Under Article 10 of the *Law of the People‘s Republic of China on Public Security Administration Penalties*, public security penalties include warnings, fines, administrative detention, and revocation of permits issued by public security authorities. For foreigners, an additional penalty of expulsion within a specified time limit or deportation may be imposed.
It should be noted that “administrative detention” under this Law is a form of administrative penalty and is different from criminal detention; it does not constitute a criminal record.
Expulsion within a specified time limit applies to ordinary violations. Deportation is a more severe penalty and applies only to cases where the violation of the Public Security Administration Penalties Law is serious.
Common Violations and Penalty Standards
1, hotels failing to register foreign guests as required.
Under Article 56(1) of the Public Security Administration Penalties Law, where hotel staff fail to register the name, type and number of identification documents of foreign guests as required, a fine of RMB 200 shall be imposed.
2, disrupting public order.
Under Article 23 of the Public Security Administration Penalties Law, anyone who disrupts order at government offices, organizations, enterprises, public institutions, or public places without causing serious losses shall be given a warning, a fine, or administrative detention.
3, illegal residence.
Under Article 78 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, any foreigner residing in China illegally shall be given a warning; if the circumstances are serious, a fine of RMB 500 per day of illegal residence (total not exceeding RMB 10,000) or administrative detention of not less than five days but not more than fifteen days shall be imposed.
4, harboring foreigners illegally residing in China.
Under Article 79 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, any person who harbors or conceals a foreigner who has entered or resides in China illegally shall be fined not less than RMB 2,000 but not more than RMB 10,000; if the circumstances are serious, administrative detention of not less than five days but not more than fifteen days shall be imposed, together with a fine of not less than RMB 5,000 but not more than RMB 20,000.
5, illegal employment.
Under Article 80 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, any foreigner who works in China illegally shall be fined not less than RMB 5,000 but not more than RMB 20,000; if the circumstances are serious, administrative detention of not less than five days but not more than fifteen days shall be imposed, together with a fine of not less than RMB 5,000 but not more than RMB 20,000.
Practical Cases
Case 1: Hotel front desk staff failed to register foreign guest information
In December 2025, a front desk staff member surnamed Tang at a hotel in Tacheng City, Xinjiang, failed to register the accommodation information of a Russian guest. The public security authority imposed a fine of RMB 200 under Article 56(1) of the Public Security Administration Penalties Law.
Case 2: Foreign student violently resisted law enforcement
In July 2019, a foreign student at a university in Fuzhou was stopped by traffic police for carrying a passenger on an electric bicycle in violation of regulations. The student refused to cooperate and pushed the traffic officer. The police imposed penalties on his traffic violations in accordance with the law, and his college took him back for further education.
Case 3: Illegal residence resulting in administrative detention
In October 2025, a Vietnamese woman entered China through Dongxing Port with her passport and later traveled to Wei County, Hebei Province. When she was apprehended, she was found to have been illegally residing in China. The public security authority imposed administrative detention of fifteen days under Article 78(1) of the Exit and Entry Administration Law.
