A first network element first obtains an access request including access location information of a first terminal device; then, the first network element may obtain subscription information including subscription location information of the first terminal device; when the first network element determines that the access location information of the first terminal device does not belong to the subscription location information, the first network element may obtain allowed information for allowing the first terminal device to access a network at an access location corresponding to the access location information; and the first terminal device may further be allowed, based on the allowed information, to access the network at the access location corresponding to the access location information.