Foreign nationals lawfully employed in China are entitled to participate in the Housing Provident Fund (HPF) system and enjoy associated benefits. Below is a detailed summary of the official policy basis and implementation guidelines:

I. Policy Basis

National-Level Regulations

Guidance on Specific Issues Concerning the Management of the Housing Provident Fund (MOHURD Doc. [2005] No.5), Article 3:
“Employers hiring foreign nationals may enroll them in the Housing Provident Fund. Contribution base and rates shall follow the same standards as for domestic employees.”

Notice on Housing Provident Fund Rights for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Residents Working in Mainland China (MOHURD Doc. [2017] No.237):
Includes residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan in HPF coverage. The same treatment applies by reference to foreign talents.

Local Regulations

Examples of city-level implementation:

Shanghai Administrative Measures for Foreign Nationals’ HPF Contributions (2023 Revision)

Shenzhen HPF Contribution Regulations, Chapter IV (explicitly includes foreign nationals)

II. Eligibility for Foreign Nationals

Foreign talent must meet the following conditions to contribute to HPF:

Legal Employment
Must hold a valid Work Permit (Category A/B/C) or Confirmation Letter for High-Level Foreign Talent

Valid Residence
Must hold a work-type residence permit (tourist or student visas are not eligible)

Employer Participation
The employer must register a foreign employee account with the local HPF Management Center

III. Key Benefits for Foreign Talent

1. Contribution Rules

Rates: Both employer and employee contribute 5%–12% of salary

Contribution Base Cap: Generally up to 3× local average salary (e.g., Beijing cap in 2024: RMB 31,884/month)

2. Utilization of HPF

Home Purchase Loans:

Preferential interest rate of 3.1% (vs ~4.2% for commercial loans)

Loan cap typically 10–15× account balance (e.g., up to RMB 1 million in Shanghai for individuals)

Withdrawal Scenarios:
✅ Rent payments (e.g., up to RMB 3,000/month in Shanghai)
✅ First-time home purchase down payment (in certain cities)
✅ Full withdrawal upon resignation or permanent departure from China

3. Special Considerations

Naturalized Athletes: Some cities (e.g., Guangzhou) offer increased loan limits

Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan Residents: Treated equally with mainland Chinese employees

IV. Application Procedure

1. Employer Registration

Required documents:

Business license

Copy of the foreigner’s work permit

Labor contract

Passport and residence permit copy

2. Monthly Contributions

Handled by the employer through payroll deduction and remittance

3. Usage Application

Housing loans: May apply after 6–12 months of continuous contribution

Withdrawals: Apply via HPF mobile app or in person at a service counter

V. Important Notes

Not Mandatory
HPF contributions are voluntary and require mutual consent (mandatory for Category A talents in cities like Shanghai)

Tax Incentives
Contributions are exempt from personal income tax, provided tax payment certificates are submitted

Policy Variations
Loan limits and withdrawal rules vary by city (e.g., first-home loan cap is higher in Beijing than for second homes)

VI. Official Information Channels

National Hotline: 12329 (Some cities offer English-language support)

Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development: www.mohurd.gov.cn

City-Level HPF Portals:

Beijing: www.bjgjj.gov.cn

Shanghai: www.shgjj.com