Controversy Over China's New Tech Visa Sparks Backlash in India

Mon Oct 20 2025 23:49:17 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

China's introduction of a new K visa for foreign tech professionals has stirred discontent among Indians and raised public concerns about competition in a sluggish job market.

The launch of China's K visa, aimed at foreign professionals in STEM fields, has been met with apprehension in India, where it is seen as a potential threat to job opportunities. Social media backlash reflects fears of increased competition, with many Chinese nationals expressing concerns over the influx of foreign graduates into their job market. The Chinese state media attempts to quell anxiety, portraying the K visa as part of a broader strategy to attract global talent amid tightening immigration in the US. However, public skepticism remains high concerning the visa's true implications for employment and integration.

When China first announced a new visa targeting foreign professionals in science and technology in August, it largely went unnoticed.

But the K visa, which went into effect on Wednesday, was thrust into the public spotlight last week when an Indian outlet referred to it as 'China's H-1B' - a reference to the US visa for skilled workers which was, last month, targeted by an executive order by Donald Trump. Indians dominate the H-1B programme, making up more than 70% of the recipients in recent years.

The Indian media report was picked up widely in China, stoking concern - and even fears - amongst the public over whether benefits extended to foreigners would increase competition in a sluggish job market - and in a country that has traditionally not been a major immigration destination for foreign professionals.

And although it is still unclear whether the visa will actually allow foreigners to work in China or whether it just allows them easier access into the country, it didn't stop tens of thousands of users on Chinese social media from criticizing the programme.

'We have so many bachelor's degree holders, not to mention even more with master's and doctoral degrees. We already have a surplus of domestic talent - and now you're bringing in foreign college graduates?' read one comment.

'There have been so many new programmes pushing our university students to compete with each other, but in the end, nothing beats a foreign passport,' another Weibo user wrote.

Others talked about whether authorities could bring in a high standard of talent and questioned whether foreigners would be able to adapt to life on the mainland, citing language barriers and China's tightly controlled political system.

Also among the comments were a wave of xenophobic and racist remarks - many of them targeted specifically at Indian nationals.

The backlash has been so intense that state media outlets have stepped in to try to calm the waters.

On Monday, the Global Times published a commentary advocating the scheme as an opportunity 'for the world to see a more open and confident China in its new era.'

And on Tuesday, the People's Daily published a commentary titled 'Misrepresenting the K visa will only mislead the public.' The article adds, 'As China steps onto the global stage, it is hungrier for talent than ever before.'

It is not yet clear what the programme fully entails, but the Chinese government has said it applies to individuals working in STEM fields - science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Authorities have described it as a visa for 'exchanges related to education, science and technology, culture, as well as entrepreneurship and business activities.'

The Chinese foreign ministry has said that more details about the visa will be released by Chinese embassies and consulates abroad, without specifying a timeline.