America's H1-B or China's K-visas, which will Indians choose?

China has opened its doors for students and professionals as its economic rival United States does exactly the opposite. Donald Trump has stayed persistent with adding limitations on immigration. But China has introduced its all-new K-visa.

Reports suggest this may be a blessing in disguise for the thousands of Indians who wish to find overseas opportunities.

What are K-visas?

China is opening its doors to people involved in STEM fields -- or Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. But here's the biggest selling point: applicants will not require sponsorship from a local enterprise. This is now the biggest, and perhaps the most important, reason the K-visa will compete with America's H1-B.

It will be open starting October 1 and foreign youth who have graduated from “renowned universities or research institutions” with a bachelor’s degree or higher can apply.

Applicants for this visa must meet the qualifications and requirements set by the relevant Chinese authorities and submit supporting documentation. Reports say the existing 12 ordinary visa types, K visas will offer more convenience to holders in terms of the number of permitted entries, validity period and duration of stay.

Here's why it may be an alternative for Indians. The United States awards 85,000 H-1B visas per year on a lottery system, with India accounting for around three-quarters of the recipients. But with Trump's hasty reforms, the number is expected to plunge.

The allure of American jobs already seems to be dropping as a fall of nearly 27% in registrations has already been noted this year.

Data says that 422,335 Indian students were in the United States in 2024, an increase of 11.8% on the year before.

Now China, the second biggest economy and a rapidly expanding market, may just become the preferred destination for many. And the recent thaw in diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Beijing has already set the stage for this.