Foreign visitors staying in Chinese apartments, homestays or short-term rentals can now complete the legally required 24-hour accommodation registration entirely online, following a nationwide rollout announced by the National Immigration Administration (NIA) on 27 September. Under Announcement No. 7 of 2026, guests or hosts may file via four channels: the NIA service portal, the 12367 mobile app, and corresponding WeChat or Alipay mini-programs. The digital form captures passport data, address details and length of stay; the system issues an electronic receipt with a QR code that border-police officers can scan during spot checks. The initiative expands a pilot that began in March across seven provinces. It does not alter the underlying legal requirement—foreigners still must register within 24 hours of arrival at any new address—but it removes the need to queue at local police stations, a pain-point frequently cited by expatriates and digital nomads. Late filings still attract fines of up to RMB 2,000. Property hosts gain compliance benefits, too: filings can be reused for returning tenants, and landlords receive push notifications when permits near expiry. Real-estate serviced-apartment chains such as BaseLiving told Stamped Nomad that the change cuts average check-in time by 40 minutes and increases appeal to long-stay business travellers. Global mobility teams should update arrival instructions in welcome packs and encourage staff to download the NIA 12367 app before departure. The NIA indicates that additional services—such as online visa-extension appointments—will be layered onto the same platform by early 2027.
Source: Stamped Nomad
