Q3: How is social insurance handled when a foreigner leaves China?

The social insurance personal accounts of those foreign nationals who leave the country before reaching the prescribed age for receiving pension will be retained. The payment years of those who come to China again for employment will continue to be accumulated. If an individual applies in writing to terminate the social insurance relationship, a one-time payment equal to the amount held in their social insurance personal account will be made to the individual.

Q4: How to transfer social insurance across provinces?

Foreign employees relocating across provinces must comply with China’s regulations on transferring basic pension insurance relationships.

Q5: How to claim social insurance benefits?

Foreign nationals who participate in pension insurance and meet the conditions shall enjoy pension insurance benefits in accordance with the law. Foreign personnel who have reached the statutory retirement age, reached required payment period, and are eligible to receive benefits in Hainan can apply for retirement procedures in Hainan.

Foreigners who have obtained permanent residence in China and have paid their pension insurance contributions for less than 15 years（gradually extending to 20 years since 2030）before retirement can extend their contributions in accordance with the provisions of the Implementation of Several Provisions of the Social Insurance Law of the People's Republic of China, and enjoy corresponding social security benefits after reaching the required years.

Q6: When are employers exempt from enrolling foreign employees?

Case 1：

Employees who hold the nationality of a country that has signed bilateral or multilateral agreements on social insurance with China and provide a certificate of insurance participation issued by their country within three months of obtaining an employment certificate in China in accordance with the law shall be exempt from their payment obligations for the prescribed insurance types within the prescribed period in accordance with such agreements.

Case 2：

Foreign personnel who have reached or exceeded the legal retirement age in China when starting work shall not apply for social insurance registration.

Source: Official WeChat Account of Hainan Social Insurance (Medical Insurance) Service Center at “hainanshebaoyibao” and Hainan International Media Center