Tighter US H-1B Rules Drive Chinese Talent Toward Europe
What occurs when the United States, historically regarded as the land of opportunities, starts erecting obstacles for migrant workers? The inquiry gained prominence following President Donald Trump’s declaration of a $100,000 charge for H-1B visa applications. The announcement generated significant concern among foreign workers, with many seeking clarity in the midst of uncertainty. The White House subsequently clarified that the fee would pertain solely to new applications; however, by that time, apprehensions had already begun to take hold, prompting some workers to contemplate alternatives beyond the borders of the United States. Numerous Chinese workers are increasingly considering Europe as a viable alternative, with conversations surrounding life and job prospects on the continent gaining momentum on Chinese social media platforms.
Alan, a Chinese national employed at a semiconductor company in the San Francisco Bay Area, exemplifies this workforce. Soon after the news, he reached out to a friend in Paris to gain insights into Europe’s job market and immigration policies. Alan has dedicated nearly his entire life to the United States, where he pursued his college education, earned a PhD in Chemistry, and began his career at a chip company. For the past two years, he has been attempting to secure an H-1B visa, but his efforts have been thwarted by the lottery system employed in the US visa program. The recently introduced visa fee has emerged as yet another obstacle, leading him to remark, “Policies like this are testing my bottom line, so I began to explore other options.” Alan was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post, “I cannot take it any more.” He stated, “All I want is a normal job and peace,” yet he feels that Trump’s policies are not providing him with that opportunity. In a similar vein, Sacha, a Chinese national with an H-1B visa, voiced her discontent regarding the recent order, stating that she was contemplating a move to Europe. However, she believes that relocating to Europe would be hasty, considering the reduced compensation and the language challenges present in that region.
“If it weren’t for the money, no one would want to stay in the US right now,” she said. A Chinese resident in Germany addressed these inquiries by sharing their experiences on the social media platform, highlighting both the advantages and challenges of living in Europe. The advantages included a substantial number of paid leave days, a reduced cost of living, and favorable visa schemes for highly educated workers in nations such as Germany and France. However, the user pointed out the language barrier and relatively lower salaries as disadvantages. In 2023, a French couple with two children under 14 reported a median after-tax income of approximately US$63,850. In contrast, a married couple in the US reported a median after-tax income of US$101,500, as stated.
Not only in Europe, but numerous Chinese scientists have also begun returning to China due to the growing challenges in the US. Liu Jun, a distinguished statistician and veteran professor at Harvard, has recently made his return to China to assume a chair position at Tsinghua University. Liu has made substantial contributions to big data and machine learning, leveraging expertise in data science, biostatistics, and AI. He commenced his academic journey in the United States at Rutgers in the late 1980s before transitioning to the University of Chicago. His return was prompted by funding cuts and more stringent immigration regulations in the US. Beijing has introduced the ‘K visa’, aimed at attracting foreign talent in the science and technology sector, positioning it as an alternative to the H-1B. Tighter US H-1B rules are steering Chinese talent toward Europe.
