Do foreigners need temporary residence permits to pay social security?

Legal analysis: No, just a company certificate. You can apply for social security without a temporary residence permit. Social security is social security for companies and employees, not temporary residence. Non-locals can't buy social security directly from the Social Security Bureau, but can only buy social security for local employees through the way that enterprises buy for employees.

Legal basis: People's Republic of China (PRC) Social Insurance Law.

Article 2 The state establishes social insurance systems such as basic old-age insurance, basic medical insurance, industrial injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance, so as to guarantee citizens' right to receive material assistance from the state and society in accordance with the law in case of old age, illness, industrial injury, unemployment and maternity.

Nineteenth individuals across the overall regional employment, the basic old-age insurance relationship with my transfer, the cumulative payment period. When an individual reaches the statutory retirement age, the basic pension is calculated in stages and distributed uniformly. Specific measures shall be formulated by the State Council.