FAQs on Lodging & Stay Duration for Visa-Free Foreign Nationals

Q I am a foreign traveler to China from a country that has a mutual visa exemption agreement with China. My visa-free stay period in China is coming to an end, but I want to continue staying in China. What should I do?

A Foreign citizens from countries with mutual visa exemption agreements with China must leave China before the expiration of their visa-free stay. If they need to remain in the country due to urgent matters or force majeure, they must apply for a stay permit from the immigration office of the public security bureau before the visa-free stay expires.

Q I am a foreign citizen from a country that has a mutual visa exemption agreement with China. Do I need to register my accommodation after entering China visa-free?

A According to Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, when a foreigner stays in a hotel in China, the hotel shall handle the accommodation registration for him in accordance with the relevant provisions on the management of hotels by the public security administration and submit the foreigner’s accommodation registration information to local public security organs. Foreigners residing or staying in places other than hotels shall, within 24 hours after check-in, go through the registration formalities with local public security organs in person or by the person who accommodates them. In accordance with relevant provisions, foreign citizens from countries with mutual visa exemption agreements with China must go through accommodation registration as stipulated by the law after entering China visa-free.

Upon arrival, foreign citizens entering China are required to fill out the “Foreigner Arrival Card”, which provides information in Chinese and English, under the title of “Important Tips”, on matters concerning accommodation registration. Please follow these instructions and complete the accommodation registration in accordance with the law.

You are also welcome to call 12367 a 24/7 hotline that provides consultation and answers on immigration management policies！

Source:国家移民管理局 NIA