A set of new rules announced by the European Parliament will soon benefit non-EU scholars, including Chinese students, interns and researchers.
The organization said on Wednesday that it is merging two existing directives that will make studying at various European universities much easier for non-EU scholars.
According to the new directives, students and researchers may extend their stay for at least nine months after finishing their studies or research work, enabling them to look for a job or set up a business. This also ensures that Europe will benefit from the scholars' skills.
The move aims to attract more skilled labor for the EU's 28 member states, all of which are facing a graying population, wrote China Daily.
Likewise, students and researchers do not need to file a new visa application under the latest directives if they wish to extend their stay. They are only required to notify the member state to where they are moving.
Researchers can also bring their family members to Europe. These members are entitled to get a job during their stay.
China will be one of the beneficiaries of the new directives, with more than 200,000 Chinese students attending EU schools for their higher education, according to official numbers gathered by China Daily.
American College of Greece professor Constantine A. Papadopoulos warmly received the softened rules.
"Like many institutions of learning around the world, we have embarked on a drive to attract even more international students because we have the resources and the advantages of a very attractive location," said Papadopoulos in an interview with China Daily.
"We have seen great increases in Chinese tourists to Greece in recent years," added Papadopoulos. "Why not solidify this friendly relationship with something more long-lasting? After all, our two countries have strong cultural affinities. It is time we upgraded and modernized them."
Member states have two years to transpose the provisions into their national laws, said the European Parliament in a press release.