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Guide

Work Visas

What is a work visa?

A work visa or permit gives you permission to take employment under specified conditions. Some routes are tied to an employer; others allow more flexibility. The route determines which work you can do and how you can continue your stay.

About this guide

Working abroad can be a short chapter or the beginning of a permanent move. The right route needs to fit both the job you want now and the choices you hope to have later.

This guide compares work-related routes across countries, from employer-supported applications to options for people still seeking a role. Use it to explore how your experience and plans fit the available permissions. If you are starting without an offer, the no-job-offer report considers other ways to begin.

Pathways compared 331
Countries covered 179
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Switzerland Work Permit for Non-EU Workers Skilled Work Residency Swiss market rate Yes quota; no local candidate Managers / specialists Degree / qualification C permit (5–10 yrs)
Norway Seasonal Worker Permit Seasonal Work Residency Normal Norwegian pay and conditions for the job Yes full-time seasonal work or a holiday replacement Genuine seasonal work; NAV confirmation may be required No vocational qualification required for this permit Does not count toward permanent residence
Norway Skilled Worker Residence Permit Skilled Work Residency Normal Norwegian pay; degree benchmarks currently NOK 545,400–624,700/yr Yes Skilled occupations Degree / vocational 3 years
Iceland Residence Permit Based on Work Work Permit Residency — — — — —
Hong Kong Skilled Employee Residence Employment Residency Market-rate pay for the role Yes Professional roles not readily filled locally Relevant degree, professional qualification, or strong experience Potential after 7 years of ordinary residence
Hong Kong Skilled Migrant Visa Talent Residency -- No Highly skilled / talented Degree or strong professional ability 7 years to HK PR
Hong Kong Top Talent Residence Talent Residency HKD 2.5 million recent income for Category A No High earners and eligible-university graduates No degree for Category A; eligible degree for B or C Potential after 7 years of ordinary residence
Denmark Fast-Track Work Permit Skilled Work Residency Track-specific; DKK 552,000 or 446,000/year for the 2026 pay tracks Yes SIRI-certified employer Five tracks; job and employer must qualify Track-specific Track and qualifying residence history matter
Denmark Supplementary Pay Limit Permit Skilled Work Residency DKK 446,000/year (2026) Yes Any eligible occupation; advertising and unemployment tests apply No universal degree requirement Separate Danish permanent-residence requirements
Denmark Work Permit for High-Paying Jobs Skilled Work Residency DKK 552,000/yr (~USD $80k) Yes Any (pay-based) — 8 years
Denmark Work Permit for In-Demand Jobs Skilled Work Residency Agreed pay Yes Shortage occupations Qualification 8 years
Sweden EU Blue Card Skilled Worker Residency Above SEK 53,625/month from July 15, 2026 Yes at least a 6-month contract Highly qualified employment 180 higher-education credits or 5 years of relevant experience Separate permanent-residence assessment
Sweden Graduate Job-Search Permit Job Seeker Residency No salary; SEK 13,000/month maintenance plus return funds No Search for qualified work or explore a business Master's-level or equivalent professional degree, or doctorate Search permission is temporary; a follow-on route is needed
Sweden Work Permit for Employees Skilled Work Residency SEK 34,470/mo standard floor; listed exemptions differ Yes Most occupations — 4 years
Germany Athlete or Esports Work Visa Talent Residency €50,700/yr Yes Athletes / coaches / esports Professional profile 5 years
Germany Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit Intracompany Residency Comparable local terms Yes same company group Managers / specialists / trainees Role-specific qualifications Usually temporary
Germany Job Seeker Visa Job Seeker Residency — No points-based Skilled (job-seeker) Degree or vocational Via job → 5 years
Germany Recognition Partnership Visa Skilled Work Residency — Yes Recognized skilled trades Vocational qualification 5 years
Germany Researcher Visa Talent Residency Research contract / funding Yes host or contract Researchers PhD / PhD-level access 4 years
Germany Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Work Residency €50,700 (€45,934 shortage) Yes Graduate occupations University degree Blue Card → PR 21–33 mo
Germany Visa for Experienced Workers Skilled Work Residency €45,630/yr or collective agreement Yes Non-regulated skilled roles / IT Foreign qualification or IT experience 5 years
Germany Work Permit for Assistant Nurses Work Residency €55,770/yr if 45+ Yes Assistant nursing Assistant-nursing training 5 years
Germany Work Permit for Employed Artists Talent Residency -- Yes Culture / entertainment Artist profile 5 years
Germany Work Permit for Language Teachers Work Residency Local teacher conditions Yes Native-language teaching Teaching profile 5 years
Germany Work Permit for Professional Drivers Work Residency €55,770/yr if 45+ Yes HGV / bus drivers Driver license / qualification 5 years
Germany Work Qualification Recognition Visa Skilled Work Residency €1,200 gross/mo or funds No Recognition-heavy professions Partial recognition After recognition -> skilled work
Germany Work Visa for Qualified Professionals Skilled Work Residency Market rate; €55,770/yr if 45+ Yes Qualified employment Degree / vocational 3 years
Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit Skilled Work Residency €40,904; €36,848 for a relevant recent graduate; over €68,911 for another eligible professional role Yes Critical Skills list, or another eligible professional role over the higher pay threshold Relevant degree for the listed-role track; the high-pay track can rely on necessary experience Stamp 4 upgrade after 21 months of qualifying employment
Ireland General Employment Permit Skilled Work Residency Usually €36,605; lower published thresholds apply to specified roles and recent Irish graduates Yes a Labor Market Needs Test usually applies Most occupations not on the Ineligible List — May support Long Term Residency after 5 years of qualifying employment-permit residence
Ireland Intra-Company Transfer Permit Employment Residency — — — — —
Singapore Flexible Work Pass for Top Talent Work Residency SGD 30,000/month on a salary track; listed outstanding-achievement applicants may apply without it No for the past-salary or achievement route; yes for the future-employment route Top earners / talent — Any PR application is separate and discretionary
Singapore Professional Work Visa Work Residency Current starting minimum SGD 5,600/month (SGD 6,200 finance), increasing with age; SGD 6,000/SGD 6,600 for new applications from 1 January 2027 Yes Professionals / managers No universal degree requirement; qualifications are one COMPASS criterion PR (selective)
Singapore Skilled Worker Visa Work Residency Current starting minimum SGD 3,300/month (SGD 3,800 finance), increasing with age; SGD 3,600/SGD 4,000 for new applications from 1 January 2027 Yes Mid-skilled roles No single pathway-wide diploma requirement stated on MOM's current eligibility page PR (selective)
Australia National Innovation Visa Talent Residency — No Exceptional talent — Direct PR
Australia Permanent Employer-Nominated Visa Employer Sponsored Residency AUD 76,515 Yes Skilled list — Direct PR
Australia Regional Employer-Sponsored Visa Employer Sponsored Residency AUD 76,515 Yes regional Regional skilled list — → PR after 3 yrs
Australia Skilled Independent Visa Skilled Worker Residency — No points Skilled list Skills assessment Direct PR
Australia Skilled Nominated Visa Skilled Worker Residency — No state nom State-nominated occupations Skills assessment Direct PR
Australia Skilled Regional Permanent Visa Skilled Worker Residency — — — — —
Australia Skilled Regional Visa Skilled Worker Residency — No regional nom Regional occupations Skills assessment → PR after 3 yrs
Australia Skills in Demand Visa Employer Sponsored Residency AUD 76,515 (Core) Yes sponsor Skilled occupation list — Via ENS
Australia Training Visa Work Permit Residency — — — — —
Netherlands Company Transfer Residence Permit Employment Residency — — — — —
Netherlands Researcher Residence Permit Research Residency — — — — —
Netherlands Seasonal Work Residence Permit Seasonal Work Residency — — — — —
Netherlands Single Permit for Paid Employment Employment Residency — — — — —
Netherlands Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Work Residency €5,942/month in 2026; €4,754 reduced criterion Yes Highly qualified employment Relevant degree or qualifying experience 5 years
Netherlands Startup Employee Permit Employment Residency — — — — —
Netherlands Work Permit for Skilled Migrants Skilled Work Residency €5,942/month age 30+; €4,357 under 30; €3,122 reduced criterion in 2026 Yes recognized sponsor Highly skilled roles — 5 years
Liechtenstein Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes Residence places are limited and the authority decides on allocation. Non-EEA and non-Swiss applicants must be managers, specialists, or other qualified employees with appropriate training or substantial experience. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Finland EU Blue Card Skilled Worker Residency €3,937 gross/month (2026); benefits excluded Yes at least a 6-month contract Highly qualified employment At least a 3-year higher-education degree or qualifying experience Separate permanent-residence route and integration requirements
Finland Employee Residence Permit Work Permit Residency At least €1,600 gross/month (2026); sector minimum may be higher Yes Genuine employment; labor-market assessment may apply Qualifications required for the job; no universal degree rule Separate permanent-residence route and integration requirements
Finland Specialist Residence Permit Skilled Work Residency €3,937/mo Yes Specialist roles Degree Separate application under the applicable permanent-residence route
Belgium Combined Work Residence for Employees Work Permit Residency Sector minimum Yes labor-market test Most occupations — 5 years
Belgium Intra-Corporate Transferee Permit Employment Residency — — — — —
Belgium Researcher Residence Talent Residency — Yes hosting agreement Researchers PhD / research 5 years
Belgium Seasonal Worker Permit Seasonal Work Residency — — — — —
Belgium Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Worker Residency Regional threshold; use the workplace region and filing date Yes indefinite or at least a 6-month contract Graduate occupations Qualifying higher education or accepted recent ICT experience 5 qualifying years for EU long-term residence; Blue Card mobility rules may apply
Belgium Work Residence Permit for Trainees Employment Residency — — — — —
Bermuda Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
BVI Employer Work Permit Employer Sponsored Residency No fixed amount on the published employer page Yes Local recruitment review required Depends on the position No automatic conversion; separate ten-year Residence Status
Gibraltar Work Residence Employment Residency GIP 37,500 gross per year under the current standard route; approved exceptions exist Yes with employer support — Requirements depend on the job —
Pitcairn Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
UK Cross-Border Worker Permit Work Permit Other — — — — —
UK Fast-Growth Company Work Visa Skilled Worker Residency £41,700 (going rate) Yes scale-up Scale-up roles — 5 years
UK Global Talent Visa Talent Residency — No endorsed Tech / science / arts leaders — 3–5 years
UK Health and Care Worker Visa Skilled Worker Residency £25,000+ (health rate) Yes Health & care roles — 5 years
UK International Sportsperson Visa Talent Residency Sponsor-set Yes Elite sportspersons / qualified coaches Governing-body endorsement 5 years
UK Minister of Religion Visa Religion Residency Sponsor-set Yes Faith-community roles Role fit + English 5 years
UK Overseas Business Representative Visa Employment Residency Employer-set Yes Overseas newspaper / news agency / broadcasting representative English requirement 5 years
UK Overseas Domestic Worker Visa Employment Residency Contract/pay proof Yes Domestic worker accompanying overseas employer - No direct PR path
UK Skilled Worker Visa Skilled Worker Residency £41,700 (or going rate) Yes licensed sponsor Eligible occupations — 5 years
UK Temporary Work Visas Work Permit Residency Varies by route Yes Seasonal / creative / religious / exchange / treaty-covered work Varies No direct PR path
UK Work Visa for Top-University Graduates Talent Residency — No Top-global-university grads Bachelor's+ (eligible uni) Via switch to work
UK Work Visas for Overseas Business Transfers Work Permit Residency Route-specific; £52,500+ SSW Yes intra-company Senior / specialist roles — Not directly
New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa Skilled Worker Residency Market rate; legal minimum Yes accredited Most occupations — Via SMC
New Zealand Care Worker Residence Visa Skilled Worker Residency — — — — —
New Zealand Religious Worker Resident Visa Religion Residency — — — — —
New Zealand Religious Worker Work Visa Religion Residency Paid or unpaid work can qualify; sponsor support and lawful work arrangements are required Yes religious duties; paid, stipend-supported, or unpaid — At least 2 years of relevant religious training and/or experience Resident visa may follow 3 qualifying work-visa years; permanent residence requires a later application after 5 resident years and removal of conditions
New Zealand Skilled Migrant Resident Visa Skilled Worker Residency Usually NZD 35 an hour; higher thresholds apply by occupation and route Yes Six-point, Skilled Work Experience, or Trades and Technician route — Direct residence
New Zealand Specific Purpose Work Visa Work Permit Residency — — — — —
New Zealand Straight to Residence Visa Skilled Worker Residency Market rate Yes Tier 1 Green List Varies Straight to residence
New Zealand Transport Work to Residence Visa Skilled Worker Residency — — — — —
New Zealand Work to Residence Visa Skilled Worker Residency Market rate Yes Tier 2 Green List Varies Residence after 2 yrs
Niue Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Tokelau Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
UAE Employer-Sponsored Work Visa Work Residency Market rate Yes Most occupations — No standard PR (renewable)
UAE Golden Visa for Exceptional Talent Work Residency AED 30,000/mo (some categories) Varies nomination Specialists / talent — 10-yr golden visa
UAE Self-Sponsored Residence Visa Work Residency AED 15,000/mo (skilled employees) Limited Skilled-employee category only Skilled roles Depends on category 5-yr renewable
Canada Atlantic Permanent Residence Employment Residency — — — — —
Canada Employer-Specific Work Permit Work Permit Residency — — — — —
Canada Experience-Based Permanent Residence Skilled Worker Residency — No Canadian skilled experience — Direct PR
Canada Permanent Residence for Doctors Skilled Worker Residency — — — — —
Canada Provincial Nominee Residence Provincial Nominee Residency — Often Province-nominated occupations Varies Direct PR
Canada Quebec Skilled Worker Residence Skilled Worker Residency — Varies Quebec selection Varies Quebec → PR
Canada Skilled Trades Permanent Residence Skilled Worker Residency — Sometimes Skilled trades — Direct PR
Canada Skilled Worker Permanent Residence Skilled Worker Residency — No Skilled (TEER 0–3) Post-secondary (ECA) Direct PR
Canada U.S.-Mexico Professional Work Permit Work Permit Residency — Yes USMCA professions Bachelor's Not directly
South Korea Skilled Work Visa Skilled Work Residency Varies by E-7 subcategory under the annual MOJ notice Yes Designated E-7 occupations Subcategory-specific degree, experience, license, or points Separate F-2 or F-5 criteria apply
Luxembourg Athlete or Coach Residence Talent Residency — — — — —
Luxembourg Company Transfer Residence Work Residency — — — — —
Luxembourg Posted Worker Residence Permit Work Residency — — — — —
Luxembourg Researcher Residence Permit Research Residency — — — — —
Luxembourg Salaried Worker Residence Permit Skilled Work Residency Market rate Yes labor-market test Most occupations Not specified 5 years
Luxembourg Seasonal Worker Residence Permit Seasonal Work Residency — — — — —
Luxembourg Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Work Residency €65,652 Yes Graduate occupations University degree 5 years
U.S. Company Transfer Visa Intracompany Residency — Yes same employer Managers / specialized knowledge — L-1A → EB-1C
U.S. Employer-Sponsored Green Card Employer Sponsored Residency — — — — —
U.S. Extraordinary Ability Visa Talent Residency — Yes or agent Extraordinary ability — Via EB-1
U.S. National Interest Waiver Green Card Talent Residency — No waiver Advanced degree / national interest Advanced degree, bachelor's plus 5 years, or exceptional ability Direct green card
U.S. Priority Worker Green Card Talent Residency — Varies Extraordinary ability / execs — Direct green card
U.S. Religious Worker Green Card Religion Residency — — — — —
U.S. Religious Worker Visa Religion Residency — — — — —
U.S. Specialty Occupation Work Visa Skilled Worker Residency Prevailing wage Yes Specialty occupations Bachelor's+ Via employer green card
U.S. Temporary or Seasonal Work Visa Work Permit Residency — — — — —
U.S. Work Status for Canadians or Mexicans Skilled Worker Residency — Yes USMCA professions list Bachelor's / credentials Not directly
U.S. Work Visa for Australian Professionals Skilled Worker Residency — — — — —
U.S. Work Visa for Chileans or Singaporeans Skilled Worker Residency — — — — —
Austria Seasonal Worker Residence Skilled Work Residency Collective-agreement pay Yes labor-market test Regular workers — 5 years
Austria Shortage-Occupation Work Residence Skilled Work Residency Applicable legal, regulatory, or collective-agreement pay Yes Shortage occupation list Vocational / degree 5 years
Austria Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Work Residency €55,678 gross/year in 2026, including special payments Yes Graduate occupations 3-year tertiary program, or qualifying recent ICT experience 5 years
Austria Work Residence for Key Workers Skilled Work Residency €3,465 gross/month in 2026, plus special payments Yes points Key workers Qualification 5 years
Austria Work Residence for Skilled Workers Skilled Work Residency — No points; job-seeker Very highly qualified Degree RWR+ → PR 5 yrs
Slovenia EU Blue Card Employment Residency At least the latest officially published average annual gross salary in Slovenia. Yes The Employment Service must consent where required. The employer needs an active, compliant business and must meet the labor-market assessment and tax requirements. Higher professional qualifications appropriate to the position, with the required Slovenian recognition or assessment. —
Slovenia Single Residence and Work Permit Skilled Work Residency — Yes for the employment track — — —
Japan Engineer and Specialist Work Visa Work Residency Comparable Japanese-worker remuneration Qualifying contract with a Japan organization Specified professional and international-services activities Related education or applicable experience alternative Usually the general PR rules unless an exception applies
Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa Work Residency Points-based; JPY ¥3M floor for HSP(i)(b) and HSP(i)(c) A concrete qualifying Japan activity is required Three specified highly skilled activity groups No single universal degree rule; the official points and activity criteria control Potentially 1 year at 80 points or 3 years at 70 points
Japan Intracompany Transfer Visa Employment Residency — Yes a qualifying transfer assignment — — —
Israel B/1 Work Visa Work Residency At least 2× the average wage for the expert-salary category Yes A qualifying foreign-expert category — Not a PR path
Malta EU Blue Card Employment Residency At least 1.5 times Malta’s current average gross annual salary. Yes The employer applies through the employment-permit platform and must document the required recruitment advertising. The Blue Card is distinct from the Key Employee Initiative and Specialist Employee Initiative. A recognized higher professional qualification relevant to the role, or professional experience accepted under the Maltese Blue Card legislation. —
Malta Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The job, employer, pay, and recruitment process must comply with current Maltese requirements, including any required pre-departure preparation. The worker needs the qualifications and any sector-specific approval for the position. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Spain Employee Work Visa Work Permit Residency Sector minimum Yes national-employment rule or exception must be met Any qualifying role if the national-employment rule or an exception is met — 5 years
Spain Highly Qualified Professional Permit Skilled Work Residency Role-appropriate pay and employment conditions under the current UGE-CE assessment Yes Highly qualified roles Degree / experience 5 years
Spain Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Work Residency €41,356.36 general; €33,085.09 limited reduction (June 2026) Yes Highly qualified role; shortage status only affects limited salary reduction 3-year higher education or qualifying experience 5 years
France Employee or Temporary Worker Permit Work Permit Residency No single special pathway threshold; pay must meet French law and the contract rules Yes Labor-market test or exemption depends on the job and location Depends on the job and any regulated-profession rules Separate long-term residence application
France Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Work Residency €59,373 gross per year as of June 2026 Yes Highly qualified work relevant to the degree or experience At least 3 years of higher education or qualifying comparable experience Separate long-term residence application
France Talent Visa for Artists Talent Residency — — — — —
France Talent Visa for Medical Professionals Skilled Work Residency — — — — —
France Talent Visa for Renowned People Talent Residency — — — — —
France Talent Visa for Researchers Talent Residency — — — — —
France Talent Visa for Skilled Employees Skilled Work Residency €39,582 gross per year for the listed employee Talent categories Yes / qualifying No blanket shortage-occupation test; the job must fit a listed Talent category Category-specific: a qualifying French degree, innovative-company role, or intra-company assignment A separate long-term-residence or nationality application may become possible later
Cyprus EU Blue Card Employment Residency Gross annual pay of at least €43,632 under the published decree. Yes The job must be in information and communication technology, pharmaceutical research, or shipping, excluding captains and ship crews. A high salary outside these sectors does not satisfy the current admission scope. A recognized higher professional qualification or an experience-based qualification accepted under Cyprus’s Blue Card rules. —
Cyprus Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The employer must meet the labor-market requirements or qualify for the appropriate exception. The approved contract and terms must match the work that the employee will actually perform. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Italy Intra-Company Transfer Permit Employment Residency — — — — —
Italy Religious Activity Visa Religion Residency — — — — Usually 5 years after qualifying residence
Italy Researcher Residence Talent Residency — Host or research agreement required — Usually advanced academic or research profile Usually 5 years after qualifying residence
Italy Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Work Residency About €36,300 in January 2026; verify the live official figure Yes Graduate occupations — 5 years
Italy Subordinate Work Visa Work Permit Residency — Yes — — 5 years
Taiwan Gold Card for Skilled Professionals Skilled Work Residency TWD 160,000/mo (or talent criteria) No open work Special professionals — 5 years (APRC)
Taiwan Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Estonia EU Blue Card Employment Residency Normally 1.5 times Estonia’s latest published average gross monthly salary; the 1.24 multiplier is limited to legally specified cases. Yes The employer must meet the applicable employment-fund consent rules or an exemption. Nationality-based application and entry restrictions must also be satisfied. Higher qualifications demonstrated by recognized education or the professional experience accepted for the particular occupation under Estonian law. —
Estonia Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The employer must satisfy the applicable pay standard, labor-market rules, and immigration quota or an exemption. Russian and Belarusian applicants also need to check whether their application and entry are permitted. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Czech Residence and Work Permit Skilled Work Residency Must meet the current employee-card employment rules Yes All kinds of employment can qualify Only what the job, employer, or regulated profession requires —
Czech Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Work Residency CZK 73,823 gross/month (1 May 2026–30 April 2027) Yes A registered Blue Card vacancy requiring high qualifications Usually at least 3 years of higher vocational/university education; designated professional-skill alternative —
Greece Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The employer must have an available admission category, a qualifying contract, and the financial capacity to pay the required wage. An attractive job offer alone cannot override the hiring approval. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Greece Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Work Residency 1.6× Greece's average gross annual salary Yes Highly qualified employment Higher-education qualification or accepted equivalent experience Long-term residence is a separate application
Bahrain Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Andorra Residence and Work Authorization Employment Residency Andorra wage Yes employer + quota Quota occupations — 10 years
San Marino Senior-Professional Residence Skilled Worker Residency — Yes a qualifying appointment — — —
Poland Intra-Company Transfer Permit Employment Residency — — — — —
Poland Researcher Residence Talent Residency — — Researchers and development workers — Qualifying residence may count toward EU long-term residence under separate rules
Poland Seasonal Work Residence Employment Residency — — — — —
Poland Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Work Residency PLN 160,264.08 gross/year for applications submitted in 2026 Yes Highly qualified employment At least 3 years of higher education or qualifying professional experience Qualifying Blue Card residence can count toward EU long-term residence
Poland Temporary Residence and Work Permit Work Permit Residency ≥ minimum wage Yes the old labor-market test was abolished on 1 June 2025 Most occupations — Qualifying residence may count toward EU long-term residence
Lithuania Employer-Sponsored Residence Employment Residency Current quota rule: 1.2 times average wage; 1 times for listed roles Yes — — —
Lithuania Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Work Residency 1.5 times the official average gross wage; 1.2 times for listed shortage roles Yes Highly qualified employment Relevant higher education or accepted equivalent experience —
Croatia EU Blue Card Employment Residency At least 1.5 times the applicable average gross salary published by Croatia’s statistical authority. Yes The Blue Card has its own highly qualified hiring procedure, without the ordinary labor-market test. Employer changes must follow the current notification or approval rules. A recognized higher education qualification, or the specifically accepted ICT professional experience. A regulated profession needs the required Croatian recognition. —
Croatia Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The employment contract, pay, employer eligibility, and required qualifications must meet the current stay-and-work permit rules. A shortage occupation can remove a labor-market test without removing the permit application. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Qatar Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Saudi Arabia Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Saudi Exceptional Talent Residence Talent Residency No fixed salary No Exceptional sport / culture / arts No fixed degree; recognized achievement is central Potential after meeting the five-year product conditions
Saudi Expert Professional Residence Talent Residency SAR 14,000 monthly for researchers; higher for other branches Yes Health / science / research / executive leadership Branch-specific education, points, and recommendations Potential after meeting the five-year product conditions
Portugal Athlete Work Residence Employment Residency — — — — —
Portugal Employed Work Residence Work Permit Residency ≥ min wage Yes labor-market test Most occupations — 5 years
Portugal Intra-Company Transfer Residence Employment Residency — — — — —
Portugal Religious Residence Religion Residency — — — — —
Portugal Researcher Residence Talent Residency — — — — —
Portugal Residence for Cultural Professionals Talent Residency — — — — —
Portugal Skilled Professional Work Residence Skilled Work Residency ~1.5× avg salary Yes Highly qualified roles Degree 5 years
Portugal Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Work Residency 1.5× the national average gross annual salary; 1.2× in qualifying cases Yes Graduate occupations Higher education or qualifying professional experience 5 years
Portugal Technology Professional Work Visa Skilled Work Residency Company-set Yes certified company Tech roles — 5 years
Latvia EU Blue Card Employment Residency €2,723 gross per month under the 2026 standard threshold; a reduced amount applies only to the specified shortage professions. Yes The employer must support the invitation and Blue Card application. The September 2026 Immigration Law and current Russian and Belarusian nationality restrictions apply. Relevant higher education or the professional experience accepted by Latvia for the occupation; regulated work still needs the required professional recognition. —
Latvia Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The employer must meet current hiring and pay requirements. Russian and Belarusian nationals need an applicable exception to the permit restrictions, and the September 2026 immigration law governs new applications. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Chile Employee Temporary Residence Employment Residency No fixed route-wide salary stated by SERMIG Yes signed contract or formal offer Not a route-wide requirement No route-wide minimum Separate permanent-residence period review
Slovakia Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The labor office must be able to approve the vacancy or the case must fit an exemption. The promised job, qualifications, and contract must match the application; a Blue Card has different conditions. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Slovakia Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Work Residency €1,944 gross/month in 2026; €1,620 for a qualifying recent graduate Yes Highly qualified employment; no labor-market test, but employer confirmation is required Relevant university qualification, or accepted advanced skills for certain ICT roles Separate long-term-residence application after the qualifying residence period
Türkiye Skilled Worker Residence Card Work Residency — Not a single universal requirement; evidence depends on profile — — —
Türkiye Work Visa and Work Permit Work Residency From the gross minimum wage to 5 times it, depending on the role Yes — — —
Hungary EU Blue Card Employment Residency HUF 1,001,048 per month in 2026; listed healthcare exceptions HUF 800,838 Yes — Relevant qualification or qualifying ICT professional experience —
Argentina Academic Residence Employment Residency — — — — —
Argentina Artist and Athlete Residence Employment Residency — — — — —
Argentina Religious Residence Religion Residency — — — — —
Argentina Specialist and Transfer Residence Employment Residency — — — — —
Argentina Work Visa Employer Sponsored Residency Contract wage Yes No general shortage-list test stated on the official route page — Separate PR application; generally 2 years for MERCOSUR nationals or 3 for others
Kuwait Government Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Kuwait Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Montenegro Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The position must fit an available hiring category. The applicant must provide the required qualifications and evidence of fitness for work, and satisfy the general residence requirements. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Uruguay Residence for Local Employment Work Residency At least Uruguay's national minimum wage Yes — — —
Romania D/AM2 Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The position must appear on the current shortage-occupation list and have a full-time registered contract. The applicant must hold the required qualifications or recognition, while the authorized recruiter completes the applicable hiring checks. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Romania Skilled Worker Residence Card Skilled Worker Residency €20,782/yr Yes Graduate occupations University degree 5 years
Brunei Work Pass Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Bahamas Work Permit Employer Sponsored Residency Market rate Named employer and vacancy for employer-sponsored work — — —
Panama Residence for Ordinary Employees Employment Residency At least PAB 850/month; a higher applicable wage may be required Yes Ordinary private-sector role within the 10% foreign-staff quota Role-specific; no universal degree requirement Separate permanent application after two years of provisional residence
Georgia Work Residence Permit for Employees Work Residency Monthly remuneration or permitted funds of at least 5 times the current average-consumer subsistence minimum Yes No general shortage list stated on the official residence-permit page — Permanent residence may be available after 10 years on temporary residence permits, subject to exclusions
Oman Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Trinidad and Tobago Work Permit Work Permit Residency — — — — —
Malaysia Employment Pass Employment Residency Category I MYR 20,000+; II MYR 10,000–19,999; III MYR 5,000–9,999, or MYR 7,000 floor in covered sectors Yes — — Separate discretionary application; no guaranteed timeline
Saint Kitts and Nevis Work Permit Employment Residency Pay and labor requirements for the approved role Yes Employer and occupation review; no automatic approval Role-specific qualifications and licensing Separate seven-year residence-and-assets or other qualifying residence route
Serbia Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The job, employer, qualifications, and National Employment Service assessment must support the application. Visa-required applicants also need the appropriate entry procedure. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Thailand Long-Stay Visa for Wealth or Skills Employment Residency Category-specific; USD $80,000 is one standard income test Varies High-skilled professionals Not universal; relevant degrees support certain lower-income bands 5 years initially, then possible 5-year extension; not PR
Thailand Non-Immigrant B Work Visa Employment Residency No single universal Non-B minimum; extension and work-permit rules vary Yes Role must not be prohibited or restricted — No automatic PR; any later application is separate, quota-limited, and discretionary
Kazakhstan Digital Nomad IT Visa Talent Residency — Official specialist support required; not an ordinary job-offer route — — Separate specialist residence application; no guaranteed outcome
Kazakhstan Work Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Bulgaria EU Blue Card for Skilled Workers Skilled Worker Residency Current Bulgarian threshold (formula-based) Yes — — —
Bulgaria Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The employer must meet the foreign-worker limits or an applicable exception. The contract must comply with local pay and employment rules; the ordinary route is separate from the EU Blue Card. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Barbados Work Permit Work Permit Residency — — — — —
Grenada Work Permit Work Permit Residency — — — — —
Seychelles Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Mauritius Skilled Employee Residence Employment Residency MUR 50,000 basic pay per month Yes Qualifying professional employment Role-specific qualifications and experience Separate permanent-residence criteria
Albania Employee Residence and Work Permit Employment Residency — — — — —
Bosnia and Herzegovina Skilled Worker Permit Skilled Worker Residency At least 1.5 times the officially published average gross annual income Yes Highly qualified role after the required recruitment process Higher education plus 5 years of relevant post-education experience Potentially after 5 years of qualifying continuous residence, subject to permanent-residence rules
Bosnia and Herzegovina Work Residence Work Permit Residency The employment contract and applicable labor rules control; no single pathway-wide salary is stated Yes the employer normally files the work-permit application Subject to the competent authority's quota and work-permit rules — Potentially after 5 years of qualifying continuous residence, subject to permanent-residence rules
China Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Armenia Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The job must be approved for the worker and satisfy the applicable qualification and hiring conditions. Treaty-based work-permit exemptions are separate and must be confirmed for the applicant’s nationality. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Mexico Employer-Sponsored Work Residence Employer Sponsored Residency Contract wage Yes Not treaty-limited; most occupations — 4 years (→ PR)
Sri Lanka Work Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Dominican Republic Temporary Labor Residence Employment Residency No route-wide minimum stated by DGM Yes No route-wide occupation list No route-wide minimum stated by DGM Separate category-change and permanent-residence process
Saint Lucia Employer-Supported Work Permit Employment Residency Pay and labor requirements for the approved role Yes Employer and occupation review; no automatic approval Role-specific qualifications and licensing Separate residence assessment; no automatic PR timeline established
Ecuador Residence for Dependent Work Employer Sponsored Residency — Yes — — —
Ecuador Work Visa for Qualified Professionals Skilled Worker Residency — No — — —
Moldova Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The qualifications must fit the profession and position, and the employer must meet the wage, social-security, and medical-contribution obligations. The worker needs a lawful address and the required background records. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Maldives Work Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
North Macedonia Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The proposed job, employer, pay, and qualifications must satisfy the applicable hiring conditions. Approval to work and permission to reside are required; a visitor visa does not cover taking a job. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Peru Worker Resident Status Employment Residency Contract wage Yes No occupation list No general degree rule —
Azerbaijan Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The job must be eligible for the work permit and meet the applicable hiring requirements. The worker needs the appropriate entry status, residential address, and immigration health documents. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Brazil Work Visa Employer Sponsored Residency Contract wage Yes — — —
Kosovo Employee Residence Employment Residency Applicable national and occupation-specific pay requirements Yes The contract must comply with Kosovo labor law and any applicable employment quota or authorization requirements. The employer’s actual activity and the worker’s qualifications must match the job. Job-specific; regulated professions require recognition A separate application; qualifying residence and other conditions apply
Colombia Migrant Worker Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — 5 qualifying years
Algeria Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Mongolia Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Saint Vincent Work Permit Work Permit Residency — — — — —
Jamaica Employer-Supported Work Permit Employment Residency Role-specific; no universal migration salary stated in the reviewed checklist Yes — Role-specific qualifications or experience; professional registration where required Separate discretionary application after more than three years working in Jamaica
Jordan Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Suriname Residence for Employment Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Turkmenistan Work Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Guyana Employment Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Ukraine Work Residence Permit Work Residency — Yes — — —
Tunisia Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Egypt Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Fiji Work Permit Work Permit Residency — — — — —
Paraguay Residence Pathway for Employees Employment Residency — — — — —
Tonga Employment Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Uzbekistan IT Specialist Visa Employment Residency Separate past-income test: USD $30,000 in IT income over the preceding 12 months Yes qualifying Uzbekistan IT employment — — —
Uzbekistan Work Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Vietnam Work Visa Work Residency No universal immigration salary threshold in Decree 219 Yes a Vietnamese employer or host normally drives the filing Manager, executive director, expert, technical worker, or a defined exemption class Varies; expert routes require a university-level qualification, while other categories use different tests No general permanent-residence route based only on work status
Vietnam Work Visa for Exceptional Talent Work Residency No universal salary threshold; exact category criteria apply An official sponsor request or official preferential-status evidence is required Only categories defined by the governing law or decree Varies by category No automatic permanent-residence conversion
South Africa Company Transfer Visa Employment Residency Confirm accepted support and employment conditions; no salary threshold asserted here A confirmed transfer within the company group — — —
South Africa Critical Skills Work Visa Skilled Work Residency -- Yes Critical Skills List SAQA evaluation or proof of a pending evaluation Work visa first
South Africa General Work Residence Employment Residency No single fixed amount; salary contributes to points Yes Roles that can reach the 100-point threshold No single minimum; qualifications contribute to points Separate permanent-residence assessment
Indonesia Employer-Sponsored Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Philippines Pre-Arranged Employment Visa Work Residency No single published 9(g) minimum; contract and labor rules apply Yes Subject to current DOLE labor-market rules Role-specific qualifications No automatic PR; any permanent route is separate
Botswana Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Belize Temporary Employment Permit Work Residency No single published pathway-wide salary threshold Yes for an employee; no for a qualifying self-employed filing Published categories include professional, technical, general, agricultural, self-employed, entertainment, religious, education, volunteer, trade, and limited domestic roles A university degree is required for the professional-worker fee category, not every permit category A separate PR application can follow the one-year legal-residence and 14-day-absence rules
Samoa Employment Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Bolivia Work Residence Employment Residency — — — — —
Morocco Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Venezuela Employment Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Kyrgyzstan Unified Work Permit Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Namibia Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Gabon Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Bhutan Work Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
El Salvador Work Residence Employment Residency No single published F3 threshold; lawful contract terms apply Yes for dependent employment; no for a documented independent activity — — —
Tajikistan Work Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Bangladesh Work Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Iraq Project Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Nicaragua Residence for Local Employment Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Cabo Verde Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
India Work Visa Employment Residency Normally above INR 1,625,000 per year; specific exceptions apply Yes — — —
Guatemala Residence with a Local Employer Employment Residency Applicable labor requirements; no universal migration salary in this branch Yes Qualifying employer-supported role Role and licensing requirements Separate application after five qualifying years
Honduras Private-Sector Work Stay Permit Employment Residency Applicable wage and labor rules; no single migration salary stated Yes qualifying contract Qualifying private-company contracted role Role-specific professional or technical evidence Separate inmigrado application after five qualifying years
São Tomé and Príncipe Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Laos Technical Worker Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Eswatini Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Vanuatu Employment Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Myanmar Approved-Employer Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Equatorial Guinea Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Ghana Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Kenya Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Nepal Work Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Cambodia Employer-Supported Work Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Angola Work Visa Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Tuvalu Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Republic of the Congo Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Zambia Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Cameroon Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
PNG Working Resident Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Solomon Islands Work Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Haiti Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Timor-Leste Employment Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Uganda Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Kiribati Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Nigeria Sponsored Work and Residence Employment Residency — — — — —
Rwanda Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Zimbabwe Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Pakistan Work Visa Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Côte d’Ivoire Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Tanzania Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Togo Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Lesotho Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Senegal Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Malawi Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
The Gambia Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Ethiopia Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Liberia Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Madagascar Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
DR Congo Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Mozambique Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Sierra Leone Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Chad Work Residence Employment Residency — Yes with employer support — — —
Caribbean Netherlands Work and Residence Employer Sponsored Residency At least the local minimum wage and a market-rate salary Yes Five-week local recruitment; listed exceptions apply Depends on the position Potential separate application after five continuous years on qualifying permits
Martinique Employer-Sponsored Residence Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Sint Maarten Employee Residence Employer Sponsored Residency No fixed amount in the residence checklist Yes Employer must file for an employment permit Depends on the position Separate application after five uninterrupted years of lawful residence
Faroe Islands EU-Citizen Work Permit Work Residency — Yes at least thirty hours per week — — —
Faroe Islands Fast Track Work Permit Work Residency — Yes normally forty hours per week — — —
Faroe Islands Work Permit Work Residency — Yes — — —
Isle of Man Worker Visa Work Residency — Yes — — —
Jersey Long-Term Worker Visa Work Residency — Yes — — —
Cook Islands Worker Permit Employment Residency — Yes — — —
French Polynesia Work Permit Employment Residency — Yes — — —
Macao Nonresident Worker Permission Employment Residency — Yes — — —
New Caledonia Work Permit Employment Residency — Yes — — —

No pathways match that filter.