The national starting point
When a foreign national stays at a private address such as a friend's or relative's home, the national interpretation from the National Immigration Administration allows the registration to be filed by either the foreigner or the host. The rule does not treat the visiting foreigner as the person who always handles the filing alone.
See the NIA nationwide interpretation on residence registration for the national position.
Questions to ask before you rely on self-filing
- Who will submit the first registration — you or your host?
- Has the host filed a foreign-guest registration at this address before?
- Is the address written exactly as it appears on the host's household or lease records?
- Which local office or channel actually accepts the filing in the host's district?
The NIA specifies filing within 24 hours after arrival at a non-hotel address. Its online platform accepts a filing by the foreign resident or host; the host should assist with an initial filing to make the address accurate.
A practical first-time sequence
- Agree the filer with your host. Because the initial filing should involve the host for address accuracy, have the host take part in or lead the first submission, especially if they have never filed before.
- Have the host confirm the exact registered address wording before anything is submitted.
- Identify the correct local filing point. The NIA offers a nationwide online route for non-hotel stays; the local public security authority can assist in person.
- Keep a simple record of what was submitted and by whom.
When the normal route stalls
If the host cannot file, or if a local office gives a different instruction than expected, do not assume the national rule settles it.
- Ask the local public security authority which filing route applies to a private-host stay at that address.
- If the host is a first-time filer and unsure, have them confirm requirements directly with the authority before you arrive.
- For general questions about what the national rule covers, the on-page web chat on this site can point you to the right authority; it is not a substitute for the local office.
What the national rule does not decide
| Level or party | What it sets or does not set |
|---|---|
| National authority (NIA) | Sets that the foreigner or host may register, and that the host should be involved in the initial filing for address accuracy. |
| City or district public security | Determines the local filing channel and any local documentation steps — confirm with them. |
| Host (accommodation provider) | Responsible for accurate address details; should be involved in the initial filing. |
| Employer or sponsor | Not the accommodator in a private-host stay; their paperwork is separate from accommodation registration. |
| Individual circumstances | Lease versus owned home, length of stay, and guest status affect what the local office asks — verify case by case. |
What to confirm with the authority
The national interpretation answers who may file and why the host should be involved at the start. It sets a 24-hour filing period after arrival at a non-hotel address, but does not give every local document list or decide an individual outcome. Before you travel, confirm the local filing channel and required documents with the public security authority for the host's location. The NIA nationwide interpretation on residence registration remains the baseline national statement.