Legal Requirements

According to the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, foreigners and residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan who stay at a residence other than a hotel must register their accommodation with the local public security authority within 24 hours of arrival. The registration must be completed by the person staying at the residence or by the person providing the accommodation.

If there is any change to your passport, place of residence, or other relevant information, you should promptly report the change to the local police station and complete a new accommodation registration.

Online Accommodation Registration

To make life in China more convenient for foreign nationals staying at places other than hotels, the National Immigration Administration has decided to expand nationwide the online accommodation registration service, following earlier pilot programs. The service has been available nationwide since September 21, 2026.

Foreign nationals or the person providing accommodation may complete the registration online through:

• the National Immigration Administration Government Services website; https://s.nia.gov.cn/mps/main.html
• the NIA 12367 （移民局12367） mobile app;
• the NIA 12367 WeChat Mini Program; or
• the NIA 12367 Alipay Mini Program.

The existing option of registering in person at the local public security authority remains available. Online registration and in-person registration have the same legal effect.

Cases Where Re-registration Is Not Required

Foreign nationals who are legally staying or residing in China and have already completed accommodation registration as required do not need to register again after returning from travel within or outside China if one of the following conditions applies:

1. Returning to a privately owned residence

   The foreign national lives in a residence owned by themselves or their spouse in China and returns to the same residence after traveling within or outside China.

2. Returning to a regular residence with a valid residence permit

   The foreign national holds a valid residence permit (including the permanent residence permit), lives at their regular residence in China, and returns to the same residence after traveling within or outside China while the same residence permit remains valid.

   A “regular residence” refers to a residence in China where the foreign national lives or plans to live for an extended period. According to Article 36 of the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, “an extended period” means residing in China for more than 180 days.

Documents Required for In-person Registration

For foreign nationals staying at a residence other than a hotel, please bring:

• A valid identity document;
• Proof of residence, such as: （one of the three）
  • Property purchase contract;
  • Property ownership certificate; or
  • Rental agreement.

If you are staying in temporary accommodation provided by a university department and do not have a rental agreement, please contact the relevant housing administration office to obtain an accommodation registration letter.

A template is available in the Chinese Page 派出所住宿登记流程 : 中国科学技术大学国际合作与交流部暨港澳台事务办公室官方网站.

Lost Your Accommodation Registration Form?

If you do not need to register again but have lost your previous Accommodation Registration Form and need a copy, you can return to the police station where the original registration was completed.

Please explain that your address and passport have not changed and that you need a replacement copy of your previous registration form.

In this case:

• You do not need to provide an introduction letter.
• You do not need to complete the registration process again.
• The police station will issue a replacement copy directly.

📍 Police Stations Serving Different USTC Campuses

Please note: Services for foreign nationals are not available on weekends or public holidays.

USTC East Campus & South Campus

Responsible Police Station: Wuhu Road Police Station (芜湖路派出所)

Service days: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

Current status: The Foreign Affairs Management Service Station on campus is temporarily suspended. Services will resume at a later date. Please go to Wuhu Road Police Station.

USTC West Campus

Responsible Police Station: Daoxiangcun Police Station (稻香村派出所)

USTC North Campus

Responsible Police Station: Sanli’an Police Station (三里庵派出所)