China’s new K visa targets young STEM graduates without job offer requirements, offering an alternative to the U.S. H-1B visa facing a $100,000 fee. As Beijing aims to boost its fortunes in the geopolitical rivalry with Washington, the K visa promises entry, residence, and employment for foreign workers in tech fields. Despite its potential, the K visa faces challenges such as language barriers, vague requirements, and limited citizenship options, raising questions about its effectiveness in attracting international talent. With other countries also loosening visa rules to attract skilled migrants, China’s move to lower barriers while the U.S. raises them may shift the dynamics of global talent recruitment in the tech sector.