Updated September 25, 2020
My initial work contract in China was for three years. So, my residence permit, the Chinese multiple entry visa, was also valid for only three years. Now, in September 2020, I am about to complete my three years in China. Obviously, my residence permit is about to expire. Fortunately, my work contract has been extended by 3 months. Then, I had to apply for a new residence permit, valid for the next 3 months.
In this post, I will cover the topic of police registration at a local police station in China. I will tell you more about the Chinese residence permit renewal application in another post.
Police Registration In China
As a foreigner, when you come to China for a long term stay, such as on a work visa (Z category visa), you have to register your residential address at the local police station (called Pai Chu Suo, 派出所) within 24 hours of arrival (crossing Chinese immigration counter).
In my case, when I first came to China in 2017 for on a work visa (Z visa), I rented an apartment the very next day. I signed a one-year rental contract. I was given a contract letter with a red stamp (in Chinese). I carried the contract agreement to the local police station.
The woman police officer looked at my contract, matched my passport number, and gave me a police registration certificate. I gave a copy of that certificate to the receptionist at my building. Never did I visit any police station again in China until Sep 2020.
Why Did I Visit the Police Station in Sep 2020?
Well, when you apply for a Chinese residence permit (for the first time, or renewing the residence permit for the second time as in my case); you are supposed to submit a few documents along with the residence permit renewal application form. One of those documents is the police registration form/certificate.
I was asked to provide a new police registration certificate. The 3-year-old certificate from 2017 was not acceptable.
That’s why I had no option than to visit the same police station again.
Further, I was informed quite late by my employer. I had to get the certificate on the same day. The next day, I had an appointment at the immigration office to apply for my residence permit renewal. One guy from the foreign office (in my organization) was assigned to bring me to the immigration office. And my visa was expiring within a couple of days, so I was quite worried about overstaying my visa. Although I heard that (due to Covid-19 pandemic and limited international flights) the Chinese visa was renewed automatically for 2 months, I was not that sure.
I had to get the police registration certificate in any case. The time was very limited.
I Was At Police Station, #1st Visit
So, I was at the police station. Alone. It was a crazy rainy day.
By the time I reached the police station, it was about 11.45am.
The woman police office told me to come back again at 1.30pm, with a Chinese-speaking friend!
Well, 11.30am to 1.30pm was the break time at the police station (for lunch or whatever). However, I didn’t understand why I was asked to come with a Chinese speaking person.
I returned back to my office without any certificate, informed my boss, and he assigned one of my colleagues to accompany me to the police station.
My #2nd Visit To The Police Station
I reached the police station again, at sharp 1.30pm. It turned out that I had to pay a fine. Unintentionally, I earlier made two mistakes:
- I travelled to overseas in 2018, however, after returning to China, I didn’t inform the police station. I was supposed to reregister at the police station after coming back to China.
- I had changed my apartment sometime in 2018. Hence, my address was changed. However, I didn’t inform the police station. Actually, I thought about it when I changed my apartment/room. However, I didn’t inform the police as I had just shifted my apartment to the next door. Earlier my apartment # was 607, and then it became 608 (just an example). Just a room change. Still on the same floor. So, I thought it was kind of okay to not inform the police station. I was wrong.
Basically, I was asked to pay a fine of RMB 2,000. I requested them to reconsider my situation, as I was not aware about the rule to register the police station after returning from overseas. Finally, the fine was reduced to RMB 1,000. I had to pay the fee at a local bank.
Further, before paying any fine, I was asked to bring a representative of my apartment to the police station.
I Was At My Building Reception
I came to my building with my colleague. The receptionist at my building was busy. She didn’t have time to accompany me to the police station. I was just given a business card to give the police. The receptionist said “If they have any issues, let them make a call and talk to us.”
I Came To The Police Station 3rd Time, Same Day
I had to sign at least 10 times at 10 different papers at the police station. Moreover, I had to put a thumb impression at each signature. Then, my colleague, who was accompanying me, also signed on each of those documents, and applied thumb impression. Literally, so much of paper works in China!
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I was asked to come to the police station the next day to collect a penalty form, and then go to the bank to pay the RMB 1,000 penalty, and bring back the payment receipt to the police station. I was told that I’d be given certificate only if I pay the penalty.
However, I had an appointment at the immigration office the next day. I needed the certificate in any case.
So, while sitting in front of the police officer, I called my boss on WeChat. He explained the situation to the police officer.
Finally, I was given the certificate (before paying any penalty).
The next day, I went to the immigration office, and applied for my residence permit. So, I couldn’t pay the penalty the next day.
I Came To Police Station Next Week #4th Time
After a few days, I came alone (I didn’t want to bother my colleague) to the police station to get the penalty form to carry to the bank.
However, the police officer asked me to call my same colleague to the police station. After my colleague came to the police station, both of us again signed and put thumb impressions on multiple documents.
Then, we were given a slip to present at the China Construction Bank (中国建设银行, Zhōngguó jiànshè yínháng), and pay the penalty of RMB 1,000.
Visiting The Bank
Me and my colleague both came together to the China Construction Bank to pay the penalty. The bank was about 8km away from the police station. I withdrew some cash from a nearby ATM, as the bank didn’t accept payment by AliPay and WeChat.
Once at the bank, I got my queue number. However, most of the serving windows were closed. I was told that I had to wait a few hours before I can pay the fee. Finally, I jumped the queue, and paid the fee, and got a payment receipt.
A guy in the queue got quite angry at my colleague for me jumping the queue. However, I pretended to not understand any Chinese. 🙂
Back To Police Station, #5th Time
I got back to the police station, and handed the receipt to the officer concerned. Finally, I felt relieved.
As a curious human being I am, I asked the police “What if I leave China without paying the penalty?”
The officer said, “There won’t be any problem in leaving China. However, this record will be in the system forever. If you come China again in future, and go to the police station for registration, you’d be asked to pay the fine.”
Further, I learnt that if you have a Chinese PR (Permanent Residence) card, you don’t need to register at the police station after overseas trips.
Final Thoughts
For all non-Permanent Resident foreigners, you have to register at the police station every time you come to China from abroad. Even if there is a slight change in your residential address, let the police station know.
You will need a recent police registration certificate in order to renew your Chinese residence permit.
Make friends in China. Quite often, you’ll depend on their help. 🙂
Give me a shout in the comments for any related questions/information.
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