With US President Donald Trump raising the H-1B visa fee to $100,000, it has become costly for American companies to hire foreign workers. Firms like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google are facing uncertainty over their international employees. Young professionals from countries including India are seeing their career dreams stalled as the hiring process comes to a standstill. According to the White House, they have discussed with the companies before the controversial move. Here, we list seven countries where you can obtain a visa without any company sponsorship.
Which countries offer a work visa without sponsorship?
Germany: offers a Job Seeker Visa or Opportunity Card, which allows skilled professionals to search for jobs for up to 18 months. Job Seeker Visas are available to students, while Opportunity Cards are available to anyone. Upon securing a job, you can obtain an EU Blue Card or work permit.
Portugal: This European country also offers a Job Seeker Visa, which gives you 120 days to come to the country and search for a job. Your visa status can be changed upon finding a job.
Canada: Students in this country receive a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This is a type of open permit, which means you can work for any company.
Australia: This offers a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). This allows foreign students to work without sponsorship and is permitted to work full-time.
Sweden: Sweden offers a Job Seeker or Startup Visa, which lasts from 3 to 9 months. During this time, you can come to Sweden and look for a job or explore business opportunities.
Ireland: The third-level graduate program here entitles foreign students to an open work permit for 12 months (Level 8 graduates) or 24 months (Level 9+ graduates).
UAE: This Gulf country’s Freelance Permit/Green Visa (from 2021) offers freelancers and skilled professionals the option of self-sponsorship, allowing them to come and work in the country.
