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China remains one of the top countries for international businesses seeking long-term success. Its GDP is over $19 trillion and has sustained annual growth of 4%. The country has moved from being the world’s factory to being an innovation leader, with the government focusing on high–tech manufacturing, AI, biotech, and clean energy. It also has a strategic role in global trade, making China an enticing country for international business expansion.Â
Companies that intend to enter the Chinese market and employ local talent need to be strategic to avoid breaking the law. China has complex labor regulations, social security requirements that differ by region, and regulatory compliance, especially for companies without a local entity. Employment contracts must be in Mandarin and follow specific formatting and notice periods.
China’s labour contract law, social insurance law, and employment promotional law are only a small part of what employers must understand. Unlike many countries, compliance requirements vary across cities and provinces. Social insurance contribution rates differ between Chengdu, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing and are likely to change annually.
An Employer of Record helps employers avoid back payments, fines, or business restrictions caused by missteps in regulations. A China EOR is a practical option for businesses testing the market and looking to hire quickly. Setting up a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise(WFOE) in China is expensive, time-consuming, and complex. It requires multiple rounds of tax registration, a Chinese business license, and registered capital commitments.
The company must also hire a local legal representative and manage other ongoing compliance, such as audits and license renewals. For instance, China mandates the Five Insurances and Housing Fund, which includes pension, medical, unemployment, work-related injury, maternity insurance, and housing provident fund. Combining these funds will be about 35% of the employee’s gross salary, depending on the city.
Employers must also be up to date with local changes to minimum wage laws (which vary across over 30 provincial jurisdictions), trial period limits, probationary entitlements, and employee termination protections, including severance calculations based on tenure and average salary.
An EOR handles these calculations, which might be overwhelming for businesses that are unfamiliar with the system. The EOR acts as the legal employer and manages the Chinese employees based on their location. They also provide legally compliant bilingual employment contracts.Â
EORs handle onboarding, offboarding, and probation tracking, and keep you updated on changing regulations across provinces. EORs can help manage work permits and sponsorships for expatriate hires.
This strategy is a compliant and efficient way for foreign companies that are building a team in China without establishing an entity in China.
China’s complex regulatory environment and regional HR variations have made for a competitive EOR market. There are dozens of providers, but it is best to do due diligence to avoid choosing one not fully equipped to handle essential issues like local labor law, language barriers, and provincial regulations. This section highlights top-performing China EOR providers so you can make a well-informed choice.
Remote People is a US-based EOR provider operating in over 150 countries, including China. With a fully established local entity in China, the provider lets businesses hire Chinese employees legally and efficiently.Â
While many EORs charge premium rates for China due to the complicated regulations, this provider offers full-service solutions at an affordable price. Getting an EOR from them is a worthy investment for start-ups, scale-ups, and multinational enterprises.Â
Another unique offering is full-lifecycle recruitment in China. The providers help you secure top-tier talent that is a fit for any position across industries. They also structure compliant compensation packages so you can get the best people without exceeding your budget.
Remote People also handles critical compliance points that many find challenging to navigate in China. You can partner with them to get work permits (Z visas) and employment contracts in Mandarin and handle individual income tax registration and employee benefits.Â
Learn more about the benefits of working with one of our top provider in our in-depth 2026 Remote People review.Â
Deel is a global EOR provider with headquarters in the United States and operations in over 150 countries, including China. At a rate of $599/employee per month, it is at the premium end of EOR pricing, higher than Remote People and the average EOR provider.
It offers a faster onboarding method than the traditional employment route, onboarding employees in 7 days. Although Deel does not provide recruitment services, you will receive automation, full compliance support, and rapid deployment. Deel is the top choice for businesses that want end-to-end automation.
The automation covers document collection and employment contract generation for setup and payroll. Clients can easily manage every aspect of the employee lifecycle in China through a single dashboard. Deel also supports direct employee payroll in China, making it a rare full-scope provider.
Skuad is a global Employer of Record platform that enables businesses to hire and pay employees in over 160 countries, including China. The company offers fully compliant hiring through its local partners and ensures that businesses can onboard Chinese employees without setting up a local subsidiary.
Skuad’s strength lies in its technology-driven approach. Its unified platform automates payroll, benefits, and tax compliance while providing real-time visibility into workforce data. Employers can review employee contracts, pay slips, and compliance updates from one central dashboard — ideal for startups and scaling businesses that need a fast, modern solution.
In China, Skuad handles every aspect of the employment relationship, including social insurance contributions, housing fund management, and adherence to city-specific labour regulations. It also manages onboarding documentation and contracts in both English and Mandarin, making it easier for international employers to stay compliant with local law.
Hire employees and contractors legally in China without an entity.
Digital onboarding and payroll management through a single platform.
Automated compliance with China’s labour, tax, and social security requirements.
Employment contracts prepared in both Mandarin and English.
Integrates payroll and benefits into one dashboard for global visibility.
Transparent, flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees.
Skuad is an excellent choice for companies that value speed, transparency, and automation. Its cloud-based platform makes it especially appealing to tech-forward startups and mid-sized firms expanding into China.
Check out our detailed review on Skuad to find out about their features and pricing.Â
MSA Asia (MSA) is a global company incorporation and expansion advisory firm that also provides comprehensive Employer of Record services in China. Known for its hands-on approach, MSA offers customised employment solutions for both multinational corporations and smaller businesses entering the Chinese market.
MSA’s EOR model is built on close collaboration. The company assigns a dedicated account manager to each client, ensuring every aspect of the employment relationship, from recruitment and onboarding to payroll and compliance is handled efficiently. MSA’s local HR specialists also help employers work through complex regional labour laws, including the management of mandatory insurances, housing fund contributions, and statutory benefits.
One of MSA’s key strengths is its flexibility. Businesses can choose between fully managed EOR services or hybrid solutions that combine in-house HR with MSA’s compliance and payroll expertise. This makes it particularly useful for companies planning long-term expansion in China.
In-country compliance support with a strong HR advisory team.
End-to-end payroll, benefits, and tax management across Chinese regions.
Customisable EOR solutions for different business sizes and industries.
Employment contracts and HR documentation in both Chinese and English.
Dedicated account manager for direct, responsive communication.
Optional recruitment and staff augmentation services.
MSA is ideal for companies that want a more personal, flexible EOR partnership in China. Its tailored approach ensures full compliance while giving employers more control over their local workforce.
Find out more about this top provider in our detailed MSA Review.Â
International companies familiar with China’s labor laws will find it easier to partner with an EOR provider in China when they want to hire Chinese talent. With the right EOR, companies do not have to worry about onboarding, payroll, benefits, and tax compliance.Â
Among the top EOR providers for China, Remote People stands out with unbeatable pricing starting at $199 per month per employee, quick setup, and flexible contract hiring. Deel and INS Global are also excellent choices for businesses looking to expand into China.Â
Each of these providers offers compelling advantages, but Remote People’s combination of affordability, 24/7 support, and all-in-one service gives it a competitive edge.
If you’re unsure which provider is the best fit, our team of experts can help you find the right EOR solution for your business. Our team reviews the latest EOR data, pricing, and compliance updates to give you tailored recommendations.
Get in touch with RemotePad today to receive personalised guidance on hiring in China and discover which EOR partner will help your company grow confidently and compliantly.
