Looking to emigrate as a welder? We ranked 20 countries across five dimensions — visa accessibility, salary competitiveness, cost of living, quality of life, and career growth — to find the best destinations for welders in 2026.
Country Rankings for Welders
| Rank | Country | Score | Visa | Salary | Cost | QoL | Career | Best Pathway | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luxembourg | 8.0/10 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 2 | Iceland | 7.5/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Residence Permit For Work (General) | No |
| 3 | Finland | 7.3/10 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | Employed Person Residence Permit | No |
| 4 | Cyprus | 6.8/10 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 5 | Belgium | 6.6/10 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 6 | Kuwait | 6.6/10 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Article 18 Private Sector Work Visa | No |
| 7 | Germany | 6.5/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Worker Visa Vocational | No |
| 8 | Estonia | 6.5/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Residence Permit For Employment | No |
| 9 | Canada | 6.3/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Federal Skilled Trades | No |
| 10 | Czech Republic | 6.3/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Employee Card | No |
| 11 | Greece | 6.3/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 12 | Hungary | 6.3/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 13 | Malta | 6.3/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Single Permit | No |
| 14 | Slovakia | 6.3/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Single Permit (Combined Work And Residence) | No |
| 15 | Montenegro | 6.3/10 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Residence And Work Permit For Employment | No |
| 16 | Switzerland | 6.2/10 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | B Permit Skilled Worker Residence | No |
| 17 | United Kingdom | 6.2/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Worker Visa | No |
| 18 | Italy | 6.2/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Eu Blue Card Italy | No |
| 19 | Singapore | 6.1/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | S Pass | No |
| 20 | Sweden | 6.1/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit Employer Sponsored | No |
| 21 | Australia | 6.0/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Independent 189 | No |
| 22 | Netherlands | 6.0/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Single Permit Gvva | No |
| 23 | Portugal | 6.0/10 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | D1 Employment Visa | No |
| 24 | United Arab Emirates | 6.0/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Employment Visa Standard Work Visa | No |
| 25 | Lithuania | 6.0/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 26 | Hong Kong | 6.0/10 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | General Employment Policy (Gep) | No |
| 27 | Taiwan | 6.0/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Employment Gold Card | No |
| 28 | Israel | 6.0/10 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | B 1 Expert Work Visa | No |
| 29 | Albania | 6.0/10 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Unique Permit | No |
| 30 | Denmark | 5.9/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 10.0 | 5.0 | Positive List For Skilled Work | No |
| 31 | United States | 5.9/10 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Eb 3 Skilled Workers | No |
| 32 | Romania | 5.9/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Standard Work Permit | No |
| 33 | Ecuador | 5.9/10 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (12 Vi) | No |
| 34 | Austria | 5.8/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | Red White Red Card Skilled Workers In Shortage | No |
| 35 | New Zealand | 5.8/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | Green List Work To Residence Visa | No |
| 36 | Poland | 5.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | Type A Work Permit | No |
| 37 | Uruguay | 5.8/10 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Residency Work | No |
| 38 | Argentina | 5.8/10 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Work Visa | No |
| 39 | Chile | 5.8/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Employee Work Visa | No |
| 40 | Barbados | 5.8/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Short Term Work Permit | No |
| 41 | Brunei | 5.8/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Employment Pass (Ep) | No |
| 42 | Ireland | 5.7/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | General Employment Permit | No |
| 43 | Norway | 5.7/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 10.0 | 5.0 | Skilled Worker Permit | No |
| 44 | Qatar | 5.7/10 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Work Residence Permit | No |
| 45 | Serbia | 5.7/10 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Single Permit (Residence + Work) | No |
| 46 | Croatia | 5.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Temporary Stay Work Permit | No |
| 47 | North Macedonia | 5.6/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Skilled Worker Permit | No |
| 48 | Moldova | 5.6/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Long Stay Work Visa (Type D) | No |
| 49 | Malaysia | 5.5/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Employment Pass Category I | No |
| 50 | Turkey | 5.5/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit | No |
| 51 | Georgia | 5.5/10 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Residence Permit | No |
| 52 | Mauritius | 5.5/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Professional Occupation Permit | No |
| 53 | Costa Rica | 5.5/10 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (Empleado Residente) | No |
| 54 | Peru | 5.5/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Worker Visa | No |
| 55 | Cambodia | 5.5/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Business Visa Extension (Eb) | No |
| 56 | Russia | 5.5/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Standard Work Visa | No |
| 57 | Kyrgyzstan | 5.5/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa W1 With Work Permit | No |
| 58 | Bahrain | 5.4/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Work Visa | No |
| 59 | Rwanda | 5.4/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | V4 Skilled Worker | No |
| 60 | Jamaica | 5.4/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (General) | No |
| 61 | Paraguay | 5.4/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Work Residence | No |
| 62 | Uganda | 5.4/10 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Class A Government/Diplomatic Service | No |
| 63 | Saudi Arabia | 5.3/10 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Employment Visa Iqama | No |
| 64 | Panama | 5.3/10 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Friendly Nations Visa | No |
| 65 | Kazakhstan | 5.3/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | C3 Work Visa | No |
| 66 | Mexico | 5.2/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Resident Visa | No |
| 67 | Bulgaria | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 68 | Oman | 5.2/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Visa (Standard) | No |
| 69 | Trinidad and Tobago | 5.2/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (General) | No |
| 70 | Lebanon | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (Standard Employment) | No |
| 71 | Japan | 5.1/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | Skilled Worker Visa Tokutei Gino | No |
| 72 | Spain | 5.1/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Employee Work Visa | No |
| 73 | Thailand | 5.1/10 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Smart Visa | No |
| 74 | South Africa | 5.1/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Critical Skills Visa | No |
| 75 | Morocco | 5.1/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Long Term Work Visa | No |
| 76 | Mongolia | 5.1/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Hg Work Visa (Employment Visa) | No |
| 77 | France | 5.0/10 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Salaried Employee Work Permit | No |
| 78 | Dominican Republic | 5.0/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Business Visa For Employment Purposes (Nm1) | No |
| 79 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Work Permit | No |
| 80 | Nepal | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Working Visa | No |
| 81 | Uzbekistan | 5.0/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa Type E | No |
| 82 | Tajikistan | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Working Visa (Type M) | No |
| 83 | Brazil | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa | No |
| 84 | South Korea | 4.9/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | E 7 Foreign National Of Special Ability | No |
| 85 | Vietnam | 4.9/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Ld1 Work Visa (Work Permit Exemption) | No |
| 86 | Fiji | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit | No |
| 87 | Ghana | 4.8/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Discretionary Quota Work Permit | No |
| 88 | Sri Lanka | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Category Residence Visa | No |
| 89 | Armenia | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit + Temporary Residence Card | No |
| 90 | Azerbaijan | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (General Employment) | No |
| 91 | Tunisia | 4.8/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Long Stay Work Visa (Visa D) | No |
| 92 | Myanmar | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa | No |
| 93 | Laos | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Business Visa (B2) | No |
| 94 | Egypt | 4.7/10 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Employment Work Permit | No |
| 95 | Iraq | 4.7/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa | No |
| 96 | Madagascar | 4.7/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Long Stay Work Visa | No |
| 97 | Vanuatu | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit | No |
| 98 | Tanzania | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Residence Permit Class A (Investor/Self Employment) | No |
| 99 | Mozambique | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (General Employment) | No |
| 100 | Zimbabwe | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Employment Permit | No |
| 101 | Zambia | 4.6/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | Employment Permit | No |
| 102 | Latvia | 4.5/10 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit | No |
| 103 | Slovenia | 4.5/10 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Single Permit | No |
| 104 | Ethiopia | 4.5/10 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | Employment Work Permit | No |
| 105 | Iran | 4.5/10 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit Visa (Type F) | No |
| 106 | Kenya | 4.4/10 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit Class D | No |
| 107 | Jordan | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Standard Work Permit | No |
| 108 | Maldives | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (Standard Employment) | No |
| 109 | Algeria | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (Long Term) | No |
| 110 | Libya | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa | No |
| 111 | Sudan | 4.3/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Work Visa | No |
| 112 | China | 4.0/10 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit Class B | No |
| 113 | Ukraine | 3.7/10 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit | No |
Top 3 Countries in Detail
#1 Luxembourg (8.0/10)
Gold Medal — Best Pathway: Eu Blue Card
- Income requirement: €5,284/monthly
- Processing: 56-84 days
- Key info: Very high salary threshold increased to €63,408 annually as of March 2025. Employer must prove no EU candidate available. Labour market test required.
- Cost of living from €2000/month (Differdange)
- See all Luxembourg visa pathways →
#2 Iceland (7.5/10)
Silver Medal — Best Pathway: Residence Permit For Work (General)
- Cost of living from €2298/month (Kópavogur)
- See all Iceland visa pathways →
#3 Finland (7.3/10)
Bronze Medal — Best Pathway: Employed Person Residence Permit
- Income requirement: €1,463/monthly
- Processing: 21-42 days
- Key info: Subject to labour market testing in most cases. Must meet collective agreement wages. Cannot start working before permit granted.
- Cost of living from €1100/month (Turku)
- See all Finland visa pathways →
Practical Guide Available
Looking for salary comparisons, visa accessibility tiers, and professional recognition requirements? Read our complete guide to working abroad as a welder.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best country for welders to emigrate in 2026?
Luxembourg ranks #1 for welders in 2026 with a composite score of 8.0/10, based on visa accessibility, salary competitiveness, cost of living, quality of life, and career growth opportunities.
Do welders need professional recognition abroad?
It depends on the country. Some countries require license recognition or credential evaluation for welders. Our ranking includes a recognition requirement indicator for each country.
Which countries have the easiest visa process for welders?
Countries with high visa accessibility scores include those with dedicated skilled worker visas, shortage occupation lists, or points-based systems that favour welders.
How are these country rankings calculated?
Rankings are based on five equally weighted dimensions: visa accessibility (how easy to get a work visa), salary competitiveness (earning potential), cost of living (affordability), quality of life (safety, healthcare, infrastructure), and career growth (job market strength). Each dimension is scored 1-10.
Can I emigrate as a Welder without a job offer?
Several countries offer points-based immigration (Canada, Australia, New Zealand) or job seeker visas (Germany Chancenkarte) that don't require a job offer. Digital nomad visas are also an option for remote welders.
Data sourced from official government immigration portals, verified March 2026. Scores are indicative and should be used alongside professional immigration advice.