China will launch a new K visa category for young professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) who will be able to enter, reside, and work in the country without a mandatory job offer. The program will be effective from October 1, 2025.
The new decision does not require a sponsoring employer — applicants for a K visa are not required to provide an invitation or contract with a Chinese company when applying.
The authorities also promise more flexible conditions of stay — multiple entries, long validity, and a simplified application process.
The innovation is aimed at attracting young foreign talent, especially in the context of the tightening of US visa policy and the proposed $100,000 fee for H-1B visas.
According to media reports, some young STEM professionals are eligible for housing subsidies and signing bonuses of up to 5 million yuan (~$702,000) as part of a comprehensive recruitment policy.
The United States recently raised the fee for an H-1B visa to $100,000, creating additional barriers for foreign professionals. The Chinese government, on the contrary, is trying to enhance its attractiveness amid competition for talent.
A Chinese government document dated August 14, 2025, states that as part of the reform of regulations governing the entry and exit of foreigners, a K visa will be introduced as a new category for young professionals in the fields of science and technology.
Experts note that this initiative is part of China’s strategy to strengthen international competition in the fields of AI, quantum technology, and biotechnology.
The details of the selection criteria (age, minimum education, experience requirements) remain vague.
There is no clarity on issues of family sponsorship, permanent residence, or transition to other visa regimes.
