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China technology
TechPolicy

Inside China Tech: One door closes, another opens

  • The new rules require US companies to pay higher wages to skilled foreign workers and narrow the type of degrees that qualify foreign workers for certain jobs
  • Shenzhen will help foreign talent obtain Chinese permanent residence permits and arrange for professional qualification examinations

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Shenzhen will also be a pilot city for a programme aimed at protecting intellectual property rights (IPR), including establishment of a compensation system for IPR infringements. Photo Xinhua
SCMP Reporters

Pulling the welcome mat

Like many bright Chinese students before her, 29-year-old Nora Xu earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science in the US. But after applying for hundreds of positions, she has yet to land an entry-level job, according to an article by Tracy Qu and Minghe Hu.

“This year has been extremely difficult for foreign students … there are too many obstacles and I feel no one is supporting us,” said Xu. “I feel [President Trump] just wants to sweep [foreign students] out of the US.”

Xu’s job search has been hampered by the pandemic but it became even more difficult after the Trump administration last week announced significant changes in the H-1B visa program, which offers a possible pathway to US citizenship for foreigners.

The new rules require US companies to pay higher wages to skilled foreign workers, narrow the type of degrees that qualify foreign workers for certain jobs, and shorten the visa period for certain H-1B employees.

And the brunt is being felt by younger foreign talent, who are looking for entry-level jobs after college and who now face being edged out in favour of domestic candidates due to the higher salary requirements placed on prospective employers.

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