Similarly, I booked an airbnb in Beijing for my upcoming trip a week ago until I read about the strict registration rule in China. First thing first... I don't think Airbnb is being very transparent about this requirement on the listings. There is none that state that this registration is required for legal purposes. All foreigners are required to register your lodging within 24 or 48 hours upon arrival to the country. I was suddenly caught with these sudden worries:
1) What if during immigration at arrival ... the officers question me about my lodging? (Even if you write the Airbnb address you will be checking into...)
- Host: "Don't worry about that, just say you are a friend of _______ (name of owner)"
Question is: Arriving is okay. I can say that. But what about when im leaving the country?
2) Will you (host) be taking me to the police station to register for me?
- Host: When you come just send me photos of your passports. I will do it for you.
3) Oh, but according to the internet, I have to go with you to the police station. Do I have to do that?
- Host: You will see when you come. Normally we don't have to register.
Seriously. Is this even legal? She is just trying to get me over and not cancel my reservation. When I arrive there, its just a game of roulette to see if I will get caught or not. When I'm there, if she doesn't register me and I get lucky, fine, I get to go home safely. Otherwise, if my luck runs out and I meet with a difficult immigration officer in the airport, will she be able to help me in any way? I don't know her government ID, neither do I know even her real name. There are many other co-hosts in her properties and there are many properties these people have. Are they legal? Are they rented out legally?
The person who liased with me wasn't even the person on the "HOST" image in the ad page. The reviews were all made by China Chinese people who apparently do not need to worry about these stuff since they ain't foreigners. But what about us? She also did not reply my question as to if she will be willing to provide me with an invitation letter to "invite" me over to her house to "stay" as a "friend".
I have contacted airbnb about this because I want to cancel with a full refund. The transaction wasn't transparent and safe for foreign travellers. Thank goodness I searched on the internet about it otherwise imagine going there and facing all these problems! I have read that people get stuck at immigration when they are going back, causing them to miss their flights and go through interrogations with the Chinese police. This is my holiday and I have no wish to go through all these.
Airbnb has given me quite a bit of support and understanding. I am still waiting for Airbnb to get back to me because apparently the host did not reply her. She will be given 48 hours to reply before Airbnb will decide if I get my refund or not (the cancellation policy was STRICT for this listing).
I am not hard up for that cancellation fees if I truly wanted to cancel it. I have paid my fair share when I cancelled previous listings due to other reasons but this is right out cheating.
I have booked a hotel and although it's pricier, at least I know I'm covered.
To people out there, my advice is that before you book a China airbnb, always contact the host first and ask for an INVITATION LETTER for you to show during your arrival at immigration. Play safe. Don't trust them to bring you to the police station when you arrive. It might or might not happen. Another way is to read reviews by OTHER foreigners that state that the host was good and gave invitation letters... helped with the registration of residence... etc.
Don't ruin your holiday. Pay a bit extra for a safe trip.
I wish you all the best and I hope I get my money back! 😄