BEIJING, CHINA – China launched a new visa program on Wednesday aimed at attracting foreign talent in science and technology, part of its ongoing efforts to position itself as a world leader in these sectors ahead of the United States.
The Chinese measure, first announced in August, stands in stark contrast to recent US policy. The Trump administration last month unexpectedly introduced new and expensive changes to its own skilled worker visas.
China’s new K visa significantly simplifies the immigration process for those eligible, according to state media. State newspaper People’s Daily lauded the move, saying: “Against the backdrop of some countries retracting, turning inward, and sidelining international talent, China has keenly seized this important opportunity and promptly introduced this policy.”
A key advantage of the K visa is that it does not require a domestic employer or entity to issue an invitation to the applicant, unlike many other visa categories. State news agency Xinhua reported that visa-holders will be offered “more convenience in terms of number of permitted entries, validity period and duration of stay.”
The official description for applicants is “young foreign scientific and technological talents,” though the exact requirements regarding age, educational background, and work experience remain unclear. Xinhua noted that visa-holders will be able to “engage in exchanges in fields such as education, culture, and science and technology, as well as relevant entrepreneurial and business activities.”
The Contrast with US Policy
The US tech industry has been rattled by sudden changes to the H-1B visa procedure implemented by the Trump administration. H-1Bs allow companies to sponsor foreign workers with specialized skills—such as scientists and engineers—to work in the United States.
These visas are widely used by the tech industry, but the new H-1B visa policy now requires a substantial one-time fee of $100,000. Indian nationals currently account for nearly three-quarters of the permits allotted via the annual lottery system.
The People’s Daily article pushed back at what it termed “strange rumours” suggesting the new visa could create “immigration problems” in China, stating, “The so-called ‘immigration crisis’ will not materialise, we should have cultural confidence.”
