Passport & Registration Rules

Chinese law requires foreigners to carry their original passport, not just a photocopy. Hotels, trains, attractions, and police checks can all require your passport at short notice, and the expectation is stricter than in many other countries.

If you stay outside a licensed hotel, you must complete temporary residence registration within 24 hours. Overstays or missing registration can lead to fines, future visa problems, or detention.

Always carry your original passport, not just a digital image or paper copy. Police checks can happen anywhere, especially near borders, train stations, and sensitive areas. Hotels need it for check-in, some attractions need it for ticketing, and trains can require it both when buying tickets and when boarding.

Licensed hotels register you electronically as part of check-in. Keep any registration slip or printout they provide. If you are booking a guesthouse or smaller property, confirm in advance that they are licensed to host foreigners, because unlicensed hotels cannot legally register you.

If you stay in an Airbnb or apartment, the host is still responsible for making sure registration happens within the required time window.

If you stay with friends or family, you must register within 24 hours at the local police station (派出所), usually with your host present. Bring your passport, visa, the host's ID card, and a rental agreement if applicable. Fill out the temporary residence form and keep the receipt.

The listed fine is typically ¥500 per day overstayed, and the consequences can extend beyond the payment itself. Overstays may affect future visa applications. If you realize you have overstayed, go to the local Exit-Entry Bureau immediately. If you need more time, request an extension before your current permission expires.

If your passport is lost, file a police report immediately, contact your embassy or consulate, apply for an emergency travel document, and then visit the Exit-Entry Bureau to update your status. Moving fast matters because hotels and onward transport may not accept improvised proof of identity.