Work Visa

For employment abroad with employer sponsorship, skilled worker programs, and intra-company transfers.

A work visa authorizes foreign nationals to take up employment in another country. Unlike business visas (which prohibit local employment), work visas are specifically designed for individuals who will be employed by and receive compensation from an employer in the host country.

Most work visa systems require employer sponsorship, meaning a company must demonstrate they have a legitimate need for your specific skills and that no suitable local candidate is available. The employer typically initiates the application process and must comply with labor regulations, minimum salary requirements, and reporting obligations.

Work visas vary significantly by country and visa category. Some are points-based systems prioritizing education and experience, while others focus on critical skill shortages or allow intra-company transfers for multinational corporations. Understanding which category fits your situation is crucial for a successful application.

Common Work Visa Categories

General Skilled Worker Visas: Open to most occupations with employer sponsorship. Require job offer, professional qualifications, and salary above minimum threshold. Examples: UK Skilled Worker visa, US H-1B, Canada work permits.

Highly Skilled/Talent Visas: Prioritize individuals with advanced degrees, exceptional abilities, or high earning potential. May offer faster processing, longer validity, or points-based pathways. Examples: EU Blue Card, Australia Skilled Migration, Singapore Employment Pass.

Intra-Company Transfers: Allow multinational companies to transfer existing employees to offices in other countries. Typically require minimum employment period (often 1 year) with the company. Examples: US L-1, UK ICT, EU ICT Directive.

Seasonal/Temporary Work: For agriculture, hospitality, tourism, or short-term projects. Usually limited duration and may have restrictions on renewal. Examples: US H-2A/H-2B, UK Seasonal Worker, Canada Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.

General Requirements

1
Valid job offer and employment contract
Detailed contract specifying position, duties, salary, working hours, and employment duration. Must come from a licensed/registered employer.
2
Labor market test (if applicable)
Employer must prove they advertised the position locally and no suitable citizen/resident was available. Some categories (highly skilled, ICT) are exempt.
3
Minimum salary requirement
Salary must meet or exceed category-specific thresholds. UK: £38,700 for Skilled Worker; Germany: €45,300 for EU Blue Card; US H-1B: prevailing wage.
4
Professional qualifications
Educational credentials, professional licenses, or proof of relevant work experience. May require credential evaluation or recognition.
5
Employer sponsorship license
Sponsoring employer must hold valid license to hire foreign workers. This involves government vetting and compliance monitoring.
6
Background checks
Police clearance certificates, health examinations, and valid passport (typically 6+ months validity).

Employer Sponsorship Obligations

Sponsoring employers typically must:

Hold a valid sponsor license from immigration authorities
Pay salary at or above the required minimum for the visa category
Provide genuine full-time employment matching the visa application
Report changes in employment status (termination, leave, job changes)
Maintain records for inspection by labor and immigration authorities
Not replace local workers or undermine labor market conditions
In some countries: contribute to social security, training levies, or immigration skills charges

Visa Tied to Specific Employer

In most countries, your work visa is tied to your sponsoring employer. Changing jobs, getting promoted to a significantly different role, or being terminated all affect your visa status.

If you change employers, you typically need to apply for a new work visa or transfer of sponsorship. Working for a different employer without authorization can result in visa cancellation, deportation, and future entry bans.

If your employment is terminated, you may have a grace period (UK: 60 days, US: varies) to find new sponsorship or leave the country. Plan ahead and understand your rights.

Validity Period and Extensions

Work visas are typically issued for 1-3 years initially, often aligned with employment contract length. Most can be extended or renewed as long as employment continues and visa requirements are still met.

Maximum stay limits vary: US H-1B allows 6 years total (with extensions if green card in process), UK Skilled Worker up to 5 years before permanent residence eligibility, Germany EU Blue Card 4 years initially with permanent residence pathway after 33 months.

Extensions usually require proof of continued employment, updated salary meeting current thresholds, clean immigration record, and sometimes employer re-licensing or labor market test.

Pathway to Permanent Residence

Many work visa categories offer pathways to permanent residence (green card, indefinite leave to remain, permanent residency) after sustained employment:

UK: Skilled Worker can apply for settlement after 5 years continuous residence.

Germany: EU Blue Card holders eligible for permanent residence after 33 months (21 months with German language B1).

Canada: Most work permit holders can apply through Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs.

Australia: Employer-sponsored visas (subclass 186/187) can lead to permanent residency.

US: H-1B holders can pursue EB-2/EB-3 employment-based green cards (timeline varies widely by country of origin).

Bringing Family Members

Most work visa categories allow you to bring immediate family members (spouse/partner and dependent children) on dependent visas.

Dependent rights vary by country: some allow dependents to work immediately (Germany, Australia), others require separate work authorization (US H-4, UK dependent visa). All typically allow children to attend school.

Bringing dependents increases financial requirements—you must prove higher income or savings to support additional family members (typically 50-100% increase per dependent).

Common Rejection Reasons

Employer lacks valid sponsorship license or has compliance issues
Salary below minimum threshold for visa category
Job doesn't meet skill level requirements (must be professional/skilled role)
Failed labor market test—suitable local candidates were available
Insufficient or non-recognized qualifications
Previous immigration violations or overstays
Concerns about genuineness of job offer or employer legitimacy
Incomplete documentation or inconsistencies in application

Practical Tips

Research visa categories early. Different routes have different requirements—what works for one person may not suit your situation.

Ensure your employer is a licensed sponsor before accepting a job offer. Unlicensed employers cannot sponsor work visas.

Negotiate salary carefully. If it's below the visa threshold, your application will be denied regardless of other qualifications.

Keep detailed employment records: contracts, pay slips, tax documents, performance reviews. Essential for extensions and permanent residence applications.

Understand your notice period and visa implications if employment ends. Have a contingency plan.