Can I apply for a residence permit without buying social security in Shenzhen?

Legal analysis: Yes. You don't need social security to apply for a residence permit, as long as you live in Shenzhen and have a house code provided to the police station. To apply for a residence permit, people with non-deep household registration should meet two conditions at the same time, that is, they have a legally stable residence in the special zone and have lived continuously for 12 months from the date of household registration to the date of applying for a residence permit. Secondly, if you want to have a legal and stable job in the special zone, you must have participated in social insurance for 12 months or accumulated for 18 months within two years before the date of applying for a residence permit.

Legal basis: Article 6 of the Regulations on Household Registration in People's Republic of China (PRC) is a temporary residence permit for one person and one card, with the longest validity period of one year. If it is necessary to stay temporarily after the expiration of the temporary residence, it shall go through the formalities of extension or renewal before the expiration.