Elderly Foreigners: Free Public Transport Card Eligibility in Ningbo
- In Ningbo
Recently, Ningbo received the heartwarming news that the first foreigner who has obtained a Permanent Resident Permit has successfully received a free ride card for senior citizens.
Previously, the free ride card for senior citizens in Ningbo was only available to Chinese nationals aged 70 or above. After receiving the report submitted by the Citizen Card Company, Ningbo Highway and Transportation Management Center confirmed through multiple communications that foreigners who have obtained Permanent Residence Permits are entitled to the same treatment as Chinese citizens in terms of transportation in accordance with the law, and thus included them in the scope of people applying for the free ride card for the senior citizens in Ningbo.
This policy reflects Ningbo’s openness and inclusiveness and is a positive step in the city’s internationalization process.
On the one hand, it creates a convenient and comfortable living environment for foreign permanent residents, allowing them to feel the same treatment and respect as Chinese citizens, which helps to enhance their sense of identity and belonging to Ningbo, and promotes the harmonious coexistence of multiple cultures.
On the other hand, it is also more attractive to foreign talents, demonstrating Ningbo’s positive attitude toward talent introduction and services, which is conducive to enhancing the city’s competitiveness and attractiveness and injecting new vitality into the city’s development.
- In Shanghai
This leads us to have certain associations with whether Shanghai, a first-tier city with a large foreign population, has the same policy or not. However, Shanghai has not yet introduced the same policy as Ningbo of issuing free senior citizen bus passes to foreigners who have obtained permanent residence permits.
In this regard, what are the benefits for foreigners who have obtained Permanent Residence Permits, in Shanghai, and have reached the retirement age stipulated by the city? After consultation with the online service center of the Social Security Bureau, they replied:
Pension Benefits
Holders of Foreigners’ Permanent Residence Permits, Foreigners’ Work Permits and Resident Permits, etc., can participate in pension insurance in accordance with the relevant regulations of the city, and receive relevant pension insurance benefits if they have reached the retirement age stipulated by the city, have made contributions for a total of 15 years.
On September 13, the 11th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress adopted a decision to gradually raise the statutory retirement age.
Medical insurance
Foreign retirees participating in the city’s basic medical insurance are entitled to the corresponding medical insurance treatment if they fall ill during the period of participation.
The portion of the individual account credited with company contributions and the medical insurance treatment shall be implemented in accordance with the relevant provisions of the city’s medical insurance scheme according to the actual age of the retiree, but medical expenses incurred outside the country shall not be settled.
- Our observations
According to data revealed by Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng on January 15, 2023, there are more than 11,000 foreign talents with Permanent Residence Permits in Shanghai. As Shanghai continues to become more internationalized, it is expected that the number of foreigners settling down in Shanghai may continue to grow or stabilize.
In the future, it is possible to further introduce some preferential policies for foreigners who have obtained relevant residence permits or improve the existing welfare policies.
As the city develops and the demand for high-end talent increases, foreign permanent residents may be given the same or even more favorable treatment as Chinese citizens in more areas such as pension, medical care, and education, to attract more international talent to come to work and live in Shanghai.
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