According to Article 4 of the “Interim Measures for Participation in Social Insurances of Foreigners Employed in China” (the Interim Measures) , an employer who employs any foreigner shall handle the social insurance registration for the foreigner within 30 days upon issuance of his/her employment certificate. And Article 5, where a foreigner participating in social insurance satisfies the prescribed conditions, he/she may enjoy the social insurance benefits. 

Social insurance available for foreign talents

1. According to the Interim Measures, foreign talent who has paid his/her social insurance premium for more than 15 years and reach the statutory age of retirement (60 years old for man and 55 for woman) is qualified to receive basic pension monthly. If a foreigner leaves China before he/she is qualified for enjoying the pension benefits, his/her individual social insurance account shall be maintained and his/her period of contributions may be accumulated when he/she is employed in China again; upon his/her written application for termination of the social insurance, the balance paid by the foreigner in his/her private account may be refunded in a lump sum, and paid by the employer will not be refunded. The balance in a foreigners’ private social insurance account may be inherited according to law in case of his/her death.

2. Medical Insurance: Foreign talents can seek medical treatment in designated medical institutions after paid the medical insurance premium. The medical expenses will be settled in real time. The premium paid by the employer will also be transferred into personal medical account and be used at will.

3. Unemployment Insurance: Foreign talents can only apply for unemployment insurance after their work permits are expired. If it's their willingness to resign, the unemployment insurance will be unavailable. The Social Security Bureau will deal with every case specifically.

4. Maternity Insurance: When working women have temporary work interruption and loss of income due to childbirth, the country or society provides material assistance. Maternity insurance benefits include maternity allowances and maternity medical services. Female employees can enjoy maternity allowance if their employers pay maternity insurance for them in the month when they give birth, and they have paid for 9 consecutive months before giving birth, or for 12 consecutive months since the month of giving birth.

5. Employment Injury Insurance: Employees who suffer from accidents or occupational diseases due to work can receive medical treatment and financial compensation.