Overview

• Order No. 814 takes effect Oct. 1, creating a K visa that allows qualified foreigners to enter, reside and work in China without employer sponsorship.
• Reporting describes eligibility for applicants with at least a bachelor’s degree in STEM and for active researchers or teachers at recognized institutions.
• The United States recently attached a reported $100,000 annual fee to each H‑1B application, a shift experts say will force employers to be more selective.
• Private recruiter data cited by media show a 27% spike in interest in China-based roles after the U.S. fee announcement, although longer-term impacts remain uncertain.
• Key K‑visa details such as duration, age bands, family accompaniment and routes to residency are not yet clarified, and analysts note language and integration hurdles could limit rapid uptake.