Marriage Leave in China: Tying the Knot with Leave Policies 

Congratulations! Your employee is getting hitched, and as their employer, it’s your chance to shine by supporting them during this significant life event. 

But what do you need to do, and what exactly are your “I do” obligations? Let’s break it down: 

Do I Need to Provide Marriage Leave? 

Yes! By law, employees across China are entitled to a minimum of three days of paid leave for their wedding. But here’s the kicker: many provinces have decided to roll out even more generous offerings. 

Regional Variations 

As of January 2025, at least 25 provinces, regions and municipalities have explicitly extended marriage leave in their local regulations. 

As the country grapples with declining marriage and birth rates, many areas are stepping up with generous benefits to encourage couples to marry and start families.

Gansu and Shanxi are currently leading the way by offering an impressive 30 days of paid leave! 

Here’s how marriage leave varies across different provinces:

Region Marriage Leave (Days) 
Anhui 13 
Beijing 10 
Chongqing 15 
Fujian 15 
Gansu 30 
Guangdong 
Guangxi 
Guizhou 13 
Hainan 13 
Hebei 18 
Heilongjiang 25 
Henan 28 
Hubei 
Hunan 
Inner Mongolia 18 
Jiangsu 13 
Jiangxi 18 
Jilin 15 
Liaoning 10 
Ningxia 18 
Qinghai 18 
Shaanxi 13 
Shandong 18 
Shanghai 10 
Shanxi 30 
Sichuan 23 
Tianjin 
Tibet 10 
Xinjiang 23 
Yunnan 18 
Zhejiang 13 

Do I Need to Pay My Employees During Marriage Leave? 

Absolutely! During marriage leave, employees are entitled to receive their regular salary. So while they’re off celebrating their big day, their paycheck won’t take a hit! 

Important Considerations 

  • Eligibility: Employees qualify for marriage leave once they register their marriage with the relevant authorities. This includes foreign employees and those remarrying. 
  • Usage Timeline: Typically, marriage leave must be taken within one year of registration. Employers may allow extensions under specific circumstances. 
  • Flexibility: Many regions allow employees to take their leave all at once or in segments, depending on work requirements and mutual agreement with employers. 

Benjamin King

CEO, Kinyu

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