What documentation is needed to register in China with local police when staying with a friend?

I am a U.S. citizen who will be traveling with my girlfriend (Russian) to Thailand. Before we go, I will be staying at her apartment (which she rents) in Beijing where I am meeting her for two nights under the 72-hour transit visa program. I know that one of the requirements for the 72-hour transit visa is that I register with the local authorities within 24 hours of landing.

My question: what do I and/or my girlfriend need to give to the local authorities? I think for me it is pretty obvious, in that I will have to give them my passport and such, and I know they will make me fill out the Temporary Resident Registration Form. The part I can't seem to figure out is what she will need to bring with her. She is of course already registered, as she is working in Beijing.

She told me that when her friend who is also a Russian working in China had her parents come, her friend had to bring people from the sponsoring work agency along with her to register them. Is that needed?

Can my girlfriend and I simply go to the police station ourselves and do the registration? Do we need her lease, her landlord, someone from her sponsoring agency, etc.?

Best Answer

The answer to this can vary form one location to another in China. One officer in one district might ask for this or that document, another officer might wave you away as he doesn't want the paperwork.

One district I registered in told me to go to the community office behind my house and get a little credit card sized pass-book form there before doing the temporary registration of residency. The community officer asked my assistant some questions regarding the location of my house, which floor, were there bars and locks on the windows, etc.

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How do I register with the police in China?

Here is a simple process of getting registered with the local police station.

A photocopy of the front page of your passport.

Visa page copy.

Immigration entry stamp.

House Purchase Documents ( to be provided by the one who rents the apartment)

Visit the local police station with these documents and request to register.

How do I get temporary residency in China?

What you will need to apply.

Passport with valid entry visa.

Completed visa application form with official stamp.

Original registration form of temporary residence.

Family member's passport with a valid residence permit for S visa or family member's ID and a proof of over six months' residence in China for Q visa.

How can I live in China legally?

Here are the primary documents needed for the permanent residence application:

Complete Application Form for Permanent Residence in China;

Valid passport and valid visa (or resident permit);

A health certificate issued by a domestic entry-exit inspection and issued within the last six months;

Registering a Temporary Residence with The Local Police Station

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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