Overview
- The new K visa targets science and technology professionals with flexible terms, including no prior job offer, and complements the existing R visa.
- Recruiters report notable interest from qualified candidates in India and Southeast Asia following the October launch.
- High youth unemployment near 18% has stirred concern among Chinese graduates about increased competition for technical jobs.
- Language barriers and the Great Firewall remain significant deterrents, and analysts caution that visas alone will not secure top-tier talent, with about 711,000 foreign workers in China in 2023.
- U.S. policy shifts under President Donald Trump, including H‑1B fees of $100,000 for new applicants, are prompting some students and professionals to weigh non‑U.S. options.