Apps · common
Why did my hotel say they can't register a foreign passport?
Last updated:
Quick Answer
Symptom: A smaller or budget hotel refuses to check you in, saying they "can't accept foreigners" or "the system doesn't take foreign passports."
Cause: Only hotels holding a specific Public Security Bureau foreign-guest license may register foreign passports; many budget inns and short-term rentals lack that license.
Solution: Book only hotels flagged as "foreigner-friendly" on Trip.com or Booking.com, or stick to internationally branded / 4-star-and-up hotels which always hold the required license.
What you see
A smaller or budget hotel refuses to check you in, saying they "can't accept foreigners" or "the system doesn't take foreign passports."
Why it happens
Only hotels holding a specific Public Security Bureau foreign-guest license may register foreign passports; many budget inns and short-term rentals lack that license.
How to fix
Book only hotels flagged as "foreigner-friendly" on Trip.com or Booking.com, or stick to internationally branded / 4-star-and-up hotels which always hold the required license.
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