Key practical points:
• A permit-holding foreign worker is in principle required to join five insurances: pension, medical, work injury, unemployment and maternity.
• Contributions are deducted from salary, with the employer paying set percentages too.
• Some nationalities may be partly exempt where a bilateral social security ('totalization') agreement with China exists.
• On permanently leaving China you may be able to withdraw the individual pension account balance under local rules.
• Actual enforcement varies by city; some are stricter than others.
💼 Work permits
Interim Measures on Social Insurance for Foreigners Employed in China · Yalla China
在中国境内就业的外国人参加社会保险暂行办法 / Interim Measures on Social Insurance for Foreigners Employed in China
Enacted: 2011-09-06 ✅ Effective: 2011-10-15
📝 Overview
Rules requiring foreigners legally employed in China to join the social insurance system like local employees.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
Social insurance is, in principle, not optional if you are a permit-holding employee, and part of your salary is deducted for it. But if your country has a totalization agreement with China you may avoid double payment; ask your employer and the local bureau. Keep your paperwork if you plan to withdraw the pension on leaving. General orientation, not legal advice.
📎 Official source
Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security / mohrss.gov.cn
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026