Foreigners’ residence registration goes online

FOREIGNERS arriving in Shanghai can now register their residence online instead of going to the police in person.

Police said this was one of the exit-entry measures to help foreigners attending the second China International Import Expo.

“Last year, we found that a number of foreigners lived in residential communities during the expo because hotel rooms were not available, and some of them didn’t have enough time to register at police stations which are not always at their doorstep,” said Ye Jun, director of the foreigner administration division of the public security bureau’s exit-entry administration bureau.

The law requires people from overseas to register their residence on the Chinese mainland within 24 hours of arrival. Previously, apart from those staying in hotels, everyone had to go to a police station to register their temporary address.

Shanghai is the first city in China to introduce online residence registration. The system could benefit about 500,000 people a year, according to official estimates.

People can scan the following QR code with their mobile phone or log onto https://crjzndg.gaj.sh.gov. cn/24hr to register. So far, the only language options are English and Chinese.

To register, people need to sign up with their e-mail address, upload a picture of their passport page with personal data and picture, and give their address in Shanghai and their entry and exit dates. A short message will confirm receipt of the digital registration form.

Jiang Lili, a French citizen who lives with her husband’s parents in the city, said online registration made the process much more convenient.

“While the police stations have working hours, the online registration doesn’t,” she said. “Also, previously I had to present proof of the authenticity and legality of my residence to the police, but this system doesn’t require that.”

Ye said online registration exempts foreigners from providing certain materials to make the process easier.

“We will have community police officers to come up to them at the registered address, and if any cheating in this regard is discovered, legal action will be taken,” he said.

Last year, exit-entry police had a stand inside the CIIE venue which offered consultation and emergency services to foreigners attending the event. An office at the venue this year will allow foreigners to apply for or extend visas.