The New Expat Pathway: The Job Seeker Visa

As we all know, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the workforce and economies of many countries. One of the problems the pandemic caused was a freeze on global mobility which resulted in a shortage of experienced labour willing to travel and work abroad.

To lure foreign workers to their countries, a number of countries are offering a new type of visa known as the “Job Seeker Visa”.

These countries include, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, Germany and the UAE to name a few.

Job seeker visas are designed for individuals who are looking to enter a foreign country in order to search for employment opportunities.

These types of visas typically allow the visa holder to stay in the country for a limited period of time, (6 months) during which they can actively search for a job and attend job interviews.

If they are successful in finding a job, they may then be eligible to apply for a work visa and stay in the country legally.

Although the requirements of the “Job Seeker Visa” vary from country to country there are few common requirements.

Generally, these are:
• Education Level. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is required.
• Proof of funds. The applicant has to provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during the stay in the country.
• Medical insurance. The period of insurance should be for the length of their stay in the country.
• Age of applicant. Depending on the country, certain ages have higher chances of getting their job seeker visas approved (generally applicants up to 35 years of age have a higher chance of getting a visa).

The Job Seeker visa differs from a work or business visa in that it gives the opportunity for the applicant to explore and consider many different factors and industries while being in the country before finally moving to that country.

For those first-time expats keen to obtain a job seeker visa, there are a few things to consider. Some of these facts include:-

Culture Shock: This visa gives the opportunity to get introduced to the culture and decide whether you can live in the country or not. Most of the time you won’t have the answers until you try living in the place for a while.

Cost of living: Even if you have visited this country before as a tourist or you have done your research regarding the cost of living, actually experiencing life in the country on a job seeker visa is an ideal way of ‘testing the waters’.

Laws and regulations: A common mistake is assuming that the impact of laws on your daily life is the same as your home country. In many cases that is not true. Some countries still have quite prescriptive social laws and experiencing life in a jurisdiction ‘day to day’ is often a worthwhile exercise before committing to a move.

The benefits of a obtaining a job seeker visa include the opportunity to explore new career opportunities in foreign countries, the ability to gain international work experience, and the chance to immerse oneself in a new culture and build a global network.

Additionally, a successful job search can lead to long-term residency and citizenship in the host country.

With careful planning, research, and preparation, a job seeker visa can be a great pathway to find meaningful work and build a fulfilling life in a new country.