[Photo via Beijing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security]

On January 4, Beijing entered the regular replacement phase for third-generation social security cards, with offline application channels officially opened. Insured residents in Beijing, who haven't applied for the third-generation social security cards in the centralized application phase, may now independently apply for the new cards through either online or offline channels.

For this phase, the cards can be applied for and obtained offline, while the online application channels will remain available. Specifically, there are four online channels: the official website of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, the official WeChat account of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security (北京人社), the "Jingtong" (京通) mini-programs, and the WeChat mini-program "Beijing Minsheng Yikatong" (北京民生一卡通). On-site applications can be made at district- and subdistrict-level service outlets for social security cards, as well as service outlets of the partner banks.

Insured individuals who have not yet replaced their cards may choose their preferred banks and collection methods, and apply either online or offline. For employees who choose to apply online, whose employers have activated the collective application and chosen to collect the social security cards on their behalf, they may only choose from the partner banks designated by their employers.

Starting in 2026, Beijing has stopped issuing first- and second-generation social security cards. For first-time applicants and current holders of first- or second-generation cards who apply for replacement or renewal, only the third-generation social security cards will be issued. If cardholders do not replace or activate the third-generation cards, their extant first- or second-generation cards will remain valid indefinitely, whilst still being able to be used, with no impact on their pensions or functions of social security or medical insurance.

(Source: Beijing Daily)