With the international popularity of remote work and the recent return of international travel, many are eager to embrace the possibilities of our new way of working.
As workers look to expand their horizons, the traditional expat community is growing to include digital nomads and those who ‘work from anywhere’. However, working abroad is not always a simple feat, and complex immigration and visa restrictions remain despite the emergence of remote, international workforces.
But where are the easiest countries to work in the world? With over 25 years of experience in immigration services and global employment, here are our top five countries to get a work visa around the world:
The Netherlands
The Netherlands has a flexible attitude to work visas. For example, the ‘orientation visa’ for non-EU residents has very few restrictions. The basic visa allows anyone to stay in the Netherlands for a year after their bachelor’s degree with no restrictions on employment, funds, or skills. While in the country under this visa, visitors can undertake paid or unpaid work, freelance, or even start their own company. In a bid to attract entrepreneurs, those with a start-up idea can also apply for a one-year residence in The Netherlands. Due to The Netherlands’ reputation for sustainable living, language skills, and having one of the best work-life balances in the world – the nation has remained a strong favourite among the expat community.
Interested in relocating or setting up an entity in The Netherlands? More info here – Netherlands-Country-Report-KK_V.02.pdf (mauvegroup.com)
Australia and New Zealand
Surprisingly, Australia and New Zealand are high on the list for short-term working visa accessibility. They both offer free working holiday visas to visitors aged between 18-30. However, these working holiday visas’ have certain stipulations and are only valid for a period of up to 12 months. For example, American nationals applying for a 12-month holiday visa to New Zealand will need $4,200 in funds and a return ticket (or proof of their intention to buy one). The Australian working holiday visa has similar rules but also limits travellers to working for a maximum of six months per one employer. Longer working visas or permits of a different type are commonly skill-based and skills assessments may be carried out before these are granted.
Interested in relocating or setting up an entity in Australia? More info here – Australia-Country-Report-KK_V.03.pdf (mauvegroup.com)
Cambodia
Another favourite of the expat community, Cambodia is one of the most popular destinations for relocated workers. Freelancing and remote work is also very popular in the country. Those emigrating to Cambodia can attain a long-term business visa that does not need to be sponsored by a company. The business visa can be renewed indefinitely, without any need for sponsorship. However, this visa doesn’t allow residents to work in the country and a work permit will need to be obtained to work legally in Cambodia.
Interested in relocating or setting up an entity in Cambodia? More info here – Global Business Expansion | Mauve Group – Experts in Expansion
Germany
A popular location for graduate students, Germany offers work visas for international students to make it possible to work and study abroad. Berlin also offers an ‘artist visa’ for freelancers in the city – meaning people can gain residency in the country under a self-employed status. Certain requirements need to be fulfilled before an application for an ‘artist visa’ can be made, such as obtaining health insurance and writing a business plan. Germany is also in need of skilled workers in sectors such as technology and health, and industry-specific visas are sometimes offered by the country.
Interested in relocating or setting up an entity in Germany? More info here – Germany-Country-Report-KK_V.02.pdf (mauvegroup.com)
Ireland
Much like Australia and New Zealand, if a foreign national wants to attain a visa for Ireland they can apply for a 12-month Working Holiday Authorisation. Although this doesn’t come with age restrictions, applicants must have an undergraduate, postgraduate, or recently graduated (within 12 months) status. General work permits are available for those that do not meet these requirements. Ireland also has a General Employment Permit for non-EU citizens that grants up to two years of legal employment in the country. There is also a Critical Skills Employment Permit, but applicants do have to fall into one of the professions specified.
Interested in relocating or setting up an entity in Ireland? More info here – Global Business Expansion | Mauve Group – Experts in Expansion
Interested in taking your business global but concerned about visa and immigration complications? Keep up with our updates on Linkedin or speak to Mauve’s experts here: Contact us | Mauve Group – Experts in Expansion
FAQs
Which country is the easiest to get a work visa? ›
1. Canada. The first country on this list is Canada since it has a flexible immigration system for Indians and contains only a few requirements. Apart from this, when compared to most countries, getting a visa in Canada is quite affordable.
Which countries are the easiest to have your visas approved? ›- Lithuania.
- Estonia.
- Finland.
- Iceland.
- Luxembourg.
- Slovakia.
- Latvia.
- Czech Republic.
- Germany, Ireland, Denmark, Finland and Portugal eased work policies.
- Germany launched an Opportunity Card for skilled workers.
- Denmark needs foreign workers in all sectors.
- Ireland work visa has easy requirements.
TN Visa - NAFTA/USMCA
This allows a qualified individual to obtain a work visa quickly and with minimal documentation. The US job offer must be from a list of occupations defined by NAFTA. If you are a citizen of Mexico or Canada, the TN visa may be an attractive option.
- The Netherlands. The Netherlands is known for the work-life balance that it offers. ...
- Germany. ...
- Australia. ...
- Singapore. ...
- Canada. ...
- New Zealand. ...
- FAQs on Countries Where it is Easy to Get a Work Visa.
Lithuania. This country is the easiest one to get a Schengen visa. As per the reports, officials grant visas to almost 98.7% of applicants.
Which country has highest visa acceptance rate? ›- Lithuania (1.3%)
- Iceland (1.7%)
- Estonia (1.6%)
- Latvia (2.1%)
- Finland (1.7%)
Schengen State | Uniform visas applied | Refusal % |
---|---|---|
Switzerland | 556520 | 7.41% |
Italy | 1844140 | 7.37% |
Denmark | 164003 | 6.99% |
Austria | 306133 | 6.24% |
- Australia and New Zealand.
- The Netherlands.
- Cambodia.
- Germany.
- Ireland.
- China.
- Singapore.
- Ecuador.
Unrestricted open work permit: You can go to Canada and work there on any job for any employer and at any place.
Which country needs foreign workers most? ›
...
Below are the top 10 countries with the most job opportunities:
- China.
- Hong Kong.
- Turkey.
- Australia.
- Canada.
- France.
- USA.
- Switzerland.
However, Mexico is still one of the easiest countries to immigrate to from the US because of its proximity to the US. US citizens will not need a visa in Mexico if they want to stay for fewer than 180 days. You must need a Mexico Tourist Card if you are traveling without a Visa in Mexico.
What is the easiest European country for an American to move to? ›Portugal consistently tops lists of the best places for expats to live, and in fact, the number of Americans living in Portugal rose 45% in 2021, according to government data.
What is the easiest European country to immigrate to from the US? ›- Portugal. Basic language skills and at least five years of residence in Portugal are required to become Portuguese. ...
- Ireland. ...
- Sweden. ...
- United Kingdom. ...
- Belgium. ...
- France. ...
- The Netherlands. ...
- Germany.
- Andorra (1991)
- Australia (1996)
- Austria (1991)
- Belgium (1991)
- Brunei (1993)
- Chile (2014)
- Croatia (2021)
- Czech Republic (2008)
A short answer is No. Unfortunately, you can't apply for a work visa without a job offer. Your prospective employer must be willing to sponsor you for the visa and petition on your behalf.
Where can U.S. citizens work without work visa? ›Each of these countries has its own specific requirements for visa applicants, but the good news is you have some options! As an American, you can work in Australia, Ireland, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada, and South Korea.
Which country visa is No 1? ›Japan maintained its top spot for the sixth consecutive year. An American passport offers its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 186 countries and territories, with the British passport offering 187 visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries and territories to their holders.
What is the most common work visa? ›- Temporary Non-Immigrant Visa.
- Permanent (Immigrant) Workers.
- Student and Exchange Visitors.
- Temporary Visit for Business.
North Korea
It's one of the most difficult countries to get access to and acquire a visa. One will need to apply for the visa through a tourist agency, which provides state-approved tours.
How can I get visa immediately? ›
Emergency Visa for India (Urgent Indian Visa) can be applied on this https://www.indiavisa-online.org for any immediate and urgent need. This can be death in the family, illness of self or of a close relative or presence required in the court.
How do I get a visa ASAP? ›- Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- Schedule an appointment online for the earliest available date.
This means that Sweden, Norway, France, Denmark, and Belgium were the most likely countries to reject a Schengen visa in 2021.
Which country has strict visa rules? ›North Korea
It is considered as the most difficult country to enter as a visitor. Those who wish to visit the country will have to apply for the visa through a government-approved tourist agency which organises tours.
Albinen, Switzerland
The urgency of bringing this figure up is why the Swiss government has started paying people to relocate there. Families who move to Albinen can expect to receive up to 25,000 Swiss francs (almost $27,000) per adult, and up to 10,000 francs (almost $11,000) per child.
Where Americans are moving. In 2022, hundreds of thousands of people moved to Florida, Texas, North Carolina and other Southern and Western states. But some states, including California and New York, lost residents. Net migration by population change.
Which country has many job opportunities for foreigners? ›Canada: Canada, a North American country, is the most popular destination for international workers seeking a better job or a better way of life. Many immigrants choose to relocate and work in the country because of the diverse range of interesting career opportunities available.
Which country has highest demand for jobs? ›- Canada. #1 in A good job market. #3 in Best Countries Overall. ...
- Germany. #2 in A good job market. ...
- United Kingdom. #3 in A good job market. ...
- United States. #4 in A good job market. ...
- Australia. #5 in A good job market. ...
- Japan. #6 in A good job market. ...
- Switzerland. #7 in A good job market. ...
- Sweden. #8 in A good job market.
...
Emigration from the United States.
Total population | |
---|---|
Canada | 1,000,000 |
India | 1,000,000 |
Germany | 324,000 |
Philippines | 220,000/300,000–600,000 |
Nicaragua is the only country that gives you permanent residency immediately. Most countries, including Panama, start with a temporary residency and then allow you to upgrade to permanent status. Like Panama, you can apply for citizenship after 5 years of residency.
Which country is cheapest to immigrate? ›
- Vietnam. For those wanting to live and work in an exotic place, but not pay a fortune, Vietnam is any budget travelers dream. ...
- Costa Rica. ...
- Bulgaria. ...
- Mexico. ...
- South Africa. ...
- China. ...
- South Korea. ...
- Thailand.
What is Europe's most friendly country? The results are in and, according to the 12,000 people who took the survey, Portugal ranks top of all European countries when it comes to friendliness. The Iberian Peninsula also ranked highly in the 'feeling at home' category, coming in second.
What is the best European country to move to from the US? ›If you can handle the cold, Germany and the Netherlands are two of the most popular countries for expats, both offering international communities and unique residency options. Switzerland: Although many European countries offer a better quality of life than the U.S., Switzerland takes the cake.
Which country gives citizenship easily? ›You can become a permanent resident via investments, marriage, naturalisation, etc. Some easiest countries to get citizenship to include Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, Thailand, Australia and Ireland. Most people move abroad to improve their financial prospects and ultimately become citizens of that country.
Which country gives permanent visa easily? ›Many countries allow you to acquire permanent residency or citizenship. You can become a permanent resident via investments, marriage, naturalisation, etc. Some easiest countries to get citizenship to include Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, Thailand, Australia and Ireland.
Which country is hardest to get work visa? ›- China.
- Russia.
- Saudi Arabia.
- Bhutan.
- Pakistan.
- Nigeria.
- Turkmenistan.
- Iran.
- Have a job offer in the US. ...
- Approved petition by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ...
- Labor certification approval by the Department of Labor (DOL) ...
- Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160) and print the confirmation page. ...
- Schedule your interview.
- Why Move Abroad Anyway?
- The 11 EASIEST Countries for Americans to Move to in 2023. #1. Mexico. #2. Portugal. #3. Spain. #4. Greece. #5. Turkey. #6. Malta. #7. The Netherlands. #8. Thailand. #9. Belize. #10. Georgia. #11. Canada.
- Before you go… Related articles:
- Canada.
- Australia.
- New Zealand.
- Germany.
- United Kingdom.
- United States.
- UAE.
- Norway.
Japan topped the index as the country with the most powerful in the world for the fifth consecutive year. As of 2023, Japanese passport holders can visit 193 of 227 destinations visa-free, which is 85% of the world, according to data from the International Air Transport Association compiled by Henley & Partners.
What countries allow Americans to work? ›
Each of these countries has its own specific requirements for visa applicants, but the good news is you have some options! As an American, you can work in Australia, Ireland, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada, and South Korea.
Which European countries give job seeker visa? ›...
- Germany. ...
- Austria. ...
- Sweden. ...
- United Arab Emirates (UAE) ...
- Portugal.
When an immigrant wishes to gain an employment-based visa without a sponsor, they need to self-petition and file specific forms with the USCIS. Under this path, immigrants will not require a job offer from an employer. However, this type of employment path does not apply to all employment-based visas.