Rachel S asked:
I would like to know about laws and living in china. I am going to china and will be staying with a friend who has an apartment and is a chinese citizen, who do i need to notify when i am living with a friend? i was told i need to tell the local police and they need to aprove of this, is this true? who else will i need to notify to stay with my friend while i am there???
You need to report where you are to the Public Security Bureau (police) in the district where you are staying. If you put that address down on your entry card when you arrived at the airport, that might be sufficient. You might need your friend to notify the landlord.
Added: all hotels and temporary lodging facilities MUST report all persons staying there to the PSB. I verified this with my friend who is a Chief of Police near Shanghai. That is why every hotel makes a photocopy of your passport. In some cities in China, they have made arrangements for electronic notification to the PSB so the hotel can send the information immediately.
Comment by Rick — October 17, 2006 @ 11:01 pm
No, that’s not true! You don’t need approval to live with anyone in China.
Comment by Webballs — October 21, 2006 @ 8:06 am
You don’t need to tell anyone there, just need your passports and stuff, I’ve got a friend that’s doing it too, you don’t need anything to sign up for. Trust me, I live in China for years!(I’m Chinese anyways)
Comment by Shine — October 23, 2006 @ 10:36 pm
50 years ago under strict communist suppression, may be. But nowadays, you do not have to report to any local authority to stay with a friend. Provided that your traveling documents are all in order and the landlord is okay with it.
Comment by minijumbofly — October 25, 2006 @ 12:01 pm
I’ve been doing business in China for seven years and have lived in China for three of those seven years.
If you are residing in one area for awhile, you ABSOLUTELY will need to register with the local public security bureau within 48-hours of arriving. (Usually if you are visiting family or relatives and staying in one place for several weeks. ) otherwise it is not neccessary if you are to be travelling around with a registered touring company.. Another good idea is to register with the local United States embassy in China, you can do this easily through the state dept. web site.. I put the link at the bottom of my post..
You could easily get away with not registering, but why should you register? If you dont, and lets say some accident occurs and the police need to get your information, they will know you didnt register with the local PSB when they compare your entry date to the curecnt date..
There is actually a fine if you fail to register with the local PSB (Public Security Bureau) and it is enforced in various rigidity througout the provinces.. Visit Z-visa.com to read through the actual lengthy Entry and Exit Law of Aliens if you want to know the full details..
The old laws used to require foreigners to stay in approved buildings and hotels. I believe this law is still in effect but seldom enforced. It will be fine for you to stay at their apartment. Dont forget to get your Chinese visa!
PS> I wouldn’t notify the landlord.. They may want some sort of kickback or say “No” for fear of any liability issues..
Comment by Tom — October 28, 2006 @ 4:36 am