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CompareLast checked Oct 20, 2026

Skilled worker visas compared

Work permits and skilled migration routes in every country we cover. Most need a job offer; the ones recorded as open without one are marked.
  • 221 routes
  • 185 countries
  • 52 can lead to permanent residence
  • 10 recorded as not needing a job offer

Fees, processing times, documents and the full requirements are on each route's page.

Afghanistan

Albania

Algeria

American Samoa

Andorra

Angola

Anguilla

Antigua & Barbuda

Armenia

Aruba

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

  • Work permit for paid employment

    Foreign workers with a job offer from an Azerbaijani employer, branch or representative office.

    Main conditions

    • Employer applies
    • Qualification
    • Health

    4 requirements · 6 documents · 1 fees

    Length of stay

    1 year, extendable by up to 1 year at a time

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    State Migration Service - Work permit

Bahamas

Bangladesh

Barbados

  • Work Permit

    Foreign workers with a Barbados job offer, trainees on attachments, and entrepreneurs establishing a business in Barbados.

    Main conditions

    • Employer sponsor
    • Qualifications
    • Medical

    4 requirements · 8 documents · 2 fees

    Length of stay

    Short-term: up to 11 months.

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Barbados Immigration Department - Work Permits/Training attachments

Belarus

Belgium

Belize

  • Temporary Employment Permit

    Foreign employees and self-employed people working in Belize, including professionals, technicians, farm workers, entertainers and volunteers.

    Main conditions

    • Residing in Belize
    • Who files
    • Categories

    3 requirements · 4 documents · 9 fees

    Length of stay

    One week or less, one crop season, or one year, depending on the category.

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Belize Immigration - Temporary Employment Permit

Bermuda

  • Bermuda Standard Work Permit

    Foreign nationals with a job offer from a Bermuda employer that has advertised the role locally.

    Main conditions

    • Employer applies
    • Local labour-market test
    • Notify local applicants

    4 requirements · 4 documents · 7 fees

    Length of stay

    1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 years, as requested by the employer and granted by the Department.

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Government of Bermuda - All immigration fees

Bhutan

Bolivia

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Botswana

British Virgin Islands

Brunei

Bulgaria

Cambodia

Cameroon

Canada

Caribbean Netherlands

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Chad

Chile

China

Croatia

Cuba

Curaçao

Cyprus

Czechia

  • Employee Card

    Non-EU nationals with a job offer from a Czech employer, at any qualification level.

    Main conditions

    • Third-country national
    • Job listed in the vacancy database
    • Work contract

    9 requirements · 14 documents · 3 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 2 years, possibly limited to the length of the job or work permit; extendable…

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    ipc.gov.cz: Employee Card
  • EU Blue Card

    Non-EU graduates or highly skilled professionals with a qualified job offer in Czechia at a high salary.

    Main conditions

    • High qualification
    • Qualified job
    • Contract

    6 requirements · 7 documents · 3 fees

    Length of stay

    Valid 3 months longer than the work contract, up to 3 years; extendable (ipc.gov.cz).

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    ipc.gov.cz: Blue Card

Denmark

  • Pay Limit Scheme

    Non-EU nationals with a well-paid job offer, generally from a company registered in Denmark, in any field.

    Main conditions

    • Salary threshold
    • Danish pay and terms
    • Working hours

    8 requirements · 9 documents · 3 fees

    Length of stay

    Normally 4 years if employment is 4 years or more; otherwise the employment period plus…

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    SIRI / New to Denmark - Pay Limit Scheme

Djibouti

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Egypt

El Salvador

  • Residencia temporal con autorización para trabajar

    Migrant workers (employed or self-employed), professional athletes, academics and teachers, scientists and specialists, transferred managers and technical…

    Main conditions

    • Covered subcategories
    • Employer commitment
    • Self-employed workers

    5 requirements · 6 documents · 3 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to one year (athletes, academics, public-project staff) or up to two years (migrant…

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    DGME El Salvador - Residencias temporales (forms F1-F31)

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

  • Employment visa

    Foreign nationals employed by an entity in Eritrea.

    Main conditions

    • Sponsoring entity
    • Passport

    2 requirements · 5 documents · 2 fees

    Length of stay

    Linked to the duration stated in the employment letter (not specified by the embassy).

    Temporary only

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Embassy of the State of Eritrea, Washington DC - Visa

Estonia

Eswatini

Ethiopia

Falkland Islands

  • Falkland Islands Work Permit

    Foreign and British workers with a job offer from a Falklands employer.

    Main conditions

    • Apply from outside
    • Employer advertising
    • Sponsorship

    4 requirements · 4 documents · 1 fees

    Length of stay

    Ordinarily the length of the contract; extensions possible but not beyond four years in…

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Falkland Islands Government - Work Permit

Faroe Islands

Fiji

  • Long Term Work Permit

    Foreign nationals aged 18 and over with a valid employment contract from a locally registered company in Fiji.

    Main conditions

    • Age and contract
    • Where to apply
    • Who cannot apply

    5 requirements · 9 documents · 3 fees

    Length of stay

    One (01) to three (03) years.

    Temporary only

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Fiji Ministry of Immigration - Long Term Work Permit

Finland

France

French Polynesia

Gambia

Georgia

Germany

  • EU Blue Card

    University graduates (or equivalent tertiary graduates) and experienced IT specialists with a German job offer of at least 6 months paying at least the Blue…

    Main conditions

    • Qualification
    • Concrete job offer
    • Standard salary threshold 2026

    8 requirements · 12 documents · 4 fees

    Length of stay

    Issued for 4 years, or for the length of the employment contract (or Federal Employment…

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Oct 16, 2026

    Residence Act Section 18g – EU Blue Card
  • Opportunity Card

    Non-EU nationals with a degree or at least 2 years of state-recognised vocational training who want to come to Germany to look for a qualified job.

    Main conditions

    • Route 1: skilled worker
    • Route 2: qualification
    • Route 2: language minimum

    8 requirements · 12 documents · 4 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 1 year at first (job-search card).

    May lead to permanent residence

    Oct 16, 2026

    Residence Act Section 20a – Opportunity Card
  • Residence permit for skilled workers

    Non-EU nationals with recognised vocational training or a recognised/comparable degree and a concrete job offer in Germany.

    Main conditions

    • Concrete job offer
    • Recognised qualification (vocational)
    • Recognised or comparable degree

    8 requirements · 11 documents · 4 fees

    Length of stay

    Normally up to 4 years.

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    Residence Act section 18 (gesetze-im-internet.de)

Ghana

  • Work and Residence Permit

    Foreign employees of companies, NGOs, missions or free-zone enterprises in Ghana, and shareholders, whose employer has quota or approval for the position.

    Main conditions

    • Lawful entry
    • Employer applies
    • Quota or approval

    9 requirements · 14 documents · 9 fees

    Length of stay

    Not stated

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    GIS - Work and Residence Permit (Companies)

Gibraltar

Greece

Greenland

  • Residence and work permit for Greenland

    Non-Nordic foreign nationals (including EU/EEA citizens) with a job offer from an employer in Greenland, and healthcare professionals hired by the Greenlandic…

    Main conditions

    • Job offer in Greenland
    • Municipal permit to employ foreign labour
    • Greenlandic pay and terms

    6 requirements · 6 documents · 1 fees

    Length of stay

    Granted for up to 2 years from the decision date.

    May lead to permanent residence

    Oct 17, 2026

    New to Denmark (SIRI) – Work in Greenland

Grenada

Guatemala

  • Temporary residence for migrant workers

    Foreign nationals with a work contract in Guatemala, people sent by a foreign employer, and self-employed people.

    Main conditions

    • Work contract
    • Employer documents
    • General residence requirements

    3 requirements · 6 documents · 6 fees

    Length of stay

    For the length of the contract, up to 5 years.

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    IGM Extranjería - Residencias temporales

Guernsey

Guinea

Guyana

Haiti

Hong Kong SAR China

  • General Employment Policy (GEP) – Professionals

    Degree-level professionals (or people with proven special skills or experience) who have a confirmed job offer from a Hong Kong employer.

    Main conditions

    • Education
    • Confirmed job offer
    • Local workers not readily available

    8 requirements · 10 documents · 3 fees

    Length of stay

    Normally 36 months on first entry, or the contract length if shorter.

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    Immigration Department: General Employment Policy (GEP)
  • Top Talent Pass Scheme

    High-income professionals and recent or experienced graduates of universities on the official eligible list who want to move to Hong Kong.

    Main conditions

    • Category A: high income
    • Category B: graduate with experience
    • Category C: recent graduate

    8 requirements · 10 documents · 3 fees

    Length of stay

    Initial stay of 36 months (Category A) or 24 months (Categories B and C), granted only…

    Can lead to permanent residence

    No job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    Immigration Department: Top Talent Pass Scheme

Hungary

  • EU Blue Card

    Non-EU nationals with a highly qualified job offer in Hungary, or EU Blue Card holders from another member state moving to Hungary.

    Main conditions

    • Highly qualified job
    • Qualifications
    • Salary

    5 requirements · 6 documents · 3 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 4 years, extendable up to 4 years at a time, never beyond passport validity.

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 19, 2026

    OIF / NDGAP - EU Blue Card

Iceland

  • Residence permit based on work

    Skilled and other workers from outside the EEA/EFTA with an Icelandic job offer.

    Main conditions

    • Job and work permit
    • Expert knowledge
    • Labour shortage

    6 requirements · 5 documents · 2 fees

    Length of stay

    Permit length depends on the job; it can lead to permanent residence after four years.

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Ísland.is - Residence permit based on work

India

Indonesia

Iran

Iraq

Ireland

  • Critical Skills Employment Permit

    Non-EEA nationals with a job offer of at least 2 years from an eligible Irish employer, either in a Critical Skills Occupations List role or paying above the…

    Main conditions

    • Job offer duration
    • Salary: Critical Skills Occupations List roles
    • Salary: recent graduates

    10 requirements · 5 documents · 1 fees

    Length of stay

    Permit tied to a job offer of at least 2 years; Stamp 4 upgrade possible afterwards

    Can lead to residence later

    Oct 16, 2026

    Critical Skills Employment Permit (DETE)
  • General Employment Permit

    Non-EEA workers with a job offer from an Irish-registered employer in an eligible occupation, including roles that do not qualify for a Critical Skills…

    Main conditions

    • Job offer from a bona fide Irish employer
    • Direct employment
    • Eligible occupation

    10 requirements · 8 documents · 6 fees

    Length of stay

    Initial permit up to 2 years (24 months); renewable for up to 3 more years.

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    DETE - General Employment Permit

Isle of Man

Israel

Italy

Jamaica

  • Work Permit

    Foreign workers with a Jamaican employer, contractors, and investors.

    Main conditions

    • Who applies
    • Recruitment of Jamaicans
    • Professional registration

    4 requirements · 8 documents · 1 fees

    Length of stay

    Valid for the period set out in the work permit letter.

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Ministry of Labour and Social Security - Work Permit

Japan

Jersey

  • Jersey work permit

    Foreign workers offered a job by a licensed Jersey employer.

    Main conditions

    • Employer licence
    • Skill level (long-term)
    • Salary

    5 requirements · 3 documents · 2 fees

    Length of stay

    Long-term permits up to 3 years initially (up to 5 for General Hospital doctors).

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Government of Jersey - Work permit policy

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Kiribati

  • Kiribati work visa

    Foreign nationals with a job offer in Kiribati, service suppliers and long-stay business visitors.

    Main conditions

    • Job offer
    • Police certificates
    • Health

    3 requirements · 4 documents · 1 fees

    Length of stay

    Not stated

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Kiribati MFAI - Work Visa application form

Kosovo

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Laos

Latvia

Lebanon

Lesotho

Libya

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Macao SAR China

Madagascar

Malawi

Malaysia

Maldives

  • Work permit (Entry Pass) and Work e-Visa

    Foreign nationals hired by an employer in the Maldives. The employer or its authorised representative handles the permit and visa.

    Main conditions

    • Employer applies
    • Work permit first
    • Entry Pass for new arrivals

    4 requirements · 4 documents · 2 fees

    Length of stay

    The Work e-Visa runs for the same period as the approved work permit.

    Temporary only

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Maldives Immigration - Work Visa Service

Mali

Malta

Marshall Islands

Mauritius

Micronesia

Moldova

Monaco

Mongolia

Montenegro

Morocco

Mozambique

Namibia

Nauru

Nepal

Netherlands

  • Residence permit for highly skilled migrant

    Non-EU professionals with an employment contract from a recognised sponsor in the Netherlands, including researchers and doctors in training under special…

    Main conditions

    • Recognised sponsor
    • Income requirement (30 or older)
    • Income requirement (under 30)

    9 requirements · 8 documents · 5 fees

    Length of stay

    Same length as the employment contract or job, up to a maximum of 5 years (IND page…

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    IND - Highly skilled migrant (updated 11 Sep 2026)

New Caledonia

Nicaragua

Nigeria

North Macedonia

  • Temporary residence for work

    Foreign employees with a job offer from a registered North Macedonian employer, seasonal workers, posted workers and self-employed foreigners.

    Main conditions

    • Employment Agency opinion
    • Labour market and quota
    • Exempt from labour market test

    5 requirements · 10 documents · 4 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 1 year, renewable

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Law on Foreigners, consolidated text (Ministry of Interior, PDF)

Norway

Oman

Pakistan

  • Work visa

    Foreign nationals with a valid job offer from an SECP-registered company, a government project, or a single-owner business in Pakistan.

    Main conditions

    • Job offer
    • Employer files online
    • BOI recommendation

    4 requirements · 7 documents · 2 fees

    Length of stay

    Entry/extension: 2 years, multiple entries (BOI).

    Temporary only

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Board of Investment (Prime Minister's Office) - Work Visa

Palau

Panama

Papua New Guinea

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Qatar

Republic of the Congo

Romania

Russia

Rwanda

Samoa

San Marino

São Tomé & Príncipe

Senegal

Serbia

  • Single Permit

    Foreign nationals with a job offer from a Serbian employer, or who are self-employed, posted, transferred within a company, or working as independent…

    Main conditions

    • Employment contract
    • No recent redundancies
    • Qualifications

    10 requirements · 10 documents · 2 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 36 months (three years), renewable.

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    Welcome to Serbia – Information about the Single Permit

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Singapore

  • Employment Pass

    Foreign professionals, managers and executives with a job offer in Singapore who meet the qualifying salary and COMPASS.

    Main conditions

    • Job offer from a Singapore employer
    • Qualifying salary (Stage 1)
    • Qualifying salary - financial services

    7 requirements · 8 documents · 3 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 2 years for first-time candidates; renewals up to 3 years; up to 5 years for…

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    MOM - Employment Pass
  • Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass

    Very highly paid executives and specialists, and people with outstanding achievements in sports, arts and culture, or academia and research.

    Main conditions

    • Salary track: overseas employment
    • Salary track: Singapore employment
    • Established company

    8 requirements · 11 documents · 3 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 5 years for first-time candidates; renewable for up to 5 years at a time (MOM key…

    May lead to permanent residence

    No job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    MOM - ONE Pass eligibility (updated 14 Sep 2026)
  • S Pass

    Foreign mid-skilled employees (often associate professionals and technicians) who have a job offer from a Singapore employer and meet the age-based salary…

    Main conditions

    • Job offer
    • Minimum salary (current, all sectors except financial services)
    • Minimum salary (current, financial services)

    9 requirements · 12 documents · 3 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 2 years for first-time candidates and up to 3 years on renewal.

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    MOM - S Pass eligibility (updated 1 Sep 2026)

Sint Maarten

Slovakia

Slovenia

Solomon Islands

Somalia

South Africa

South Korea

  • Job Seeker Visa

    Recent graduates and experienced professionals who want to look for skilled work in Korea.

    Main conditions

    • Fortune Global 500 experience
    • Top-200 university
    • Korean graduate

    5 requirements · 7 documents · 1 fees

    Length of stay

    Visa valid 3 months for entry; stay of up to 6 months per grant (per secondary reporting).

    May lead to permanent residence

    No job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Singapore - D-10-1 Job Seeker Visa
  • Specially Designated Activities (E-7) visa

    Professionals, semi-professionals and skilled workers with a Korean employer in a designated occupation.

    Main conditions

    • Contract with a Korean organisation
    • Designated occupation
    • 2026 wage floor - professional

    7 requirements · 8 documents · 2 fees

    Length of stay

    Maximum period of stay granted at one time for E-7 is 3 years (Enforcement Rule table)…

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    MOJ Notice 2025-406 - 2026 E-7 wage requirements

South Sudan

  • Work permit

    Foreign nationals employed in South Sudan, including by businesses, NGOs and oil and gas service companies.

    Main conditions

    • Valid passport
    • Entry visa
    • Employer documents

    4 requirements · 10 documents · 2 fees

    Length of stay

    One year from issue (smart card), renewable.

    Temporary only

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Ministry of Labour South Sudan - Work Permit Applications

Spain

Sri Lanka

  • Residence visa - employment category

    Foreign employees of BOI companies, government-approved projects, banks, registered private companies or Port City businesses, and their dependants.

    Main conditions

    • Covered employers
    • Recommendation
    • Health Protection Plan

    3 requirements · 6 documents · 1 fees

    Length of stay

    Valid for one year or the period recommended by the authority.

    Temporary only

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Department of Immigration and Emigration - Residence Visa

St. Helena

St. Kitts & Nevis

St. Lucia

St. Vincent & Grenadines

Sweden

  • Work permit for employees

    Non-EU/EEA nationals with a signed employment contract from an employer in Sweden, including staffing agencies that hire out labour, in an occupation that is…

    Main conditions

    • Valid passport
    • Employment contract
    • Salary requirement

    9 requirements · 8 documents · 3 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 2 years per permit, but not longer than the employment contract or passport…

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    Employees: work permit (Migrationsverket)

Switzerland

  • Work and residence permit for non-EU/EFTA nationals

    Highly qualified non-EU/EFTA nationals, usually with a university degree and several years of experience, who have a job offer from a Swiss employer able to…

    Main conditions

    • Qualified workers only
    • Overall economic interest
    • Priority for domestic and EU/EFTA workers

    9 requirements · 10 documents · 0 fees

    Length of stay

    Short-term L permits or residence B permits; validity depends on the permit and canton…

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    SEM - Non-EU/EFTA nationals (working)

Taiwan

  • Taiwan Employment Gold Card

    Senior or specialised foreign professionals in fields such as science and technology, the economy, digital, finance, education, culture, sport, law and…

    Main conditions

    • One field, one criterion
    • Salary criterion (several fields)
    • Digital: long experience

    8 requirements · 7 documents · 6 fees

    Length of stay

    1, 2 or 3 years (the applicant chooses), extendable.

    Can lead to permanent residence

    No job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    Taiwan Gold Card Office: home

Tanzania

Thailand

Timor-Leste

  • Working visa

    Foreign employees, contractors and long-term volunteers with an employer or organisation in Timor-Leste.

    Main conditions

    • Purpose
    • SEFOPE certification
    • Character and health

    3 requirements · 8 documents · 2 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 1 year, renewable for equal periods; multiple entry.

    May lead to permanent residence

    Oct 17, 2026

    Migration Service of Timor-Leste - Working Visa

Tonga

Trinidad & Tobago

  • Work Permit

    Foreign workers with a Trinidad and Tobago employer, and employers hiring foreign staff.

    Main conditions

    • 30-day exemption
    • Online filing
    • Attorneys

    3 requirements · 3 documents · 2 fees

    Length of stay

    Not stated

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    Ministry of Homeland Security - Work Permit

Tunisia

Türkiye

Turkmenistan

Turks & Caicos Islands

  • Turks and Caicos Islands Work Permit

    Foreign workers with a TCI job offer, and self-employed people or freelancers setting up in the TCI.

    Main conditions

    • Who files
    • Genuine job and local recruitment
    • Advertising rule

    5 requirements · 5 documents · 2 fees

    Length of stay

    Self-employed up to 5 years; employed skilled up to 5 years; unskilled up to 3 years…

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    TCI Government Border Control - Work Permits

Tuvalu

Uganda

  • Entry Permit Class G2

    Foreign nationals with a job and appointment letter from an organisation in Uganda, where no qualified Ugandan could be hired.

    Main conditions

    • Employment in Uganda
    • Labour-market test
    • Qualifications

    8 requirements · 10 documents · 5 fees

    Length of stay

    Issued for 6, 12, 24 or 36 months, according to the official fee tiers.

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control - Class G2 (node/99)

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

  • Global Talent visa

    Recognised or emerging leaders in research, academia, arts and culture or digital technology, aged 18 or over, with an endorsement or an eligible prize.

    Main conditions

    • Field
    • Leader or potential leader
    • Age

    8 requirements · 7 documents · 7 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 5 years at a time; extensions of 1 to 5 years with no overall limit.

    Can lead to permanent residence

    No job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    Global Talent visa (GOV.UK)
  • Graduate visa

    International students in the UK on a Student (or Tier 4 General) visa whose education provider has reported that they successfully completed an eligible UK…

    Main conditions

    • Apply from inside the UK
    • Current Student visa
    • Eligible course

    8 requirements · 6 documents · 4 fees

    Length of stay

    2 years if the application is made on or before 31 December 2026; 18 months if made on or…

    Can lead to residence later

    No job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    Graduate visa (GOV.UK)
  • Health and Care Worker visa

    Qualified health and care professionals with a confirmed job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor in an eligible occupation code, such as the NHS, NHS…

    Main conditions

    • Qualified health or care professional
    • Sponsored job offer
    • Eligible occupation code

    9 requirements · 9 documents · 5 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 5 years before you need to extend; can be extended as many times as you meet the…

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    Health and Care Worker visa (GOV.UK)
  • Skilled Worker visa

    People with a confirmed job offer from a UK licensed sponsor in an eligible occupation that meets the salary and English language rules.

    Main conditions

    • Licensed sponsor
    • Certificate of sponsorship
    • Confirmed job offer

    10 requirements · 11 documents · 11 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 5 years before you need to extend.

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Oct 16, 2026

    Skilled Worker visa (GOV.UK guide, content updated 2026-09-14)

United States

  • E-1 Treaty Trader

    Treaty-country nationals who run, or are key employees of, a business that trades substantially between the US and their country.

    Main conditions

    • Treaty country nationality
    • Substantial trade
    • Principal trade

    7 requirements · 7 documents · 5 fees

    Length of stay

    Initial stay of up to 2 years.

    Temporary only

    No job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    USCIS - E-1 Treaty Traders (updated 04/08/2025)
  • E-2 Treaty Investor

    Nationals of treaty countries who own at least half of, or control, a US business they have put real money into, and treaty-national employees in executive…

    Main conditions

    • Treaty country nationality
    • Substantial investment
    • Capital at risk and lawful

    10 requirements · 9 documents · 5 fees

    Length of stay

    Initial stay of up to 2 years.

    Temporary only

    No job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    USCIS - E-2 Treaty Investors (updated 08/20/2026)
  • E-3 Specialty Occupation Workers from Australia

    Australian nationals with a relevant bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and a job offer from a US employer in a specialty occupation.

    Main conditions

    • Australian national
    • Legitimate US job offer
    • Specialty occupation

    8 requirements · 8 documents · 5 fees

    Length of stay

    Initial stay of up to 2 years.

  • H-1B Specialty Occupation

    Graduates with a bachelor's degree or higher (or equivalent experience) who have a job offer from a US employer in a specialty occupation.

    Main conditions

    • Specialty occupation
    • Worker qualifications
    • US employer with a real job

    9 requirements · 11 documents · 11 fees

    Length of stay

    Initial stay of up to 3 years, extendable to a maximum of 6 years in total.

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    USCIS - H-1B Specialty Occupations (updated 21 Sep 2026)
  • H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers

    Workers abroad offered a temporary, non-agricultural job (for example in landscaping, hospitality, seafood processing or construction) by a US employer that…

    Main conditions

    • Job offer from a US employer
    • Temporary need
    • No available US workers

    9 requirements · 9 documents · 6 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to the period on the labor certification, normally up to 1 year.

  • J-1 Exchange Visitor

    Students, scholars, professors, researchers, teachers, trainees, interns, au pairs, camp counsellors, summer work-travel students, specialists and foreign…

    Main conditions

    • Accepted by a designated sponsor
    • Category criteria
    • Teacher requirements

    9 requirements · 9 documents · 6 fees

    Length of stay

    Under a DHS final rule effective 15 September 2026, J visitors are admitted for a fixed…

  • L-1A / L-1B Intracompany Transferee

    Managers, executives, and specialised-knowledge employees of multinational groups being transferred to a related US entity, including to open a new US office.

    Main conditions

    • Qualifying relationship
    • Doing business in two countries
    • One year abroad

    8 requirements · 8 documents · 8 fees

    Length of stay

    Initial stay of up to 3 years (1 year for a new office), extendable in 2-year steps to a…

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    USCIS - L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager
  • O-1A / O-1B Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement

    Top professionals, researchers, founders, athletes, artists and entertainers with a strong record of recognised achievement and US work lined up.

    Main conditions

    • Extraordinary ability (O-1A)
    • O-1A evidence
    • Distinction in the arts (O-1B)

    8 requirements · 7 documents · 6 fees

    Length of stay

    Up to 3 years initially, for the time needed for the event or activity; extensions in…

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    USCIS - O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
  • TN USMCA Professional

    Canadian and Mexican citizens with a degree or listed professional credential who have a prearranged professional job offer from a US employer or entity.

    Main conditions

    • Canadian or Mexican citizen
    • Listed USMCA profession
    • Minimum qualification for the profession

    10 requirements · 9 documents · 6 fees

    Length of stay

    Admission for up to 3 years at a time, with the legend 'multiple entry'.

    Temporary only

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    USCIS - TN USMCA Professionals (updated 06/04/2025)

Uzbekistan

  • Work permit and work visa

    Foreign workers with a job offer from an Uzbek employer; IT specialists, investors and founders linked to IT Park resident companies.

    Main conditions

    • Labour market check
    • Work visa
    • IT Visa - specialists

    5 requirements · 5 documents · 2 fees

    Length of stay

    Work visa: period set by the Ministry; IT Visa: 3 years

    May lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 17, 2026

    my.gov.uz - Obtaining confirmation for the right of labor activity

Vanuatu

Venezuela

Vietnam

Zambia

  • Employment Permit

    Foreign nationals with a job offer in Zambia for more than six months. A Temporary Employment Permit covers business visitors staying more than 30 days.

    Main conditions

    • Employment over six months
    • Eligible employers
    • Applicant via representative

    9 requirements · 13 documents · 7 fees

    Length of stay

    Issued for work of more than 6 months.

    Can lead to permanent residence

    Job offer needed

    Oct 16, 2026

    Zambia Department of Immigration - Permit Types (Employment Permit)

Zimbabwe

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General information from official government sources, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official page, or ask a licensed advisor, before you apply.