Skilled Worker Visas: Compare 200+ countries & territories (2026)

Skilled Worker Visas allow professionals, entrepreneurs, and families to relocate to a new country through dedicated immigration programmes. In 2026, 200+ countries & territories offer at least one skilled worker visa pathway in our database, each with different income thresholds, processing timelines, and paths to permanent residency.

This page compares every skilled worker visa programme we track, listed alphabetically. Use the table below to quickly identify which countries match your budget, timeline, and long-term goals. Click any country name to see its full immigration profile.

Country Comparison Table

All Skilled Worker Visas by Country

Afghanistan (1 programme)

• Basic Work Permit — Extremely limited work permits available only for essential roles under Taliban administration with severe restrictions.

Albania (2 programmes)

• Unique Permit — Unique Permit for Albania.
• Type D Employment Visa — Type D Employment Visa for Albania.

Algeria (1 programme)

• Work Visa (Long-term) — Work Visa (Long-term) for Algeria.

Andorra (1 programme)

• Active Residency Permit — Work and residence permit for skilled workers with Andorran employer sponsorship, subject to annual quotas.

Angola (1 programme)

• Angola Skilled Work Visa — Angola work visa for skilled professionals with job offers from registered Angolan companies. Requires employer sponsorship and demonstration that no qualified locals are available.

Argentina (1 programme)

• Temporary Work Visa — Temporary work visa. 2 years to PR (fastest globally for non-family). 5 years total to citizenship. Spouse can work.

Armenia (2 programmes)

• Work Permit + Temporary Residence Card — Work Permit + Temporary Residence Card for Armenia.
• Work Visa (New 2026) — Work Visa (New 2026) for Armenia.

Australia (11 programmes)

• Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) — Points-based permanent visa. Pass mark 65 but competitive at 85-95 points. Part of 132,200 Skill stream. Skills assessment required.
• National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) — Permanent visa for exceptional talent. AUD $183,100/year income threshold. 4,300 places. Replaced Global Talent visa. Priority processing.
• Pacific Engagement (Subclass 191) — Pacific Engagement (Subclass 191) for Australia. Pacific island/Timor-Leste citizens; regional areas only
• Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) — Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) for Australia. Employer-sponsored permanent residence. Direct entry or Temporary Residence Transition stream.
• Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) — Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) for Australia. Points-tested stream. Must be on skilled occupation list. 65 points minimum.
• Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) — State/territory nominated permanent visa. 65 points including 5 nomination points. Must live in nominating state for 2 years.
• Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) — Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) for Australia. Regional provisional visa. Must live/work in regional area. Path to 191 PR after 3 years.
• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) — Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) for Australia. Short-term (2yr) or Medium-term (4yr) stream. Employer sponsor required.
• Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) — Employer-sponsored skilled worker visa. Core Skills stream AUD $76,515/yr (~€46,000). Specialist Skills AUD $141,210/yr. PR pathway after 2 years.
• Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) — Regional skilled visa. 70 points minimum (raised from 65). Includes 15 nomination points. PR via Subclass 191 after 3 years. Must live and work regionally.
• Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858) — Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858) for Australia. For highly skilled in target sectors. Must earn above Fair Work high income threshold.

Austria (6 programmes)

• EU Blue Card — EU Blue Card for Austria. Standard EU Blue Card program for highly skilled workers with higher education degrees.
• Red-White-Red Card - Other Key Workers — Red-White-Red Card - Other Key Workers for Austria. For positions not in shortage occupations or workers with experience but not required education. Subject to labour market test.
• Red-White-Red Card - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations — Red-White-Red Card - Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations for Austria. Shortage occupation list updated annually. Points system: education, experience, language, age. Application period starts May 1.
• Red-White-Red Card - Very Highly Qualified Workers — Red-White-Red Card - Very Highly Qualified Workers for Austria. Points-based system: education (max 30), work experience (max 20), language (max 20), age (max 30). Job Seeker Visa available for 6 months if no job offer yet.
• Residence Permit - Researcher — Residence Permit - Researcher for Austria. For researchers with hosting agreement. Can apply after legal entry. Family members eligible for family reunion without quota restrictions.
• Artist Visa — Artist visa. Minimum income matching Ausgleichszulage-Richtsatz (€1,273.99/mo).

Azerbaijan (2 programmes)

• Work Permit (General Employment) — Work Permit (General Employment) for Azerbaijan.
• Highly Qualified Specialists — Highly Qualified Specialists for Azerbaijan.

Bahrain (3 programmes)

• Employment Visa (Standard Work Permit) (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Golden Residency Visa - Exceptionally Talented Individuals (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Temporary Work Permit (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.

Bangladesh (2 programmes)

• Employment (E) Visa — For skilled foreign workers hired by Bangladesh-registered companies; requires employer sponsorship and work-permit approval from BIDA.
• NGO Visa — For foreign nationals working with registered NGOs in Bangladesh, typically project-based technical officers or managers.

Barbados (2 programmes)

• Short-Term Work Permit — Short-Term Work Permit for Barbados.
• Long-Term Work Permit — Long-Term Work Permit for Barbados.

Belarus (1 programme)

• Belarus Work Permit (Type D Visa) — Employer-sponsored work permit requiring job offer and valid for 1 year with renewal options.

Belgium (2 programmes)

• Single Permit for Skilled Workers — Single permit for highly skilled employed workers. ~EUR 50,000/year threshold (varies by region).
• EU Blue Card (Belgium) — EU Blue Card. €4,748/mo minimum (Brussels). Higher in Flanders/Wallonia. 5 years to both PR and citizenship.

Belize (2 programmes)

• Temporary Employment Permit — Requires employer sponsorship and local presence during application. Work permit must be obtained before work visa.
• Professional Skilled Worker Permit — For highly skilled professionals with university degrees. Requires labor market testing and professional credentials verification.

Benin (1 programme)

• Temporary Work Visa — Standard work permit requiring employer sponsorship and Ministry of Labor approval

Bhutan (1 programme)

• Employment Visa & Work Permit — Main employment visa requiring Department of Labour approval and employer sponsorship for skilled positions

Bolivia (1 programme)

• Temporary Resident Visa for Work — Work authorization for employment with local company, requires labor market test

Bosnia and Herzegovina (1 programme)

• Temporary Work Permit — Temporary Work Permit for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Botswana (2 programmes)

• Temporary Work Permit — Short-term work permit for specific projects up to 3-4 months
• Employment Permit — Employer-sponsored permit for skilled workers with strict labor market tests

Brazil (1 programme)

• Work Visa (VITEM V) — Standard employer-sponsored work visa. Company limited to one-third foreign workers unless exempted.

Brunei (4 programmes)

• Employment Pass (EP) — Employment Pass (EP) for Brunei.
• Foreign Workers License (LPA) — Foreign Workers License (LPA) for Brunei.
• Special Authorization Work Pass (SAWP) — Special Authorization Work Pass (SAWP) for Brunei.
• Professional Visit Visa (PVV) — Professional Visit Visa (PVV) for Brunei.

Bulgaria (2 programmes)

• EU Blue Card (Bulgaria) — EU Blue Card. BGN 2,609/month (1.5× average). Flat 10% income tax. Up to 5 years.
• Single Residence and Work Permit (SRWP) — Standard work permit. BGN 910/month minimum wage floor. Flat 10% income tax. Spouse can work after PR.

Burkina Faso (1 programme)

• Work Permit (Permis de Travail) — Burkina Faso work permit for foreign workers with employer sponsorship, primarily used in mining and development sectors.

Burundi (2 programmes)

• Technical Work Permit — Specialized permit for technical professionals with 2-year validity and higher salary requirements
• Work Visa & Work Permit — Main employment pathway requiring employer sponsorship and annual salary percentage payment to authorities

Cabo Verde (1 programme)

• Employment Permit — Employment-based residency for skilled workers with local sponsors

Cambodia (2 programmes)

• Business Visa Extension (EB) — Business Visa Extension (EB) for Cambodia.
• Job-seeking Visa (EG) — Job-seeking Visa (EG) for Cambodia.

Cameroon (1 programme)

• Work Permit — Standard work authorization requiring employer sponsorship and Ministry approvals

Canada (9 programmes)

• Express Entry - Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) — Points-based permanent residency. CRS cut-off 508-511. Settlement funds CAD $15,263 (single). 380,000 total PR target for 2026.
• Express Entry - Canadian Experience Class (CEC) — For workers already in Canada. CEC prioritized in current Express Entry draws. 1 year Canadian work experience required.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program — Federal Skilled Trades Program for Canada. No education requirement. Work experience while studying does not count. Targets electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, and other skilled trades. Must prove qualification in trade.
• Federal Skilled Worker Program — Federal Skilled Worker Program for Canada. Express Entry manages FSW applications. Invitation to Apply (ITA) required based on CRS ranking. Work experience must be within last 10 years. Quebec selects own skilled workers.
• Temporary Foreign Worker Program — Temporary Foreign Worker Program for Canada. Employer-specific work permit tied to specific employer and location. LMIA required (demonstrates labor shortage). Duration typically up to 2 years, renewable. Separate from International Mobility Program (IMP) which is LMIA-exempt. Part of 2026 focus on rural/remote communities and sectors impacted by tariffs.
• Express Entry - Category-Based Selection — Targeted Express Entry draws for specific occupation categories. Lower CRS thresholds. Categories include Healthcare, STEM, French-language, Transport, Agriculture.
• Home Child Care Provider Pilot (Caregiver) — Caregiver pathway to PR. 2 years qualifying work in Canada, then eligible for permanent residency.
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry) — Points-based Express Entry pathway for skilled workers. 67/100 points needed on selection grid.
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) — Province-specific nomination for permanent residency. Each province has its own criteria and quotas.

Central African Republic (2 programmes)

• NGO/Humanitarian Worker Permit — Expedited permit for humanitarian and NGO workers deployed to CAR through international organizations.
• Work Permit (Permis de Travail) — CAR work permit primarily used by international organizations and mining companies operating in conflict-affected areas.

Chad (2 programmes)

• Oil Sector Work Permit — Specialized work permit for oil and gas industry professionals deployed to Chad petroleum operations.
• Work Permit (Permis de Travail) — Chad work permit for foreign professionals, primarily used in oil industry and humanitarian sectors.

Chile (1 programme)

• Employee Work Visa (Residencia Temporal — Employment) — Employee work visa. CLP 529,000/month minimum wage. 2 years to PR (fast). 5 years to citizenship. SERMIG digital portal.

China (7 programmes)

• R Visa - High-Level Talent (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Z Visa - Work Permit (Tier A - High-Level Talent) (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Z Visa - Work Permit (Tier B - Professional) (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Z Visa - Work Permit (Tier C - Temporary) (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Permanent Residence - High-Level Talent (Employment) (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Permanent Residence - Outstanding Contributions (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Permanent Residence - High Income (Beijing) (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, requiring minimum income 11,166 EUR.

Colombia (1 programme)

• M-5 Worker Visa (Regular Employee) — Regular employee visa. Employer must show ≥100 SMMLV monthly income (COP 175M). 3-year permit, renewable. 5 years continuous M-visa to qualify for R (permanent) visa.

Comoros (1 programme)

• Work Permit (Permis de Travail) — Comoros work permit for foreign workers, primarily in tourism, development, and diplomatic sectors.

Congo (DRC) (2 programmes)

• Mining Sector Work Permit — Specialized mining sector work permit for professionals in DRC cobalt, copper, gold, and diamond operations.
• Work Permit (Permis de Travail) — DRC work permit primarily used by mining companies and international organizations in this resource-rich but conflict-affected nation.

Congo (Republic) (2 programmes)

• Short-term Work Visa — Short-term work authorization for skilled assignments up to one year. Requires French language skills and employer sponsorship.
• Long-term Work Visa — Long-term work authorization for highly skilled professionals. Requires fluent French, extensive qualifications, and detailed documentation.

Costa Rica (2 programmes)

• Skilled Worker Visa — Retirement visa for pensioners with guaranteed lifetime income providing pathway to permanent residency but no work rights.
• Work Visa (Empleado Residente) — Traditional work visa requiring employer sponsorship and labor market justification for skilled employment in Costa Rica.

Croatia (2 programmes)

• EU Blue Card (Croatia) — EU Blue Card for highly qualified workers. €2,100/mo minimum (1.5× average). Spouse can work under Blue Card rules.
• Temporary Stay and Work Permit — Standard work permit for employed workers. Minimum salary at average gross wage (~€1,450/mo). Spouse needs separate permit.

Cuba (1 programme)

• Cuban Work Permit (Temporary Work Visa) — Highly regulated work permit requiring Cuban employer sponsorship and specialized skills.

Cyprus (4 programmes)

• General Employment Permit — General Employment Permit for Cyprus.
• Key Personnel Employment Permit — Key Personnel Employment Permit for Cyprus.
• EU Blue Card — EU Blue Card for Cyprus.
• Executive Director Employment Permit — Executive Director Employment Permit for Cyprus.

Czech Republic (2 programmes)

• EU Blue Card — One-year renewable visa for remote workers earning from foreign sources, with tax exemptions but no local work rights.
• Employee Card — Traditional work visa requiring employer sponsorship and labor market justification for skilled employment in Costa Rica.

Denmark (9 programmes)

• Collective Agreement Scheme (16 Countries) — Collective Agreement Scheme (16 Countries) for Denmark. New scheme launched January 2026. Significantly lower salary threshold (DKK 300,000 vs 514,000). Only for nationals of 16 designated countries. Employer must have SIRI certification valid 3 years
• Fast-Track Scheme — Fast-Track Scheme for Denmark. Employer certification requirement reduced to 10 full-time employees (from 20). Automatic 6-month job seeking permit. Can start work immediately upon application. Flexible job changes within same certified company
• Pay Limit Scheme — Pay Limit Scheme for Denmark. Salary threshold raised to DKK 514,000 in 2026. Automatic 6-month job seeking permit granted if employment ends. Pension contributions count towards salary threshold
• Positive List for Higher Education — Positive List for Higher Education for Denmark. 180 job titles on list as of Jan 2026 (down from 187). Includes Business Intelligence Manager, Movie/TV Designer, Communication Officer. Automatic 6-month job seeking permit if employment ends
• Positive List for Skilled Work — Positive List for Skilled Work for Denmark. 54 job titles on list as of Jan 2026 (down from 65). Includes plumbers, electricians, operators. Quota of 1,000 for Social/Health Care Workers. Jobs guaranteed on list for minimum 2 years
• Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme — Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme for Denmark. Introduced as alternative to regular Pay Limit Scheme with lower salary threshold. Valid up to 5 years. Subject to unemployment rate conditions
• EU Blue Card (Denmark) — EU Blue Card in Denmark. Denmark uses EU-standard thresholds.
• Greencard Scheme (closed) — Repealed since 10 June 2016. Only existing holders can apply for extensions.
• Researcher/Guest Researcher Permit — Research permit. DKK 12,770/month minimum (single). Higher for those with family.

Djibouti (2 programmes)

• Free Zone Work Permit — Streamlined work permit for employees of companies operating in Djibouti's free trade zones.
• Djibouti Work Permit — Work permit requiring Djiboutian employer sponsorship and specialized skills in key economic sectors.

Dominica (2 programmes)

• CARICOM Skilled National — Special category for skilled CARICOM nationals with automatic work rights and fast-track to citizenship. Requires university degree and professional qualifications.
• Work and Employment Permit — Standard work permit that grants automatic residency if employment exceeds 6 months. Provides path to citizenship in 3 years.

Dominican Republic (2 programmes)

• Business Visa for Employment Purposes (NM1) — Business Visa for Employment Purposes (NM1) for Dominican Republic.
• Temporary Worker Permit — Temporary Worker Permit for Dominican Republic.

Ecuador (2 programmes)

• Professional Visa — Professional Visa for Ecuador.
• Work Visa (12-VI) — Work Visa (12-VI) for Ecuador.

Egypt (1 programme)

• Employment-Linked Work Residence Permit — Employment work permit. EGP 7,000/month minimum (public sector). 1 year, renewable. No formal PR. 15 years to citizenship.

El Salvador (2 programmes)

• Central American Worker Permit — Simplified work permit process for Central American citizens with direct path to permanent residence.
• El Salvador Work Permit and Temporary Residence — Combined work and temporary residence permit valid for 1-2 years with path to permanent residence.

Equatorial Guinea (1 programme)

• Equatorial Guinea Work Permit (BI/BR/C) — Progressive work permit system starting with 1-year BI permit, renewable to 2-year BR, then 3-year C permits.

Eritrea (1 programme)

• Temporary Work Visa — Temporary work visa for skilled professionals with employer sponsorship, limited infrastructure and services.

Estonia (4 programmes)

• Top Specialist Residence Permit — Top Specialist Residence Permit for Estonia.
• Long-Stay Visa (Type D) — Long-Stay Visa (Type D) for Estonia.
• Temporary Residence Permit for Employment — Temporary Residence Permit for Employment for Estonia.
• EU Blue Card — EU Blue Card for Estonia.

Eswatini (1 programme)

• Eswatini Work Permit (Temporary Residence) — Temporary residence permit with work authorization, valid for 2 years but non-transferable between employers.

Ethiopia (1 programme)

• Employment-Based Work Permit + Residence — Employment work permit. No codified salary minimum. 1-3 years, renewable. No formal PR. 4 years to citizenship (strict).

Fiji (6 programmes)

• Long-Term Work Permit (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Short-Term Work Permit (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Work Permit - Education Sector (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Work Permit - Maritime/Fishing Crew (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Work Permit - NGO/Humanitarian (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Work Permit - Secondment/Overseas Employer (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.

Finland (2 programmes)

• Specialist / EU Blue Card — Specialist/EU Blue Card. €3,500/mo minimum for specialist roles. Full family work rights.
• Residence Permit for Employed Person — Standard work permit. €1,600/mo minimum income requirement. Spouse has full work rights. 4 years to PR.

France (9 programmes)

• 10-Year Residence Permit — 10-Year Residence Permit for France. 10-year permanent residence card. Requires 5+ years legal residence, stable income (EUR 21,600/year), language B1 from 2026 (A2 in 2025). Renewable every 10 years. Spouses of French citizens eligible after 3 years marriage. Provides professional flexibility.
• Salaried Employee Work Permit — Salaried Employee Work Permit for France. Standard work permit for permanent or fixed-term contracts over 3 months. Requires employer sponsorship and DIRECCTE work authorization. Limited to 3 renewals (max 4 years total) before requiring multi-year card or status change.
• Seasonal Worker Visa — Seasonal Worker Visa for France. For seasonal agricultural or tourism work. Work max 6 consecutive months per year. Pluriannual residence permit available (3 years) but requires annual work authorization renewal. No family reunification.
• Short-Stay Work Visa (Under 90 days) — Short-Stay Work Visa (Under 90 days) for France. Schengen short-stay visa for work assignments under 90 days within 180-day period. Cannot be extended. Does not lead to residence permit. For consulting, seasonal work, business meetings, cultural/sports events.
• Talent Passport - EU Blue Card — Talent Passport - EU Blue Card for France. Highly qualified workers. Salary threshold 1.5x French average gross salary (EUR 53,836.50 as of May 2023). Can move to other EU states after 18 months.
• Talent Passport - Qualified Employee — Talent Passport - Qualified Employee for France. For graduates with French Masters. Gross annual salary 1.5x SMIC (€41,933.20 as of 2025). Valid up to 4 years renewable. Simplified process, no DIRECCTE authorization needed.
• Talent Passport - Researcher — Talent Passport - Researcher for France. For researchers and doctoral students with hosting agreement. VLS-TS valid 1 year for stays under 12 months, or multi-year permit up to 4 years. Spouse receives family talent passport with work rights. No DIRECCTE approval required.
• Temporary Worker Visa — Temporary Worker Visa for France. For temporary fixed-term contracts 3-12 months. Spouse can join if applied simultaneously. Valid for 12 months initially, renewable to match contract duration.
• Passeport Talent — Artiste — Talent passport for artists. Must derive ≥51% income from artistic activity.

Gabon (1 programme)

• Skilled Worker Permit — Main work permit pathway for skilled foreign workers requiring employer sponsorship and demonstrating specialized skills not available locally.

Gambia (1 programme)

• Expatriate Work Visa — Main work permit pathway for skilled foreign workers in managerial, technical, or professional roles requiring employer sponsorship.

Georgia (2 programmes)

• Work Residence Permit — Standard work residence. GEL 1,500/month (5× subsistence). 30-day processing. Spouse needs separate permit.
• IT Residence Permit (Special IT Worker) — Special IT worker permit. ~USD 25,000/year minimum. 3-year validity, renewable up to 12 years total. ISCO-08 code 25.

Germany (7 programmes)

• EU Blue Card — EU Blue Card for highly qualified workers. €50,700/year (€45,934 shortage occupations). Settlement after 3 years. Digital visa portal operational since Feb 2026.
• Opportunity Card — Opportunity Card for Germany. Introduced June 2024. Allows job search for up to 12 months with ability to work part-time (20 hrs/week) and take trial employment. Can extend up to 2 additional years. Points awarded for qualifications, experience, language, age, Germany connection. Replaces old job seeker visa for non-Germany graduates. Transition to work permit possible within Germany.
• Skilled Worker Visa (Academic) — Skilled Worker Visa (Academic) for Germany. Job does not need to match academic degree exactly for non-regulated professions. Regulated professions (doctors, engineers, teachers) require professional license and recognition. Entitlement to permit if requirements met.
• Skilled Worker Visa (Vocational) — Skilled Worker Visa (Vocational) for Germany. Recognition partnership pathway allows workers to enter Germany and complete recognition procedure after arrival with employer support (requires A2 German). Non-regulated professions do not require official recognition with 2+ years practical experience as of 2024.
• Experience-Based Skilled Worker (§19c) — Skilled worker visa for experienced professionals without formal degrees. €45,630/year minimum salary. 2+ years experience required. Settlement after 3 years.
• IT Specialist Visa (§19c(2)) — Visa for IT specialists without formal degree. Requires 3 years IT experience and €43,760+ salary.
• Research Visa (§18d) — Visa for researchers with hosting agreement from a recognized German research institution.

Ghana (2 programmes)

• Discretionary Quota Work Permit — Discretionary Quota Work Permit for Ghana.
• In-Quota Work Permit — In-Quota Work Permit for Ghana.

Greece (2 programmes)

• EU Blue Card — EU Blue Card for Greece.
• General Employment Visa — General Employment Visa for Greece.

Grenada (2 programmes)

• CARICOM Skills Certificate — Special pathway for CARICOM nationals with professional qualifications allowing free movement and work rights
• Grenada Work Permit — Annual renewable work permit for skilled workers filling employment gaps where local talent is insufficient

Guatemala (1 programme)

• Temporary Work Visa — Primary work authorization pathway requiring temporary residence visa plus separate work permit with lengthy processing times.

Guinea (2 programmes)

• Long-Term Work Visa — Primary long-term work authorization requiring employer sponsorship and Ministry of Labor approval for skilled foreign workers.
• Special Skills Work Visa — Premium visa pathway for highly skilled professionals with advanced qualifications and extensive experience in specialized fields.

Guinea-Bissau (2 programmes)

• Long-Term Work Visa — Primary work visa pathway for foreign nationals requiring employer sponsorship and authorization from Guinea-Bissau Migration Service.
• Specialized Professional Visa — Premium work visa for specialized professionals with university qualifications and professional experience in high-demand sectors.

Guyana (1 programme)

• Employment Visa on Arrival and Work Permit — Employment visa and work permit valid for 3 years requiring employer sponsorship and pre-approval.

Haiti (2 programmes)

• Haiti Residence Permit — General residence permit allowing stay but requiring separate work authorization for local employment.
• Haiti Temporary Work Permit — Standard work permit requiring employer sponsorship in unstable security environment.

Honduras (1 programme)

• Honduras Work Permit — Work permit for foreign nationals with confirmed employment filling positions unavailable locally

Hong Kong (6 programmes)

• Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) — Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) for Hong Kong.
• Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) — Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) for Hong Kong.
• General Employment Policy (GEP) — General Employment Policy (GEP) for Hong Kong.
• Training Visa — Training Visa for Hong Kong.
• Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) — Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) for Hong Kong.
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) — Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) for Hong Kong.

Hungary (3 programmes)

• Single Permit (Employment) — Single Permit (Employment) for Hungary.
• Hungarian Card — Hungarian Card for Hungary.
• EU Blue Card — EU Blue Card for Hungary.

Iceland (4 programmes)

• Skilled Worker Permit (Qualified Profession) — Skilled Worker Permit (Qualified Profession) for Iceland.
• Sports Professional Permit — Sports Professional Permit for Iceland.
• Residence Permit for Work (General) — Residence Permit for Work (General) for Iceland.
• Shortage of Workers Permit — Shortage of Workers Permit for Iceland.

India (2 programmes)

• Employment Visa (E Visa) — For skilled professionals taking up local employment with an Indian entity; minimum ~USD 25,000/yr typically required.
• Project Visa — For foreign workers executing specific projects in power, steel, and infrastructure sectors; tied to a defined contract duration.

Indonesia (2 programmes)

• Work Trial Visa (B211A) — Short-term work-trial visa allowing foreign experts to test roles. 60 days extendable, not for regular employment.
• Limited Stay Work Visa (C312) with KITAS — Standard employer-sponsored work pathway. Requires RPTKA approval, IMTA, VITAS, and KITAS via Indonesian employer.

Iran (2 programmes)

• Work Permit Visa (Type F) — Work Permit Visa (Type F) for Iran.
• Kefalat Work Permits — Kefalat Work Permits for Iran.

Iraq (2 programmes)

• Employment Visa — Employment Visa for Iraq.
• Kurdistan Work Permit — Kurdistan Work Permit for Iraq.

Ireland (5 programmes)

• Critical Skills Employment Permit — Critical Skills Employment Permit. EUR 40,904/year (degree) or EUR 68,911 (experience). Stamp 4 (PR) after 21 months. 3-7 week processing.
• General Employment Permit — General Employment Permit. EUR 36,605/year (EUR 34,009 for Irish graduates). 8-week processing. PR after 5 years.
• Internship Employment Permit — Internship Employment Permit for Ireland. For full-time students at institutions outside Ireland studying disciplines relevant to Critical Skills Occupations List to gain work experience in Ireland.
• Reactivation Employment Permit — Reactivation Employment Permit for Ireland. For non-EEA nationals who entered State on valid employment permit but fell out of system through no fault of own or were badly treated/exploited in workplace. Allows return to legal work.
• Sport and Cultural Employment Permit — Sport and Cultural Employment Permit for Ireland. Replaces old sports professional work permit. Also covers entertainment sector employment.

Israel (3 programmes)

• B-1 High-Tech Work Visa — B-1 High-Tech Work Visa for Israel.
• B-1 STEP Visa — B-1 STEP Visa for Israel.
• B-1 Expert Work Visa — B-1 Expert Work Visa for Israel.

Italy (2 programmes)

• Nulla Osta - Subordinate Work Visa — Standard work visa via annual quota (Decreto Flussi). Employer sponsors nulla osta. Limited quota slots.
• EU Blue Card (Italy) — EU Blue Card for highly qualified workers. €28,399/year minimum salary (1.5x average). Exempt from quota.

Jamaica (2 programmes)

• Work Permit (General) — Work Permit (General) for Jamaica.
• Special Skills Work Permit — Special Skills Work Permit for Jamaica.

Japan (5 programmes)

• Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services — Most common work visa for white-collar foreign workers. Covers engineering, IT, translation, marketing, etc.
• Highly Skilled Professional Visa (Category 1) — Highly Skilled Professional Visa (Category 1) for Japan. Points-based system for highly skilled professionals including advanced degree holders, managers, and specialists
• Highly Skilled Professional Visa (Category 2) — Highly Skilled Professional Visa (Category 2) for Japan. Points-based system for skilled professionals with 3+ years experience
• Skilled Worker Visa (Tokutei Gino) — Skilled Worker Visa (Tokutei Gino) for Japan. Visa for workers in shortage occupations with skills training certification
• Teaching Visa — Teaching Visa for Japan. Visa for university professors and language school instructors

Jordan (2 programmes)

• Skilled Worker / High-Skilled Permit — High-skilled work permit for IT/engineering/specialized roles. JOD 1,500+/month. IT sector in Amman growing rapidly.
• Standard Work Permit — Standard work permit. JOD 1,200/month practice threshold (legal min JOD 290). JOD 300 fee for non-Arab workers (JOD 180 Arab). Annual renewal.

Kazakhstan (1 programme)

• C3 Work Visa — C3 Work Visa for Kazakhstan.

Kenya (9 programmes)

• Class D — Formal Employment (Skilled Worker) — Standard skilled worker permit (Class D). KES 50,000/month minimum. 2 years, renewable. Spouse needs own Class D.
• Class F — Manufacturing — Manufacturing sector permit (Class F). KES 50,000/month minimum. 2 years, renewable.
• Class C — Prescribed Professions (Specialist) — For prescribed professions (doctors, engineers, etc.). KES 70,000/month minimum. 2 years, renewable.
• Class A Work Permit (Mining) (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Class B Work Permit (Agriculture) (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Class C Work Permit (Professional) (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Class D Work Permit (Employment) (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Class F Work Permit (Manufacturing) (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Class I Work Permit (Religious/Charitable) (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.

Kiribati (1 programme)

• Kiribati Work Permit — Basic work permit system for employer-sponsored foreign workers in limited sectors.

Kosovo (1 programme)

• General Work Permit and Temporary Residence — Main work permit requiring employer sponsorship, leading to permanent residence after 5 years.

Kuwait (2 programmes)

• Article 18 - Private Sector Work Visa — Article 18 - Private Sector Work Visa for Kuwait.
• Article 17 - Government Sector Work Visa — Article 17 - Government Sector Work Visa for Kuwait.

Kyrgyzstan (2 programmes)

• Employment Visa W1 with Work Permit — Employment Visa W1 with Work Permit for Kyrgyzstan.
• Employment Visa W2 - Simplified — Employment Visa W2 - Simplified for Kyrgyzstan.

Laos (3 programmes)

• Business Visa (B2) — Business Visa (B2) for Laos.
• Labor Visa (LA-B2) — Labor Visa (LA-B2) for Laos.
• Expert Visa — Expert Visa for Laos.

Latvia (7 programmes)

• EU Blue Card (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Post-Study Work Permit (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Researcher / Scientist Residence Permit (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Seasonal Work Visa (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Temporary Residence Permit for Employment (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Skilled Worker (Type D + Residence Permit) — Standard skilled worker route. Minimum €740/mo. Type D visa + residence permit. 5 years to PR.
• EU Blue Card (Highly Qualified) — EU Blue Card for highly qualified workers. €1,875/mo minimum (1.5× average). Accelerated PR path in 1.5 years.

Lebanon (3 programmes)

• Work Permit (Standard Employment) — Work Permit (Standard Employment) for Lebanon.
• Long-term Work Visa — Long-term Work Visa for Lebanon.
• Domestic Work Permit — Domestic Work Permit for Lebanon.

Lesotho (1 programme)

• Lesotho Work Permit — Two-year work permit requiring in-country application after entry on appropriate visa

Liberia (1 programme)

• Skilled Worker Permit — Work permit for skilled professionals with employer sponsorship and demonstrated need

Libya (1 programme)

• Work Visa — Work Visa for Libya.

Liechtenstein (2 programmes)

• Short-term Residence Permit (L) — One-year non-renewable permit for highly skilled specialists, extremely limited availability.
• Long-term Residence Permit (B) — Long-term permit through lottery system for exceptional professionals, extremely competitive.

Lithuania (2 programmes)

• EU Blue Card (Lithuania) — EU Blue Card. €3,165/mo standard (EUR 2,532 for shortage occupations). Spouse can work.
• Temporary Residence — Regular Employment — Regular employment residence. €2,427/mo average wage threshold (EUR 2,912 if quota exceeded).

Luxembourg (2 programmes)

• EU Blue Card — EU Blue Card for Luxembourg.
• Type D Long-Stay Visa (Standard Employment) — Type D Long-Stay Visa (Standard Employment) for Luxembourg.

Madagascar (2 programmes)

• Transformable Work Visa — Transformable Work Visa for Madagascar.
• Long-Stay Work Visa — Long-Stay Work Visa for Madagascar.

Malawi (1 programme)

• Temporary Employment Permit — Primary work permit for foreign professionals with employer sponsorship and skills shortage demonstration

Malaysia (2 programmes)

• Employment Pass Category I — Top-tier employment pass for professionals earning MYR 10,000+/month. 5-year validity. Spouse eligible for work.
• Employment Pass Category II — Employment pass for professionals earning MYR 5,000-9,999/month. 2-year validity.

Maldives (1 programme)

• Work Visa (Standard Employment) — Work Visa (Standard Employment) for Maldives.

Mali (2 programmes)

• Mali Skilled Worker Visa — Premium pathway for highly skilled workers with advanced qualifications.
• Mali Temporary Work Permit — Standard work permit requiring employer sponsorship and French proficiency.

Malta (4 programmes)

• Key Employee Initiative — Key Employee Initiative for Malta.
• Single Permit — Single Permit for Malta.
• EU Blue Card — EU Blue Card for Malta.
• Specialist Employee Initiative — Specialist Employee Initiative for Malta.

Marshall Islands (1 programme)

• Marshall Islands Work Permit — Employer-sponsored work permit with 2-year validity requiring demonstration of local labor unavailability.

Mauritius (1 programme)

• Professional Occupation Permit — Professional occupation permit. MUR 60,000/month minimum. Flat 15% income tax. 20-year PRP available with MUR 400K/month salary for 5 years.

Mexico (1 programme)

• Temporary Resident Visa (Residente Temporal) — Temporary residence visa. Requires MXN 37,840/month income or MXN 631,398 savings (12-month bank balance). 1-4 year validity.

Micronesia (1 programme)

• Private Employment Visa — Private employment visa for skilled workers with job offers requiring employer sponsorship.

Moldova (1 programme)

• Long-Stay Work Visa (Type D) — Long-Stay Work Visa (Type D) for Moldova.

Monaco (1 programme)

• Monaco Work Authorization — Employer-sponsored work authorization requiring demonstration that no local candidate is available for the position.

Mongolia (1 programme)

• HG Work Visa (Employment Visa) — HG Work Visa (Employment Visa) for Mongolia.

Montenegro (1 programme)

• Temporary Residence and Work Permit for Employment — Temporary Residence and Work Permit for Employment for Montenegro.

Morocco (2 programmes)

• Long-term Work Visa — Long-term Work Visa for Morocco.
• Short-term Work Authorization — Short-term Work Authorization for Morocco.

Mozambique (3 programmes)

• Work Visa (General Employment) — Work Visa (General Employment) for Mozambique.
• Short-Term Work Permit — Short-Term Work Permit for Mozambique.
• Long-Term Work Permit — Long-Term Work Permit for Mozambique.

Myanmar (2 programmes)

• Business Visa + Work Permit — Business Visa + Work Permit for Myanmar.
• Employment Visa — Employment Visa for Myanmar.

Namibia (1 programme)

• Long-Term Work Permit — Comprehensive work permit for skilled professionals with demonstrated expertise and employer sponsorship

Nauru (1 programme)

• Local Business (Employment) Visa — Employment visa for skilled workers to fill specific roles in local businesses.

Nepal (1 programme)

• Working Visa — Working Visa for Nepal.

Netherlands (4 programmes)

• Au Pair Visa — Au Pair Visa for Netherlands. One-year permit for au pairs aged 18-30. Requires recognized au pair agency sponsorship. Provides accommodation with host family. Cultural exchange program with light childcare duties.
• Single Permit (GVVA) — Single Permit (GVVA) for Netherlands. Standard combined work and residence permit for non-EU employees. Suitable for roles not qualifying for Highly Skilled Migrant scheme. More versatile than specialized permits.
• EU Blue Card — EU Blue Card NL. €5,942/mo (EUR 4,754 recent graduates). 30-day processing. Same threshold as HSM.
• Highly Skilled Migrant Permit — Highly Skilled Migrant visa. €5,942/mo (30+) or EUR 4,357 (under 30). 2-week processing with recognised sponsor. 30% ruling still active through 2026.

New Zealand (7 programmes)

• Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) — Points-based residence visa. 180 points for EOI. Major reform coming Aug 2026 adding experience-based and trades pathways.
• Accredited Employer Work Visa — Employer-sponsored work visa. Employers must pay market rate. NZD $35.00/hr median indexes partner/5-year eligibility. 3-week avg processing.
• Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa — Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa for New Zealand. Sector agreement pathway for care workers. Introduced to address care workforce shortages. Requires 24 months work at specified wage rate.
• Green List Straight to Residence Visa — Fast-track residence for shortage occupations. Tier 1: direct residence. Tier 2: residence after 24 months NZ work.
• Green List Work to Residence Visa — Fast-track residence for shortage occupations. Tier 1: direct residence. Tier 2: residence after 24 months NZ work.
• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa — Points-based residence visa. 180 points for EOI. Major reform coming Aug 2026 adding experience-based and trades pathways.
• Transport Workforce Work to Residence Visa — Transport Workforce Work to Residence Visa for New Zealand. Sector agreement pathway for truck and bus drivers. Announced December 2022 to address transport sector shortages. Requires 24 months work experience.

Nicaragua (1 programme)

• Temporary Residence for Work Purposes — Temporary residence for foreign workers requiring employer sponsorship with path to permanent residence after 3 years

Nigeria (3 programmes)

• Temporary Work Permit — Short-term permit for experts invited by Nigerian companies to provide specialised technical services (maintenance, installation, training) for up to 90 days.
• Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) — Long-term residence and work authorization for expatriates already in Nigeria on STR; tied to ongoing employment and employer-sponsored regularization.
• Subject to Regularization (STR) Visa — For foreign professionals taking up long-term employment in Nigeria via Nigerian-registered employer; requires expatriate quota, offer letter, and multiple visa/documentation steps.

North Macedonia (1 programme)

• Skilled Worker (Single Work-and-Residence Permit) — Work-and-residence permit. ~€530/mo minimum (national minimum wage). 1 year, renewable. 5 years to PR.

Norway (5 programmes)

• EU/EEA Registration — EU/EEA Registration for Norway. EU/EEA/EFTA citizens can stay up to 3 months without registration. After 3 months must register with police. Free movement rights. No work permit needed.
• Job Seeker Permit — Job Seeker Permit for Norway. Available for graduates of Norwegian universities for job search up to 1 year. Must obtain work permit once job found. Time does not count toward PR.
• Permanent Residence Permit — Permanent Residence Permit for Norway. Allows indefinite stay and work in Norway. Provides protection against expulsion. Language requirement reduced from B1 to A2 as of July 2025. Residence card must be renewed every 2 years but status is permanent.
• Seasonal Worker Permit — Seasonal Worker Permit for Norway. Temporary permit only. Cannot lead to PR. Must leave Norway for 6 months before reapplying.
• Skilled Worker Permit — Skilled Worker Permit for Norway. Primary work visa for Norway. Can change employers in same type of position without new permit. 6-month grace period to find new job if unemployed.

Oman (1 programme)

• Work Visa (Standard) — Work Visa (Standard) for Oman.

Pakistan (2 programmes)

• Work Visa (Employment-Sponsored) — Issued to foreign nationals with a job offer from an SECP-registered Pakistani company; visa is employer-specific and tied to the sponsoring entity.
• Professional Skilled Worker (Specialized Sectors) — Targeted skilled-worker visas for physicians, engineers, IT professionals, and other high-demand roles.

Palau (1 programme)

• Nonresident Worker Work Permit — Work permit for nonresident workers requiring employer sponsorship and labor market test.

Palestine (1 programme)

• Israeli Work Visa — Work visa for Palestine territory requires Israeli authorization due to occupation status

Panama (3 programmes)

• Highly-Skilled Worker Permit — Highly-Skilled Worker Permit for Panama.
• Professional Foreigner Visa — Professional Foreigner Visa for Panama.
• Friendly Nations Visa — Friendly Nations Visa for Panama.

Papua New Guinea (2 programmes)

• Restricted Employment Visa — Short-term visa for specialized technical workers, maximum 30 days per entry.
• Employment Visa — Employment visa for skilled workers requiring separate work permit and visa applications.

Paraguay (1 programme)

• Temporary Work Residence — Temporary Work Residence for Paraguay.

Peru (2 programmes)

• Temporary Worker Visa — Temporary Worker Visa for Peru.
• Resident Worker Visa — Resident Worker Visa for Peru.

Philippines (3 programmes)

• Special Work Permit (SWP) — Short-term permit for temporary projects, training, or consultancy, up to 6 months, issued on top of tourist visa.
• Provisional Work Permit (PWP) — Temporary permit issued while 9(g) visa is being processed, allowing foreigner to start work immediately.
• 9(g) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa — Employment-based visa issued after DOLE grants an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) and BI approves the 9(g) petition. Valid 1-3 years.

Poland (2 programmes)

• EU Blue Card (Poland) — EU Blue Card. PLN 9,444/month standard threshold (PLN 7,870 for IT/shortage occupations). Spouse can work.
• Type A Work Permit (Employed Worker) — Standard Type A work permit. PLN 4,666/month minimum wage floor. 3-8 weeks for permit + 3-6 months for residence card.

Portugal (3 programmes)

• Tech Visa — Fast-track work permit for tech professionals at IAPMEI-certified companies. €1,343/mo minimum. 20-day processing.
• D3 Visa - Highly Qualified Activity — Highly qualified worker visa. €1,611/mo minimum (3x IAS). Fast 30-60 day processing.
• D1 Visa - Employment with Job Offer — Standard employment visa. Minimum wage €920/mo. 1-year permit, renewable. Labour market test required.

Qatar (1 programme)

• Work Residence Permit — Work Residence Permit for Qatar.

Romania (2 programmes)

• Standard Work Permit — Standard Work Permit for Romania.
• EU Blue Card — EU Blue Card for Romania.

Russia (2 programmes)

• Highly Qualified Specialist Visa — Highly Qualified Specialist Visa for Russia.
• Standard Work Visa — Standard Work Visa for Russia.

Rwanda (1 programme)

• V4 Employment Visa + Class I Residence (Skilled Worker) — V4 + Class I permit. ~€240/mo minimum (practical). 1-2 years, renewable. 7 years to PR.

Saint Kitts and Nevis (1 programme)

• Work Permit — Standard work permit for skilled professionals in Saint Kitts and Nevis requiring employer sponsorship with path to permanent residence

Saint Lucia (1 programme)

• Work Permit — Standard work permit for skilled professionals in Saint Lucia requiring employer sponsorship with path to permanent residence

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (2 programmes)

• Temporary Work Permit — Standard work permit for foreign nationals with job offers requiring sponsorship from local employers
• Permanent Work Permit — Permanent work authorization for highly qualified professionals with extensive experience

Samoa (1 programme)

• Foreign Employee Employment Permit (FEEP) — Work permit for foreign employees requiring employer sponsorship and labor market assessment.

San Marino (1 programme)

• San Marino Work Permit — Employer-sponsored work permit requiring local presence to apply and employer justification of need.

Sao Tome and Principe (2 programmes)

• Work Permit — Standard work permit for foreign nationals with employment contracts from local companies
• Specialized Worker Permit — Enhanced work permit for highly qualified professionals in specialized sectors

Saudi Arabia (2 programmes)

• Standard Employment Visa (Iqama) — Standard work visa (Iqama). SAR 12,000/month for skilled roles. 0% income tax. Spouse needs own work authorization.
• Premium Residency — Special Talent — Special Talent Premium Residency. SAR 14,000-80,000/month depending on profession. 5 years, convertible to permanent.

Senegal (1 programme)

• Work and Residence Permit (CIE) — Combined work and residence permit for foreign nationals planning to work in Senegal for more than 90 days

Serbia (2 programmes)

• Temporary Work Visa (D Visa) — Temporary Work Visa (D Visa) for Serbia.
• Single Permit (Residence + Work) — Single Permit (Residence + Work) for Serbia.

Seychelles (1 programme)

• Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP) — Main work permit requiring employer sponsorship and pre-approval before entry to Seychelles

Sierra Leone (2 programmes)

• ECOWAS Work Permit — Free work permit for ECOWAS citizens under regional agreement
• Mining Work Permit — Specialized work permit for mining sector with industry-specific requirements

Singapore (8 programmes)

• S Pass — Mid-level skilled worker pass. SGD 3,300/month minimum (non-financial). 10% company quota.
• Employment Pass — Employment Pass for Singapore. Minimum monthly salary SGD 5,600 (EUR 4,950). Financial sector requires SGD 6,000. Older applicants (45+) require higher salaries up to SGD 11,500. COMPASS framework mandatory from Sept 2023.
• S Pass — S Pass for Singapore. For mid-level skilled workers. Minimum salary SGD 3,150/month (SGD 3,800 for financial sector as of Sept 2025). Monthly levy SGD 650 (Tier 1) applies.
• Tech.Pass — Tech.Pass for Singapore. Introduced for tech talent. No employer sponsorship required. Can only be renewed once for additional 2 years (max 4 years total). Renewal requires SGD 270k income, SGD 100k business spending, and 1 local hire.
• Training Employment Pass — Training Employment Pass for Singapore. For foreign professionals or students undergoing practical training. Minimum salary SGD 3,000/month. Maximum 3 months, cannot be renewed. No work experience requirement unlike EP. No family benefits.
• Work Permit — Work Permit for Singapore. For semi-skilled/unskilled workers. Tied to single employer. Valid up to 2 years. Strict quotas. Monthly levy SGD 300-950 depending on sector. Cannot bring dependents. Different from EP/S Pass.
• ONE Pass — ONE Pass for Singapore. Introduced in 2023. Not tied to single employer. Allows multiple concurrent employment, entrepreneurship, investing and consulting. Spouse can work with Letter of Consent. Not subject to COMPASS.
• Personalized Employment Pass — Personalized Employment Pass for Singapore. Not tied to employer. Valid for 3 years. Non-renewable. Cannot start own business. Must notify MOM of employment changes. Pass issued only once per person.

Slovakia (3 programmes)

• Work Permit (Separate from Residence) — Work Permit (Separate from Residence) for Slovakia.
• Single Permit (Combined Work and Residence) — Single Permit (Combined Work and Residence) for Slovakia.
• EU Blue Card — EU Blue Card for Slovakia.

Slovenia (6 programmes)

• EU Blue Card (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Researcher/Academic Work Permit (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Seasonal Work Permit - Agriculture (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Single Residence and Work Permit (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Work Permit - Bosnia and Herzegovina Citizens (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Work Permit - Serbia Citizens (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.

Solomon Islands (1 programme)

• Work Permit for Foreign Workers — Employer-sponsored work permit for foreign workers with specific skills not available locally

Somalia (1 programme)

• Standard Work Permit — Work permits available through employer sponsorship with regional processing variations due to ongoing security challenges.

South Africa (2 programmes)

• Critical Skills Work Visa — Critical skills visa. ZAR 651K+/year. Up to 5 years. Points-based (2025). 5 years to PR.
• General Work Visa (Points-Based) — General work visa. Points-based. ZAR 651K+/year. Up to 5 years. 5 years to PR.

South Korea (10 programmes)

• E-9 Non-Professional Employment (EPS) — Employment Permit System for semi-skilled workers in manufacturing, agriculture, fishing, construction.
• D-10 Job Seeker Visa — D-10 Job Seeker Visa for South Korea. For Korean university graduates seeking employment. Valid 6 months initially, can be extended. Must find qualified job and convert to appropriate work visa. Can only be used for job hunting - once job is secured, must change to respective work visa. Allows part-time work in certain areas.
• E-1 Professor Visa — E-1 Professor Visa for South Korea. For professors and researchers at college-level institutions. Multiple-entry option valid 1 year, renewable in 1-year intervals. Allows F-3 dependent visa for spouse and underage children. F-1 visa for parents if annual income exceeds 2x GNI.
• E-2 Foreign Language Instructor Visa — E-2 Foreign Language Instructor Visa for South Korea. Popular visa for English teachers. Requires bachelor degree from native English-speaking country. Cannot work at kindergartens or provide private tutoring. Violations can result in penalties up to 30 million won or deportation. Multiple entry valid 1 year, renewable annually.
• E-3 Research Visa — E-3 Research Visa for South Korea. For researchers in natural science or advanced technology at designated institutions. Multiple-entry visa valid 1 year, renewable annually. Foreign entrepreneurs with IP and 3+ years E-3 experience may qualify for D-8-4 technology startup visa (max 2 years). Allows F-3 dependents.
• E-5 Professional Visa — E-5 Professional Visa for South Korea. For internationally licensed professionals with Korean government permission to practice. Multiple-entry visa for 1 year (renewable) or single-entry for 3 months. Requires additional licensing/recognition from Korean authorities before visa approval. Allows F-3 dependents.
• E-7 Foreign National of Special Ability Visa — E-7 Foreign National of Special Ability Visa for South Korea. Most common work visa for skilled professionals. Includes E-7-1 (67 professional occupations), E-7-2 (10 semi-professional), E-7-3 (10 skilled labor), E-7-4 (points system). Renewable in 1-3 year intervals. Requires specific qualifications or experience.
• F-2-7 Point-Based Resident Visa — F-2-7 Point-Based Resident Visa for South Korea. Points-based system assessing age, education, Korean language proficiency, income, and integration. Provides more flexibility than E-series visas - can change jobs and freelance. Bridge to permanent residency. 80 points required minimum in 2026.
• K-STAR Visa (Science & Technology Talent) — K-STAR Visa (Science & Technology Talent) for South Korea. Launched 2023 pilot, full implementation by 2026. Grants F-2 resident visa status to exceptional international STEM graduates from 20 participating Korean universities. 300 professionals received residency through pilot by 2025. Faster path to PR (3 years vs typical 6 years).
• E-6 Arts/Entertainment Visa — Visa for artists, entertainers, and athletes. KRW 20-40M depending on contract.

South Sudan (1 programme)

• Standard Work Permit — Work permits available through Ministry of Labor with evolving procedures due to young nation status and ongoing development challenges.

Spain (5 programmes)

• Employee Work Visa — Employee Work Visa for Spain. Standard work visa for employees. Employer must sponsor and prove labor market test or shortage occupation. Initial 1 year, renewable for 2 years. Path to PR after 5 years.
• EU Blue Card — EU Blue Card for Spain. For highly qualified professionals. Salary must be €40,000+. Allows EU mobility after certain period. Family members can work. Initial 1 year, renewable.
• Job Seeker Visa — Job Seeker Visa for Spain. For recent graduates and skilled professionals to search for employment. Valid 12 months, non-renewable. Must apply from home country. Can transition to work visa once job found.
• Highly Qualified Professional Visa — Work authorization for highly qualified professionals. Salary threshold €40,077 (non-managerial).
• Employee Work Visa (Cuenta Ajena) — Standard employee work visa. Requires job offer and employer sponsorship. SMI minimum €16,576/year.

Sri Lanka (1 programme)

• Employment Category Residence Visa — Employment Category Residence Visa for Sri Lanka.

Sudan (2 programmes)

• Temporary Work Visa — Temporary Work Visa for Sudan.
• Employment Visa — Employment Visa for Sudan.

Suriname (2 programmes)

• Short Stay Work Visa (MKV) — Short-term work authorization for assignments up to 3 months with company sponsorship
• Employment Work Permit with Stay Permit — Main employment pathway requiring employer sponsorship and demonstrating skills shortage in local market

Sweden (9 programmes)

• EU Blue Card — EU Blue Card for Sweden. For highly qualified workers in occupations requiring higher education (SSYK codes 1-3). Faster processing for complete applications.
• Job Seeker Visa (Look for Work or Start Business) — Job Seeker Visa (Look for Work or Start Business) for Sweden. For highly qualified individuals with Master's degree or higher. 9-month permit to look for work or explore starting business. Cannot work during this period. Can start working from date of work permit application filing. Introduced in 2020. No specific university ranking requirements unlike UK/Netherlands.
• Professional Athletes/Coaches Work Permit — Professional Athletes/Coaches Work Permit for Sweden. For professional athletes and coaches with contracts from Swedish sports clubs/associations. New rules implemented September 2024.
• Researcher Residence Permit — Researcher Residence Permit for Sweden. For researchers conducting research at approved Swedish institutions. Requires PhD. Counts as highly qualified worker. Researchers with permits in other EU countries can work in Sweden for up to 180 days per 360-day period without Swedish permit.
• Seasonal Work Permit — Seasonal Work Permit for Sweden. For seasonal employment in agriculture, forestry, tourism and similar sectors. Maximum 6 months per year. Renewable within same year up to 6-month limit.
• Visitor Residence Permit (over 90 days) — Visitor Residence Permit (over 90 days) for Sweden. For visits exceeding 90 days but not for work, study, or permanent settlement. No work rights. Different from Schengen tourist visa.
• Work Permit After Visiting Employer (Labour Shortage) — Work Permit After Visiting Employer (Labour Shortage) for Sweden. Special provision allowing work permit application from within Sweden after visiting employer. Only for labour shortage occupations. Strict requirements: must prove visit purpose was employer meeting, urgent need, and cannot be tourist visit.
• Work Permit (Employer Sponsored) — Work Permit (Employer Sponsored) for Sweden. General work permit for employees with job offers. Salary requirement approximately €2,650/mo. Median salary SEK 37,100 (June 2024). Dependents can work if over 16.
• Work Permit (Arbetstillstånd) — Standard work permit. SEK 29,680/month minimum salary requirement.

Switzerland (6 programmes)

• Ci Permit - International Organization Staff — Ci Permit - International Organization Staff for Switzerland. Special permit for diplomatic personnel, staff of international organizations, and their families in Switzerland. Geneva hosts many international organizations including UN agencies. Spouses and children can work in Switzerland
• C Permit - Permanent Residence — C Permit - Permanent Residence for Switzerland. Settlement permit granting indefinite stay. EU/EFTA nationals eligible after 5 years, non-EU/EFTA after 10 years continuous legal residence. Renewed every 5 years. Highest level of employment freedom and mobility
• G Permit - Cross-Border Commuter — G Permit - Cross-Border Commuter for Switzerland. For foreign workers residing in neighboring country border zones (France, Germany, Austria, Italy) who work in Switzerland. Must return to foreign residence at least weekly. EU/EFTA permits valid 5 years with permanent contract, non-EU/EFTA 1 year initially
• L Permit - Short-term Work — L Permit - Short-term Work for Switzerland. For short-term or project-based work up to 1 year. Valid for duration of contract, renewable once up to maximum 24 months total stay
• Post-Study Job Search Period — Post-Study Job Search Period for Switzerland. Foreign students who graduate from Swiss universities can stay for 6 months after graduation to search for work. If employment found, must transition to regular B work permit subject to quotas and labor market requirements
• B Permit - Skilled Worker Residence — B Permit - Skilled Worker Residence for Switzerland. Primary work permit for skilled non-EU/EFTA workers. Initially valid 1 year, renewable annually. Salary benchmarks vary by canton and occupation, typically CHF 85,000-150,000 annually

Syria (1 programme)

• Basic Work Visa — Basic work visas available under new Syrian administration with significant security restrictions and limited duration.

Taiwan (2 programmes)

• General Work Permit — General Work Permit for Taiwan.
• Employment Gold Card — Employment Gold Card for Taiwan.

Tajikistan (1 programme)

• Working Visa (Type M) — Working Visa (Type M) for Tajikistan.

Tanzania (1 programme)

• Residence Permit Class B (Skilled Worker/Professional) — Residence Permit Class B (Skilled Worker/Professional) for Tanzania.

Thailand (3 programmes)

• SMART Visa — Premium visa for highly skilled talent in 13 target industries. THB 100,000/month minimum. No work permit needed.
• Non-Immigrant B (Work Visa) — Standard work visa. THB 50,000/month minimum salary for most nationalities. Employer must have 4:1 Thai-to-foreign ratio.
• LTR Visa - Highly Skilled Professional — 10-year LTR for highly skilled professionals in target industries. USD 80K+/year salary. 17% flat tax.

Timor-Leste (2 programmes)

• CPLP Work Visa — Simplified work visa for Community of Portuguese Language Countries citizens
• Work Visa — Work visa requiring Portuguese language skills and professional qualifications

Togo (2 programmes)

• Work Visa — Work visa for foreign nationals with specialized skills and employment contract from Togolese company. Requires labor market test and employer sponsorship.
• Professional Visa — Premium pathway for highly qualified professionals in priority sectors with accelerated permanent residency timeline.

Tonga (1 programme)

• Temporary Work Permit (Employment Visa) — Employer-sponsored work permit for skilled foreign workers in specific professions

Trinidad and Tobago (3 programmes)

• Work Permit (General) — Work Permit (General) for Trinidad and Tobago.
• Temporary Work Permit — Temporary Work Permit for Trinidad and Tobago.
• Skilled Worker Permit — Skilled Worker Permit for Trinidad and Tobago.

Tunisia (2 programmes)

• Long-Stay Work Visa (Visa D) — Long-Stay Work Visa (Visa D) for Tunisia.
• Temporary Work Visa (Visa C) — Temporary Work Visa (Visa C) for Tunisia.

Turkey (2 programmes)

• Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) — Permanent work and residence for highly qualified professionals, investors, scientists. Points-based. Immediate PR equivalent.
• Work Permit (Çalışma İzni) — Standard work permit. Minimum salary is Turkish minimum wage (TRY 22,104/month gross in 2026). Employer sponsors.

Turkmenistan (1 programme)

• Work Visa — Highly restricted work visa requiring certified Letter of Invitation from Turkmen employer and State Migration Service approval. Very limited issuances.

Tuvalu (1 programme)

• Entry and Residence Permit for Employment — Work permit issued on arrival for sponsored foreign workers with confirmed employment

United Arab Emirates (6 programmes)

• Employment Visa - Standard Work Visa — Employment Visa - Standard Work Visa for United Arab Emirates. Standard employer-sponsored work visa valid for 1-3 years; requires valid employment contract and work permit from MoHRE or free zone authority
• Golden Visa - Specialized Talents & Professionals — Golden Visa - Specialized Talents & Professionals for United Arab Emirates. 10-year Golden Visa for specialized talents: doctors, scientists, engineers, lawyers, IT experts, educators, artists, athletes; requires ministry approval/recommendation
• Green Visa - Skilled Workers — Green Visa - Skilled Workers for United Arab Emirates. Self-sponsored 5-year visa for skilled workers; no employer sponsorship required; allows greater flexibility
• Employment Visa (Standard Work Visa) — Standard employer-sponsored work visa. Minimum AED 4,000/month salary. Employer handles application via MOHRE/Tasheel.
• Golden Visa - Executive Directors & High Earners — Golden Visa - Executive Directors & High Earners for United Arab Emirates. 10-year Golden Visa for executive directors with AED 50,000+ monthly salary; requires 5 years experience in same role and bachelor degree
• Golden Visa - Skilled Professional (10-year) — Long-term residency for high-earning professionals. Requires AED 30,000/month base salary. Federal-level, no emirate variation.

Uganda (4 programmes)

• Class A - Government/Diplomatic Service — Class A - Government/Diplomatic Service for Uganda.
• Class F - Professionals — Class F - Professionals for Uganda.
• Class G1 - Missionaries/NGO Workers/Volunteers — Class G1 - Missionaries/NGO Workers/Volunteers for Uganda.
• Class G2 - Expatriate Employees — Class G2 - Expatriate Employees for Uganda.

United Kingdom (5 programmes)

• Global Talent Visa — For leaders/exceptional talent in science, tech, arts, humanities. Endorsement required. No salary minimum. Fast track to ILR (3 years).
• Health and Care Worker Visa — Reduced threshold for NHS/care roles. £25,000-£31,300/yr. IHS exempt. Must be on health-care sponsor list.
• Scale-Up Visa — For high-growth company hires. £48,500/yr minimum or going rate. After 6 months, free to change employer without sponsor.
• High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa — For graduates of top global universities. No salary requirement. 2-year visa, must switch to work route after.
• Skilled Worker Visa — Main employer-sponsored route. £41,700/yr minimum or 100% of SOC going rate. IHS £1,035/yr. CoS required from licensed sponsor.

Ukraine (4 programmes)

• Intra-Company Transfer (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Seasonal Work Permit (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Temporary Residence for Employment (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 year.
• Skilled Worker (Type D + Temporary Residence) — Standard skilled worker route. UAH 8,000/month minimum. 3-year permit. 5 years to PR. Flat 18% income tax.

Uruguay (1 programme)

• Temporary Residency for Work — Temporary work residence. Minimum wage floor (~UYU 23,604/month). Often fast-track to PR in 6-12 months.

United States (9 programmes)

• Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) — Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) for United States. Annual lottery program; free online entry; up to 55,000 visas; countries with high US immigration rates excluded (China, India, Mexico, Philippines, etc.); must complete process by Sept 30 of fiscal year; DV-2026 available to qualified applicants; strict deadline enforcement
• EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card — EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card for United States. No PERM labor certification required; fastest employment-based green card; March 2026 bulletin shows forward movement for most countries; Indian nationals face shorter waits (years vs decades) compared to EB-2/EB-3
• EB-2 Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability — EB-2 Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability for United States. EB-2 National Interest Waiver allows self-petition without job offer or PERM; shorter wait times than EB-3; India nationals face decade+ waits; March 2026 bulletin shows current for Rest of World
• EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals — EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals for United States. Easier to qualify than EB-2 but much longer wait times; Indian nationals face 10+ year backlogs; China also significantly backlogged; Other Workers subcategory limited to ~5,000 annually
• H-1B Specialty Occupation Worker — H-1B Specialty Occupation Worker for United States. New $100,000 fee imposed September 2025 for most petitions; weighted selection process favoring higher wages effective FY2027; extensions possible beyond 6 years for those in green card process
• H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker — H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker for United States. FY2026 supplemental cap of 64,716 additional visas announced January 30 2026; distributed in 3 allocations; 1-year absence required after 3 years before reapplying
• E-1 Treaty Trader — Treaty trader visa for citizens of treaty countries engaging in substantial trade with the US.
• TN Visa (USMCA) — USMCA professional visa for Canadian/Mexican citizens in designated professions.
• O-1 Extraordinary Ability — Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.

Uzbekistan (1 programme)

• Employment Visa Type E — Employment Visa Type E for Uzbekistan.

Vanuatu (6 programmes)

• Development Support Visa (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Employment Visa (Long-Term) (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Religious Worker Visa (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Residence Visa - Employee (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Short-Term Employment Visa (inactive) — Employer-sponsored work permit.
• Employment Visa (Standard Work) — Standard employment visa. VUV 30,000/month minimum. 1-4 months initially, renewable. 0% income tax.

Venezuela (1 programme)

• Visa de Transeúnte Laboral (TR-L) — Work visa for foreign employees with Venezuelan employer sponsorship, subject to economic and political challenges.

Vietnam (2 programmes)

• LD1 Work Visa (Work Permit Exemption) — LD1 Work Visa (Work Permit Exemption) for Vietnam.
• LD2 Work Visa (Work Permit Required) — LD2 Work Visa (Work Permit Required) for Vietnam.

Yemen (2 programmes)

• Yemen Diplomatic/Official Visa — Diplomatic visa available only for accredited diplomatic personnel and international organizations.
• Yemen Work Permit (limited) — Extremely limited work permit available only for essential personnel due to ongoing conflict.

Zambia (1 programme)

• Employment Permit — Employment Permit for Zambia.

Zimbabwe (2 programmes)

• Temporary Employment Permit — Temporary Employment Permit for Zimbabwe.
• Long-Term Work Permit — Long-Term Work Permit for Zimbabwe.

Skilled Worker Visas by Country

Angola: Skilled Work Visa Australia: Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Australia: Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 Australia: Skilled Work Regional 491 Australia: Skilled Work Regional Subclass 491 Australia: Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 Australia: Skills In Demand 482 Australia: Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190 Austria: Red White Red Card Skilled Workers In Shortage Occupations Austria: Eu Blue Card Austria: Red White Red Card Plus Family Members Of Skilled Workers Bahrain: Golden Residency Visa Skilled Professionals Belgium: Single Permit Skilled Worker Belgium: Eu Blue Card Belize: Professional Skilled Worker Bulgaria: Eu Blue Card Canada: Federal Skilled Trades Program Canada: Federal Skilled Worker Program Costa Rica: Skilled Worker Visa Croatia: Eu Blue Card Cyprus: Eu Blue Card Czech Republic: Eu Blue Card Denmark: Eu Blue Card Denmark: Positive List For Skilled Work Dominica: Caricom Skilled National Estonia: Eu Blue Card Finland: Specialist Eu Blue Card France: Talent Passport Entrepreneurnew Business France: Talent Passport Qualified Employee France: Talent Passport Eu Blue Card France: Talent Passport Researcher Gabon: Skilled Worker Permit Germany: Skilled Worker Visa Academic Germany: Experience Based Skilled Worker Germany: Eu Blue Card Germany: Chancenkarte Opportunity Card Germany: Skilled Worker Visa Vocational Greece: Eu Blue Card Grenada: Caricom Skilled Guyana: Caricom Skilled Certificate Hungary: Eu Blue Card Iceland: Skilled Worker Permit Qualified Profession Italy: Eu Blue Card Italy Jamaica: Caricom Free Movement Of Skilled Persons Japan: Highly Skilled Professional Visa Category 2 Japan: Highly Skilled Professional Visa Category 1 Japan: Skilled Worker Visa Tokutei Gino Jordan: Skilled Worker High Skilled Latvia: Eu Blue Card Latvia: Skilled Worker Residence Permit Liberia: Skilled Worker Permit Lithuania: Eu Blue Card Luxembourg: Eu Blue Card Mali: Skilled Worker Visa Malta: Eu Blue Card Netherlands: Eu Blue Card Netherlands: Highly Skilled Migrant Permit New Zealand: Skilled Migrant Category Smc New Zealand: Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa North Macedonia: Skilled Worker Permit Norway: Skilled Worker Permit Pakistan: Professional Skilled Worker Panama: Highly Skilled Worker Permit Poland: Eu Blue Card Portugal: Eu Blue Card Romania: Eu Blue Card Rwanda: V4 Skilled Worker Slovakia: Eu Blue Card Slovenia: Eu Blue Card Spain: Eu Blue Card Sweden: Eu Blue Card Switzerland: B Permit Skilled Worker Residence Tanzania: Residence Permit Class B Skilled Worker Professional Thailand: Ltr Visa Highly Skilled Professional Trinidad and Tobago: Skilled Worker Permit UAE: Green Visa Skilled Workers UAE: Golden Visa Skilled Professional UK: Skilled Worker Visa Ukraine: Skilled Worker Temporary Residence USA: Eb 3 Skilled Workers And Professionals Vanuatu: Specialist Skilled Visa

Frequently Asked Questions

How many countries offer skilled worker visas in 2026?

As of 2026, 200+ countries & territories in our database offer at least one skilled worker visa pathway. Requirements, processing times, and costs vary significantly between countries.

Which country has the easiest skilled worker visa to obtain?

We do not rank skilled worker visa pathways by difficulty — we found no source we could stand behind for such a score. The table above shows the published income requirement, processing time and family rights for each country, which is what the comparison now rests on.

What are the typical requirements for skilled worker visas?

Common requirements include proof of income or savings, health insurance, a clean criminal record, and passport validity. Specific thresholds (income, education, experience) vary by country and programme.

Can I bring my family on a skilled worker visa?

Many skilled worker visa programmes allow family accompaniment (spouse and dependent children). Some also grant work rights to spouses. Check the family column in our comparison table above.

How long does it take to get permanent residency through a skilled worker visa?

The path to permanent residency ranges from 2 to 10 years depending on the country. Some skilled worker visa programmes offer faster PR tracks than others — see the PR Path column in our table.

Explore by Region

• Europe Emigration Guide 2026
• Asia Emigration Guide 2026
• Americas Emigration Guide 2026
• Middle East Emigration Guide 2026
• Oceania Emigration Guide 2026
• Africa Emigration Guide 2026

See also: All Pathways by Country · Compare Countries Side by Side · Immigration Glossary

Data sourced from official government immigration portals, re-checked March 2026. Requirements change frequently — always confirm with the relevant embassy or immigration authority before applying.