Important update for international students in China: Foreigners staying in apartments, private homes or other accommodation outside hotels can now complete their accommodation registration online anywhere in China.
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has officially expanded the online accommodation registration service nationwide from September 21, 2026. The service was first introduced on a pilot basis in seven provincial-level regions in March and has now been extended across the country.
For international students, this is an important change. Students who rent an apartment, stay with friends or relatives, or live in other non-hotel accommodation no longer necessarily need to visit a police station in person to complete the registration.
However, the accommodation registration requirement itself has not been cancelled. Foreigners staying outside hotels are still required to register their accommodation within 24 hours of moving in. The main change is that the procedure can now be completed online nationwide.
Under Article 39 of China's Exit and Entry Administration Law, foreigners staying in hotels have their accommodation information registered by the hotel.
Foreigners staying in other types of accommodation must arrange accommodation registration with the public security authorities in the place where they live.
This includes situations such as:
renting an apartment;
living in a private home;
staying with a friend or relative;
staying in accommodation provided by another person; or
living in another non-hotel residence in China.
The registration should normally be completed within 24 hours after moving into the accommodation. Either the foreigner staying at the address or the person providing the accommodation can complete the registration.
For an international student arriving in China, this means that the accommodation registration is an important step after moving into a private apartment or other non-hotel residence.
Previously, the NIA's online service was being tested in seven regions: Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing and Sichuan.
On September 21, 2026, the NIA announced nationwide implementation.
Foreigners or their accommodation hosts can now use the online service throughout China. The offline registration channels have not been removed, so students can still register through the relevant local public security authorities when necessary. Online and offline accommodation registration have the same legal effect.
This is particularly useful for international students who arrive outside normal office hours, move into a new apartment, or live some distance from a police station.
The NIA provides several official channels:
NIA Government Service Platform
“NIA 12367” mobile app
“NIA 12367” WeChat mini program
“NIA 12367” Alipay mini program
The official NIA platform provides an Accommodation Registration service under the foreigner services section. Users need to register and complete identity verification before following the instructions to submit their accommodation information.
The official NIA Government Service Platform is:
NIA Government Service Platform
After completing the registration, users can use “Registration Record Inquiry” to check their accommodation registration record.
The online registration can be completed by either:
the foreigner staying at the accommodation; or
the person providing the accommodation.
The person providing the accommodation is referred to as the accommodation host or 留宿人 in the Chinese system.
For a first registration, the NIA recommends that the accommodation host assist with the procedure because the host is generally more familiar with the address and accommodation information.
The accommodation host does not have to be a Chinese citizen. A foreign national can also act as the accommodation host.
A foreigner can independently complete the online registration in particular situations, including:
when the foreigner has previously used the NIA platform to register the same address; or
when the foreigner is staying in a residence that they own in China.
For example, if a student has previously had their landlord register the address through the NIA platform and later needs to register at the same address again, the student may be able to complete the process independently through the system.
This is one of the most important points for international students.
If you move from one apartment to another, do not assume that your previous accommodation registration automatically follows you.
A new non-hotel residence normally requires a new accommodation registration within 24 hours of moving in.
For example:
Old apartment → new apartment
The student should arrange accommodation registration for the new address.
The online system can make this process easier because previous registration information can be reused in some situations, but students still need to make sure that the new accommodation information has been submitted correctly. The NIA system allows users to reuse certain information from previous registration records.
When completing an online registration, the system may require information about the foreigner's identity and accommodation.
For repeat registration, the NIA's online instructions show that some personal and address information can be automatically filled from previous records. Users may still need to provide information such as:
the date they moved in;
the expected length of stay; and
the type of accommodation, such as rented or borrowed accommodation.
The system may also require verification by the accommodation host, including a verification code sent to the host's registered mobile phone.
Students should therefore make sure that they communicate with their landlord or accommodation host when completing a first registration or when the system requires host verification.
Not necessarily.
The NIA's policy interpretation provides specific circumstances in which a foreigner who has already properly registered their accommodation does not need to register again after travelling.
These include:
a foreigner returning to a residence they own in China after travelling inside or outside China; or
a foreigner holding a valid residence permit or permanent residence document returning to their registered habitual residence during the validity period of that document.
The policy defines a self-owned residence as a residence owned by the foreigner or their spouse in China.
A habitual residence refers to a residence where the foreigner lives or plans to live in China for a long period. Under the relevant regulations, “long term” means more than 180 days.
For students, however, the safest practical approach is to check the actual registration record when returning after travel, particularly if the accommodation or residence information has changed.
Hotels are different.
When a foreigner stays at a hotel in China, the hotel is responsible for registering the accommodation information with the local public security authorities.
Therefore, a student staying in a hotel does not normally need to complete a separate non-hotel accommodation registration for that hotel stay.
The situation changes when the student subsequently moves into an apartment, private home or other non-hotel accommodation.
At that point, the student or accommodation host needs to arrange the required accommodation registration.
Accommodation registration is a legal requirement for foreigners staying in non-hotel accommodation.
Under Article 76 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, foreigners or accommodation hosts who fail to complete the required registration may receive a warning and may also be subject to a fine.
For this reason, international students should treat accommodation registration as part of the normal arrival procedure in China, alongside other important administrative arrangements.
If you are coming to China to study, keep these steps in mind:
1. Staying in a hotel?
The hotel normally handles your accommodation registration.
2. Moving into an apartment or private home?
Arrange accommodation registration within 24 hours of moving in.
3. First time using the online system?
Your accommodation host may need to assist with the registration.
4. Moving to another apartment?
Check the registration for your new address rather than assuming your old registration has transferred.
5. Already registered at the same address?
You may be able to complete a subsequent registration yourself through the NIA platform.
6. Finished the online registration?
Use the NIA platform's Registration Record Inquiry function to check your record.
7. Having problems online?
Use the NIA 12367 hotline or the local public security authorities for assistance.
The nationwide online service makes an important administrative procedure more convenient, but international students should still make sure that their accommodation information is properly registered whenever the rules require it.
SICAS (Study In China Admission System) is a platform for international students interested in studying in China. It provides information on Chinese universities, degree programmes, scholarships and admission requirements, helping students explore study opportunities across China.