If you want to move abroad and find work, some countries make it easier. A few offer dedicated Job Seeker Visas that let you enter just to look for a job. Others let you job hunt through graduate extensions or short-term permits. Here’s a complete guide to both options.
Countries With Official Job Seeker Visas
These countries issue visas that allow you to live there temporarily while you search for work. You don’t need a job offer in advance.
Germany
Type: Job Search Opportunity Card
Duration: 12 months
Requirements: University degree, proof of funds, health insurance
Next Step: Once you find a job, you can apply for a work visa.
Germany now offers the “Opportunity Card” (Chancenkarte), a job-seeker visa designed for skilled non-EU nationals. It allows you to enter Germany and search for work for up to 12 months. You can take up to 20 hours per week of trial employment or part-time jobs during this period.
You must either have a recognized university degree or a vocational qualification. If not, you can qualify through a points-based system, which awards points based on qualifications, age, language skills, work experience, and ties to Germany. A minimum of 6 points is required. Applicants must also show proof of financial means (currently around €1,027/month) to support themselves.
Once you secure a qualified job, you can apply for a residence permit to live and work long-term in Germany. The Opportunity Card is valid for up to one year and can be extended if certain conditions are met.
This new visa is designed to make Germany more accessible to international talent, even if you don’t yet have a job offer.
Austria
Type: Job Seeker Visa for Highly Qualified Workers
Duration: 6 months
Requirements: Points-based system (education, age, experience, German or English skills)
Bonus: You may be eligible even without a job offer if you score 70+ points.
Austria’s Job Seeker Visa allows highly qualified non-EU nationals to reside in the country for up to six months to search for employment. This visa is particularly aimed at individuals without a prior job offer but with strong qualifications.
Applicants must achieve at least 70 points on a structured system evaluating education, work experience, language skills, age, and ties to Austria. For instance, a PhD earns 40 points, while basic German or English proficiency at A2 level adds 10 points. Applications are submitted in person at an Austrian embassy or consulate in your home country. Required documents include a valid passport, proof of funds (approximately €948.64 per month), health insurance, and evidence of qualifications.
Upon securing a job that aligns with your qualifications, you can apply for the Red-White-Red Card, a residence and work permit. Note that the Job Seeker Visa itself does not permit employment; it’s solely for job searching purposes.
Portugal
Type: Job Seeker Visa
Duration: 120 days, renewable for 60 more
Requirements: Funds, return ticket, accommodation, no prior job offer needed
Portugal offers a Job Seeker Visa that allows non-EU nationals to enter and stay in the country for up to 120 days (renewable once for 60 days) to look for work. This visa allows only one entry and does not permit reapplication until one year after expiration if the applicant does not secure a job or begin the residence process.
Submit your application at a Portuguese consulate in your country of residence. Required documents include a completed visa form, a valid passport, passport photos, a criminal record certificate (legalized or apostilled), travel insurance, proof of financial means (3× Portugal’s minimum wage), and a return ticket. You’ll also need to show proof of registration with the IEFP (Portuguese job agency) and a personal statement outlining your planned stay.
You may also submit a term of responsibility from a legal resident or citizen of Portugal who will guarantee your accommodation, food, and potential repatriation, provided they can prove financial capacity.
If you secure a job within the visa’s validity, you can apply for a temporary residence permit under Article 77 of the immigration law.
Sweden
Type: Job Seeker or Business Startup Visa
Duration: Up to 9 months
Who Can Apply: Master’s or PhD holders from outside the EU
Includes: Right to look for a job or start a business
Sweden offers a residence permit for non-EU/EEA nationals who have recently completed studies equivalent to a Swedish master’s degree (second-cycle qualification). The permit allows you to stay in Sweden for up to 9 months to look for a job or explore business opportunities.
You must apply online and receive a decision before entering Sweden. Required documents include proof of your completed studies, a valid passport, and financial means to support yourself during your stay. You’ll be asked to present your passport either digitally or in person at a Swedish embassy, and you’ll need to provide fingerprints and be photographed for your residence permit card.
During your stay, you are not allowed to work unless you receive a job offer and apply for a proper work permit. If you find suitable employment or decide to start a business, you can then apply for a different residence permit without leaving the country.
Once granted, your new permit will allow you to live and work in Sweden beyond the job-seeking period.
Norway
Type: Residence Permit for Job Seekers
Duration: 6 months
For: Skilled workers with recognized education or training
Need: Enough money to support yourself, a place to live
Norway offers a limited job seeker residence permit for skilled workers who have recently completed their education or research work in Norway. This permit allows eligible applicants to stay in the country for up to 12 months to seek employment relevant to their qualifications.
You must currently hold a valid Norwegian residence permit—such as one for study, research, or skilled work—and apply before it expires. Your education must be recognized and relevant to skilled occupations. You must also prove financial self-sufficiency with at least NOK 310,070 per year (around NOK 25,839/month), typically held in a Norwegian bank account.
During your stay, you can work part-time or full-time, even in jobs not requiring skilled labor, but you cannot be self-employed. The permit does not count toward permanent residency, and it cannot be extended beyond one year. Family members already in Norway on a family immigration permit can apply for renewal alongside your application.
If you secure a job offer in a relevant field, you can then apply for a skilled worker residence permit.
United Arab Emirates
Type: Job Exploration Entry Permit
Duration: 60, 90, or 120 days
Who Can Apply: Degree holders, no sponsor required
The UAE offers a Jobseeker Visit Visa allowing foreigners to enter the country without a host or sponsor to search for employment. The visa is available for 60, 90, or 120 days and is valid for a single entry.
Applicants must fall into skill levels 1–3 according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), or be recent graduates (within the last 2 years) from one of the top 500 universities recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required, along with proof of a financial guarantee.
Documents Required:
- Colored passport photo
- Copy of passport
- Attested degree certificate
This visa is specifically for job searching and cannot be used for employment. Once you secure a job, you must apply for a work and residence permit.
Spain
Type: Job Search Visa (for graduates from Spanish universities)
Info: Ministry of Inclusion and Migration
Note: Mostly for students finishing Master’s or PhD in Spain; limited general use
Spain offers a Job Seeker Visa that allows non-EU nationals to reside in the country for up to 12 months to search for employment opportunities. This extension from the previous 3-month validity aims to attract skilled professionals to address labor shortages in sectors like technology, healthcare, and engineering.
Applicants must hold a higher education degree or equivalent professional qualification. They should demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay, possess comprehensive health insurance, and have a clean criminal record.
Submit the visa application at the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country of residence. Required documents include a valid passport, proof of qualifications, financial means, health insurance, and a criminal record certificate.
The Job Seeker Visa is a non-lucrative residence permit, meaning holders are not permitted to work during their stay. Upon securing a job offer, applicants must apply to convert their visa into a work permit or residence permit to work legally in Spain.
Once employed, initiate the process to transition from the Job Seeker Visa to a work or residence permit to continue residing and working in Spain legally.
Countries Where You Can Job Hunt on Other Visas
These countries don’t offer job seeker visas directly, but they do let you stay temporarily while looking for work through other legal routes.
Canada
Options:
Visitor Visa (for networking, not working)
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Express Entry and PNPs
Australia
Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)
Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
Working Holiday Visa
New Zealand
Working Holiday Visa
Post-Study Work Visa
Accredited Employer Work Visa
United Kingdom
Graduate Visa
High Potential Individual Visa
Global Talent Visa
Netherlands
France
Temporary Residence Permit – Job Search or Business Creation
Ireland
Finland
Job Seeking Period After Studies
Startup Permit
Denmark
Job Search Extension After Study
Pay Limit Scheme
Japan
Designated Activities Visa for Job Hunting
Highly Skilled Professional Visa
South Korea
If you’re seeking employment abroad but haven’t secured a job offer yet, the smartest first step is to acquire skills that are in high demand. Many countries publish yearly lists of shortage occupations and fast-track applicants who meet those needs. Whether it’s in healthcare, engineering, tech, trades, or other skilled sectors, developing relevant competencies increases your chances significantly.
For those without formal educational qualifications, studying abroad can be a strategic entry point, especially in countries that allow international graduates to stay and search for work legally after their studies.
It’s important to be honest: some people spend years trying to move abroad without actively building the skills or education that would qualify them. Instead of just waiting or relying on luck, invest in your growth now. Gaining the right expertise not only opens doors to legal work opportunities but also gives you a long-term advantage once you’re abroad.
Your journey doesn’t have to start with a job offer, it can start with the right decision today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which countries offer job seeker visas in 2025?
As of 2025, Germany, Sweden, Austria, the UAE, and Portugal offer official job seeker visas. These allow you to enter without a job offer and search for employment legally.
2. Can I travel to a country without a job offer and look for work legally?
Yes. Countries with job seeker visas or graduate permits allow you to enter legally to look for work without an existing job offer.
3. What are the easiest countries to get a job seeker visa?
Portugal and the UAE are often considered easier due to simpler processes, but eligibility still depends on your education, skills, and documents.
4. Do I need a job offer to move abroad for work?
Usually, yes. But job seeker visas allow you to enter legally without one, giving you time to secure employment from within the country.
5. What qualifications do I need to apply for a job seeker visa?
Requirements include a university degree, proof of funds, a valid passport, and sometimes graduation from a top-ranked university or an in-demand skill set.
6. How long can I stay in a country on a job seeker visa?
It varies by country: Germany (6 months), Portugal (120+60 days), UAE (60–120 days), Austria (6 months), Sweden (9 months).
7. What should I do if I don’t qualify for a job seeker visa?
Consider studying abroad, acquiring in-demand skills, applying for remote jobs, or gaining international experience through internships or volunteer work.
8. Can I work in a country while on a job seeker visa?
Generally, no. You’re allowed to look for work, but not to work until you change your status to a valid work or residence permit.
9. Which skills are in demand for foreign workers in 2025?
Skills in IT, healthcare, engineering, skilled trades, and green energy are highly sought after in many countries offering job seeker visas.
10. How do I increase my chances of finding a job abroad?
Learn in-demand skills, get certified, improve your CV, network actively, apply through job portals, and prepare for interviews tailored to each country.
Still have some travel questions? Ask in our Travel WhatsApp Group .
Want travel tips and news sent directly to you on WhatsApp? Join our Travel WhatsApp Channel .
