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Posts: 35

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Q: What are the consequences of not registering at the police station?

 

The rule is you must register within 24 hrs as soon as you arrive. I know many people that have lived here many many months and never registered. Some of them didn’t know of such a rule while others are hesitant to register now since its been so long since they been in china. What the are consequences for not registering?

Also, I know people that come here on one or two month multiple entry tourist visas, do they have to register again every time they return?

Any horror stories or fines for trying register at the police station?

11 years 21 weeks ago in  General  - China

 
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In Shenzhen its on record now and will make it hard to renew your future resident permit if there is a tract record, even more risky these days if you didn't report that you arrived back after a vacation. Listen, before they could careless like some guys are telling you here, but I'm telling you now its now recorded on your passport number at the PSB. Don't give yourself a bad record.

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7 years 19 weeks ago
 
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In accordance with Articles 29, 30 and 31 in Rules for Implementation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Control of Entry and Exit of Foreigners, if a foreigner arrives to China and does not stay in an approved hotel (which will do the registration of address for you), the foreigner has 24 hours if residing in a city, or 72 hours if residing in the countryside.  Further, let's say you live in Guangzhou, and decide to visit a friend in Beijing for a week.  You must register your address while in Beijing if not in an approved hotel also.

 

Now. that is the Law.  What happens in actual life?  As long as no one ask you for the registration form, you have no problems.  But if on a check up you are asked for it, and do not have it, you are subject to a monetary fine which (I am not totally sure of the number, that's what I heard) will amount to 500 yuan per day, not to exceed either 5,000 or 10,000 yuan (sorry, forgot which), and from there could escalate all the way to include deportation.

 

Two last things: 

One is that some PSB offices, when you visit them for whatever purpose, first thing they do is ask you for the registration form before replying to your "Good morning".  If you do not have it, the fine will apply and collected, and whatever you need to request will be attended to when you come back with the form.  Maybe that is their way to teach us to do as told, and not as you want.

And second, the local Police Station, so far, has not done one thing to punish those that request the registration form late.  They just process it and hand it to you.  The worse I heard happened was that one guy was told "next time, do not wait so long".

Scandinavian:

Hmmm, did not know the thing about having to register when traveling to another city. Will that registration "cancel" out the previous registration. E.g. I live in my apartment, I plan to live here for years, then I away for the weekend and the hotel registers me, do I need to register again when I get home.

 

A side note to no registering. Last time my visa was about to expire, the administrators in our community would come several times to our door to ask if they could see my updated visa, the guards would ask when we came and left. So the local police/PSB are deficiently keeping track. However, they have never actually seen my new visa, so PSB must also have informed that I had been supplied with a new visa. Way to micromanage society. 

11 years 21 weeks ago
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HappyExPat:

Technically yes, but in reality I do only re-register back at my apartment when I am out of China. If just for a few days to another city, I do register if not staying at a hotel in the city I am visiting, but when I return home, I do not bother since my previous one (registration at home) still has days left prior to expiration. Not right as per the spirit of the Law, but I do guess I am a bit lazy sometimes..........

11 years 21 weeks ago
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debbie.luo:

I also didn't know about the having to register when visiting another city. But I can say that even if you have a multiple entry visa (mine is a X visa), if you leave China and come back, you have to go to your local police station again to register. I only know this because I overstayed my last visa and during the interview the officer asked me when was the last time I left China. I replied 3 months ago when I went to Hong Kong. She said that means I didn't register with my local police station. I did in fact register, but that was after I moved to Guangzhou. Apparantly, you have to register every time you leave your city and come back. In the end I was fined 100 RMB for not registering.

 

However, I think they only discovered this because I overstayed my visa. I left China 2 or 3 times during my first visa and when I got my second visa (on time), I had no problems at the PSB.

11 years 21 weeks ago
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11 years 21 weeks ago
 
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    Well... talking about our own family experience.

We do register EVERY entry in China, within 24 hours. But instead of register when arrive on,  our come-back from other province.

     I think the better option for ALL of us, is AVOID conflict with  Politial Station Officer And attend what they preach as rulers.  Because:  for that registration, we don't need to pay any money, and unless to wait long time there. 

     We JUST need to bring onself  PASSAPORT, one COPY from de VISA page, other the PICTURE page, and one PHOTOGRAFIA.

They want we register, we do register and end of the history.......hi,hi,hi 

If we don't  register, we'll be pay the tax,  when they ask us to SHOW them that regist... 

 

 

HappyExPat:

Besides the copies of the two pages you indicated, you will need also a copy of the page with the last entry stamp. each page copied on a separate piece of paper, please. And you will also need (the first time) a copy of the rental agreement plus a copy of the ID of the landlord, if you own the apartment than a copy of the booklet of ownership.

11 years 21 weeks ago
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11 years 21 weeks ago
 
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Okay so here is the deal with a friend of mine. She has lived in China for over 4 years on 3 month multiple entry visa. She often leaves the country and comes back in a week or two. She never registered and is scared they will fine and/or give her trouble. If she goes down to the police station today,

 

Do you think she will have a problem?

Any ffines/fees/tax?

 

hiddenjelly:

I doubt it, I lived in Dongguan for over a year on a similar visa. Then I got married and was able to change to a resident permit, but to do that I needed the registration form. Simple as going to the local police station with details of my address (including a letter from the management office of the building I live in) and my passport. Showed them, they asked when I last entered China (over 2 months ago) they then just processed the form for me.

 

It isn't really a big deal to be honest. As long as you have the right visa you won't find any problem I think.

 

If anything happens, just play the dumb foreigner routine and apologize and be submissive, explain you didn't know until now and that next time you will register on time. They will just give you a ticking off and give you the form.

11 years 21 weeks ago
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HappyExPat:

The local Police will not give her any problem, maybe tell her to be there sooner next time and nothing else.

11 years 21 weeks ago
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11 years 21 weeks ago
 
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Maybe it's worth adding that, if you are self employed in China (have your own business), without the registration document, you will not be able to get a residence permit. It is one of the many pieces of paper that have to be presented to the public security bureau.

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11 years 21 weeks ago
 
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the police station, where I live, told me to register in Guangzhou, 5 hours from here.....  so I did, with somebody else's address that I just happened to know.......

hiddenjelly:

I think you misunderstood. They would never do that. You need to go to your nearest PSB and let them know, no way you need to travel 5 hours to get this form.

11 years 21 weeks ago
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Kaiwen above is also correct in terms of a residence permit issuing from a Z visa for teaching purposes.  You or your employer will be required to produce the little white sheet of paper from the local police station (not the PSB but the local police).  Pre-100-days-check period, I would have said no problem.  Now I am not so sure...I wouldn't risk things like that in the current atmosphere.

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my issue  ....  what the hell difference does it make which town I am in ......  guess I have a bit to learn about residence in China

BHGAL:

my embassy knows where I am  ...my family knows where I am ....  Chinese beaurcracy is goofy as hell................  Ithink I will be fine not dealing with the local police any more than I already have...............  they said   .." do it in Guangzhou"    so I did!!!

11 years 21 weeks ago
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HappyExPat:

BHGAL: your only problem will be if ever the local Police comes to your residence, or you need anything from the local PSB, when you show a Registration Permit for Temporary Residence of Visitors issued in Guangzhou and you live 5 hours away in another address. Technically, you wasted your time and money. And you do not go to PSB for this form, you go to the closest local Police Station to your place of residence.

11 years 21 weeks ago
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11 years 21 weeks ago
 
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I was 4 or 5 days late for my registration to police station in Beijing and I paid 300 Yuan.

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11 years 18 weeks ago
 
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How about a 500 yuan fine for every day you don't register!  That's what they tried to shake down from my roomie and the consequence was being deported. Since he did not have an extra 10,000 yuan he entered into private negotiations and settled with a copper for 2,000 yuan who backdated a registration for him at the cop shop.

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11 years 18 weeks ago
 
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I dont know how there are so many horror stories. I have been in GZ for 5 years, and been exceptionally lazy about registering. One they came to my house, and i hasnt registered in like 3 months, they said " go tomorrow" I didnt. about 2 months later they came back, said " go tomorrow" i didnt.

Finally they came again and said because its been so long they have to take me in. They let me drive and follow them, charged me a 50 kuai penalty... did my registration then felt guilty and gave the 50 kuai back! Sooo kind. 

  I register now, but usually wait a few weeks, just do it when i have time. And they havent said a word about the 24 hours. Never raised an eyebrow. I just renewed my visa sept 20th or so, and registered last on Tuesday. Not a sweat.

 

Perhaps theres some racism and passport has to do with it? ( im canadian) or just that ive been going there for years and they know ill always come eventually?? 

 

The only 500 kuai per day rule I have heard has been about overstaying your visa not registration.

 

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11 years 18 weeks ago
 
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please guys reply for my doubt.......i came to china on october 3 and didnt register in china and went out of china on november 10 and returned with new q2 visa to china on 11th  from hongkong on friday night and came and registered with local police on next money with in 24 hours . BUt he local police fined me 500 rmb , actually they thought u ented china on october third but actualy i entered 2nd time on november 11 and i said last time i didnt but i already eft china and entered with new visa and registered this time . i asked why this fine he said for last time . i dont think this is fair that letting me to pay fine for the last entry on this visit. and they dont accept that i dont pay they let me pay this. please help me what to do>

Hotwater:

There is NOTHING you can do except pay the fine. The rules are clear and you didn't follow them. Pay up and learn from this bad experience. 

7 years 19 weeks ago
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nzteacher80:

Don't pay the money and see what happens. It might be fun!

7 years 19 weeks ago
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Shining_brow:

How would they know you didn't register? Are you living at the same place? Do you have a rent contract?

 

The police registration computers aren't linked, so if you were at a different address, or didn't have a contract, there's no way they'd know if you registered or not.

 

If they asked to see your previous registration slip, say you tossed it when you left the country...

 

The thing is - they can't prove you didn't... you can't prove you did. Guess who's going to win that argument.....

7 years 19 weeks ago
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iWolf:

Umm, they could ask to see your previous registration or which police station it was before getting serious if one doesn't exist.

 

As was said earlier, just pay the measly fine, put it down to a lesson learned and register with them.

7 years 19 weeks ago
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7 years 19 weeks ago
 
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In Shenzhen its on record now and will make it hard to renew your future resident permit if there is a tract record, even more risky these days if you didn't report that you arrived back after a vacation. Listen, before they could careless like some guys are telling you here, but I'm telling you now its now recorded on your passport number at the PSB. Don't give yourself a bad record.

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7 years 19 weeks ago
 
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I live in a rental apartment in GZ. I registered my new address last February easily with an English speaking PSB officer. I was told per relevant laws I need to register every time I enter the country. I have multiple entry, 60 day stay per time, 2 year Business visa. Each time I return through HK I have my assistant send a picture of the new entry stamp via Wechat to the same officer who then creates a new registration form and sends her a photo of the new form.  I carry it on my phone to show authorities if questions arise. It's the easiest method to avoid registration problems in the 10 years I've lived in GZ. When it's this easy, why take the chance?

Hotwater:

Exactly this! It's easy to once you've completed it the first time. It's even easier now in Guangzhou with a resident permit. You only need to update your registration in cases of getting a new resident permit, new passport or changing adddress. 

7 years 19 weeks ago
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7 years 19 weeks ago
 
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In Yiwu they register you when you enter the city through bus or train station, every single time before the exit door they have office for registration of foreigners.

Shining_brow:

Wow!!! Must suck if you're only there for the day! Must also take a lot of time..

7 years 19 weeks ago
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7 years 19 weeks ago
 
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I've lived in the same apartment for over 5 years, and of course, that has meant leaving the country numerous times (and even getting a new passport with new number).

 

There have been times when I haven't registered at all (for 6+ months, or maybe even more than a year). Nothing has ever happened to make them question me. We had the police raid a local expat joint, and they only asked to see passports - nothing about registration papers.

 

Previously, when I have gone to register outside the normal 24 hour period, they've asked when I arrived in my city. I just lie, and say I've only just arrived in the last day or so, and been visiting a few other cities for business (I have a business visa). No other real questions, no asking for proof (after all, that would take time and effort... the fact is, I'm there, they don't really care ).

 

BUT... one thing to say against what's written above - for most renewals, I've still needed to show the rental agreement!!! (no, they didn't care that the passport number was different!) However, at other times, I've just needed to show the old registration paper! Also, now, I need to bring a photocopy of photo page of passport, and the visa page!

 

 

Meaning - it all depends on where you are, and who you speak to!

Hotwater:

So what did you do before and during G20?

7 years 19 weeks ago
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Shining_brow:

Before, I was registered. During, I wasn't in China... when I returned, I registered (a few days late, and said I had business trips around the country... "ok," print form..)

7 years 19 weeks ago
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7 years 19 weeks ago
 
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Since many foreigners visit Yiwu to visit the commodities market police is very quick to finish resident registry, 1-2 minutes max. And for all those that didn't register until now, you can use train ticket from same day or day before when you go to register, if they maybe ask you about previous residential address you can just say that you were staying in hotel in another close by bigger city.

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7 years 19 weeks ago
 
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could not renew working residence permit without registration in Hebei. Private school forgot to register us. They bribed someone and problem was sold.

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7 years 17 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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Many people think that it is not a big deal to 'forget' about registering, but!!! the govt does keep track of you. After wanting to go back home, my passport  was checked on a computer and they did find that I had registered at the local police station, because the made a comment that it was good I had followed all the rules. They had an online copy of my police registration.

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7 years 17 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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I realize this is a necropost but I want to say that there are no consequences for as long you registered in another address of the same city in the past.

I moved to my new home 3 years ago, same district/area, still registered at the same old address with the same police station.

Every year I need that housing registration paper to renew my visa. I just go there and tell them my address hasn't changed, they get me the paper in under one minute, print it, stamp it and I am on my merry way. Registering a new address takes well over half an hour.

No one ever asks anything, even at the PSB.

Only register the first time, very important! but after that no need to bother if you remain in the same city/district, even at a new address.

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7 years 17 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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According to law, you should register but the enforcement is entirely up to the PSB .Once i was called to come to register. Another place, 2 police came to my place..took me to the PSB, Had to Spend a couple of hours. Took my fingerprints, photos and filed a case report. I had to apologize in writing. Then they dropped me home. 

 

For all those who have lived somewhere for a sometime now and have not registered just go the nearest PSB and register. It shouldn't matter if you registered late, just tell them you didn't know about it..

 

You have to re-register even if you change address in the same city.

 

 

 

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7 years 17 weeks ago
 
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