 小程序；网上办理与现场办理具有同等法律效力，线下渠道继续保留。
- The first registration at an address is to be assisted by the host, who may be a Chinese citizen or a foreign national; self-registration is available where the person has registered at the same address before or is staying in a home he or she owns in China.
首次在某一地址登记须由留宿人协助，留宿人可以是中国公民，也可以是外国人；此前已在同一住址登记过，或住宿的是本人在华自有房产，可以自行登记。
- No repeat registration is needed when returning to an owned home after travel inside or outside China, or when returning to a habitual residence within the validity of the same residence or permanent residence permit.
在中国境内自有住所居住、境内外旅行后返回该自有住所的，或持居留证件、永久居留证件在经常住所居住、在同一证件有效期内返回该经常住所的，无需再次登记。
- Visa-free entry does not exempt anyone: entry permission is a border formality while accommodation registration is a domestic legal duty, and online registration neither extends the permitted stay nor authorises work or study.
免签入境同样适用住宿登记规则：入境许可是边境手续，住宿登记是国内法定义务；网上登记不延长停留期限，也不授予工作、学习等许可。
- Failure to register can bring a warning and, under Article 76, an additional fine of up to RMB 2,000; keeping a screenshot of the submission is a simple safeguard.
未按期登记可被给予警告，并依据第七十六条可以并处二千元以下罚款；保留提交截图是简单的自我保护。
China’s Nationwide Online Accommodation Registration for Foreign Nationals: What Changed on 21 September 2026 | 外国人在华住宿登记全国网上办理：2026 年 9 月 21 日起的变化
Overview
Since 21 September 2026, foreign nationals staying anywhere in China other than a hotel can register their accommodation online, nationwide. The National Immigration Administration announced the rollout in Public Notice No. 7 of 2026, after a pilot from 20 March 2026 in Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing and Sichuan. The reform changes the channel, not the duty: Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law still requires registration within 24 hours of check-in, and online filing has the same legal effect as a counter visit. This article covers the legal basis, the channels, who may self-register, four common living arrangements, the host’s role and the risk of a missed deadline.
The legal basis and the 24-hour rule
Article 39 provides that hotel stays are registered by the hotel, which reports the information to the local public security authority, while a foreign national living or staying in any other accommodation must register with the public security authority of the place of residence within 24 hours of check-in, by himself or through the host. Two points follow. The 24-hour clock runs from check-in and is not limited to business hours. And the duty can fall on either the foreign national or the host — which is why a landlord, a company administrator or a friend who provides accommodation has an interest in the filing being made.
What changed on 21 September 2026
The change is nationwide online availability. The NIA notice states that, to improve convenience for foreign nationals staying outside hotels and building on the pilot, the online service was extended nationwide from 21 September 2026; online and counter registration have the same legal effect, and the offline channel remains. The pilot ran from 20 March 2026 in seven provincial-level regions and was to be extended progressively. Nothing in the notice shortens the duty or relaxes the 24-hour limit.
Channels and process
Official channels are the NIA government-service platform (website), the “12367” application, and the 12367 mini-programs on WeChat and Alipay. The user goes to “Foreigner Service”, selects “Accommodation Registration”, and submits after registering and completing identity authentication; the record can then be viewed under “Registration Record Query”. The platform carries an online guide, and the 12367 hotline is available for consultation; assistance is also available at the local exit-entry service window or police station.
Who can register online
Either the foreign national or the host may file. Because the host knows the property better, and to keep the information accurate, the first registration at an address is to be assisted by the host, who may be a Chinese citizen or a foreign national. Self-registration is available where the person has registered at the same address before, or is staying in a home he or she owns. An “owned home” is one owned by the foreign national or the spouse; a “habitual residence” is a long-term residence, “long term” meaning more than 180 days in China, per Article 36 of the Regulations on the Administration of Entry and Exit of Foreigners.
No repeat registration in two cases
No repeat registration is needed where the person lives in an owned home in China and returns after travel inside or outside China; or where the person holds a residence or permanent residence permit, lives at a habitual residence, and returns within the validity of the same permit. The simplification is tied to the same address and document, so moving house or changing permit restarts the ordinary duty.
Four situations in practice
Renting, or staying with friends or relatives
The foreign national or the host files online within 24 hours of check-in. On a first registration at the address, the host should assist; the host may be a Chinese or foreign national. A landlord renting to an expatriate family, or a friend putting up a colleague, is a host and can file on the guest’s behalf.
Owning a home in China
The owner can self-register, and later returns to an already-registered owned home need no fresh filing. The owned home is one owned by the foreign national or the spouse.
Hotel stays
The hotel registers the guest under the hotel-industry public-security rules and reports the information. The guest does not file individually, and the non-hotel online service is not the relevant channel.
Expatriate executives, employees and dependants
For a family in a leased apartment, or an employee in company housing or a talent apartment, the employer’s administrator can act as host and assist with the first registration. On a later return to the same registered address, the repeat-registration simplification may apply, depending on whether the address is an owned home or a habitual residence held with a residence permit. Visa-free entry changes none of this: the accommodation rules apply to visa-free entrants too, because entry permission is a border formality while accommodation registration is a domestic legal duty. Online registration neither extends the permitted stay nor authorises work, study or other activities requiring a specific visa category.
The host’s role
The law places the duty on the foreign national or the host, and the online guidance builds the host into the first registration at an address. For companies, the person handling housing — a relocation manager, an HR administrator or a local office manager — is a practical point of control. For individuals, a landlord or a friend providing accommodation should confirm the filing has been made.
Risk of late registration
Under Article 76, a foreign national or host who fails to register as required by Article 39(2) is given a warning and may additionally be fined up to RMB 2,000. The online channel removes the excuse of travelling to a counter, which raises the value of a simple internal reminder: file within 24 hours of check-in, and keep the record.
Practical steps
Agree before check-in who files. Complete identity authentication in advance so the 24-hour window is not consumed by setup. Have the host assist on a first registration at the address. After submission, keep a screenshot and the record shown under “Registration Record Query”. Note the two no-repeat cases, and that moving or changing permit restarts the duty. Visa-free visitors should not treat the absence of a visa as the absence of the registration duty.
Sources
- 国家移民管理局政务服务平台: https://s.nia.gov.cn/index.html
- 国家移民管理局《关于全国推广网上办理外国人旅馆以外住宿登记的公告》（2026 年第 7 号）及政策解读: https://www.changzhou.gov.cn/gi_news/705179006030586
- 国家移民管理局《1 至 8 月 4.99 亿人次出入境 免签入境外国人同比上升 26.8%》: https://www.nia.gov.cn/News/news/content.jsp?id=1800895
- 央广网《国家移民管理局：试点推行网上办理外国人旅馆以外住宿登记》: https://news.cnr.cn/native/gd/kx/20260320/t20260320_527557350.shtml
- 福建公安公众服务网《外国人申报住宿登记》: https://gat.fj.gov.cn/ztzl/cryjfwwj/flfg_28281/202110/t20211025_5748600.htm
- 邯郸市公安局《便民新升级，外国人旅馆以外住宿登记网上办理更便捷》: http://gaj.hd.gov.cn/web/show?id=7933
- 国家移民管理局: https://www.nia.gov.cn/
- 中国政府网: https://www.gov.cn/
外国人在华住宿登记全国网上办理：2026 年 9 月 21 日起的变化
概述
自 2026 年 9 月 21 日起，在中国境内旅馆以外住宿的外国人，可以在全国范围内网上办理住宿登记。国家移民管理局以 2026 年第 7 号公告宣布全国推广；此前自 2026 年 3 月 20 日起，该服务已在河北、辽宁、浙江、湖北、广西、重庆、四川七个省级行政区开展试点。此次改革改变的是办理渠道，而非登记义务。依据《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》第三十九条，外国人应当在入住后二十四小时内办理登记，这一义务继续有效，二十四小时的时限也未放宽；新的变化是登记可以从手机或电脑上提交，并与到公安机关现场办理具有同等法律效力。本文梳理法律依据、办理渠道、可自行登记的情形、四种常见居住安排的不同做法、留宿人的角色，以及逾期未办的风险。
法律依据与二十四小时规则
《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》第三十九条规定，外国人在中国境内旅馆住宿的，旅馆应当按照旅馆业治安管理的有关规定为其办理住宿登记，并向所在地公安机关报送外国人住宿登记信息；外国人在旅馆以外的其他住所居住或者住宿的，应当在入住后二十四小时内由本人或者留宿人向居住地的公安机关办理登记。由此有两点值得注意。其一，二十四小时自入住起算，而非自抵达机场起算，且并不限于工作时间。其二，义务主体可以是外国人本人，也可以是留宿人——正因如此，出租房屋的房东、公司行政人员或提供住宿的朋友，都有必要关注登记是否完成。
2026 年 9 月 21 日发生了什么变化
变化在于网上办理在全国范围上线。国家移民管理局公告表示，为进一步提升外国人在华生活便利度、方便在旅馆以外住宿的外国人办理住宿登记，结合前期试点情况，决定自 2026 年 9 月 21 日起在全国推广网上办理外国人旅馆以外住宿登记。网上办理与到公安机关现场办理具有同等效力，前往居住地公安机关办理的线下渠道继续保留。该服务自 2026 年 3 月 20 日起在七个省级行政区试点推行，并根据试点情况逐步向全国推广。公告既未缩短或免除登记义务，也未改动二十四小时的时限。
办理渠道与流程
官方渠道为：国家移民管理局政务服务平台（网站）、12367 应用程序，以及微信、支付宝的 12367 小程序。在平台上，用户进入”外国人服务”栏目，选择”住宿登记”模块，经注册并完成身份认证后按照提示提交；办理完成后，可在”登记记录查询”中查看记录。平台内附有办理指南，12367 服务热线可供咨询；也可以前往居住地公安机关出入境管理机构对外服务窗口或者属地公安派出所，寻求工作人员协助。
谁可以网上办理
外国人本人或者留宿人均可办理。考虑到留宿人对住所信息更加熟悉，为确保登记信息准确，首次在某一地址办理登记时，由留宿人协助完成；留宿人可以是中国公民，也可以是外国人。以下两种情形住宿人可以自行办理：曾通过国家移民管理局政务服务平台办理过住宿登记、需在同一住所再次办理的；住在自有住所的。”自有住所”是指外国人或者其配偶在中国境内所有的住所；”经常住所”是指外国人在中国境内长期居住或者计划长期居住的住所，根据《外国人入境出境管理条例》第三十六条规定，”长期”是指在中国境内居留超过 180 日。
两种无需重复登记的情形
在旅馆以外住宿并已按规定办理住宿登记后，符合以下情形的无需再次登记：在中国境内自有住所居住，境内外旅行后返回该自有住所的；持居留证件、永久居留证件在中国境内经常住所居住，在同一证件有效期内，境内外旅行后返回该经常住所的。简化以同一地址、同一证件为条件，因此迁往新地址或更换证件，仍须重新履行一般的登记义务。
四种情形下的实操
租房居住，或借住亲友家中
外国人本人或者留宿人在入住后二十四小时内通过四个渠道之一在线提交。若为该地址的首次登记，应由留宿人协助；留宿人可以是中国公民，也可以是外国人。把房屋出租给外派家庭的房东，或让同事短期借住一周的朋友，在此都属于留宿人，可以代住宿人办理。
在华自有房产
住宿在本人于中国境内所有住所的外国人，可以自行办理登记。若该住所此前已通过平台办理过登记，此后返回无需重新登记。需注意，自有住所是指外国人本人或者其配偶在中国境内所有的住所。
仅住酒店
住宿在旅馆的，由旅馆按照旅馆业治安管理的有关规定为客人办理住宿登记，并向所在地公安机关报送住宿登记信息。客人无需个人单独办理，旅馆以外住宿的网上办理服务也不是相应渠道。
外派高管、来华员工与家属
对于入住租赁公寓的家庭，或被安置在公司宿舍、人才公寓的员工，企业行政人员可以作为留宿人，协助完成该地址的首次登记。若员工此后出行并返回同一已登记地址，是否适用无需重复登记的简化，取决于该地址是自有住所，还是持居留证件居住的经常住所。免签入境不改变上述任何规则：住宿登记规则同样适用于以免签方式入境的外国人，因为入境许可是边境手续，而住宿登记是国内法定义务。网上登记既不延长获准停留期限，也不授予工作、学习或从事其他需专门签证类别活动的许可。
留宿人的角色
法律将登记义务落在外国人本人或者留宿人身上，网上办理的指引又把留宿人纳入地址首次登记的环节。对企业而言，负责住房事务的人——搬迁经理、人事行政人员或本地办公室负责人——是实际的控制节点。对个人而言，提供住宿的房东或朋友应当确认登记已经完成。
逾期未办的风险
依据《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》第七十六条，外国人或者留宿人未按第三十九条第二款规定办理住宿登记的，给予警告，可以并处二千元以下罚款。网上渠道免去了前往窗口办理的周折，这也使得一条简单的内部提醒更有价值：入住后二十四小时内办理，并保留记录。
实操步骤
在入住前约定由谁办理。提前在平台完成身份认证，以免二十四小时的时限被注册准备占用。若为该地址的首次登记，由留宿人协助。提交后截图留存，并与”登记记录查询”中的记录一并保存。留意两种无需重复登记的情形，同时留意迁址或换证仍须重新履行一般登记义务。以免签方式入境的，不要因为没有签证就以为没有登记义务。
来源
- 国家移民管理局政务服务平台: https://s.nia.gov.cn/index.html
- 国家移民管理局《关于全国推广网上办理外国人旅馆以外住宿登记的公告》（2026 年第 7 号）及政策解读: https://www.changzhou.gov.cn/gi_news/705179006030586
- 国家移民管理局《1 至 8 月 4.99 亿人次出入境 免签入境外国人同比上升 26.8%》: https://www.nia.gov.cn/News/news/content.jsp?id=1800895
- 央广网《国家移民管理局：试点推行网上办理外国人旅馆以外住宿登记》: https://news.cnr.cn/native/gd/kx/20260320/t20260320_527557350.shtml
- 福建公安公众服务网《外国人申报住宿登记》: https://gat.fj.gov.cn/ztzl/cryjfwwj/flfg_28281/202110/t20211025_5748600.htm
- 邯郸市公安局《便民新升级，外国人旅馆以外住宿登记网上办理更便捷》: http://gaj.hd.gov.cn/web/show?id=7933
- 国家移民管理局: https://www.nia.gov.cn/
- 中国政府网: https://www.gov.cn/