China is rolling out new visas aimed at attracting foreign talent in the field of science and technology.
K Visa will come into effect on Wednesday following a declaration by the State Council, China’s Cabinet.
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The visa has been particularly attracting attention in light of President Donald Trump’s deadline for the H-1B eligibility rules, which relies heavily on Silicon Valley recruiting skilled workers from overseas.
What is K Visa’s goal? How does it work?
The Chinese government is throwing visas as part of an effort to attract foreign talent to enhance the country’s competitiveness in science and technology.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on Tuesday said Visa’s aim was to “promote exchange and cooperation” between talents in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The visa is the latest in a recent series of reforms aimed at making China more attractive to foreigners, including streamlined visa processing and the introduction of redesigned permanent residency cards.
“From the 1980s to 2010, China lost talent in developed countries such as the United States,” Zhigang Tao, professor of strategy and economics at the Cheung Kong School of Business in Beijing, told Al Jazeera.
“Now it’s about maintaining local talent and attracting global talent.”
Chinese officials say K Visa, open to accredited universities and young professional alumni working in STEM-related fields, offers more flexible conditions than existing options.
The main advantage of visas is that unlike previous skilled immigration programs, it does not require sponsorship from an employer.
However, many important details of the visa, including unspecified requirements related to length of stay, age, educational background, and work experience, remain unknown.
Can K Visa attract foreign talent?
Edward Hu, immigration director for Shanghai’s consulting firm Newland Chase, said in more than 30% of inquiries since August he had a strong interest in visas.
Hu said there was particularly strong interest from prospective applicants in India, Southeast Asia, Europe and the US.
“K Visa fills the gap in China’s talent system by lowering the barriers to entry for young STEM talent. This complements existing R visas targeting the highest level of experts,” Hu told Al Jazeera, calling the visa a “strategic move,” and positioned China as the top destination for early STEM Talent.
Introduced in 2013, R Visa is targeted by states for “urgently needed” and “high-level, professional” foreigners, and requires sponsorship by “inviting organizations.”
Still, it is China’s willingness to expand its talent pool as K Visa faces challenges.
China has been moving to open up to foreigners, but the country is still far less internationalized than the US.
Unlike the United States, China rarely grants citizenship to foreigners.
Although permanent residency in China is more feasible, it is still granted to only a small percentage of people compared to the roughly 1 million non-Americans who receive green cards each year.
The Chinese work environment also presents language barriers for English-speaking applicants when compared to their counterparts in Silicon Valley.
Michael Feller, chief strategist of Geopolitical Strategies for the Sydney-based business consultancy, said Chinese companies need to compete with US companies to provide English-language roles and “international style” work schedules.
“I can’t imagine many foreign alumni interested in the work-life balance of the ‘9-9-6’ known Chinese companies,” Feller told Al Jazeera, referring to the 72-hour working week approved by Alibaba founder Jacques Ma.
What does K Visa have to do with H-1B?
The willingness to employ Chinese talent has oppressed Trump’s crackdown on immigrants with rapid relief, but there is no direct link between the introduction of K-Visa and his move to curb access to the H-1B.
Beijing officially announced its visa on August 7, weeks before Trump announced the introduction of a $100,000 fee to its H-1B application. In the high-tech sector, particularly India, it sends shockwaves through India, which is the source of about 70% of visa recipients.
However, many observers suggest that the US inward order could be in the interest of other countries seeking to attract talent, including China.
“K-Visa is incredible timing from a Chinese perspective,” Feller said.
“It’s unlikely that Beijing knew Washington was trying to raise fees for its own H-1B visa category, but it certainly gives K visas an added driving force to the Earth War for Talent.”
Newland Chase’s Hu “positions it as a timely alternative to influenced talent” in hopes that the changes in policy surrounding the H-1B will “substantially boost” the appeal of K Visa.
“K Visa offers a low-cost, sponsor-free route, making China a more accessible option, in line with the global surge in demand for STEM talent,” he said.
