It is often a challenge to get a work visa in a foreign country, especially if you have no qualifications or skills, you won’t even qualify for most work visas. Usually, you need to have a job first, and then your employer will sponsor you for a work visa.
Nevertheless, various countries offer visa options for digital travelers and freelancers by making it easier for self-employed individuals to get a work visa.
Below are the countries you can easily get a Work Visa to travel to. They are selected based on their outstanding opportunities for independent work.
COUNTRIES YOU CAN EASILY GET A WORK VISA
• Germany
• Canada
• Estonia
• Norway & Svalbard
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Netherlands
• South Korea
• Ireland
GERMANY
Germany is on this list because of its labor shortage. Due to an aging population, Germany is concentrated on bringing in more immigrants to fill in the labor market. This means that, to get a work visa for Germany, you have to be a skilled individual and have work experience.
If you don’t already have a job offer in Germany, you can always apply for a job seeker visa, letting you stay in Germany for several months and find work. Once you have a job, you can then apply for a regular work visa. In addition, Germany has a freelance visa alternative for those who want to work on their own.
CANADA
Canada is always looking for new residents and they provide numerous working visa options. One of the most prominent immigration programs is the Express Entry Program. This is a points-based program, so you must score enough points on the scoreboard to qualify for the visa. You are usually examined based on your skills, education, work experience, age, training, and language skills.
If you don’t qualify for the Express Entry Program, you can explore other visa options. For instance, Canada also give a temporary foreign worker program and a postgraduate visa for international students who want to work there after their studies are over.
ESTONIA
Estonia is one of the simplest European countries to get a work visa for freelancers. It offers a wonderful visa program allowing you to stay in Estonia for a year as a tourist while working remotely.
To qualify for the visa, you have to prove that you are working with telecommunication technology and have a work contract. You can either show that you have a work contract with a foreign employer/company or that you are doing freelance work for clients you have a contract with.
NORWAY & SVALBARD
Norway gives a visa for digital travelers who want to live and work in Svalbard. Svalbard is an independent territory from Norway, and it’s one of the easiest countries to move to because you don’t actually need a visa. However, to get to Svalbard, you have to go through Norway, and you may need a visa for Norway- hence the digital nomad visa.
Once you get the visa and enter Svalbard, you can stay there indefinitely as long as you have enough money to support yourself and you can provide proof that you are employed. But, remember that Svalbard has a cold climate and bear population. So you have to choose wisely.
AUSTRALIA
This country provides several working visa programs. Because there are so many visa options available, this makes it easy to get a work visa because you have higher chances to qualify for at least one visa type. However, meeting the criteria is not as simple as you think.
Usually, you have to be between 30 to 55 years old, have higher education, be an expert in your field, and have related work experience. You can also apply for a sponsor visa if you have found a job in Australia, and your employer will support you for the visa.
Depending on your condition, you can apply for either of the following visa categories:
~ Employer Nomination Visa
~ Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional Visa
~ Skilled Independent Visa
~ Skilled Recognized Graduate Visa
~ Business and Investment Visa
NEW ZEALAND
Here, they have many working visa varieties. This makes it easier for you to search and find a visa that suits your specific set of skills. The interesting part about a New Zealand work visa is that people over 50 have several options they can choose from.
In addition to this, New Zealand offers a working holiday visa available to the citizens of a country that have an agreement with New Zealand. You can stay in New Zealand with a working holiday visa for up to 12 months. So, for instance, if you are from the UK or Canada, you can apply for a 23-month working holiday visa.
NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands has an excellent program for entrepreneurs and start-up business ideas. If you have a business idea that meets the qualifications, you can apply for a one-year residency. During this time, you will meet with a mentor, work on your business, and make sure it’s a success.
After your one-year residency visa expires, you can apply for a self-employment visa or a regular residency visa which allows you to work in the Netherlands.
SOUTH KOREA
For native speakers of the English language, South Korea is one of the easiest countries to get a work visa to. This is because of its E2 teaching visa, which allows you to move to South Korea and teach English with only a bachelor’s degree. To qualify for an E2 Korean visa, you have to a native of one of the following countries:
~ USA
~ Canada
~ Australia
~ New Zealand
~ England
~ Ireland
~ South Africa
IRELAND
You can get a work visa to Ireland quickly via a working holiday visa. To qualify for a working holiday visa in Ireland, you have to be a citizen of the following countries:
~ Argentina
~ Australia
~ Canada
~ Chile
~ Hong Kong
~ Japan
~ New Zealand
~ South Korea
~ Taiwan
~ USA
You can stay and work in Ireland with a working holiday visa for up to 12 months unless you are from Canada, then you can stay for up to 24 months.
If you don’t meet the criteria for a working holiday visa, then Ireland has other working visas such as the General Employment Permit. To get a General Employment Permit, you have to find a job in Ireland (no limitations to the job), or qualify for intra-company transfer.
In addition to this, you can also get a Critical Skills Employment Permit. But, for this visa, you have to be highly skilled, and you must apply for a job in a profession that is in shortage in Ireland.
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