No Employer Required: How Growing Your Skills Can Lead to Talent Visas and Independent Relocation

If you demonstrate to your new country that you’re skillful, you can move abroad without employer sponsorship.

If you’re a pro looking to work abroad, but the classic process of getting a visa through an employer feels too restrictive to you, you should know there is an alternative path: Talent Visas.

With Talent Visas, you don’t need an employer to sponsor your relocation. And if you’ve read my initial post on the No Employer Required series, you’ll know alternative relocation paths like this are growing in popularity.

But you might be asking: If I don’t need an employer, what do I need then?

You need skills you can proudly show off. Talent Visas are based on professional achievements and contributions. Countries such as the USA, UK, France, and Australia are opening doors for skilled individuals in plenty of fields, which typically include tech. The UK even assigns visas to musicians!

To qualify for these pathways, you’ll need to convincingly prove your expertise in your given field. In some cases, the easiest way in is to be endorsed by an organization, such as a university.

But, if you’re a software engineer, you can prove your chops through published works, contributions to open-source projects, speaking engagements at conferences, or an impressive portfolio. In fact, having a solid online presence—like an active GitHub profile or notable media recognition—can weigh just as heavily as traditional qualifications (namely, a super neat resume).

Next, I’m going to explain how you can do this well and give some examples from different countries to help you figure out your next steps.

Top talent visas that let you relocate without an employer or job offer

Here you can find some of the best options around talent visas, with their main points and official sites:

United States – O-1 Visa 🇺🇸

• For those with “extraordinary ability” in fields like science, arts, education, business, or athletics.

• Requires formal evidence of significant achievements, such as published work or media recognition.

• Typically valid for up to three years, with possible extensions.

Here’s the official U.S. government site for more information.

United Kingdom – Global Talent Visa 🇬🇧

• Open to experts in tech, academia, arts, and culture.

• You don’t need a job offer. But most applicants will need an endorsement from an approved organization to confirm their skill sets. Still, if you’ve won an authorized award, you can apply straight away.

• It offers a direct path to permanent residency, as it allows you to stay in the UK for up to five years—meeting the threshold to apply for permanent residence or even citizenship.

Here’s an overview from the official site. Tech Nation had been the endorsing body for digital technology applications under the Global Talent Visa, but it ceased operations in March 2023 due to the withdrawal of government funding. While the UK Home Office is seeking a replacement, Tech Nation has continued to assess applications in the meantime. And for now, there’s no official update on GOV.UK about the next digital tech endorsing body.

France – Talent Passport 🇫🇷

• Covers multiple categories, including tech entrepreneurs, researchers, and artists.

• Allows for a four-year stay, which you can renew.

• Family members can also obtain residence permits.

• If you’re a software dev who still dreams about coding by the beach, it looks like you can use this visa to live on the idyllic Réunion island.

Get more info from here.

Australia – National Innovation Visa 🇦🇺

• Offers permanent residency for those with exceptional achievements in professions, sports, arts, or academia and research.

• Requires an invitation to apply and submission of the application within 60 days. Applicants must have a nominator with a national reputation in their field. It’s very similar to the UK model.

• The visa allows work, study, and access to public health care in Australia.

Check eligibility and more details on this official site.

Why skills matter so much in this pathway

If you’re thinking about going for that talent visa, you should focus on developing your soft skills. Even when you require an endorsement, these visas depend on how you showcase your expertise, so you really need to make your mark.

If you’re reading The Global Move, I’ll guess you’re a software engineer and not a saxophonist, so this list is curated for tech workers who want to relocate. Here’s how to amp up your profile for a Global Talent visa:

• 🗣️ Attending industry conferences (or even speaking): Networking, speaking at, or simply attending international events will raise your visibility. For example, you can check which UK bodies determine whether you’ll get your visa or not, and you can attend a conference where those jury members will also take part. If you’re a software engineer, and you’re not shy, this is a good guide on how to become a conference speaker at tech events.

• ✍️ Getting published: Contributing articles or research to reputable media, like a developers’ blog, proves your credibility and expertise. Just make sure you don’t get caught using an LLM and blabbing about a “pivotal” JavaScript plugin.

• 🟩 Building an active GitHub profile: This one’s huge. Many tech recruiters are now checking GitHub activity as their top source of information about a developer. Some even say they’re only looking at “green squares” (that is, active contributions), so getting involved in open-source projects can work as a game-changer for your chances.

• 🏆 Earning industry awards or recognition: Accolades can typically make a huge difference when it comes to standing out in a competitive pool of candidates. These are actually encouraged for the UK Talent Visa.

• 🔎 Reading, reading, reading the requirements: Yes, this is not a drafting error. Each Talent Visa has a clear checklist of what you need to earn it. So those workers who’re clever, read the prerequisites, and put together a profile that exactly matches what the judges are willing to read will… well, magnify their chances of earning it. This is a skill that will make a difference.

Independent relocation is like the no. 10 jersey: It’s not for everyone

Going the independent route with a talent visa can open a lot of doors (considering the USA is getting harder and harder to immigrate to, the O-1 visa is almost a balm). But this path also comes with its fair share of challenges. Like the no. 10 jersey in many sports, relocating on your own and without a job is not for everyone. Here’s a look at what to expect:

Pros – The bright side

• Greater autonomy and flexibility: You’re not locked into one employer, which means you can check out multiple job opportunities after you arrive and take control of your career.

• Potentially, better opportunities: A wider selection of employers often leads to higher salaries and better benefits. You get to choose the company that aligns with your goals and values (and salary), not the other way around.

• Long-term career growth: Since you’re not tied down, you can be more strategic about your next moves and find roles that truly fit your skills and plans.

Cons – The not-so-great stuff

• It’s expensive: Between visa fees, flights, and setting up in a new country, the costs add up fast. Of course, this depends on how much you think is affordable or expensive. For your reference, you might spend £3,000 for the UK process.

• Financial pressure at the start: Unlike a company-sponsored move, where your employer might cover some expenses, you’ll be footing the bill yourself. It might take a while to get back on your feet, unless you’re a singer and score a smash hit.

• Uncertainty: The process isn’t always a breeze. Getting the visa is one thing, but finding the right job afterward can take time, so there’s a bit of risk involved. Although, you can actually flip this con as a pro: In some cases, you don’t need a job offer to apply! That’s part of why this path is so attractive.

Final thoughts about relocating without a job offer

Moving abroad with an employer backing you is the traditional path, and it’s as valid as it’s ever been. But, for the right person, the quite unexplored Talent Visa path might be even more adequate. If you’ve built a solid career and are ready to bet on yourself, a talent visa gives you the freedom to live and work on your terms.

If you’re looking for other visa options that don’t require employer sponsorship, I’ve also written about Job Seeker Visas, which offer another path to relocation.

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