Social insurance registration

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China recently released “Interim Measures for Participation in Social Insurance System by Foreigners Employed in China.” It specified that foreigners working in China should register for Chinese social insurance system and pay the full fees on time.

Those foreigners who have worked in China before October 15, 2011, and meet the qualifications of participating in social insurance should pay the social insurance from October 15, 2011. Those who register and pay the insurance between October 15, 2011 and December 31, 2011 needn’t pay the overdue fine. Those who register after January 1, 2012, will be required to pay the overdue fine. Additionally, foreigners who started working in China after October 15, 2011, should register and pay the social insurance from the month they begin to work.

For foreigners who have not registered before, their employers need to go to the social security bureau to register with their employees’ passport, work permit, foreign expert certificate or foreign resident journalist certificate and work contract. Those with permanent residency need to provide their permanent residence certificate. Those approved will get their social security number and social security card.