How to move abroad. In this article we are considering options for labor immigration: stay after university, open a business, get a visa for talented people or remote work.
Professional immigration is important for the growth of talented employees, the exchange of experiences, and the introduction of new technologies. The easiest option is to get a job in a foreign company that will help with the move. But that is far from the only one — globalization and the development of information technology have opened up new ways for labor migration: from programs aimed at attracting university graduates to special visas for remote workers and entrepreneurs.
One of the options for professional immigration is relocation. It can be offered by a company that you already work for — for example, if there is an office abroad and your skills and knowledge will be useful there. In this case, the employer invites the employee to a foreign branch, assists him in obtaining a visa and work permit, and bears part of the relocation costs.
Another way to relocate is to get a job at a foreign company. In this case, you need to receive an official invitation from the future employer and confirm your higher education and/or work experience. After that, you can apply for a work visa or residence permit. Some companies also help new employees with paperwork and relocation — tickets, transportation, and housing near the office.
Relocation programs are especially common in the Digital and IT fields. If your specialty is in demand in a particular country, then the chances of agreeing with the employer on relocation increase. For example, Europe lacks engineers, doctors, English teachers, and social workers[1], while the US labor market needs nurses, financial analysts, translators, and truck drivers[2].
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Some countries offer special conditions for foreigners after graduation. This is how they attract capable people and retain qualified personnel. For a certain period after graduation, a foreign student can go to interviews, earn extra money, or train at local companies. Depending on the country, you can either work full time, 20 hours a week, or only look for a suitable vacancy. If you manage to get a full-time job, you need to apply for a working residence permit.
| Country | Program name | Duration | Hour limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Netherlands | Orientation visa | 1 year | None |
| Canada | Post-Graduate Work Permit Program | 8 months to 3 years | None |
| Germany | Student residence permit extension | Up to 18 months | None |
| France | 1 year | 20 hrs/week | |
| Italy | Permesso di attesa occupazione | 6-12 months | 20 hours/week |
| New Zealand | Post-study work visa | 1-3 years | None |
| Spain | Estancia por estudios superiores que cesa, para búsqueda de empleo | 1 year | Work is forbidden |
The Post-Graduate Work Permit is designed for foreigners aiming to gain work experience in Canada. Having such experience is one of the conditions for obtaining a residence permit. Under this program, you can stay in the country, go to interviews, and work full time. The length of stay under the PGWP is from 8 months to 3 years, depending on the duration of previous studies. For example, if your program lasted more than 2 years, you will be issued a work permit for 3 years. In Canada, when employing a foreigner, employers must confirm that citizens of the country do not apply for the given position. But if you have worked under the PGWP program, this confirmation is not required.
The Post-Graduate Work Permit allows time to complete the expedited residency requirements for skilled migrants with Canadian work experience — the Canadian Experience Class program.
In the EU countries, students can stay for 9-18 months after completing their studies to find a job or create a business[3]. To do so, you need to extend or obtain a new residence permit. Each country has its own requirements and features of stay after graduation.
The Netherlands allows university graduates to stay in the country for an orientation year to look for work by specialty. An Orientation Visa is issued to graduates of accredited Dutch universities. It is also possible to stay if you have completed an Erasmus Mundus, or if you have been doing research in the Netherlands for a year.
An Orientation Visa can also be obtained by a graduate of a foreign university. To do this, several conditions must be met:
An Orientation Visa allows you to work 40 hours a week or open your own business. The visa cannot be extended. When the orientation year ends, you must apply for a working residence permit.
Students have the opportunity to extend their study residence permit for 18 months in order to find a job in their specialty. This period makes it easier for migrants to enter the German labor market and paves the way for a long-term stay in the country.
If you find a permanent job during this time, you can get a residence permit based on paid activity. Moreover, employment after university, like in Canada, does not need to be coordinated with the immigration authorities — it is not necessary to prove that citizens of Germany and the EU do not apply for the given position.
Estancia por estudios superiores que cesa, para búsqueda de empleo (temporary residence permit after university) is issued for 12 months. During this time, you can look for a suitable vacancy and do internships, but you cannot work. If you find a full-time job, you need to get a working residence permit.
Read more about immigration through education
A startup visa is a full-fledged residence permit. Depending on the country, it is issued for a period of 1 to 5 years. Any entrepreneur who has a business plan or a product at the initial stage of development can apply for a startup visa.
Basic requirements for startups:
To get a startup visa, you need to submit a package of documents to the country's authorities that approve such projects. You can do this online or through the consulate. The commission reviews the business plan along with other documents and issues a verdict. The review period is from 5 to 30 business days depending on the selected country. If approved, the applicant must obtain a regular entry category D visa, and upon arrival exchange the startup approval for a residence permit.
Documents required for a startup visa:
A degree will be an advantage, but not in all countries. Passing language exams is also not required everywhere.
| Country | Visa | Visa duration | Max. number of people | Min. language level | Permanent residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Startup Visa | 2 years | 2 | B2 | 2 years |
| Portugal | Startup Visa | 2-3 years | 5 | None | 5 years |
| The Netherlands | The Dutch Startup Visa | 1 year | 1 | None | 5 years |
| Denmark | Startup Denmark | 2-3 years | 3 | B2 | 6 years |
| Estonia | Startup Estonia | 1 year | No | None | 5 years |
| Finland | Finnish Startup Permit | 2 years | No | None | 5 years |
| France | French Tech Visa | 4 years | 3 | None | 5 years |
| Germany | Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ausübung einer selbständigen Tätigkeit | 3 years | No | None | 3 years |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong Visa for Entrepreneurs | 1-3 years | No | None | 7 years |
| Ireland | STEP | 2-3 years | No | None | 5 years |
| Italy | Italy Startup Visa | 2 years | 5 | None | 5 years |
| Latvia | Startup Visa | 1 year | 5 | No | 5 years |
| Poland | Startup Visa | 1 year | 1 | No | 5 years |
| Singapore | EntrePass | 1 year | 1 | No | 2 years |
| Sweden | Residence permit | 2 years | 1 | B2 | 2 years |
| Canada | Startup Visa | Indefinitely | 5 | B2 | - |
A talent visa can be obtained by a highly qualified specialist, recognized professional, or person of exceptional talent in any field — sports, arts, education, or business.
| Country | Program name | Validity period | Possibility to relocate for family members | Permanent residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Global Talent Independent Program | Permanent | Yes | - |
| New Zealand | Talent Work Visa | 2 years | No | 2 years |
| USA | O-1 Visa | 3 years | Yes | 1 year |
| UK | Global Talent Visa | 5 years | Yes | 3-5 years |
| France | Talent Passport | 4 years | Yes | 5 years |
| China | Talent R Visa | 5-10 years | Yes | - |
This program is designed for professionals demanded in the following Australian sectors: agriculture, energy, healthcare, digital technology, entertainment, finance, and education. Internationally recognized athletes, artists, and researchers can also apply for a visa.
To get a talent visa, you need to be nominated by an Australian citizen or organization. Achievements must be confirmed: medals and awards, participation in exhibitions, or publications in a scientific publication. You must also pass an English proficiency test.
Talent visas in the United States are issued to people with extraordinary abilities and achievements in science, education, business, the arts, or sports.
Requirements (at least 3 must be met):
In addition, a US employer is needed to obtain an O-1 visa, as it is he who will write the application for a talent visa. The visa is valid for 3 years and can be renewed once a year after this period. Family members can also legally stay in the United States until the visa expires. Minors are eligible to study in the US but cannot work.
The O-1 paves the way towards an EB-1A immigrant visa, which entitles you to a green card. To apply for a talent immigrant visa, you need to have a world-famous award — Olympic Medal, Oscar, Pulitzer Prize, and others. If there is no such achievement, at least three conditions from the list above must be met. The EB-1A visa is issued for six months and one single entry. After 2-3 months of entering the United States, a green card will be sent to you by mail.
The EB-1A visa can be obtained without an O-1, but having one makes the process easier. Upon transition, you must prove that you continue working in your applied field and still have the same merit as when applying for O-1. The EB-1A transition process typically takes 1 year.
New Zealand has a Talent Work Visa for outstanding figures in culture, the arts, and sports. To get it, you need the support of a sponsor and New Zealand organization that has influence in your talent area.
In addition to the Talent Work Visa, New Zealand has a so-called accredited employer visa. It is issued if there is a contract with an employer accredited by the New Zealand Immigration Service. This visa allows you to live and work in New Zealand for up to 30 months.
After 2 years of living and working, you can apply for a Talent Resident Visa — permanent residence permit. You must still be working in a claimed talent area or for an accredited employer. Unlike the Talent Work Visa, the Talent Resident Visa entitles family members to move with the visa holder.
In addition, Australia and New Zealand offer special immigration programs for all foreigners. In New Zealand, this is the Skilled Migrant Category. It allows highly qualified specialists — people with a degree in a demanded specialty, work experience, and high IELTS score — to obtain a residence and work permit. Analogous to this is the SkillSelect program in Australia.
The application process for these programs is the same in both countries:
The Global Talent Visa allows the best specialists in certain fields (science and research, architecture, engineering, arts and culture, digital technologies) to live and work in the UK. It gives the right to work in different companies and change positions within a company without notifying the migration service. You can also go to university or start your own business.
To apply for a talent visa, you need to get approval from the competent authorities, such as the Royal Societies of Science and Medicine, the British Academy of the Humanities, or Tech Nation. It is necessary to demonstrate your skills, achievements, and leading role in the chosen field: the presence of patents, experience in implementing and using new technologies, publications in well-known media, and other evidence. Also, a visa can be obtained if you have an award in the declared area. After 3 years of living in the UK, you are eligible to apply for permanent residence.
The UK issues visas not only to recognized talents and professionals, but also to promising young people who are just starting their career path. To obtain such a visa, you need to prove that you already have achievements in the chosen field: participation in exhibitions and conferences, publications in journals and scientific publications, and so on. You do not yet have to be a leader in your field. With such a visa, you can apply for permanent residence after 5 years.
To get a British talent visa, you do not need to have a degree (of course, a PhD in the chosen field will be an advantage), language proficiency confirmation, or invitation from the employer[4].
A French residence permit under the Talent Passport program can be obtained by:
Unlike other talent visas, it is more difficult to obtain a French visa — you need to provide proof of financial solvency for the entire period of stay in France. The source of income must be the talent sector, and the amount must be 70% of the average monthly salary in France. Confirmation can be a contract with a gallery, theater, or film studio, a grant for research, and so on.
After 5 years in France, holders of a Talent Passport can apply for permanent residence, after 10 years — citizenship. To do this, you will need to pass an interview at the migration service, confirm your language level, and pass an exam on the laws and culture of France.
China issues a specific visa to highly qualified foreigners to work in areas where there is a shortage of specialists. This program is known as the 1000 Talent Plan or the National Global Expert Recruitment Program.
Foreigners with a PhD are eligible for the Talent R Visa under the following conditions:
Talent R Visa holders receive 1 million yuan from the Chinese government. Researchers can apply for a grant of 3-5 million yuan. Participants of the 1000 Talents Program, as well as their spouses and children under the age of 18, enjoy preferential health care, social security, and pension benefits in the same way as Chinese citizens.
Amid the tourism crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have begun issuing long-term visas to remote workers. This immigration tool has been dubbed the "digital nomad visa", because remote employees are not tied to one place and can "roam" from country to country. The period of stay on such a visa is longer than on a tourist visa — from 6 months to 3-4 years. Digital nomads do not pay taxes and do not need to obtain a working residence permit. However, states put forward requirements for a minimum income and housing in the country. To obtain a visa, you need to prove your monthly income and the fact of employment in a company outside of the country issuing the visa.
| Country | Visa | Min. income/month | Duration of stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | D7 Visa | 721 USD | 1 year |
| Mexico | Temporary resident visa | 1,620 USD | 1 year |
| Hungary | White Card | 2,061 USD | 1 year |
| Germany | Freiberufler visa | - | Up to 3 years |
| Iceland | Long-term visa for remote workers | 7,763 USD | 6 months |
| Dubai | Nomad Visa | 5,000 USD | 1 year |
| Croatia | Digital Nomad visa | 2,061 USD | 1 year |
| Malta | Nomad Visa | 2,782 USD | 1 year |
| Greece | Greece Digital Nomad Visa | 3,607 USD | 1 year |
| Estonia | Estonia Digital Nomad Visa | 3,611 USD | 1 year |
| Norway | Independent Contractor Visa | 36,807 USD in the account | 2 years |
| Brazil | Nomad Visa | 1,500 USD | 1 year |
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