China will officially launch its K-visa programme on October 1, 2025, aiming to attract global professionals in STEM fields. The initiative provides foreign talent with long-term residency, tax incentives, housing assistance, and simplified administrative procedures. Additionally, it offers international-standard schooling for dependents, making relocation easier for young professionals and families.
US H-1B Restrictions Trigger Global Concerns
This move comes shortly after major changes to the US H-1B visa programme. On September 19, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced a $100,000 application fee for new H-1B applicants. Although renewals and existing visa holders remain unaffected, the steep fee has drawn criticism worldwide.
The change is seen as restricting America’s ability to attract global talent, especially from India, which dominates H-1B approvals.
Impact on Indian and Chinese Professionals:
China Launches K-Visa to Compete for Global Talent
In 2024, Indian nationals secured 283,397 H-1B visas, representing around 71 percent of total approvals. Chinese applicants ranked second with 46,680 visas, about 11.7 percent. Meanwhile, smaller shares went to the Philippines, Canada, and South Korea, each between 1 and 1.3 percent.
With the US tightening access, China’s K-visa appears strategically timed to fill the gap and attract displaced professionals.
Analysts See Strategic Timing and Opportunity
Beijing first announced the K-visa programme on August 7, 2025, but the launch timing gained attention after Trump’s announcement. Former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Djoomart Otorbaev described the US policy as a “scandalous blunder” while calling Beijing’s K-visa a “masterstroke.”
He emphasized the contrast: “The US is saying: We don’t need you. China is saying: We welcome you.”
Experts View K-Visa as a Power Tool
International relations expert Swaran Singh from Jawaharlal Nehru University noted that the K-visa reflects China’s broader strategy. He stated that the initiative is one of several tools supporting Beijing’s rise as a 21st-century global power.
Through the K-visa, China positions itself as a welcoming destination for highly skilled professionals, signaling ambition to lead in science and technology.
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