A new visa category is expected to attract young STEM talents to China for scientific and technological cooperation, according to experts.
Set to take effect on Oct 1, 2025, the K visa follows the approval of a State Council decree by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, which amends regulations on entry and exit procedures for foreign nationals.
The visa will be available to eligible young science and technology professionals. Applicants must meet the qualifications and requirements set by the relevant Chinese authorities and submit supporting documentation.
Compared to the existing 12 ordinary visa types, K visas will offer more convenience to holders in terms of the number of permitted entries, validity period and duration of stay.
After entering China, K visa holders can engage in exchanges in fields such as education, culture, and science and technology, as well as relevant entrepreneurial and business activities.
Beyond specific age, educational background and work experience requirements, applications for K visas do not require a domestic employer or entity to issue an invitation. According to immigration authorities, the application process will also be more streamlined.
"It indicates that China is implementing more proactive, open and effective talent policies. Against this backdrop of unilateralism and protectionism, China is strengthening international cooperation, especially in science and technology. The issuance of the K-category visas will attract more young STEM talents to visit, study, exchange and engage in exchanges in China," said Liu Ying, a researcher at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China.
Foreign talents residing and working in China hailed the new visa policy, viewing it as a clear indication of the country's openness to international talent.
"As a scientist and an entrepreneur who has worked many years in China, I see the new K visa as a very smart signal to the world, to all the scientists and the engineers. Innovation today depends on global collaboration. By opening its door more widely to young scientists and all engineers, China is sending a clear message -- they want to create knowledge together. So for the teams like mine, this means we can bring promising graduates and researchers into China to co-develop solutions with local partners, to share expertise and to accelerate project in the area like biotechnology, science and other well-being space," said Paul Rochon, a bio-psychologist and founder of Engineering Wellbeing headquartered in Beijing.
"It also reduces barriers. The researchers can come to China not just for one conference or one contract, but now to build real partnership. I believe this visa will help China remain a hub of innovation, and I personally look forward to welcoming new people coming, new colleagues, building bridges, and showing that science truly has no borders," Rochon added.
The update comes amid contrasting visa policy changes in the U.S., as the Trump administration announced recently that the country would raise its H1B annual visa fee to 100,000 U.S. dollars.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday signed a new rule requiring U.S. companies to pay the fee annually for each highly skilled foreign worker holding an H1B visa.
China's new K visa to attract more talents for technological progress: experts
