Is it a new way to attract international talent? Today, more and more professionals worldwide are seeking new career opportunities overseas. But these opportunities (despite the labor shortages in many countries) are not that easy to understand and to grasp. Even when job opportunities are available, the cumbersome administrative procedures could discourage even the most willing job seekers. So are jobseeker visas the answer to your questions? That would mean going abroad, not with a job already in hand but to look for a job.
A visa to attract foreign talent from around the world
The job seeker visa is a special visa for individuals seeking employment abroad. Countries offering this special visa want to have a more simplified and flexible pathway, different from the usual ones. To obtain it, there are very few formalities, like proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in the country and, eventually, international health insurance. But the jobseeker visa is reserved for talented expats, more specifically qualified foreign professionals and university graduates. This is a deliberate restriction made by countries, with a straightforward initial selection of candidates. The job seeker visa is a short-term visa, valid for up to 6 months in general). It cannot be used as a means to work; rather, it is solely designed for job seeking. Once the candidate has found a job, the job seeker visa can be converted to a work permit visa. Let's focus on the countries offering jobseeker visas.
Austria
Austria has set up a foolproof policy. This visa is another means for a qualified foreigner to get a job in the country. For the country, it's another way to attract and retain foreign talents. The Austrian job seeker visa is a point-based visa, valid for six months, with several criteria, including age, qualifications, professional experience, level of studies reached, and English language proficiency. Candidates must score at least 70 points to be eligible for this visa. The required criteria must all be deemed satisfactory to the Austrian authorities. For instance, only highly qualified foreigners can seek this visa, which costs 120 euros. As soon as the candidate has been offered a job, they can convert the jobseeker visa into the Red-White-Red card, valid for two years.
United Arab Emirates
In an attempt to reinforce its influence internationally and attract more foreign talent, the UAE has also introduced a jobseeker visa, valid for two, three, or six months. To qualify, candidates must possess a valid passport and show proof of solid personal financial stability. It's worth noting that this visa is specifically intended for graduates from a prestigious international university (from the Top 500 best universities in the world and approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation).
Germany
The German jobseeker visa is also intended for qualified foreign professionals who are higher education graduates from a German university or from abroad. The candidates must have at least five years of experience and possess travel or international health insurance coverage. The German jobseeker visa is valid for six months and cannot be renewed, and it costs 75 euros. In addition, candidates must show proof of sufficient funds to support themselves for the whole duration of their stay in Germany.
France
France offers a residence permit (job-seeking/startup activities) for non-European nationals with a French higher education degree (Master's or equivalent). However, this residence permit has more restrictions than the job seeker visa. Candidates must look for a job or set up their business in the specific area of study and training they received in France as international students. The resident permit is valid for one year and cannot be renewed. It costs 75 euros.
Sweden
The Swedish jobseeker visa is still relatively new. Launched in June 2022, it is designed – like the other jobseekers visas – for highly educated university graduates. However, Sweden has not limited its jobseeker visa to only those seeking employment there. Foreigners looking to start a business in Sweden can also apply for this visa. In both cases, when applying for the visa, candidates must not be residing in Sweden, have a valid passport, have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in Sweden, and have international health insurance coverage. The Swedish jobseeker visa is valid for three months and can be extended for nine months. It costs 190 euros.
Portugal
Portugal is one of the few countries which do not have a specific grade education barrier for those applying for the job seeker visa. Candidates are only required to show proof of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in the country and must have a valid passport as well as health and travel insurance coverage. The candidate must also possess a return ticket clearly indicating their arrival and departure dates. The Portuguese jobseeker visa costs 90 euros and is valid for 6 months (renewable for 2 more months).
Benefits for European Union citizens
As a reminder, European Union (EU) citizens can seek employment in another EU country without a visa. There are no specific formalities. European candidates wishing to work in another EU country have the same rights to job access as they would have in their own country. They only need to have their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) ready at least one month before their departure. The EHIC is free of charge and is valid for one year. It is available at your local health insurance provider.
But be careful about the duration of your stay. Usually, EU candidates are allowed to stay for 6 months without having to register themselves with local authorities. However, they must be in an actual job-seeking situation and keep all the necessary proof of job-seeking as local authorities can ask for these proofs after the initial six months. Candidates can also be asked to present proof of sufficient funds to determine whether they are eligible for a residence permit. In any case, candidates should seek information from the authorities of the EU country they want to live and work in.
Useful links:
France : residence permit for job seekers/startuppers
United Arab Emirates - jobseeker visa
