Hong Kong Residents' Complete Guide to Applying for a Shenzhen Residence Permit / Social Insurance & Medical Insurance 2026: Service Point Addresses, Documents, Payments

The Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents' Residence Permit is the "master key" for Hong Kong people living in the mainland: opening bank accounts, getting phone cards, buying social and medical insurance, and using public services — many of these require it. Below is a summary of the application requirements, the addresses and phone numbers of processing points in each Shenzhen district, the documents to bring, and how to join Shenzhen social insurance once you have the permit.

1. Application Requirements

• You must have lived in the mainland (including Shenzhen) for more than six months;
• You must meet one of the following: lawful and stable employment, a lawful and stable residence, or continuous study;
• You must hold a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Home Return Permit).

Both first-time applications and replacements must be handled at the public security household registration (hukou) window of the district where you live. In principle, an "appointment-first" system applies; if you genuinely have an urgent need, you can ask on-site staff about taking an on-site queue number and waiting to be seen.

2. Main Processing Points in Shenzhen (Address + Phone)

• Futian Branch Hukou Hall: 1st and 2nd Floors, Shazui Building, 3028 Fuqiang Road, Futian District, Shenzhen | Phone 0755-82923357
• Xinzhou Hukou Centre: 86 Fuhua 4th Road, Futian District, Shenzhen
• Luohu Branch Hukou Hall: 48 Jing'er Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen (next to Luohu Sports Centre), i.e. the Comprehensive Window of the Population and Hukou Service Hall of the Shenzhen Municipal Government Service Hall (Luohu Public Security Branch service point) | Phone 0755-84460332
• Henggang Subdistrict Convenience Service Centre (Longgang): 1st Floor, Henggang Culture and Sports Centre Building, 66 Hongmian 1st Road, Henggang Subdistrict, Longgang District, Shenzhen | Phone 0755-28587001
• Longhua Public Security Branch Service Point: 1st Floor, Block B, Guohong Building, 2283 Meilong Avenue, Longhua Subdistrict, Longhua District, Shenzhen
• The administrative service halls of subdistrict offices in each district also have hukou windows (Luohu has multiple processing points including Nanhu, Donghu, Huangbei, Guiyuan, Sungang, Dongmen and Cuizhu).

Office hours are generally 9:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00 on working days (some processing points also accept applications on Saturday mornings); the latest official announcements prevail. The citywide enquiry hotline for the Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau is 0755-84465000.

3. What Documents to Bring and When to Collect the Permit

1. Home Return Permit original (within its validity period).
2. Proof of residence: tenancy agreement (with landlord details), property ownership certificate or accommodation certificate; if you are staying in a hotel or at a relative's home, check whether a certificate can be issued.
3. Photo receipt: in the format required by the processing point (most have a photo shop on-site or nearby).
4. Fill in the form on-site, verify your details, and have your fingerprints taken.
5. After approval, collect the permit as notified; processing times vary between processing points, generally from a few working days up to 20 working days, subject to the receipt you are given.

Tip: Book first via the "Shenzhen Public Security" WeChat service account to save a lot of time; the permit number is different from your Home Return Permit number, and you will need the residence permit number for opening accounts and getting cards later, so remember to note it down.

4. After Getting the Permit: Buying Social Insurance as a Flexible Employee

Hong Kong and Macao residents who are not employed can join Shenzhen's employee basic pension insurance and basic medical insurance as a "flexible employee". Official channels:

• Online: Log in to the "Shenzhen Social Insurance" WeChat official account → Mobile Services → Business Handling → Personal Business → Insurance Registration Management → Insurance Management → Flexible Employment Registration and Insurance Registration (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan / non-Shenzhen hukou / Shenzhen hukou).
• Offline: Book a social insurance window appointment through the "iShenzhen" App.

Contributions: The contribution standard for Hong Kong flexible employees is the same as for non-Shenzhen hukou residents from within and outside Guangdong Province; the pension insurance contribution rate is 20%; medical insurance was originally 8%, temporarily reduced to 7% from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025. The contribution base can be chosen freely within the prescribed range; for the latest 2026 rates and the upper and lower limits of the base, please refer to the latest announcements from the Shenzhen Human Resources and Social Security Bureau (hrss.sz.gov.cn) and the Shenzhen Social Insurance Fund Management Bureau.

5. What the Residence Permit Is Actually Used For

• Opening a mainland bank account and getting a mainland phone card;
• Joining social and medical insurance and settling medical bills in Shenzhen;
• Buying high-speed rail and flight tickets under your real name, and registering at hotels more conveniently;
• Some public services (libraries, sports venues, government administrative matters) can be used directly.

6. Getting There: How to Reach the Processing Points

• Luohu Branch Hukou Hall (48 Jing'er Road): After crossing the border, take Metro Line 1 to Luohu Station Exit A, then transfer to a taxi or bus for about 10 minutes; you can also walk from Xiangxicun Station on Line 9.
• Futian Branch Hukou Hall (Shazui Building): Around Chegongmiao Station on Metro Line 1 / Line 11, about a 10-minute walk from the exit.
• Shenzhen Municipal Government Service Hall (Civic Centre): Civic Centre Station or Convention & Exhibition Centre Station on Lines 2 / 4; you can handle other government matters at the same time.
• Longhua Service Point (Guohong Building): Get off at Longhua Station on Line 4, then transfer to a bus or taxi.

The safest approach: search the processing point name directly in Amap (for example "羅湖分局戶政大廳") and follow the navigation; book via the "Shenzhen Public Security" WeChat service account before setting off to avoid a wasted trip.

7. Common Misconceptions

• "You can apply even if you're staying in a hotel" — generally not; you need to be able to produce valid proof of residence.
• "Filling in the form online is enough" — for a first-time application you must appear in person to have your fingerprints taken.
• "Having a residence permit is the same as having household registration" — no; the residence permit is only proof of residence status and has nothing to do with hukou.
• "Paying enough social insurance guarantees a pension" — you must meet the contribution-year requirements and the rules on where benefits are collected; for long-term planning it is best to ask the social insurance bureau first.

8. How Do Hong Kong People Around Shenzhen Bay / Nanshan Apply?

By regulation, the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents' Residence Permit must be handled at the hukou processing point of the district where you live, so Hong Kong people living in Nanshan, Shekou or around Shenzhen Bay must apply at a processing point in Nanshan District and cannot go to Luohu or Futian instead. After crossing the border at Shenzhen Bay Port (Shenzhen Bay Port Station on Line 13), choose the processing point for the district your address belongs to; before setting off, search "南山分局戶政大廳" in Amap for the latest address and office hours, then book via the "Shenzhen Public Security" WeChat service account.

FAQ

What is the difference between the residence permit and the Home Return Permit?

The Home Return Permit is a travel document for entering the mainland; the residence permit is "proof of residence status" and its number has 18 digits. For handling matters in the mainland (banks, social insurance), the residence permit number is mostly used.

Does the residence permit need to be renewed every year?

The residence permit has a validity period and must be replaced when it expires. Replacement is also handled at the processing point for the district where you live; bring your Home Return Permit and proof of residence.

Can I buy Shenzhen social insurance without a residence permit?

Generally no. Flexible employment insurance requires Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents to provide identity documents such as a residence permit, so in most cases you need to get the residence permit first.

What is the use of paying social insurance?

Cumulative pension insurance contributions allow you to receive benefits once you meet the conditions; medical insurance can be used for outpatient visits and inpatient settlements. For people living long-term in both places, it is advisable to work out your own needs carefully before deciding.