China launches visa to attract foreign IT professionals amid rising H-1B prices in the US

China is launching a new visa program to attract technology professionals from around the world after US President Donald Trump imposed a $100,000 fee on H-1B work visas, Reuters reports.

Although China has a shortage of skilled local workers, the government is keen to portray the country as open to foreign investment and talent, a move that also comes as trade tensions over US tariffs weigh on the economic outlook.

In addition, China has introduced other measures, opening up more sectors to foreign investors and introducing visa-free travel for citizens of most European countries, Japan, South Korea and others. The new K visa, announced in August, is designed for young foreign graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It allows entry, residence and work without a job offer.

The Chinese government believes that the K visa could be attractive to foreign workers who may be looking for an alternative to jobs in the U.S. In particular, it was previously reported that due to the $100,000 fee, the Indian IT sector will reduce staff turnover to the United States.

Besides China, other countries such as South Korea, Germany and New Zealand have also relaxed their visa regulations to attract talented foreigners. Immigration experts believe that the main advantage of the K visa is the absence of an employer-sponsoring requirement, which is considered one of the biggest obstacles for those seeking H-1B visas.

However, the K visa has some limitations. The government sets requirements for age, education, and work experience. There are no details yet on financial benefits, job placement assistance, permanent residency, or the ability to bring family. Unlike the United States, China offers almost no citizenship to foreigners. An additional difficulty may be the Chinese language, which is used by most companies.