Purpose and boundary
This article explains an administrative confirmation step for foreign patients and accompanying persons who stay temporarily in China. It separates hotel registration from accommodation at a private home, rented property, serviced apartment or other non-hotel address, and it does not determine whether a visa, stay permit, residence permit or any other immigration document is valid.
The National Immigration Administration and local public security authorities control the applicable process. Requirements can differ by locality, document type, address and current policy, so use this article as a preparation checklist only and confirm the latest instruction with the hotel, local police station, exit-entry administration window or official NIA channel before relying on it.
When the address is a hotel
Article 39 of China’s Exit and Entry Administration Law says that when foreigners stay in hotels, the hotel registers the accommodation under hotel public-security rules and submits the information to the public security organ where the hotel is located. At check-in, present the travel document the hotel requests and ask reception whether the registration has been completed.
Ask the hotel how the guest can obtain or view a registration record, especially if the patient or companion will move to another address, extend the stay or visit another city. A booking confirmation is not necessarily the same thing as an accommodation-registration record, and ChinaCareAccess cannot replace the hotel’s own submission or the authority’s confirmation.
When the address is not a hotel
For a private residence, rented room, homestay, employer-provided room or another non-hotel lodging, the NIA explains that the foreign guest or the person accommodating them should complete accommodation registration with the public security organ at the place of residence within 24 hours after check-in. Ask the host or property manager in advance who will attend and which local office accepts the filing.
The local channel may be an in-person police station, an exit-entry public-service window or an official online system, depending on the locality and eligibility. If the address changes, do not assume that an earlier record transfers automatically; ask the local authority whether a new registration is required and keep the answer with the date and address to which it relates.
Prepare the confirmation carefully
Before check-in, write down the complete address exactly as shown by the lodging provider, the check-in date and time, the names of each foreign guest, and the person responsible for the accommodation. Bring only the valid travel or stay document and supporting address material requested by the responsible office; do not send a full medical file or unrelated identity material to a coordinator.
Check spelling, passport or permit details, dates and room or unit information before submitting. If an official record is issued electronically or on paper, save the record with its issue date and address, and note the office or platform that produced it. This creates an administrative reference without treating the record as permission to remain or as an immigration decision.
Patients, companions and local variation
Each foreign patient and companion may need to be considered as a separate guest when their documents, arrival times, hosts or addresses differ. A child, caregiver, interpreter or family member may be handled under local procedures that the hotel or public security office explains; do not infer that one adult’s filing covers everyone in the group.
The NIA announced online filing for non-hotel accommodation through its government service platform, NIA 12367 application and WeChat or Alipay mini-programs, with initial implementation in specified pilot provinces and municipalities. Availability and scope can change, so check the current official NIA page or call 12367 and follow the local authority’s instructions rather than relying on an old screenshot or informal translation.
If registration is delayed or unclear
If a hotel refuses or cannot explain the registration, ask for the duty manager and request the current public-security contact or official procedure in writing. For a non-hotel address, contact the local police station or exit-entry service window promptly, explain the check-in time and address, and ask what corrective step is available; keep a dated note of the response.
ChinaCareAccess can help organise a short, non-sensitive question for the lodging provider or competent office, such as the address, check-in date and requested record type. Do not use the coordination channel to send passport scans, full medical records, visa credentials, payment details or private contact lists, and do not treat coordination as legal representation or an immigration filing.
