- On 7 August 2025, the State Council issued Order No. 814 adding a new “K” visa to China’s ordinary-visa catalogue, expressly for incoming foreign young science-and-technology talent; it takes effect on 1 October 2025.
2025 年 8 月 7 日，国务院发布第 814 号令，在普通签证类别中新增”K”字签证，专门发给入境的外国青年科技人才，自 2025 年 10 月 1 日起施行。- The K visa targets STEM graduates (bachelor’s or above) from recognised domestic or overseas universities/research institutions, or those working in education or research in STEM fields — with no requirement for a Chinese employer or invitation letter.
K 字签证面向境内外知名高校或科研机构理工科（科学、技术、工程、数学）专业毕业并取得学士及以上学位者，或从事相关专业教育科研的外国青年科技人才——不要求中国境内有聘用或邀请单位。- Unlike most work-linked visas, the K visa is granted on age and educational/experience criteria alone, and promises more generous entry-count, validity and stay periods plus easier application procedures.
与多数工作类签证不同，K 字签证仅凭年龄与学历/经历条件签发，并在入境次数、有效期、停留期上给予更多便利，申办流程更为简便。- This is China’s 13th ordinary-visa category, sitting alongside the existing R (talent) and Z (work) visas but intentionally lowering the threshold for young global tech entrants.
这是中国的第 13 类普通签证，与既有的 R 字（人才）和 Z 字（工作）签证并列，但刻意降低了对全球青年科技人才的门槛。- Foreign employees on Z/R visas can bring spouses and children under 18 on S1/S2 visas; S1 is for long-term stay (over 180 days) and S2 for short-term visits, each requiring the principal’s passport, residence permit and kinship proof.
持 Z/R 签证的外籍员工可为其配偶及未满 18 周岁子女申办 S1/S2 签证；S1 用于长期居留（超过 180 天）、S2 用于短期探亲，均需主申请人护照、居留证件及亲属关系证明。- For foreign-invested firms, the K visa widens the talent funnel — useful for hiring global graduates, interns and researchers without first establishing a local legal entity or sponsored work permit.
对外资企业而言，K 字签证拓宽了引才漏斗——便于在尚未设立本地法律实体或办理聘用类工作许可前，引入全球毕业生、实习生与研究人员。
China’s new K visa for young foreign tech talent (Order 814) and family visas | 中国新增 K 字签证（814号令）与家属签证
Overview
China’s visa toolkit just gained a new category. On 7 August 2025, the State Council promulgated Order No. 814 — the Decision to Amend the Regulations on the Administration of Entry and Exit of Foreigners, which inserts a “K” visa into the ordinary-visa catalogue for foreign young science-and-technology talent, effective 1 October 2025. Together with the familiar R (talent) and Z (work) visas, the K visa signals a deliberate push to attract early-career global tech people — without the usual prerequisite of a Chinese employer.
This article covers who qualifies for the K visa, how it differs from R/Z, the family (S1/S2) visa rules that matter to foreign employees already in China, and practical implications for foreign-invested enterprises. It is general information, not legal advice.
The legal change
Order 814 amends the 2013 Regulations on the Administration of Entry and Exit of Foreigners in two places:
- Article 6 gains a sixth sub-item: “(6) K visa, issued to foreign young science-and-technology talent entering the country.”
- Article 7 gains a corresponding sub-item setting out that K-visa applicants must meet the conditions and requirements for foreign young sci-tech talent prescribed by the competent Chinese authorities and submit supporting documents.
The Order was passed at the 63rd executive meeting of the State Council on 16 July 2025, signed by Premier Li Qiang on 7 August 2025, and takes effect on 1 October 2025. It is the implementation of a talent-strategy tilt repeatedly signalled by the 20th Party Congress and the Third Plenum — “science and technology are the primary productive force, talent the primary resource, innovation the primary driver.”
Who qualifies for the K visa
According to the joint explanation by the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security and the National Immigration Administration, the K visa is issued to foreign young sci-tech talent who:
- graduated with a bachelor’s degree or above in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) from a recognised domestic or overseas university or research institution; or
- work in education or research in those STEM fields at such institutions.
The precise conditions and required documents will be published on the websites of Chinese embassies and consulates abroad. Applicants should watch those notices for the final eligibility detail.
How the K visa differs
Relative to the existing 12 ordinary-visa categories, the K visa is distinctive on three axes:
- No domestic sponsor required. Most work-linked routes (Z work visa, R talent visa) presuppose a Chinese employer or inviting unit. The K visa is granted on age and educational/experience criteria alone — it does not require a Chinese hiring or invitation entity.
- More generous terms. The authorities state the K visa will offer holders more favourable entry-count, validity and stay periods than typical categories.
- Broader post-entry activity. K-visa holders may engage in exchanges in education, science and technology, culture, as well as entrepreneurship and business activities.
In short, the K visa is China’s 13th ordinary-visa class, purpose-built to lower the entry barrier for young global tech talent and to let them explore, build and collaborate before locking into an employment relationship.
Family visas for foreign employees already in China: S1 and S2
Foreign staff who enter on a Z (work) or R (talent) visa and obtain a work-type residence permit can bring family. The relevant visas are S1 and S2, both for the spouse, children under 18, and parents of a foreigner staying or residing in China for work, study or other non-diplomatic reasons:
- S1 visa — for family members of a foreigner who is to reside long-term in China; issued when the intended stay exceeds 180 days. Holders must apply for a residence permit for family reunion within 30 days of entry.
- S2 visa — for short-term (generally ≤180 days) family visits, business or other personal matters.
Common documentation: the principal’s valid passport and residence permit, proof of kinship (marriage/birth certificates, often notarised and legalised), and an invitation letter. Rules on who qualifies as a “family member” and on document legalisation follow the local exit-entry authority’s stated requirements.
What this means for foreign-invested enterprises
For FIEs and their HR teams, the K visa changes the talent calculus:
- Wider top-of-funnel. Global STEM graduates and young researchers can come to China to explore, network and start ventures without a prior job offer or a locally established entity — useful for campus recruiting, hackathons, research collaboration and incubator pipelines.
- Bridge to employment. A K entrant who later takes a role can transition to a Z (work) or R (talent) visa and residence permit through the normal work-permit pathway; the K visa is an entry door, not a work authorisation substitute.
- Family planning. When sponsoring Z/R staff, budget for S1/S2 processing of spouses and children, and start document legalisation early — it is the step that most often delays a family’s arrival.
- Compliance. K-visa holders may not simply take up employment; engaging in paid work still requires the appropriate work visa and permit. Treat K as a mobility and exploration tool, not a hiring shortcut.
Practical steps
- For prospective young talent: monitor Chinese embassy/consulate sites for the K-visa eligibility list and document checklist once published; prepare degree and (if applicable) employment/study proof in STEM.
- For employers: incorporate K into campus and research-outreach plans; keep Z/R as the work-authorisation path for actual hires; brief global mobility teams on the distinction.
- For relocating staff: initiate S1/S2 kinship-document legalisation early; align on long-stay (S1 + residence permit) vs short-visit (S2) needs.
- Stay current: the supporting rules and any quota or field-list details will be refined by the competent authorities — verify against the latest official notices before advising candidates.
Sources
- 国务院关于修改《中华人民共和国外国人入境出境管理条例》的决定（国令第814号，2025-08-14 发布，2025-10-01 施行），中国政府网：https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202508/content_7036508.htm
- 司法部、外交部、公安部、国家移民局负责人就《国务院关于修改〈中华人民共和国外国人入境出境管理条例〉的决定》答记者问，外交部：https://www.mfa.gov.cn/wjbxw_new/202508/t20250814_11690096.shtml
- 国务院政策解读（814号令答记者问，繁体），中国政府网：https://big5.www.gov.cn/gate/big5/www.gov.cn/zhengce/202508/content_7036550.htm
Related reading
- 外国人才签证 R 字与五星卡 / China’s R talent visa and permanent residence
- 外籍员工工作许可 A/B/C 与积分制 / Work permit categories A/B/C and points system
- 240 小时过境免签实操 / 240-hour visa-free transit
- 外籍员工家属来华 S1/S2 签证 / S1/S2 family visas for foreign staff
中国新增 K 字签证（814号令）与家属签证
概述
中国的签证工具箱新增了一个类别。2025 年 8 月 7 日，国务院发布 第 814 号令——《关于修改〈中华人民共和国外国人入境出境管理条例〉的决定》，在普通签证类别中插入面向外国青年科技人才的”K”字签证，自 2025 年 10 月 1 日起施行。它与既有的 R 字（人才）和 Z 字（工作）签证一道，释放出刻意吸引全球青年科技人才的信号——且无需通常所需的中国雇主前提。
本文说明 K 字签证的资格、与 R/Z 的区别、已在华外籍员工关心的家属（S1/S2）签证规则，以及对外资企业的实务含义。本文为一般性信息，非法律意见。
法律的修改
814 号令在两处修改 2013 年《外国人入境出境管理条例》：
- 第六条增加第六项：”(六)K 字签证，发给入境的外国青年科技人才”。
- 第七条相应增加一项，规定申请 K 字签证须符合中国政府有关主管部门规定的外国青年科技人才条件和要求，并提交相应证明材料。
该决定于 2025 年 7 月 16 日国务院第 63 次常务会议通过，8 月 7 日由李强总理签署，2025 年 10 月 1 日施行。它是二十大与二十届三中全会反复释放的人才战略倾斜的落地——”科技是第一生产力、人才是第一资源、创新是第一动力”。
K 字签证资格
根据司法部、外交部、公安部、国家移民局四部门的联合解读，K 字签证发给符合下列条件的外国青年科技人才：
- 在境内外知名高校或科研机构科学、技术、工程、数学（STEM）学科领域专业毕业，并取得学士及以上学位；或
- 在上述机构从事相关专业教育、科研工作。
具体条件和所需材料将在中国驻外使领馆网站公布，申请人应留意相关公告以确定最终资格细节。
K 字签证有何不同
相对于既有的 12 类普通签证，K 字签证在三个维度上独具特色：
- 无需境内邀请方。 多数工作类路径（Z 工作签证、R 人才签证）以中国雇主或邀请单位为前提。K 字签证仅凭年龄与学历/经历条件签发——不要求中国境内有聘用或邀请实体。
- 更宽厚的待遇。 主管部门表示，K 字签证将在入境次数、有效期、停留期上给予持证人比一般类别更多的便利。
- 更广的入境后活动。 K 字签证持证人可从事教育、科技、文化领域交流及创业、商务等活动。
简言之，K 字签证是中国的第 13 类普通签证，专为降低全球青年科技人才的入境门槛而设，让他们在锁定雇佣关系之前就能来华探索、创业与合作。
已在华外籍员工的家属签证：S1 与 S2
持 Z（工作） 或 R（人才） 签证入境并取得工作类居留许可的外籍员工，可携带家属。相关签证为 S1 与 S2，均发给因探亲、工作或学习等非外交事由在华停留居留的外国人的配偶、未满 18 周岁子女及父母：
- S1 签证 — 发给拟在华长期居留的外国人的家属；预期停留超过 180 天。持证人须于入境之日起 30 日内申请团聚类居留证件。
- S2 签证 — 用于短期（一般≤180 天）探亲、商务或其他私人事务。
常见材料：主申请人有效护照与居留许可、亲属关系证明（婚姻/出生证，通常需公证认证）及邀请函。关于”家属”范围与文书认证要求，以当地出入境主管机关公布为准。
对外资企业的含义
对外资企业及其 HR 团队，K 字签证改变了引才逻辑：
- 更宽的漏斗顶端。 全球 STEM 毕业生与青年研究人员可在无既有录用或本地实体前提下赴华探索、交流、创业——适用于校园招聘、黑客松、科研合作与孵化器管线。
- 通向雇佣的桥梁。 日后入职的 K 字签证入境者可经常规工作许可路径转为 Z（工作）或 R（人才）签证及居留许可；K 是入口，而非工作授权的替代。
- 家属规划。 在 sponsoring Z/R 员工时，须为配偶子女预留 S1/S2 办理时间，并尽早启动文书认证——这最常延误家属抵达。
- 合规。 K 字签证持证人不可直接就业；从事有偿工作仍须取得相应工作签证与许可。将 K 视为流动与探索工具，而非雇佣捷径。
实操步骤
- 对潜在青年人才： 留意中国驻外使领馆网站公布的 K 字签证资格清单与材料清单；提前准备 STEM 学位及（如适用）就业/就读证明。
- 对雇主： 将 K 纳入校园与科研拓展计划；对实际录用者仍以 Z/R 作为工作授权路径；向全球流动团队讲清区别。
- 对 relocate 员工： 尽早启动 S1/S2 亲属关系文书认证；区分长期居留（S1 + 居留许可）与短期探访（S2）需求。
- 保持更新： 配套规则及任何名额或领域清单将由主管部门细化——在为客户建议前，以最新官方公告为准核验。
Sources
- 国务院关于修改《中华人民共和国外国人入境出境管理条例》的决定（国令第814号，2025-08-14 发布，2025-10-01 施行），中国政府网：https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202508/content_7036508.htm
- 司法部、外交部、公安部、国家移民局负责人就《国务院关于修改〈中华人民共和国外国人入境出境管理条例〉的决定》答记者问，外交部：https://www.mfa.gov.cn/wjbxw_new/202508/t20250814_11690096.shtml
- 国务院政策解读（814号令答记者问，繁体），中国政府网：https://big5.www.gov.cn/gate/big5/www.gov.cn/zhengce/202508/content_7036550.htm
相关阅读
- 外国人才签证 R 字与五星卡 / China’s R talent visa and permanent residence
- 外籍员工工作许可 A/B/C 与积分制 / Work permit categories A/B/C and points system
- 240 小时过境免签实操 / 240-hour visa-free transit
- 外籍员工家属来华 S1/S2 签证 / S1/S2 family visas for foreign staff