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ARRIVAL CHECKLIST

Your first 72 hours in China.

Handle deadlines before convenience. Progress is saved only on this device.

Start the four tasks →Still planning?
DEADLINES FIRST

Complete four checks.

Keep proof and confirm status-related steps with the responsible office.

Hotels usually register guests. For non-hotel stays, you or your host generally need to register within 24 hours. Since 20 March 2026, Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing, and Sichuan have an official online pilot through NIA 12367 channels; elsewhere, local procedures vary.

Next stepAsk your hotel, university, landlord, host, or local authority which official channel applies.
Common failureAssuming it was submitted without checking.
BackupKeep the Chinese address, your proof of registration, and the local office contact.

Tell your university, employer, host, or sponsor that you arrived. Ask for your first-week tasks.

Next stepRequest deadlines, owners, originals, and an exception contact.
Common failureNot knowing which general instructions apply to you.
BackupAsk one written question at a time and save replies.

Bring your passport to an official carrier. Check SIM compatibility, then test calls, data, and account recovery. If you plan to rent soon, complete this before time-sensitive viewings because housing providers may need a working number to contact you or process a booking.

Next stepCompare price, data, term, and cancellation rules.
Common failureAn eSIM-only or locked phone blocks setup.
BackupKeep roaming until the local number works.

Link a supported international card to Alipay or WeChat Pay, then test a real merchant payment. Foreign cards may not work for transfers or every mini-program. Before house hunting, confirm how you could pay a legitimate reservation, deposit, or rent request yourself. Local-support fees do not include advancing housing payments.

Next stepTest a small payment and read fee or verification messages.
Common failureRelying on one card or wallet.
BackupKeep another card or some cash.
Read the payment guide →
NEXT

Build your first-month setup.

Choose Work, Student, or Other.

Work route →Student route →Other route →
STUCK?

Get a situation-specific next step.

Send your city, what happened, and what you tried. Martin confirms the fit before payment.

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