Skilled-worker visas — where qualified professionals move

Employer-sponsored residence permits for specialists and university-educated workers. Often the fastest route to permanent residency.

01 BR Brazil · VITEM II — Skilled Worker Authorisation Non-Brazilian professionals hired by Brazilian employers. · 8–16w processing · path to PR No floor 02 CA Canada · Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry) Skilled workers ranked via Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). · 24–52w processing · path to PR · 5 published outcomes No floor 03 CN China (Mainland) · R Visa — High-Level Foreign Talent Top-tier scientists, executives, and specialist professionals. · 2–5w processing · path to PR No floor 04 FR France · Talent – EU Blue Card Non-EU graduates with a qualifying job offer and EU intra-mobility needs. · 3–6w processing · path to PR EUR 59,373 05 DE Germany · Skilled Worker Visa (§18a / §18b) Qualified professionals with vocational training or a degree · 4–16w processing · path to PR No floor 06 DE Germany · Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) Qualified job seekers without an offer yet · 4–12w processing No floor 07 IE Ireland · Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) Non-EEA professionals in occupations on the Critical Skills list. · 4–12w processing · path to PR · 5 published outcomes EUR 38,000 08 IT Italy · EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE) Non-EU workers with recognised higher-education qualifications and a qualifying job offer. · 6–12w processing · path to PR EUR 38,000 09 IT Italy · Highly Skilled Worker (Lavoratore Altamente Qualificato) Non-EU professionals for senior or specialist roles at Italian employers. · 4–12w processing · path to PR No floor 10 JP Japan · Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Highly-qualified workers fast-tracked to long-term residence. · 2–6w processing · path to PR No floor 11 JP Japan · Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) — Type 1 / Type 2 Mid-skilled workers in 14 designated labour-shortage sectors. · 4–10w processing · path to PR · 4 published outcomes No floor 12 NL Netherlands · Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) Non-EU qualified professionals with a Dutch recognised employer. · 2–4w processing · path to PR · 4 published outcomes EUR 5,688 13 NL Netherlands · EU Blue Card Non-EU workers with a higher-education qualification and a qualifying job offer. · 4–12w processing · path to PR EUR 5,688 14 NZ New Zealand · Green List — Straight to Residence Highly-skilled workers in designated shortage occupations. · 12–26w processing · path to PR No floor 15 ZA South Africa · Critical Skills Work Visa Professionals whose skills fall on the government's critical-skills list. · 6–12w processing · path to PR No floor 16 KR South Korea · E-7 Foreign Skilled Worker Managers, technical specialists, and qualified professionals. · 3–8w processing · path to PR No floor 17 GB United Kingdom · Skilled Worker visa Qualified workers with a UK sponsor licence-holder employer. · 3–8w processing · path to PR · 6 published outcomes GBP 41,700 18 DE Germany · EU Blue Card Non-EU graduates taking a qualified role in Germany · 4–12w processing · path to PR · 6 published outcomes EUR 48,300
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Frequently asked

What's the typical salary floor for skilled-worker visas?
The EU Blue Card floor is currently ~€45,000–€56,000/year depending on member state (approximately 1.0–1.5× national average salary). UK Skilled Worker needs £38,700; Australia 482 TSS £73,150 AUD; Canada varies by NOC level.
Do I need a job offer first?
Almost always — yes. The visa is a sponsorship vehicle, and you must have a named employer willing to sponsor before applying. Some countries (Germany Chancenkarte, Austria RWR-Card points-based) let you enter first to job-search.
How long until I can apply for permanent residency?
Typical window: 3–5 years of continuous residence on the visa, with salary and tax-compliance requirements. Portugal (5yrs), Germany (33 months on a Blue Card — 21 with B1 German), Ireland (5yrs), UK (5yrs).