China has created a new “K” visa aimed at attracting young science and technology professionals, according to an amendment to the Regulations on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners approved by the State Council. Premier Li Qiang signed the decree, and the revised rules will take effect on 1 October 2025. Applicants for the K visa must meet eligibility criteria set by the relevant authorities and provide supporting documentation. The move is part of Beijing’s broader effort to boost innovation by easing entry for overseas talent, complementing earlier visa-free schemes extended to several countries. The policy comes as arrivals rebound. Border inspection data show Beijing logged more than 13 million entries and exits so far this year, an 18.7% increase from a year earlier. Foreigners accounted for 1.88 million of those crossings, up 36.6% year on year, with nearly one million entering under visa-free programs—about triple the figure for the same period in 2024.