Work Visa & Permit Routes
Every placement on WorkersFromAsia is structured around an official, legally-compliant visa pathway. Explore the work-permit route for each destination we serve — across Europe and the UK, the United States, Canada, Australia, the Gulf, and Russia.
Europe & United Kingdom
EU, EEA and UK work-permit and residence routes for skilled trades.
EU Opportunity Card
The new pan-EU points-based job-search visa for skilled non-EU nationals (2024)
The EU Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte in German) entered into force on 1 June 2024 under EU Directive 2021/1883.
Germany Skilled Worker Visa
Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (FEG) — Germany's Skilled Immigration Act
Germany's Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz), significantly expanded in 2023 and 2024, is now the primary legal framework for recruiting non-EU skilled workers directly into German employment.
Netherlands Work & Residence Permit (GVVA)
Gecombineerde Vergunning voor Verblijf en Arbeid — Combined Permit for Residence and Work
The Netherlands operates a combined residence and work permit (GVVA) for non-EU workers.
France Talent Passport & Work Permit
Passeport Talent and salarié / travailleur temporaire authorisation via OFII
France issues work and residence authorisation to non-EU skilled workers primarily through the salaried work permit (autorisation de travail for the salarié or travailleur temporaire residence card) and, for higher-qualified roles, the multi-year Passeport Talent.
Belgium Single Permit
Combined work and residence permit with regional labour authorisation
Belgium authorises non-EU skilled workers through the Single Permit (combined work and residence permit), a unified procedure introduced under the EU Single Permit Directive.
Austria Red-White-Red Card
Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte, a points-based route for skilled non-EU workers
Austria recruits non-EU skilled workers mainly through the points-based Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte), which combines work and residence authorisation in a single permit.
Denmark Work & Residence Permit
Positive List, Pay Limit Scheme & Fast-track Scheme — administered by SIRI
Denmark recruits non-EU skilled workers primarily through SIRI, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration.
Sweden Work Permit
Employer-sponsored work permit via Migrationsverket — collective-agreement wage compliance
Sweden grants work permits through Migrationsverket, the Swedish Migration Agency, on an employer-sponsored basis.
Norway Skilled Worker Residence Permit
Skilled Worker permit via UDI — Norway is part of the EEA, not the EU
Norway, an EEA member outside the EU, recruits non-EU professionals through the Skilled Worker residence permit issued by UDI, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration.
Finland Residence Permit for an Employed Person
TTOL employed-person permit & specialist permit via Migri and the Enter Finland service
Finland issues a residence permit for an employed person, often called the TTOL permit, for non-EU workers, with a separate specialist permit for higher-qualified roles.
Czech Republic Employee Card
Zaměstnanecká karta — the combined work-and-residence permit for non-EU skilled workers
The Employee Card (Zaměstnanecká karta) is the Czech Republic's primary long-term route for non-EU skilled workers, combining work authorisation and residence in a single permit tied to a specific job and employer.
Hungary Guest Worker Residence Permit
Residence permit for the purpose of employment under Hungary's guest worker framework
Hungary recruits non-EU skilled labour primarily through its guest worker residence permit and the standard residence permit for the purpose of employment, both of which tie work authorisation to a specific employer and role.
Romania Non-EU Work Permit
Annual labour quota & construction-sector fast track
Romania has become one of the most accessible entry points into the EU for Asian skilled workers.
Poland Work Permit
Type A work permit & seasonal pathways for non-EU skilled workers
Poland has one of the most active non-EU labour migration systems in Europe, processing over 500,000 work permits annually.
Ireland Employment Permit
General Employment Permit & Critical Skills Employment Permit (DETE)
Ireland recruits non-EEA workers through employment permits issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE).
UK Skilled Worker Visa
Skilled Worker & Health and Care Worker visas — sponsorship-based routes (not an EU route)
The United Kingdom is outside the EU and operates its own points-based immigration system.
Posted Workers Directive
EU Directive 96/71/EC — cross-border project deployment within the EU
The Posted Workers Directive (96/71/EC, updated by 2018/957/EC) allows employers established in one EU member state to temporarily second (post) workers to another EU member state for a fixed project or service contract — without the worker needing a separate national work permit for the destination country.
Gulf, Americas, Australia & Russia
Employer-sponsored work visa routes for our destinations beyond Europe.
U.S. Employer-Sponsored Work Visas
EB-3 Skilled Worker immigrant visa and H-2B temporary non-agricultural visa
The United States offers two principal employer-sponsored routes for skilled tradespeople.
Canada Employer-Sponsored Work Permits
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), IMP & Provincial Nominee pathways
Canada recruits skilled tradespeople through employer-led work permits.
Australia Skilled Worker Visas
Skills in Demand (Subclass 482), Employer Nomination (186) and Regional (494) pathways
Australia recruits skilled tradespeople primarily through employer-sponsored visas.
UAE Employment & Residence Visa
MOHRE work permit, labour contract & residence visa under the UAE labour system
Work in the United Arab Emirates is employer-sponsored.
Qatar Work Visa & Residence Permit
Employer-sponsored work visa, Qatar ID (QID) & Ministry of Labour contract
Employment in Qatar is employer-sponsored.
Russia Work Permit & Work Visa
Invitation, work permit and visa — with simplified access for EAEU citizens
The route into Russian employment depends on nationality and the employer's category.
All Routes at a Glance
| Destination | Route | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | EU Opportunity Card | 1–3 months (from application to entry) |
| Germany | Germany Skilled Worker Visa | 3–6 months |
| Netherlands | Netherlands Work & Residence Permit (GVVA) | 4–8 months |
| France | France Talent Passport & Work Permit | 3–6 months |
| Belgium | Belgium Single Permit | 3–6 months |
| Austria | Austria Red-White-Red Card | 3–5 months |
| Denmark | Denmark Work & Residence Permit | 2–4 months |
| Sweden | Sweden Work Permit | 1–3 months |
| Norway | Norway Skilled Worker Residence Permit | 1–3 months |
| Finland | Finland Residence Permit for an Employed Person | 2–4 months |
| Czech Republic | Czech Republic Employee Card | 3–6 months |
| Hungary | Hungary Guest Worker Residence Permit | 2–5 months |
| Romania | Romania Non-EU Work Permit | 2–5 months |
| Poland | Poland Work Permit | 2–4 months |
| Ireland | Ireland Employment Permit | 3–6 months |
| United Kingdom | UK Skilled Worker Visa | 2–4 months |
| European Union | Posted Workers Directive | 1–3 months (after initial EU entry) |
| United States | U.S. Employer-Sponsored Work Visas | EB-3: 18 months–4+ years · H-2B: 4–8 months (seasonal) |
| Canada | Canada Employer-Sponsored Work Permits | 8–20 weeks (LMIA/offer to work permit) |
| Australia | Australia Skilled Worker Visas | 6–18 months (skills assessment to visa grant) |
| United Arab Emirates | UAE Employment & Residence Visa | 6–12 weeks |
| Qatar | Qatar Work Visa & Residence Permit | 6–10 weeks |
| Russia | Russia Work Permit & Work Visa | 8–14 weeks |
Ready to Start a Placement?
Post a job for free. Our recruitment team handles the visa route for each candidate based on your destination country.