Shanghai staying with relatives, registering?

Question

Visiting Shanghai on a visa-free transit (British) and staying with family. I think we’ll need a letter from the relative we’re staying with?

Can we register online instead of at a police station? Planning on flying there via Dubai and then staying in Dubai for a few nights so that should count as a

Third country for the visa-free travel?

Thank you! It’ll be our second visit and can’t wait 😁

Answer

If you are visiting Shanghai on a visa-free transit (VFT) as a British passport holder, staying with relatives requires careful attention to local registration rules. Even on VFT, local police registration rules apply if you are staying overnight in private accommodation.

1. Registration requirement

When staying in a hotel, registration is handled automatically by the hotel. However, if staying with family or friends, you must register your stay at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival.
You will need a letter from your host in Shanghai, which should include their ID, address, and confirmation that you are staying with them.

2. Online registration

Currently, Shanghai allows foreigners staying in private homes to submit registration information online via the Public Security Bureau (PSB) portal or through certain mobile apps (such as WeChat public service accounts) linked to the PSB.
Even if submitted online, carry a copy of the confirmation or your host’s letter, as police may request it during spot checks.

3. Visa-free transit and third country

The VFT applies if you arrive from a third country and plan to leave to another third country. Your stop in Dubai before arriving in Shanghai counts as being in a third country.
Ensure your onward flight out of China is booked to a country other than the one you arrived from (i.e., UK is the origin, Dubai is a third country, Shanghai arrival, then onward flight to another country or back to the UK counts).

Additional tips:

Keep your passport, VFT stamp, and any registration confirmations handy at all times.
Double-check the PSB online system or app for the most up-to-date instructions for registering at private residences, as procedures can change.
Arriving via Dubai and staying a few nights there is fine, as long as your final destination after China qualifies under the VFT rules.

In summary, yes, you’ll need a letter from your host, and you can likely register online in Shanghai, but always keep documentation ready in case local police request it. Your Dubai stop counts as a third country for the visa-free entry eligibility.