A work visa is official authorization that allows a person to live and work in a foreign country for a specific period of time. It’s typically tied to a job or employer and may be temporary or lead to permanent residency, depending on the country.
Types of Work Visas
Temporary (Non-Immigrant) Work Visas
- Granted for a limited period
- Often tied to a specific employer or job offer
Permanent (Immigrant) Work Visas
- May lead to permanent residency or a green card
- Often require sponsorship and/or a points-based system
Intra-Company Transfer Visas
For employees of multinational companies transferring to a foreign office
Eligibility Criteria
- A job offers from a foreign employer (required for most types)
- Proof of skills, education, or qualifications
- Labor market tests (in some countries, proving no local worker is available)
- Clean criminal background
- Health or medical checks (in some cases)
- Language proficiency (for some visas, e.g., Canada or Australia)