Social security for foreigners in Shanghai

Q: Can foreign employees participate in social security in Shanghai?

A: From June 2009 10, eligible overseas employees can participate in Shanghai social security.

Q: What conditions need to be met?

A: 1. Establish labor (employment) relations with employers in Shanghai.

2. According to the regulations, I have obtained one of the following five certificates in Shanghai (foreign expert certificate, Shanghai B-type residence permit, employment permit for foreigners, employment permit for people from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, employment approval certificate for foreigners who have settled in Shanghai). Or those who have obtained permanent (long-term) residency abroad and come to Shanghai from Taiwan Province, Hongkong and Macao.

3. Sign a labor (employment) contract and stipulate the types of insurance in the contract.

Q: What insurance do foreign employees take in Shanghai? What's the ratio?

A: In Shanghai, you can participate in endowment insurance, medical insurance and industrial injury insurance. The proportion is the same as that of urban household registration employees in China. Pension unit part 2 1%, individual part 8%; Medical unit part 1 1%, personal part 2%; 0.5% for work-related injury unit and 0% for individual.

Q: Do foreign employees need to pay social security when they work in Shanghai?

A: Foreign employees working in Shanghai are not obliged to pay Shanghai social security. Foreign employees working in Beijing need to pay Beijing social security.

Q: Can foreign employees enjoy relevant benefits after paying social security?

A: Foreign employees can enjoy normal medical treatment after paying social security. You can apply for a basic pension if you reach the statutory retirement age and meet the payment period stipulated by the state and Shanghai.

Further reading: How to buy insurance, which is good, and teach you how to avoid these "pits" of insurance.