A Registered Address

Before you begin

What is temporary accommodation registration?

Temporary accommodation registration (临时住宿登记) is a legal requirement for all foreigners living in Shenzhen. If you’re staying in anything other than a hotel (rental apartment, owned property, staying with friends), you must register your address with the local police within 24 hours of moving in.

This registration is mandatory under China’s Exit-Entry Administration Law (Article 39). It’s not optional, and it’s not something you can skip—even if you’re just staying temporarily.

Why it matters

Your registered address is required for many other processes in Shenzhen:

• Opening a bank account (most banks require proof of registration)
• Applying for or renewing a residence permit
• Getting a Chinese phone number (some carriers require it)
• Accessing certain government services

Think of this as your official proof of address in China. Without it, you’ll hit roadblocks.

Legal requirement

According to the Exit-Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China:

Foreigners staying or residing in accommodations other than hotels shall, within 24 hours after moving in, register with the public security organ of their place of residence.

Penalty for non-compliance: Warning or fine up to RMB 2,000.

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Who needs to register

You must register if you are:

• A foreign national (non-Chinese passport holder)
• Living in Shenzhen (not in a hotel)
• Staying in: rental apartment, owned property, friend’s place, company dormitory

You do NOT need to register if:

• Staying at a hotel (hotel handles registration automatically)
• Staying at a sauna club with accommodation registration capability
• You hold a Foreign Permanent Residence ID Card and your address hasn’t changed

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When to register

Deadline: Within 24 hours of moving in.

This is strict. If you move into an apartment on Saturday at 3 PM, you should register by Sunday at 3 PM.

You must re-register in these situations:

Situation	When to Re-register
New address (moving)	Within 24 hours of moving in
Re-entry to China	Within 24 hours of each re-entry (even on same visa)
Passport/visa change	Within 10 days of info change
Registration expiry	Before expiry if staying longer

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Required documents

Prepare these before you start the registration process:

Essential documents

Document	Details
Passport	Original + copy of photo page
Visa page	Copy of your current Chinese visa
Entry stamp	Copy of your most recent entry stamp (if available)
Address proof	See options below
Photo	One 2-inch blue background photo

Address proof (one of the following)

If renting:

• Rental contract (original + copy)
• Landlord’s ID card copy (sometimes required)
• Property ownership certificate copy (sometimes required)

If you own the property:

• Property ownership certificate (房产证) original + copy

If staying with a friend/family:

• Host’s ID card (original + copy)
• Property ownership certificate or rental contract copy
• Host may need to accompany you

If company dormitory:

• Company letter confirming your residence
• Company business license copy
• Dormitory address proof

Additional documents (situational)

• Proxy registration: If someone else registers on your behalf, they need their ID card + authorization letter
• Minors: Birth certificate + parent’s passport copies

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How to register

You have two options: online (recommended) or offline (in-person at police station).

Option 1: Online registration (Recommended)

Online registration is faster, available 24/7, and doesn’t require visiting a police station. The审核 (review) takes about 4 working days.

Method A: WeChat - “深圳公安” Official Account

Step 1: Follow the official account

1. Open WeChat
2. Search for “深圳公安” (Shenzhen Public Security)
3. Follow the official account

Step 2: Navigate to registration

1. Tap “政务服务” (Government Services)
2. Select “出入境业务” (Exit-Entry Services)
3. Choose “境外人员临时住宿登记” (Temporary Accommodation Registration for Foreigners)

Step 3: Fill in your information

You’ll need to provide:

• Personal details (name, passport number, nationality)
• Visa information
• Address details (must match your rental contract or property certificate exactly)
• Upload required documents (photos of passport, visa, address proof)

Step 4: Submit and wait for review

• Review time: 3-5 working days (not including weekends/holidays)
• You’ll need to check the status actively (see below)

Step 5: Check your application status

Don’t wait for a notification — check it yourself:

1. Go back to the registration page
2. Scan the house QR code again
3. Click “QUERY” button
4. Wait for status to show “APPROVED”
5. Download or screenshot your registration confirmation

If not approved after 5 working days: Visit your local police station in person.

Method B: 粤省事 (Yue Sheng Shi) - Guangdong Provincial Platform

Platform: WeChat mini-program or App

“粤省事” is Guangdong’s provincial public service platform. Some users report faster processing times (1-2 days) compared to the Shenzhen-specific platform.

Steps:

1. Open WeChat
2. Search for “粤省事” mini-program
3. Log in with phone number + identity verification
4. Navigate to: 政务服务 → 出入境业务 → 境外人员临时住宿登记
5. Fill in the form and upload documents
6. Submit and wait for review

Method C: Shenzhen Foreigner Comprehensive Service Management Platform

Website: https://wgfw.ga.sz.gov.cn/

This official platform supports multiple languages (English, Chinese, and others).

Steps:

1. Visit the website
2. Register for an account (requires phone number)
3. Navigate to “Temporary Accommodation Registration”
4. Fill in the form and upload documents
5. Submit and wait for review (1-4 working days)

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Option 2: Offline registration (Police station)

If you prefer in-person service or have complications (missing documents, unusual situation), visit your local police station.

Find your police station

You need to go to the 派出所 (local police station) in your area. Each residential area has a designated police station.

How to find it:

• Ask your landlord or property management
• Search on Baidu Maps: “派出所” + your neighborhood name
• Call the hotline: 0755-12367 (Exit-Entry consultation)

Visit the police station

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
(Closed on weekends and public holidays)

Process:

1. Arrive during working hours
2. Take a number (if there’s a queue system)
3. Submit your documents to the officer
4. Officer verifies and enters information into the system
5. You’ll receive confirmation on the spot (or be told when to pick up the registration form)

Time required: 15-30 minutes (if no queue)

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Cost

Free. The registration is completely free of charge.

If anyone asks for payment (including “service fees” or “processing fees”), it’s a scam. Report it to the hotline: 0755-12367.

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Common mistakes to avoid

1. Missing the 24-hour deadline ⏰

Mistake: “I’ll do it this weekend” or “I’ll register next week.”

Reality: The law requires registration within 24 hours. While enforcement varies, you risk a warning or fine up to RMB 2,000.

Solution: Register as soon as you move in. Online registration takes 5 minutes to submit.

2. Wrong address format 📍

Mistake: Writing your address casually (e.g., “Near MixC mall, Building 3”).

Reality: The address must match your rental contract or property certificate exactly, including district, street, building number, and unit.

Solution: Copy the address character-by-character from your official documents. Don’t abbreviate.

3. Incomplete documents 📄

Mistake: Showing up without copies, or missing the landlord’s ID.

Reality: Police stations won’t process incomplete applications. You’ll have to come back.

Solution: Prepare everything in advance. Make 2-3 copies of each document.

4. Not re-registering after moving 🏠

Mistake: “I already registered once, I’m good.”

Reality: Every address change requires a new registration. Your old registration becomes invalid.

Solution: Register again within 24 hours of moving to a new place.

5. Not following up on online applications ⏳

Mistake: Submitting online and forgetting about it.

Reality: Online applications take 4 working days to review. If there’s an issue (unclear photo, wrong info), it may be rejected.

Solution: Check your WeChat notifications or log back into the platform to check status.

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Special situations

I’m staying at a friend’s place

Your friend (the host) should ideally accompany you to the police station with their ID and property proof. For online registration, you’ll need their property certificate or rental contract details.

I’m staying at Airbnb / short-term rental

You must self-register. Unlike hotels, Airbnb hosts don’t automatically register guests.

• Treat it like a rental apartment
• You need the house QR code or property address
• If the host can’t provide this, consider it a red flag

I’m staying at a hotel

The hotel handles registration automatically when you check in. Ask the front desk for a registration slip if you need it for other purposes (bank account, etc.).

My landlord refuses to provide documents

This is a common issue. Some landlords worry about tax implications. Explain that:

• This is a legal requirement for you as a foreigner
• It doesn’t affect their taxes
• You only need a copy, not the original

Important: Landlords can be fined up to RMB 2,000 if they don’t assist with registration. This is their legal responsibility too.

If they still refuse, consider finding a new landlord. This is a red flag.

I’m moving frequently (short-term stays)

If you’re moving every few weeks (e.g., between short-term rentals), you technically need to register each time. In practice, many short-term visitors skip this if staying less than a month, but it’s still legally required.

I lost my registration confirmation

You can re-apply or visit the police station to request a reprint. Keep digital copies (screenshot or photo) as backup.

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After registration

What you receive

After successful registration, you’ll get:

• Electronic confirmation (if registered online) — download or screenshot this
• Paper registration form (if registered offline) — keep this safe

Validity period

Your registration is valid for a limited time:

Accommodation Type	Validity Period
Hotel	7 days
Rental / Friend’s place	30 days

What this means: If you stay longer than the validity period, you need to renew or re-register. If you move to a new address, register again within 24 hours.

Keep it safe

You may need to show this registration for:

• Bank account opening
• Residence permit applications
• Phone number registration
• Other government services

Pro tip: Take a photo or scan your registration form. Store it in cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) and your phone. You’ll likely need it again.

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Need help?

Official resources

Resource	Contact
Shenzhen Public Security Bureau	http://ga.sz.gov.cn/
Exit-Entry Bureau (specific)	http://www.sz3e.com/
Guangdong Government Services (粤省事)	https://www.gdzwfw.gov.cn/
Foreigner Service Platform	https://wgfw.ga.sz.gov.cn/
National Immigration Administration	https://www.nia.gov.cn/
General Hotline	0755-12367 (Exit-Entry consultation)
Nanshan District Exit-Entry	0755-84466158
Futian District Office	福田区福中三路市行政服务大厅西厅
Exit-Entry Branch Hall (Luohu)	罗湖区解放路 4016 号
Xinhu Police Station (Guangming)	深圳市光明区新湖街道楼村新村同富路 1 号

Community support

If you run into issues or have questions:

• Join the HeyShenzhen Discord community
• Post in the HeyShenzhen Facebook group
• Ask in the HeyShenzhen WeChat group

Other expats have been through this and can help troubleshoot.

Need help?

HeyShenzhen Community

Information changes frequently in Shenzhen. While we strive to keep our guides accurate and up-to-date, the latest information is often best found by asking in our community groups.

Join our community to get real-time updates, tips, and suggestions from our members:

• Discord - For general discussions and quick questions
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• WeChat: Add me (ID: jayjenxi)

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Related guides

• Opening a Bank Account in Shenzhen

• Getting a Chinese Phone Number

• Finding an Apartment in Shenzhen

• Moving to Shenzhen: Complete Guide

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Last updated: 2026-03-17
Sources: Shenzhen Public Security Bureau, Exit-Entry Administration Law of the PRC