European countries are among the most developed countries in the world. Expats go to work in the EU because the region has a high standard of living, decent pay and career prospects. About 3 million citizens of non-EU countries apply for a work permit in Europe every year. 70% of all permits are issued by France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

A European work visa gives a foreigner the right to live and work in the EU. However, the permit procedure has its own peculiarities.

How to issue a visa? What is the validity period of the European work visa? Who needs to issue a work permit in Europe? Everything you need to know about the European work visa in our material.

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Citizens of which countries need a visa to work in Europe?

A citizen of any EU country does not need to issue a work visa to work in another state of the region. Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland and the USA also do not need a visa to work in Europe. However, upon arrival in the country where they will work, expats must obtain a residence and work permit.

Citizens of the rest of the world who come from outside the EU, but wish to work in Europe, have a job offer from a European employer and meet the qualification requirements, can submit documents for a work visa.

Types of European work visas

There is no single European work visa or Schengen work visa. You can work in Europe if you issue a national visa (D) for the purpose of employment in the chosen country of the region.

A work permit for highly qualified workers – a blue card – is quite common. It is available in 25 of the 27 EU member states. Exceptions are Denmark and Ireland.

Many European countries offer digital nomad visas. Among them are Portugal, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Iceland, Malta, Romania, Spain and Norway.

Germany allows job seekers to apply for a special visa and move to the country without an offer of employment and look for work on the spot.

Poland offers a work visa for seasonal work.

In which European countries is it easiest to get a work visa?

Most European countries have fairly strict rules for issuing work visas. Of course, with proper qualifications and an offer from an employer, a foreigner can apply for a visa to work in any EU country, however, according to statistics, the lowest percentage of refusals is in the following countries: Estonia, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and the Czech Republic.

The procedure for obtaining a work visa in Europe

Each European country has its own requirements for the work visa procedure, which may differ depending on your nationality, country of residence and type of work visa. However, the general process of applying for a European work visa includes the following steps:

1. Choose the European country in which you want to work.

2. Receive a job offer from an employer from this country.

3. Collect the visa application documents and pay the fee.

4. Schedule a visa interview.

5. Come to the interview with all the necessary documents.

6. Wait for the visa to be issued.

You must apply for a visa at the embassy, consulate or visa center of the country where you are going to work, in the country of your residence.

List of documents for obtaining a European work visa

The criteria and requirements for obtaining a work visa, as well as the application process, mainly depend on the migration policy of each country. However, the standard requirements for a European work visa are as follows:

● Questionnaire for a work visa.

● Valid foreign passport.

● Photo (two or more, depending on the country).

● Certificate of criminal record. A document confirming that you have not committed any crime in the last 5-10 years.

● A contract with a European employer – a document signed by the employer and the applicant, it must specify working conditions and salary.

● Confirmation of professional qualifications for the proposed job.

● Confirmation of the availability of a place to live (apartment lease agreement, certificate of ownership, etc.)

● Document about education.

● Medical insurance.

● Language proficiency certificate (if necessary).

A detailed list of documents can be obtained from the diplomatic institution of the country to which you plan to issue a visa.

The procedure for obtaining a European work visa differs depending on the country, and most states offer different types of work permits. The consultation of a highly qualified immigration and employment lawyer will help you choose the required type of visa and prepare the appropriate package of documents.

How long can you apply for a European work visa?

In most European countries, a work visa is issued for a period of one year (12 months). You can also apply for a visa extension after its expiration date.

The exact duration of a work visa depends on the country that issues the visa: Denmark can issue a work permit for up to 4 years, in Austria you can issue a document for 2 years at once, etc.

How long does it take to apply for a European work visa?

You must apply for a work visa to Europe at least two months before your planned trip. European embassies consider an application for a work visa within six weeks. In extreme cases, the processing time can be extended up to 12 weeks.

What is the cost of a European work visa?

There is no single cost of a European work visa, it differs from country to country. The cheapest visa in Cyprus (€60), Germany (€75) and Slovenia (€77). The most expensive is in Ireland (€500), Great Britain (€695) and Norway (€610). The average cost of a European work visa is from 100 to 200 euros.

What positions can you work with a European work visa?

If you have the right qualifications, skills and experience, you can work in any position you choose.

List of the most common professions in which expats with a European work visa work: software engineers, mechanical engineers, social workers, psychologists, lawyers, chemists, biologists, doctors and nurses, teachers, researchers, scientists, real estate agents and architects.

European countries have created the perfect work-life balance over the years, making them the best places to work in the world. The advantage is that you can move to Europe as a whole family, if there are financial opportunities and a place to live together.

Moving to Europe will be a new stage in the career of an expat, will present new perspectives and opportunities for self-realization.

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