Beijing News: State Council Adds New STEM Visa

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The State Council has made a visa-related amendment to the “Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners.”

From Oct 1 of this year, the new K visa will be available to young foreign talents in the science and technology fields wishing to enter China. To apply for a K visa, applicants must meet the conditions and requirements set by the Chinese government and submit the corresponding documentation.

While the specific, final details about the new K visa and its requirements have yet to be revealed, we do know some preliminary information.

The K visa will be issued to graduates of well-known domestic or international universities or research institutions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) who have obtained a corresponding academic degree certificate (B.A. or above), or who are engaged in relevant professional education and scientific research at the above-mentioned institutions.

At this time, it appears that K visa applicants will not need to secure an invitation from a Chinese institution for their application.

The new K visa (along with, presumably, the associated residence permit) is also expected to offer greater convenience for visa-holders when it comes to length of stay, number of entries and the duration of the visa's validity. 

While the descriptor “young” is attached to this announcement, it is not yet clear what age limit will be enforced. Some sources speculate the cut-off could be around 40-45 years of age, but that is not yet confirmed.

The addition of a new visa specifically for foreign talent in STEM fields comes as China continues to place technological innovation and scientific international cooperation at the forefront of its development agenda. It also comes amid a larger push to make the country more attractive for foreign professionals and tourists (and increase tourism revenue), with more relaxed visa policies, English-language services, and tourist-friendly services. 

More detailed information on the requirements for the new K visa is expected to be published before October. 

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