French media: Sino-US competition for high-tech talent, US increases H-1B visa fees, China introduces new K visas to attract

The Trump administration in the US increased H-1B visa fees, causing a sharp increase in costs for American companies to attract foreign high-tech talent. At the same time, China launched a new K visa measure this October 1st, during the National Day holiday, aimed at attracting foreign technology talents, which is seen as part of Beijing's effort to compete with Washington in the geopolitical rivalry over high-tech talent.

China is not short of domestic high-skilled engineers, but given the escalating trade tensions caused by US tariffs, which cast a shadow on China's economic prospects, the K visa measures introduced by China are considered part of Beijing's efforts to showcase its image as welcoming foreign investment and technology talents.

The Chinese government has taken a series of measures to promote international investment and travel, such as opening up more industries to foreign investors and providing visa-free entry for citizens of most European countries, Japan, South Korea, and other countries.

On the day of the National Day holiday this week, the Chinese government launched the K visa measures to attract foreign technology talents. Matt Montel-Medici, an immigration lawyer from Iowa, USA, said: "This has strong symbolic significance, that while the US is setting up barriers, China is lowering the threshold."

"The perfect timing?"

The Chinese government announced the K visa measures in August, aiming to attract foreign graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and promised they can enter, reside, and work in China without prior employment, which may attract young people seeking alternatives to US job opportunities.

At the same time, in early September, the Trump administration announced plans to require US companies to pay $100,000 annually for H-1B work visas, which are widely used by tech companies to hire foreign high-tech talents.

Michael Feller, chief strategist at a geopolitical strategy company, said: "It is clear that the US is shooting itself in the foot on the H-1B visa issue, and the timing of China's K visa is just right."

Additionally, China has also relaxed work visa regulations for nationals of countries including South Korea, Germany, and New Zealand to attract technical immigrants.

Immigration experts believe that the main advantage of China's K visa is that it does not require employer sponsorship, which is one of the biggest obstacles for H-1B applicants in the US, and requires a lottery system, with only 85,000 slots available each year. Moreover, the new increase to $100,000 in fees may further hinder new applications.

Last year, Indian tech talents benefited the most from the US H-1B visas, accounting for 71% of approved beneficiaries.

Language barriers and grey areas of the K visa

Although the K visa measures in China are attractive to international technology talents, they still face many obstacles, such as vague requirements regarding age, education level, and work experience, and no specific details are provided about employment convenience, permanent residency, or family reunification.

Different from the US, China grants citizenship to foreigners in very few cases only.

The State Council of China has not responded to requests for comments on the specific arrangements and basic strategies of the K visa.

Additionally, political and cultural differences, as well as language barriers, are another issue for the K visa in China: most Chinese technology companies speak Mandarin, which limits the job opportunities for technology professionals who do not speak Chinese.

Moreover, experts believe that the political tensions between New Delhi and Beijing may also limit the number of Indian K visa applicants accepted by China.

Is the K visa a viable alternative?

Traditionally, China's international talent recruitment has focused on overseas Chinese scientists and expatriates.

New measures introduced by the Chinese government include offering home purchase subsidies and signing bonuses of up to 5 million yuan, which have attracted more Chinese high-tech talents working in the US to return, especially as Sino-US relations have become increasingly tense, and Washington has strengthened related reviews.

Analysts point out that the Chinese government is increasing its efforts to recruit Indian tech talents, but compared to the more intensive, mature, and better-funded repatriation programs in the US, it still seems insignificant.

A recent Chinese high-tech professional graduate who was hired by a tech company in Silicon Valley expressed doubt about the prospects of Beijing's K visa, saying: "Countries in Asia like China do not rely on immigration, and local governments mainly attract domestic talents."

Moreover, there are more than 51 million immigrants in the US, making up 15% of its total population, while China has only 1 million foreigners, less than 1% of its total population.

Analysts believe that although China is unlikely to fundamentally change its immigration policy to accommodate millions of foreign high-tech talents, the K visa could enhance Beijing's advantage in the geopolitical competition with Washington.

That is, if China can attract even a small portion of global tech talents, its competitiveness in cutting-edge technology will be stronger.

Source: rfi

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1844647013186569/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.