When You Move In: Register With The Police

According to the law, residents in China, no matter how temporary, have to register with the police within 24 hours of arriving in-country. If you're staying in a hotel, they take care of this for you. If you are renting an apartment and staying longer you have to do this yourself. You also have to do this every time you move apartments. 

Before the online system, new residents had to go down to the police station to do this in person. Now, it's way easier, with this straightforward English-language platform accessible by phone. They're even more lax about the time period, cutting you some leeway if you don't manage to do it right away. But don't leave it too long. It's one of those things that comes back to haunt you.  

Here is the link to do it online: https://gaj.sh.gov.cn/crj/24hr

Or scan this code:

and here's a full step-by-step guide on how to do it.

Alternatively, you can also go to the nearest police station.

When You Get One: Register Your Dog

Dog ownership is no small responsibility in Shanghai, one of the chief ones being that you need to get them licensed. This involves getting them a microchip and a rabies vaccine and then registering them with the local authorities. You also pay a fee depending if they are spayed/neutered or not. (It's cheaper if they are.)

You can read more about this whole process in SmSh's full guide to dog licenses right here. 

The registration part of this process, the part that you would have gone to the local authorities to complete, is something you can do online through this WeChat MiniProgram.

After 20 Years: When You Leave Shanghai

After you've lived a long and rewarding life in Shanghai and made your millions opening a successful chain of localized tapas restaurants, leaving the city requires you to fill out the Health Declaration Form again. It's the same form. Scan the QR code from step one.

Hopefully, you didn't overstay your visa. Here's where to go if you did:

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If you're leaving with a family in tow, remember that mixed nationality kids need an Entry-Exit Permit to leave the country. Here's a guide on how to apply for that.