Loren Pechtel

Obviously, as otherwise the hotel would generally deal with it. (On the other hand we usually don't get asked for our passports at hotels as we have always been in the company of at least one Chinese citizen who normally handles checking in. I also stay out of sight until anything to be negotiated is resolved--my wife is China-born and negotiates far better without having my presence brand her as a foreigner.)

I believe the rule is 3 days in rural areas. I'm more concerned with if we do register in the rural area (we may end up using it as a base for a couple of side trips and thus stay longer) do we have to re-register back in Shanghai even though our original registration was for the entire time we will be in China?

fimo

Yep, still in CP. Soon after I moved in, there were notices everywhere informing residents that property management can no longer do registrations, and we had to go to Hujialou PSB. As you say, HJL PSB is easy going enough, I don't have any issue with the PSB. This time I went in to register because I am up for work permit renewal and preferred to have the document to accompany my application. Now that it's 3 weeks I can't afford any delay getting my passport back.

Annoying to have to run back from HJL PSB to the management office, then back to PSB!

moondog

Just don't even bother.

jiejie

No concerns. If you only travel domestically, and once you return to Shanghai, your Certificate of Temporary Residence (zanzhuzheng) is still valid, no need to re-register if you're staying at the same address. Only if you change addresses in Shanghai, or leave the PRC, then on return you would have to re-register.

Loren Pechtel

Thanks. It will definitely be the same address in Shanghai, we stay at a relative's place, it's the same address every visit.

benzemalyonnais

I'm pretty sure that the registration lasts a few months, so no worries. The exact length it is valid for I'm not so sure about.

Last year I had a friend visit me in the boonies, leave, then return 2 weeks later and the cops didn't have an issue.

trueblu

The validity is determined by the visa, regardless of actual duration of stay. So it would be conceivable (although of doubtful legality) that one could use the same permit for two trips closely spaced to each other, if e.g. one has a 180 day visit visa and an overseas spell inbetween.

tb

Taiwaned

Yes, the validity is determined by the VISA regardless of the actual stay HOWEVER you must register EVERY time you leave the country.

So, if you were to come in on a 180 day visa and leave within a couple of weeks and come back a week later. You still are required to register TWICE, each time after you come back.

moondog

My PSB here disagrees with you. I told them I go to HK pretty often, and don't fancy having to spend half a day there after every single trip... they told me "no problem".

benzemalyonnais

+1, that's what I was trying to say. Even if you go to HK every other day, if your visa is XXX days, you only need to go to register every XXX days (according to the local cops). Of course this isn't coming from BJ, but from an outlet where I'm the only foreigner registering.

travelinmanS

It sounds like it's a pain to live in Beijing. Terrible traffic, horrible subway system, dirty air, massive air travel delays, Northern Chinese food, and police that are always on the prowl against foreigners. I've lived for 8 years switching between Shanghai and Guangzhou and have never once had the cops knock on my door or hassle me in any way. I've registered a few times when I had to go for the RP but otherwise I don't go near a police station no matter how many times I switch apartments or come back from an overseas business trip. I've already declined a few jobs because they were in Beijing, and hearing this kind of stuff just makes me even firmer in my decision to avoid that place as much as possible. Nanning, on the other hand, sounds like it might be worth a trip or two....

trueblu

All true...except in my field, I wouldn't swap BJ for anywhere else in China...really. It's not even a close comparison. And BJ is still a very fun place despite all the drawbacks, and the people are very friendly, by and large.

We didn't come to China for the weather, or even for the money (I took a voluntary pay cut). Sure, there are hassles, but we're (on the whole) really enjoying it. I wouldn't complain if the pollution decreased however!

tb

Taiwaned

Really????? I went and asked my local PSB, she said `every time you get an entry stamp on my passport then you need to come and see her.'

fimo

As I understand, that's correct though the degree of enforcement and fuss is really PSB dependent. I don't bother to register each time, and even my immigration lawyer says it's not a huge deal, she recommended that I can simply call up the PSB to verify if my record has been updated electronically, which I've never done because I can't speak Chinese fluent enough to deal with it over the phone. But when it comes time for permit renewals, I will get it done just to have something on paper. We know the value of chops/stamps here.

moondog

One of these days, you and I will visit the 首都 together, and I'm 100% sure that you will change your tune... coolest people in the world. In Shanghai I hang out with you at the GY; in Beijing, I hang out with rock stars.