China Introduces K-Visa as Alternative to U.S. H-1B

Beijing: China’s new K-visa program is quickly becoming a major part of its plan to build a stronger science and technology workforce, offering new opportunities for skilled professionals worldwide as Western countries tighten immigration rules.

Launched last month, the K-visa allows foreign professionals in science, technology, and innovation to live and work in China more easily. Unlike the older R-visa, the K-visa does not require a job offer before applying, making it simpler for experts to move to China and join its growing tech sectors.

For professionals like Vaishnavi Srinivasagopalan, an Indian IT expert who has worked in India and the U.S., the K-visa offers a fresh alternative.
“The K-visa for China is like the H-1B for the U.S.,” she told the Associated Press (AP). “It’s a good option for people like me who want to work abroad.”

The visa comes at a time when U.S. immigration rules are becoming stricter, pushing many international students and professionals to look for opportunities in other countries. Bikash Kali Das, an Indian student at Sichuan University, said many once hoped to work in the U.S. after studying but now face growing challenges with the H-1B visa.

Part of China’s Global Competitiveness Plan

Experts say the new visa is part of Beijing’s strategy to attract top global talent and boost innovation in fields like AI, robotics, and semiconductors.

Barbara Kelemen, Associate Director at the intelligence firm Dragonfly, said China sees this as a major opportunity.
“Beijing views the tightening of immigration policies in the U.S. as a chance to present itself as a country that welcomes foreign talent and investment,” she explained.

The K-visa program underscores China’s goal of becoming a global leader in advanced technology by creating a more open path for scientists, researchers, and innovators to work in the country.