Job Seeker Visas: A Path to Relocate Without Employer Sponsorship
You can move to a new country legally and hunt for a job only afterwards with these special visas.
If you want to work in a new country, one of my recent posts recommends finding a remote job before relocating. That’s right: This alternative method flips the classical strategy of having a company sponsor you. With this new method, you get a job and leverage that very same job to live abroad.
But what if you would like to take it even further? What if you want to move abroad first, settle down, and then start the job hunt? There’s also a safe way to do this. Through job seeker visas.
Though the typical way to relocate is by finding an employer willing to sponsor your visa before you move, there are also safe alternative paths. I call them “No Employer Required” paths, and I’ve dealing with them in a series of posts.
Among these options are job seeker visas, which I’ll address today.
Countries like Germany, Austria, Sweden, Portugal, and the UAE offer these visas and invite you to enter and search for work without needing a company to sponsor you upfront. The catch? You still need to prove you’re a strong candidate—things like professional experience, qualifications, or specialized skills can make a big difference in getting approved.
Through this post, I’ll go over how job seeker visas work, which countries offer them, and what you need to qualify. If you’re looking for a way to relocate without employer sponsorship, this might be your best bet.
The job seeker visa: A way to work abroad
A job seeker visa lets you move to a country temporarily while you look for work. I will say it again: You don’t need a job offer upfront to move there. Unlike employer-sponsored visas, this one gives you the freedom to job hunt on your own terms.
You just need to prove you have the right qualifications, work experience, and enough savings to support yourself while you search. If you land a job before your visa runs out, you can usually switch to a work visa or residence permit and stay long-term.
If you can’t find a job, you need to pack and leave
In many countries, if you can’t find a job in the time window the visa grants you, you need to fly back home. That’s why I also recommend that you browse a curated list of companies that hire international workers.
Some countries that are offering job seeker visas
While not many countries have dedicated job seeker visas, there are a few that offer you this pathway:
Germany – Job Seeker Visa 🇩🇪
This visa is usually valid for six months. That means, you have six months to find a job.
You need at least five years of professional experience or a recognized degree to qualify.
You must prove you have enough funds to support yourself.
If you secure a job, you can switch to a work permit.
It costs $80.
Visit this site for more details. If you’re looking to find a job in Germany, you should check a curated list of job boards for software engineers. Many of these sites hire specifically in Germany.
Austria – Job Seeker Visa 🇦🇹
Austria has designed this visa for highly skilled professionals in shortage occupations. And the government lists occupations that go along with software engineering.
It’s based on a points-based system that considers qualifications, experience, and language skills.
It allows a six-month stay to search for a job.
If you get a job offer while your visa is still valid, you can apply for a Red-White-Red Card.
It costs $160.
Here you can find more information about the requirements and application process.
Sweden – Job Seeker Visa 🇸🇪
It’s valid for up to nine months, but never for longer than your passport is valid.
You must have a completed advanced degree (master’s or higher) to apply.
You'll need to show you can support yourself financially during your stay.
If you get a job, you can apply for a work or residence permit.
The application costs SEK 2,200 ($230)
In this link you can find detailed information about it. Just keep in mind that Sweden is becoming more strict with their immigration policy.
UAE – Jobseeker Visit Visa 🇦🇪
They actually spell it jobseeker. Joke’s on them.
You can apply for it with a validity of either 60, 90 or 120 days.
This visa requires a bachelor’s degree in high-demand fields.
You'll need to have graduated within the last two years from a university that's ranked in the top 500 worldwide, according to the classification approved by the Ministry of Education.
It lets you switch to a work visa once you've got a job.
The 60-days visa costs AED 200 ($55), the 90-days visa costs AED 300 ($80), and the 120-days visa costs AED 400 ($110).
Get to know more about the UAE’s Jobseeker visit visa on its official site.
Portugal – Job Seeker Visa 🇵🇹
It’s valid for 120 days, renewable for another 60 days, but it allows only one entry into Portugal.
Applicants must schedule an appointment with immigration services within the first 120 days.
If you get a job, you can apply for a residence permit under general immigration rules.
You must provide proof of financial resources equivalent to at least three months’ minimum salary (€2,610 in 2025).
Like all of Portugal’s National Visas, it costs €110.
Here you can find more detailed information about it.
⚠️ Be warned, job seeker: Portugal’s visa program is outstanding, but, information in English about their visas is a bit confusing. So, settle for either official sources or well-researched articles. Don’t make decisions based on some AI-generated fluff content! You’ll bang your head against the screen when you try to start a webapp that a sketchy site pointed to, and realize it just won’t load.
Maybe you need a job seeker visa—or perhaps you need something else
A job seeker visa gives you the freedom to move first and job hunt later. But, if you choose this path, you’ll need enough savings to cover your expenses. On top of this, if you don’t find a job in time, you’ll have to leave—or figure out another visa option.
That said, if you’re a skilled professional looking to break into the international job market without waiting for an employer to sponsor you, this could be a solid way to make your move. If you meet the requirements, why not take the leap?
In The Global Move, I’ve also addressed two paths which, as I say, require no employer to live and work abroad. Those paths have their own posts, and they are:
Talent Visas for Independent Relocation (coming soon)
I suggest you browse over them before making a decision. Maybe those visa pathways suit you better.
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