How to Register with the Chinese Police

Under Chinese law, foreigners must register with their local Public Security Bureau (paichusuo) within 24 hours of arrival in Mainland China or if you move residences. If you are staying at a hotel or a university dormitory, you don't need to do anything as they will process and retain the certificate for you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Copy of passport
• Copy of most recent entry
• Copy of most recent visa
• Copy of rental contract
• Patience

1. Before you go, make a photocopy of your passport photo page, most recent Chinese visa, and the page that is stamped with your most recent entry into China. The PSB will require photocopies of all these pages.

2. Ideally you want to bring your landlord or the person you are staying with. Do not expect anyone at the station to speak English. The police will require the most recent rental contract and a copy of the owner's ID card (shenfenzheng). Sometimes the police will require the owner of the apartment - not the landlord - to come into the station and present identification and proof of tax payments.

3. The police may ask you questions about your visa and what your plans are in China.

4. If the process goes smoothly, the police will print the "Registration Form of Temporary Residence." You will be given an opportunity to review that it's correct and then sign it. It's your job to make sure everything is right - passport number, nationality, etc. Not correcting a mistake now could cause problems later.

5. The police department will request a phone number. If you don't speak Chinese well, you may want to provide the phone number of the person with whom you are residing. The police can and do call, especially at sensitive times such as a big event (Olympics, Shanghai Expo) or if there is a security concern, such as riots.

6. You may want to make a photocopy of your registration or scan a copy to your computer in case you lose the original form. If you do lose your original, you should go back to the police station and request a duplicate copy. You should do this before your visa expires or you'll be unable to apply for a new visa from within Mainland China.

7. Attach the registration form to your passport. According to Chinese law, foreigners should carry their passport and registration form with them at all times. At a minimum, take copies of both with you to prove that you are in compliance with Chinese law.

Tips & Warnings

• Different PSB offices have different requirements and you should be patient as you embark on this process. PSB offices in neighborhoods with a large foreigner population, such as Beijing's Wangjing or Wudaokou, will be more familiar with the process. They can also be more unforgiving if you make a mistake and don't register in the required time frame. You must go to the police station the nearest to your residence.
• It is vital that you follow this process or you could be fined up to 500RMB a day and unable to apply for a new visa within the Mainland. In order to get a new visa, you must present this certificate. Your registration is valid for the same duration as your visa, so you'll need to re-register every time you get a new visa or when your residency status changes. In the event you do not register within the required time frame, the police station may issue a warning that reminds you foreigners are required to register within 24 hours of arrival or moving to a new location. If a warning is issued, you will be required to sign the document and stamp your finger in red ink over your signature. Not registering at all could lead to fines and/or deportation.