The question is commonly asked whether foreigners employed in China can claim unemployment insurance benefits - and the answer to that is a definite Yes.

According to the Social Insurance Law of the People's Republic of China and the Interim Measures for Social Insurance System Coverage of Foreigners Working within the Territory of China, foreign personnel employed in China can purchase unemployment insurance and enjoy the related benefits.

Conditions for receiving unemployment insurance benefits

To receive unemployment benefits from the unemployment insurance fund, an unemployed individual must meet all of the following conditions:

I. Both the employer and the individual have made unemployment insurance contributions for at least one year prior to the unemployment.

II. The termination of employment was not caused by the intentional actions of the individual.

III. The individual has registered as unemployed and is actively seeking employment.

How unemployment insurance benefits are claimed

Both offline and online channels are available for applications. 

Offline channel:

Individuals should apply through the community affairs service centers located in streets or towns across the city.

Online channel:

Individuals should apply through Shanghai platforms, including the "Suishenban" app and the "Suishenban" mini-programs in WeChat and Alipay, as well as the national platform for social insurance and its related mobile app.

Source: Official WeChat account of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security