“Cheapest” here is literal and qualified: the table below sorts the work visa programmes we track by their published government application fee, as stated on official government pages — cheapest by that single figure among the 553 programmes we track, not a recommendation. Each row links to the official source it was taken from.
The 10 Lowest-Cost Work Visas We Track
| # | Country | Programme | Application fee | Initial duration | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Libya | Work Residency | €2.73 | 60 months | security-legislation.ly — re-checked 2026-06-24 |
| 2 | Mauritania | La résidence pour motif du travail | €4.35 | 24 months | anrpts.gov.mr — re-checked 2026-06-24 |
| 3 | Bangladesh | E1 Visa | €7.10 | 6 months | bida.gov.bd — re-checked 2026-06-24 |
| 4 | Moldova | Foreigners Working in Free Economic Zones | €7.49 | 12 months | igm.gov.md — re-checked 2026-06-24 |
| 5 | Eswatini | EMPLOYEES PART I | €7.96 | 12 months | gov.sz — re-checked 2026-06-24 |
| 6 | North Macedonia | Temporary Residence Permit for Work Purposes | €8.11 | 12 months | av.gov.mk — re-checked 2026-06-24 |
| 7 | Mauritius | Certificate of Exemption | €9.19 | 12 months | empment-labour.govmu.org — re-checked 2026-06-24 |
| 8 | Turkey | Permanent Work Permit | €9.39 | 60 months | csgb.gov.tr — re-checked 2026-06-24 |
| 9 | Macau | Non-Resident Worker Permit (Blue Card) | €11 | 24 months | gov.mo — re-checked 2026-06-24 |
| 10 | Spain | Initial card or renewal residence or residence and work | €11 | 12 months | inclusion.gob.es — re-checked 2026-06-24 |
How to Read This Ranking
- The ranking sorts one published figure: the government application fee. It excludes insurance, translations, legalisation, travel and living costs.
- Where a country has several qualifying programmes, only its lowest-cost programme is shown.
- Programmes without a published figure for this metric, and programmes restricted to specific nationalities, are not ranked.
- Figures change. Each row shows when the source was last re-checked — always confirm on the official page before applying.
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Get Your Free VerdictFrequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest work visa in 2026?
Among the 553 work visa programmes we track, Libya's Work Residency lists the lowest government application fee: €2.73.
Which countries have work visas with a government application fee of €100 or less?
Based on the figures we track: Libya, Mauritania, Bangladesh, Moldova, Eswatini, North Macedonia, Mauritius, Turkey, Macau, Spain.
How current are these figures?
Every programme in the table links to a named source — about 77% directly to an official government source; the figures shown were last re-checked 2026-06-24.
Does a low government application fee make approval easier?
No. The ranking sorts a single published figure. Each programme has its own eligibility rules, documentation and totals (insurance, legalisation, living costs) that this one number does not capture.
Figures relate to the specific programmes named above. Always confirm on the official pages linked below before applying.