Computer science graduate Alain Saas is hoping a fourth time is the charm to make his China dream come true.
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As a young man growing up in the small town of Selestat in eastern France, the distant Asian country seemed magical. But the dream has been elusive and trying to land a job in China has been anything but enchanting.
Over the past 15 years, Saas, who is now in his forties, has tried three times to find a suitable tech job in China. The attempts have been unsuccessful due to reasons ranging from poor timing and low pay to a lack of suitable opportunities in the industry.
But lately he is feeling more optimistic. As China rolls out friendlier visa offers and appears poised to make more technological leaps, Saas is ready to take his fourth shot.
“I am planning to double down on my search efforts next year after reaching HSK5 [working proficiency in Chinese],” Saas said. “The K Visa sounds good, though I may have passed the age limit … and given all that’s happening in technology in China, I’d be very excited to find something.”
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China is also doubling down. Amid a global tech war, a race for talent is ramping up, and Beijing has committed to becoming a magnet for the world’s skilled immigrants in its economic and social development blueprint for the next five years.
In the proposals for the country’s 15th five-year plan released last month, the Central Committee of China’s ruling Communist Party announced it would “establish an immigration system for highly skilled talent” and “attract and cultivate outstanding talent from around the world”.