rice again

Today I completed my registration with the local PSB and it wasn’t as easy as I would have expected for a mandatory requirement for every foreigner in China within 24 hours of arrival.

Where is my local PSB?
Real Estate Agent (who rented me my apartment) and building management both couldn’t tell me where my friendly local PSB office is. Finally the hotel next door told me it was the HuXi branch.. still no address or phone number.

I Took my passport, lease agreement and work permit to the local PSB
Great, we are finally getting somewhere. Uh-oh, the landlords ID card, printed on the lease agreement isn’t clear enough.

Got a clearer copy, went back to the police station
Meh.. Now they are asking for my employers business licence and company code whatever that is.
Hey.. I have a work permit.. No not good enough

Got the business licence, company code, printed them out and back to the PSB
Woohoo, sorted, done.

Now I’m on the grid, or so to speak, but it’s OK, I know its only for my safety. (now I’m totally owned)

Article 13 Rules for the Implementation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Control of the Exit and Entry of Citizens says that foreigners must register with the PSB within 24 hours of arriving in China, or changing their address within China (72 hours if your in a rural area) Though for teachers and lucky expatriates most of te formalities are handled by their employer and those of us who have been here for a while have treated this as yet another unenforced Chinese pseudo law. Hotels will do this for you automatically, massage joints will not.

The fact that some foreigners are getting caught out isn’t helped by inconsistent terminology, requirements and enforcement accross China, and he fact that there’s not a single definitive guide to the process anywhere (that I can find).

Foreign personnel living in private apartments

The apartment management company should be contacting foreign tenants / residents and requiring them to register with the local PSB. If this is not done, both the management company and the foreigner can be fined RMB5,000. It is important to note that this rule applies to any foreign person living in any apartment or private dwelling - even if it is for just for one night. If staying overnight or visiting friends in China, registration must be carried out upon arrival with the local PSB office responsible for the area.