Beijing: China is set to introduce its new "K visa" on October 1, 2025, aimed at attracting young foreign professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The K visa will allow eligible individuals to enter, reside, and work in China without requiring a job offer, positioning the country as an alternative to the U.S. H-1B visa, which requires employer sponsorship and involves a lottery system.
The move comes in the wake of a major increase in U.S. H-1B visa fees, which could rise to as much as $100,000 annually under the Trump administration’s proposal. The fee hike has raised concerns among U.S. healthcare organizations, as international medical graduates constitute over 20% of family physicians, often serving in rural and underserved areas. Experts warn that the higher costs may worsen the existing physician shortage in the United States.
China’s K visa is part of broader efforts to attract foreign talent and investment, including recent visa waivers and expanded market access. Analysts say the initiative is primarily focused on bringing back overseas Chinese professionals, though other countries like South Korea, Germany, and New Zealand are also easing immigration rules for tech talent. Challenges remain, including unclear eligibility criteria, limited information on long-term residency or family sponsorship, and language barriers, as most Chinese tech firms operate in Mandarin.
The U.S. H-1B program, established under the 1990 Immigration Act, allows employers to temporarily hire highly skilled foreign professionals in specialized fields, with an annual cap of 65,000 new visas and an additional 20,000 for holders of advanced U.S. degrees. India has been the largest beneficiary of the H-1B program, accounting for 71% of approvals. The new fee increase has prompted concerns in India over potential impacts on services exports and remittances, with government officials in discussions with U.S. authorities.
The introduction of China’s K visa and the U.S. H-1B fee hike are expected to reshape the global mobility landscape for skilled professionals, offering new opportunities in China while raising significant challenges for talent recruitment in the United States.