Useful information
Beijing official links and hotlines.
Keep this page bookmarked during your first month. For emergencies use the emergency numbers first. For unclear local-service questions, Beijing 12345 is usually the safest starting point.
Hotlines
Numbers to save first
Police
110
Emergency police help.
Fire
119
Fire and rescue emergencies.
Ambulance
120
Medical emergency response.
Traffic accident
122
Road accident and traffic police help.
Beijing 12345 citizen hotline
(+8610)12345
Official Beijing service hotline with multilingual support for foreigners.
Immigration service
010-12367
National Immigration Administration service hotline for Beijing exit-entry matters.
Official websites
Government and service portals
Beijing International Web Portal
Main English-language Beijing government portal for foreigners, including living, working, studying, travel, and service guides.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/
Beijing Municipal Government
Chinese-language Beijing municipal government homepage, useful for official notices and department links.
https://www.beijing.gov.cn/
Beijing Government Service
Online government service portal for Beijing administrative services and one-stop handling links.
https://banshi.beijing.gov.cn/
Beijing 12345 online service
Official 12345 page for hotline information, online requests, and service guidance.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/12345hotline/index.html?src=1
National Immigration Administration
Official immigration authority for visa, residence, entry-exit, and border inspection information.
https://www.nia.gov.cn/
Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing
Official foreign affairs information for Beijing, including international exchange and consular-facing notices.
https://wb.beijing.gov.cn/en/
Daily life
Transport, payment, health, and travel
Quick Guide Services for Foreigners
Beijing official quick guides for foreigner-related services and common application scenarios.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/quickguideservices/index.html
Guide on Driving
Official Beijing quick guide hub for driving topics: driving licenses, motor vehicles, accident handling, and traffic violations.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/quickguideservices/guideondriving/
Payment of Individual Income Tax
Official Beijing expatriate guide to individual income tax: tax residency, the annual reconciliation window, filing routes, and tax treaties.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/specials/aguidetoworkingandlivinginchinaasbusinessexpatriates2024/relevantservicesforworkinchina/202404/t20240424_3635183.html
Annual Self-Declaration of Individual Income Tax
Official Beijing page on the annual self-declaration for resident aggregate income: materials to prepare, deductions, and filing rules.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/workinginbeijing/laborrights/tax/202005/t20200513_1896768.html
Cancelling Work Permits in China
Official Beijing guide to cancelling a foreigner's work permit: employer application within ten working days of early termination, required materials, and the cancellation certificate.
http://english.beijing.gov.cn/serviceguides/personalservice/work/202006/t20200602_1913460.html
Housing Fund withdrawal on ending employment
Official Beijing housing fund page: foreign nationals ending employment can cancel their account and withdraw the balance once the account is sealed, online or at a counter.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/workinginbeijing/laborrights/housingfund/202306/t20230630_3151627.html
Payment Services
Official Beijing guide to payment setup and payment scenarios for overseas visitors and residents.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/specials/paymentservices/
Payment preparations for visitors
Official Beijing visitor guidance on payment preparation: foreign-currency bank accounts at major banks, currency exchange routes, domestic transfers, and cross-border remittances.
https://english.visitbeijing.com.cn/article/4Jaou1h0LCr
SAFE circular on foreign-exchange settlement for permanent resident card holders
State Administration of Foreign Exchange circular: foreign permanent resident ID cards are valid identity certificates for foreign-exchange settlement and purchase, with an annual quota of the equivalent of USD 50,000.
http://www.safe.gov.cn/en/2017/1129/1365.html
Investing in Beijing
Official investment portal for international business users, including CBD, company setup, and business environment updates.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/investinginbeijing/
Bilingual business registration forms
Official update on Beijing's Chinese-English registration application forms and service guide for foreign-invested businesses.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/investinginbeijing/Investmentnews/202607/t20260709_4754330.html
Notarization and consular legalization
Official list of 24 Beijing institutions offering one-stop foreign-related notarization and consular legalization services.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/investinginbeijing/Investmentnews/202607/t20260709_4754341.html
Foreign investment action plan
Official policy update on service opening, finance, biomedicine, cross-border data, foreign M&A, R&D centers, and procurement access.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/investinginbeijing/Investmentnews/202607/t20260730_4799562.html
Beijing AI sector financing update
Official update on Beijing's AI financing scale and AI Agent policy measures for business users evaluating the city.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/investinginbeijing/Investmentnews/202608/t20260805_4809537.html
Studying in Beijing
Official study portal for international students, school users, university news, and student life information.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/studyinginbeijing/
Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)
Official HSK registration site: test information, test centres, and registration for the standardized Chinese proficiency test.
https://www.chinesetest.cn/
Chinese Language Training Program for International Students (BIEM)
Official Beijing portal brochure for a Beijing institute's short-term and long-term Chinese language programs: levels, terms, and class hours.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/studyinginbeijing/programsnews/202409/t20240903_3788319.html
China Railway 12306
Official railway ticketing website for train schedules, ticket purchase, and passenger service information.
https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html
Guide for Foreigners Renting Cars in Beijing
Official Beijing guide for foreigners renting cars: from driving licences to booking.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/specials/serviceguideforforeignersinbeijing/202606/t20260623_4712143.html
How Can Foreign Visitors Book Tickets to Attractions in Beijing
Official guide on how foreign visitors book tickets to Beijing attractions.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/specials/serviceguideforforeignersinbeijing/202607/t20260701_4742127.html
How to Apply for Pet Transportation for High-Speed Trains
Official guide on applying for pet transportation on high-speed trains.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/specials/serviceguideforforeignersinbeijing/202608/t20260806_4811542.html
Visit Beijing
Official Beijing tourism portal for attractions, events, routes, and visitor information.
https://english.visitbeijing.com.cn/
Beijing Customs District
Customs information for entry, exit, luggage, parcels, and trade-related questions.
http://beijing.customs.gov.cn/
Medical Guide for Foreigners in Beijing
Official Beijing medical guide for foreigners: emergency calls, international medical institutions with emergency services, outpatient appointments, and payment methods.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/quickguideservices/medicalguide/index.html
Tips for Canine Keeping Registration and Annual Check
Official Beijing guide to dog registration: register within 30 days of obtaining a dog, free rabies vaccination after registration, the annual check, and key-district fees.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/livinginbeijing/tipsforcaninekeepinginbeijing/
GACC Announcement [2019] No. 5 on pets entering China
Customs announcement on pet entry: one dog or cat per person per entry, required certificates and chip, the 30-day quarantine default, and the three exemptions.
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/latest/lawsandpolicies/202104/t20210407_2346645.html
Beijing Municipal Health Commission
Health authority notices and public health information. Most content is in Chinese.
https://wjw.beijing.gov.cn/
Usage note
Use official channels for final confirmation
Hotlines, office pages, and service requirements can change. Use this directory as a starting point, then confirm the latest rule on the linked official website or by calling the relevant hotline.