China’s Guangdong province, which has high density of foreign nationals due to large amount of external trade, has tightened rules for foreigners living and working there as part of efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.

A provincial regulation, which takes effect on May 1, encourages people to report malpractice involving foreigners, such as illegal entry, overstaying, working without permits or conducting business without a licence.

The regulation, approved by the provincial government on January 21, is the first of its kind concerning management of foreigners on the mainland.

The six-chapter, 67-article regulation stipulates that no one is allowed to provide accommodation for foreigners who have overstayed or are without a valid passport, official China Daily reported.

Property owners violating the rule will be fined three times the amount of the monthly rent they charge.

The regulation came as the booming province has attracted a growing number of foreigners seeking employment and trade opportunities.

More than 63,000 permanent foreign residents are registered in Guangdong and more than four million foreigners visit the province annually.

But the province has witnessed a growing number of illegal immigrants working or doing business.

To tackle the problem, the regulation stipulates that an employer of a foreigner without a valid work or residence permit will be fined of up to 3,000 yuan ($450).

Any firm or individual who provides accommodation or bank accounts to foreigners without valid travel documents, or whose visas have expired, will be fined up to 10,000 yuan.

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