China to Attract More Foreign Nationals to Live and Work in the Country

In this iPMI Global In Focus Expatriate Life article, iPMI report author and market analyst Ian Youngman, takes a look at news that there is a new guide for expatriates working and living in China, from the Ministry of Commerce of China.

• The Ministry of Commerce of China, along with other governmental bodies, has released the 2024 edition of the “Guide to Working and Living in China” for business expatriates.
• This guide is an essential resource for foreign professionals navigating the complexities of relocating to China, offering detailed information on daily life, residency services, and work-related matters.
• From residence registration to mobile payments and transportation, the guide aims to simplify the transition for expatriates, facilitating a smoother integration into Chinese society and the business environment.
• This effort is part of China’s broader strategy to attract international talent by providing comprehensive support and making it easier for foreign nationals to live and work in the country.
• The guide addresses essential matters such as residence registration, SIM card acquisition, bank card application, residence and work permits, social insurance, mobile payment, transportation, individual income tax payment, and more.
• Foreigners working within China for more than 90 days must obtain a work permit.
• Foreigners who work in China can access social security.

Eligible individuals

• Individuals who are legally employed in China and have legally obtained the Foreigner's Work Permits.
• residence permits for foreigners, and Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards.
• Individuals who have signed labour contracts with domestic employers in China and are paid by the employers, or those who have signed contracts with foreign companies and are dispatched to work in China, with salaries paid by the domestic employers.

Health insurance

• There is no digital nomad visa as yet.
• There is no compulsory health insurance for locals.
• There is no compulsory insurance for expats.
• IPMI is a must have.

Numbers

• As of 2023, there are 12,000 foreigners with permanent residency in China.
• According to the 2020 National Census of China, there were 845,697 foreigners and an additional 584,998 residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan – together 1,430,695 immigrants – living in mainland China on 1 November 2020.
• he most recent public figures available, as of 2020, show that China is home to 519,200 foreign expats from different countries.
• Of this figure, the majority of expats were from South Korea (178,200), followed by the USA (86,700), Japan (51,200), Germany (15,600) and France (14,100).
• The numbers were lower than the 2.7 million foreigners in China due to Covid restrictions.
• Following an opening up of the county there are probably a million expats now.

About the Author

Ian Youngman is an independent writer and researcher specialising in insurance. He writes regularly for a variety of magazines, newsletters, and on-line services. He publishes a range of market reports, and undertakes research for companies. To read his latest report, International Health Insurance 2023, please click here, or visit the REPORTS section of iPMI Global.