A new China visa aimed at attracting foreign science and technology professionals is facing significant online backlash. China’s K Visa comes at a cost similar to other Chinese visas, but it is raising concerns about competition among the Chinese workforce.
China has introduced the K Visa amidst Trump administration imposing stricter regulations on the H-1B visa program, mandating US companies to pay a $100,000 fee for petitions to hire foreign workers.
The K Visa is criticized not for its cost, which is comparable to other China visas, but for the potential reduction in job opportunities for locals in an already competitive market, as more foreign talent is attracted to the country, reports Dao Insights, a platform for Chinese news and insights.
According to ThinkChina, an English-language e-magazine focused on China, the K visa scheme drew unprecedented public backlash, especially from young Chinese. By 30 September, a day before its implementation, the hashtag “China decided to introduce the K visa” generated more than 60 million views and three million discussions on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.
China, on October 1, 2025, launched a new ‘K Visa’, aimed at attracting young science and technology talent from overseas.
Netizens took to Weibo saying things like ‘China does not need foreign undergraduates.’ And calling to ‘Resolutely resist the blind implementation of the #k visa,’ adding ‘We need to fully consider the national strategic needs and the employment needs of a large number of undergraduate graduates in China.’ Government authorities used state media to defend the visa and calm the outrage, reports Dao Insights.
To a generation of Chinese people increasingly disillusioned with the 996 lifestyle – a work routine of 9 am to 9 pm, 6 days a week – and the heavy demands of Chinese society, it didn’t go down well.
The K Visa stands out because its application process does not necessitate a sponsor or employer in China. It solely requires applicants to meet criteria related to their age, education, or work experience.
According to the published details, K visas are designed for young foreign professionals in STEM fields holding bachelor’s degrees or higher from prestigious institutions in China or internationally, or who are involved in pertinent educational or research activities at those institutions.
Chinese authorities may consider these recent debates while finalizing the K visa rules, though specific visa requirements, K-Visa features and the number of individuals who will settle under this scheme have not been made public yet.