China remains a crucial destination for international businesses, boasting a massive consumer market, advanced tech hubs such as Shanghai and Shenzhen, and a highly skilled talent pool. Yet operating here comes with complex employment, tax, and immigration regulations. Without a local legal entity, companies face serious compliance challenges.
Access Financial’s Employer of Record (EoR) service in China offers a fast, secure route to hire both local and expatriate staff – handling all administrative, legal, and regulatory obligations on your behalf.
An Employer of Record (EoR) legally hires staff on your behalf while you manage their daily work. The EoR takes responsibility for:
By partnering with Access Financial, you avoid the need to incorporate a Chinese entity – saving time, costs, and compliance risk.
1. Streamlined work permits
China has embedded foreign work permits into social security cards, simplifying document handling and verification for expats.
2. Digital work permit applications
Several regions now allow fully digital permit submissions, reducing bureaucracy and speeding approvals.
3. Relaxed requirements for high-earning expats
In Beijing, high-salary Category A expats (earning ≥6 × local average wage) can now extend work permits without submitting tax records – audits may occur retrospectively.
4. Four-day workweek pilot & medical benefits
The new illness and disability pension benefits took effect in January 2025, offering monthly support for disabled employees. Pilots for a four-day workweek have also been launched in select industries.
Employment contract requirements
Chinese law mandates a written contract within one month of employment, covering salary, role, probation, leave, and termination terms .
Social Insurance contributions
Employers must contribute to pension, health, unemployment, work-injury, maternity, housing funds, and disability insurance – rates vary by city.
Work hours and overtime
Standard hours are 8 hours per day, 40 per week, with legal limits on overtime. Pay rates rise to 150%, 200%, and 300% on holidays.
Termination and severance
Termination requires 30 days’ notice or pay in lieu. Severance is typically one month’s salary per year of service for continuous employment over one year.
E visa & work permit
Employment in China requires a Z visa and a corresponding work permit, integrated into the worker’s social security card since late 2024.
Residence permit registration
Foreign workers must register with the Public Security Bureau within 30 days of entry.
Visa extensions & local relaxations
The new initiatives allow senior and high-earning expats greater flexibility, such as permit renewals without tax documents in Beijing.
No Entity setup
We hire employees through our own Chinese legal entity, saving you the complexity and cost of local incorporation.
Full compliance
We manage all local requirements – from employment, taxation, and social insurance to correct contracts and termination procedures.
Immigration & work permit expertise
We handle Z visa and work permit applications, renewals, permit-to-card transitions, and ensure Public Security Bureau registration, all digitally and efficiently.
Payroll & benefits administration
Monthly payroll, pay slips, withholding tax, and benefits administration are managed entirely by us, ensuring accuracy throughout the process.
Reduce compliance risk
Our local team helps avoid fines, employment disputes, and permit errors while adapting you to evolving legislative frameworks.
Ideal for companies that:
Without an EoR, businesses may face:
Access Financial’s EoR removes these burdens, letting you focus on growth, not administration.
With regulatory changes accelerating, including visa integration, digital efficiencies, and evolving work-permit rules, now is the time to partner with a reliable and compliant EoR provider.
Get in touch today to explore our Employer of Record services in China.