Beijing, China (Agencies) August 15, 2025 — In a strategic move to attract global talent and bolster innovation, China has announced the launch of a new visa category—the K visa—specifically designed for young professionals in science and technology. The decision was formalized through a State Council decree signed by Premier Li Qiang, amending the country’s regulations on foreign entry and exit.
The new visa will take effect on October 1, 2025, and is part of China’s broader workforce development strategy aimed at enhancing international cooperation and positioning the country as a hub for scientific and technological advancement.
Unlike existing visa categories, the K visa offers greater flexibility in terms of multiple entries, extended validity, and longer duration of stay. Applicants must meet specific age, education, and experience criteria but are not required to secure an invitation from a domestic employer, streamlining the application process significantly.
Once in China, K visa holders will be permitted to engage in academic exchanges, cultural programs, scientific research, entrepreneurial ventures, and other professional activities aligned with national development goals.
Officials at a press conference emphasized that “China’s development requires the participation of talent from around the world, and China’s development also provides opportunities for them.” The K visa is expected to serve as a gateway for young innovators to contribute to China’s growing tech ecosystem.
The announcement comes amid China’s ongoing efforts to simplify visa procedures and expand international engagement. As of July 2025, China had signed visa-free or mutual exemption agreements with 75 countries, and recorded 38.05 million foreign trips in the first half of the year—a 30.2% increase year-on-year. Notably, 13.64 million of those entries were visa-free, marking a 53.9% surge compared to the same period in 2024.
The K visa initiative is seen as a pivotal step in aligning immigration policy with China’s long-term innovation agenda, offering young global professionals a direct path to contribute to one of the world’s fastest-growing science and technology sectors.