It looks like immigration is enforcing the registration requirement for any visit in the last two years. Anyone in that period now faces refused entry with TWOV (if they didn't register).

It was an inconvenient rule, but very clear.

Thankfully Immigration seems to have been fairly pragmatic... the place I usually stay apparently used to do some sort of 'notification' rather than 'registration' for guests. Immigration have accepted this for previous stays (but not going forward).

So, I'm inferring from the above few exchanges that if one has a valid Visa, then the requirement to register is more laxed and "may not" be enforced to the letter?

The requirement to register within 24 hours (metro) is still there on all arrivals cards, including whether you have a full visa or other means of entry.

The difference is that there's an explicit provision in the TWOV regulations setting out a two-year ban on those who "seriously" disregard the registration rules. Not to say you should disregard the rules if you have a visa, of course.

By law failing to register is subject to a fine of up to CNY2000.

　　Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China

Unless something has changed recently, you do not need the homeowner to go with you -- I stayed in an Airbnb and just needed to get a piece of paper from my host (I believe it was a photocopy of her ID and a photocopy of her registration at that address) and then went to register at the police station by myself. I did this in Shanghai and it took about 15-20 minutes. They also needed a photocopy of my passport ID page and visa page, and proof that I had arrived in Shanghai within the past 24 hours (I showed them a train itinerary on ctrip on my phone, but cancelled tickets would be a safer bet).

I was expecting to have to do it in Chinese but the officer assigned to the registration window spoke very good English and the form was bilingual -- YMMV outside of major cities of course. Overall the process was easier than I was expecting.

One thing I'd like more clarity about is if there is any registration requirement on overnight trains.

it's probaly changed the other way :) When I was first living in Shnaghai the owner of my apartment had to come with me with all their ID and the papers for the property. Maybe there still wasn't a requirement for the owner to be there but it was certainly easier as (a) the local police didn't speak English and (b) I'm not sure if the owner would have been happy for me to have all their original documents!

1. Every PSB has its own policies, which you will learn about after you get there
2. However, the "owner present" requirement seems to have bitten the dust everywhere
3. I've never been asked for original documents
4. It's nice that threeoh's host left documents and instructions for him, but this is not common
5. The language issue didn't occur to me, but now that you mention it, even when I was living in Xintiandi (i.e. lots of foreigners), the PSB people didn't speak any English
-the drill there was pretty easy, though; passport + lease, and no forms to fill out

I had pretty good luck with the PSB in the area of Xujiahui where I lived. Didn't have much of an issue with communication.

No, you do not have to register anywhere if you are taking an overnight train. However, in these troubled times, I'd recommend saving the ticket until you exit China on that trip, in case Immigration decides to punch up your record in the database and sees a gap. Presenting a ticket stub can forestall any issues. Next best thing would be the confirmation of the train reservation...not proof that you were actually on the train, but pretty good evidence. This can be carried hard copy or electronically. When paper tickets eventually go by the wayside, electronic trail will be the only proof.

Great to know. Yes, I definitely keep all my tickets, boarding passes, and hotel receipts until I leave. Even in Europe that has saved me hassle when leaving.

I was worried when applying for my visa, before my trip, because they wanted to see hotels for every night but one night I was planning to be on the train. I printed out an itinerary from ctrip.com of the train I planned to take (I had not yet bought the tickets) and that seemed to work fine for the visa office. I had also made a cancellable hotel reservation for that night just in case but I did not show that to them.

One snag I ran into in applying for the visa, for the benefit of those reading this thread, is that the booking.com confirmations I printed out did not have my name. They had confirmation number, price, last 4 of credit card, etc. and were in English and Chinese but they didn't have my name and that was a problem for them. I had to print out the cover emails that said "Dear threooh," and that worked. It's always something you don't think of.

Kind of ridiculous the visa office wants proof of hotel for every night you're there and then turns around and issues you a 10-year multi-entry visa. They seem to be fine letting you in for the following 9.5 years without any prior notice of your itinerary.

I've said this several times before here, but I'm sure those posts are well buried now.

Basically, when applying for visas. I am a strong advocate of the KISS principle.

Assuming you are American, book and hold a ticket on AA.com (different than other channels because you don't need to put down a cc). Print out the confirmation.

Book a hotel for the same dates (again, reserve but don't put down a cc), and print.
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Some people feel this approach is dishonest. The thing is, your objective is to get a visa, and changing your plans is completely okay. Furthermore, the girls at the consulates also prefer simple itineraries.

This may depend on which embassy. The one in SF didn't require any proof or documentation of hotel stays.

Fair. I was at the Chicago consulate.

Reserving a hotel on Expedia takes less than two minutes.
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