Social Insurance for Foreign Teachers in China: What Your Employer Must Pay
Foreign teachers with work permits must be enrolled in social insurance (pension, medical, unemployment, work injury, maternity) — plus housing fund in many cities. Your share is roughly 10–22% of salary; the employer pays its own ~30% on top and may NOT deduct its share from your wages.
The 'never enrolled' trap
Contracts promise social insurance but some schools never enroll foreign staff. Teachers discover years later they were never covered. Ask for enrollment confirmation within 30 days of starting.
How to verify
Check the tax app (个人所得税 app) or ask HR for your contribution base (缴费基数) in writing. Compare it to your actual salary. If deductions exceed ~22% of your gross, the employer may be passing its share onto you.
What to do
If you're not enrolled or being overcharged: contact the local social insurance bureau (社保中心) — foreigners can request contribution records with their passport. The 12333 hotline has English support.
Key facts / law
- Interim Measures for Foreigners Employed in China to Participate in Social Insurance (2011)
- Employer must register within 30 days of work permit issuance
- Your share ≈ pension 8% + medical 2% + unemployment 0.5% + housing fund 5–12%
- Employer share (~30%) is the employer's cost — passing it to you is illegal
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Related guides
Also: see what teachers actually earn in China →
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