Analysis-China’s new K visa beckons foreign tech talent as US hikes H-1B fee

By Eduardo Baptista

Beijing (Reuters) -China’s new visa program, which aims to attract foreign technology capabilities, starts this week, a move of Beijing’s renovations for a new US visa policy with Washington and geopolitical competition forced the applicants for alternatives.

Although China is not a shortage of local engineers, the program is part of Beijing’s effort to portray itself as a country that meets foreign investments and abilities, and the increasing trade tensions due to US tariffs clouds the country’s economic appearance cloud.

China has taken a series of measures to increase foreign investments and travels, opened more sectors to overseas investors, as well as visa waats for citizens from most European countries, Japan and South Korea.

“Symbolism is strong: China is lowering them while raising the obstacles,” Iowa-based immigration lawyer Matt Mauntel-Mad said.

“Elegant” timing

The K visa, which was announced in August, aims to allow young external science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates and promises to allow entry, residence and employment without a job offer, which will be able to appeal to foreign workers looking for alternatives for business opportunities.

At the beginning of this month, Embers Management said that he would ask companies to pay $ 100,000 a year for H-1B workers’ visas, which are widely used by technology companies to hire talented foreign workers.

“The United States certainly hit the feet in H-1Bs, and the timing is elegant for China’s K visa.” He said.

Other countries, including South Korea, Germany and New Zealand, relax visa rules to attract talented immigrants.

Immigration Experts say that K Visa’s main charm is not the need for a sponsor employer, considered one of the biggest obstacles for those looking for H-1B visas.

The H-1B visa requires employer sponsorship and only 85,000 nests are available each year. The new fee of $ 100,000 can determine the first applicants further.

“This is an attractive alternative for Indian STEM professionals looking for flexible, flexible, aerodynamic visa options, Bik

India was the biggest beneficiary of H-1B visas last year and made up 71% of approved beneficiaries.

Language obstacles and unanswered questions

Despite his word, the K visa faces obstacles. The Chinese government’s guidelines talk about the requirements of “age, educational history and work experience”.

There is no detail about financial incentives, facilitating employment, permanent residence or family sponsorship. Unlike the USA, China does not offer citizenship to foreigners except in rare cases.

The Chinese State Council did not respond to the request for more details about the logistics and underlying strategy of the K visa.

Language is another obstacle: Most Chinese technology companies operate in Mandarin and limit opportunities for non -Chinese speakers.

Experts, Delhi and Beijing, political tensions, China will be a factor that can limit the number of Indian visa applications to be accepted, he said.

“China will have to welcome Indian citizens and make meaningful work without mandarin.” He said.

K Visa: Who is an alternative for?

China’s ability to trade is traditionally focused on Chinese -born scientists and overseas Chinese.

Recent efforts include home purchase subsidies and signing bonuses up to 5 million Yuan ($ 702.200). These, especially in the midst of Washington’s ties with China, withdrew the US -based Chinese root capabilities.

“The effort to recruit Indian technology in China is growing, but China remains moderate compared to more intense, deep -rooted and well -financed initiatives aiming to repay Chinese STEM skills,” DAS said, “China is moderate.” He said.

The Chinese STEM graduate, who recently received a job offer from a Silicon Valley -based technology company, was also suspicious of the expectations of K Visa.

“Asian countries like China do not trust immigration, and there are many ways to attract local capabilities of local Chinese governments,” he said.

There are more than 51 million immigrants compared to 15% of the population of the US population compared to only 1 million foreigners – less than 1% of the population.

Although China is not able to significantly change the immigration policy to allow millions of foreign workers, analysts say that the K visa can increase Beijing in its geopolitical competition with Washington.

Feller, “If China can even draw a lane of global technology ability, it will be more competitive in the latest technology.” He said.

($ 1 = 7,1201 China Yuan Renminbi)

(Reporting by Eduardo Baptista; Organizing by myom Kim and Lincoln Feast.)