In 2025, employers in Europe, the USA and Canada are actively hiring foreign specialists on fully sponsored work visas. Find out which programs are open in these countries, what are the salary and experience requirements, and how lawyers can help you go through the procedure without mistakes

In 2025, international mobility of specialists will reach a new level. Companies in Europe, the USA and Canada are actively attracting foreign specialists by offering work visas with employer sponsorship. This means that the company helps the candidate to legally obtain the right to work and reside, often taking on key expenses and bureaucracy. For the specialist, this is a chance to quickly integrate into a new environment, receive a competitive salary and prospects for permanent residence.

Read about the best fully sponsored work visa programs in Europe/USA/Canada in this article.

What is an employer-sponsored work visa

This is a work permit issued against an offer from a company. The employer:

- Confirms the terms of employment and salary,

- Pays the prescribed fees/registration (where required),

- Sometimes proves the absence of local candidates.

Best Fully Sponsored Work Visa Programs in Europe

EU Blue Card (EU, except Ireland and Denmark)

Who is suitable: highly qualified specialists with a diploma/experience (in a number of sectors relevant experience is accepted instead of a diploma). Minimum contract duration – 6 months. Salary threshold – from 1.0× to 1.6× the national average (depending on the country and profile). Simplifications are valid under the updated directive (recast).

- Why top?

Mobility within the EU, fast-track path to PMP in some countries, more flexible criteria for IT.

- Local examples and thresholds 2025

Netherlands – Highly Skilled Migrant: basic monthly gross thresholds for 2025 (30+ years: €5,688; <30: €4,171; “after graduation”/search year: €2,989; Blue Card: €5,688, or €4,551 for graduates.

Germany – Skilled Immigration Act + Chancenkarte: the law is in effect in stages from the end of 2023; Blue Card expanded, Opportunity Card introduced for job search (this is not “sponsored”, but often leads to an offer under Blue Card/Skilled Worker).

UK Skilled Worker (Great Britain)

Who is suitable: an offer from a licensed sponsor in the list of allowed professions.

Key requirement 2025: basic minimum increased to £41,700 or “going rate” by profession code – whichever is higher. Also periodically update Immigration Salary List/going rates.

- Why top?

Transparent system of sponsors, understandable "going rates", wide coverage of professions.

Ireland – Critical Skills Employment Permit

Who is suitable: in-demand professions from the list or high salary; simplified transition to PMP, family reunification permit. Minimum thresholds – from €38,000/€64,000 (depending on profession/list).

- Why top? Fast track to long-term status, strong IT/pharma/finance market.

Denmark – Pay Limit Scheme

Who is suitable: if there is an offer with a salary not lower than the annual minimum. For 2025 – DKK 514,000 (the amount is indexed every year on January 1). There are other tracks (Positive List).

- Why top? Quick solutions, high salary = less bureaucracy.

The best fully sponsored work visa programs in the USA

H-1B (Specialty Occupations)

Who is suitable for: positions requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specialty; sponsor - employer.

Current in 2025: beneficiary-centric registration for the cap season (challenge of "multi-registrations") is in effect, the rule is effective from March 4, 2024 for the season FY2025 and beyond. (USCIS)

Please note: registration online; requirements include valid passport data at the registration/petition stage. (USCIS)

- Why top? A massive and understandable track for technical and not only roles.

TN (USMCA) - only for citizens of Canada/Mexico

Who is suitable for: a list of specified professions (engineers, analysts, scientists, etc.), an offer from a US employer. USCIS policy and guide were updated in 2025.

- Why top? Without quotas and lotteries, relatively quickly processed, many roles.

L-1 (Intra-Company Transferee) / O-1 (Extraordinary Ability)

Who is suitable: managers/experts with a transfer to a related company in the USA (L-1) or leaders with proven achievements (O-1). Both - under the sponsorship of an employer/group of companies.

- Why top? without a lottery (but high evidence/compliance).

These programs are suitable for representatives of any country in the world, including citizens of Turkmenistan, Moldova and the Bahamas.

Best Fully Sponsored Work Visa Programs in Canada

Global Talent Stream (TFWP)

Who is suitable for: IT/Innovation and other in-demand roles through Category A/B + Labour Market Benefits Plan. LMIA required, but processing time is ~2 weeks (government target under Global Skills Strategy).

- Why top? Some of the fastest turnaround times in the market for sponsored employment.

High-Wage / Low-Wage LMIA (TFWP)

Who is suitable for: A wide range of occupations with an offer and meeting salary and labor market requirements. Processing times are longer than in GTS (depending on center/stream).

International Mobility Program (LMIA-exempt)

Who is suitable for: ICT transfers, agreement categories (CETA/other), postdoc researchers, etc. The employer submits an offer through the Employer Portal and pays an employer compliance fee (currently CAD 230). (Canada, IRCC)

- Why top: no LMIA, faster start of processes (hereinafter – standard work permit consideration).

These programs are suitable for representatives of any country in the world, including citizens of Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Moldova.

Documents and who pays: short notes

- UK Skilled Worker: sponsor → certificate of sponsorship (CoS); applicant → visa fee + IHS; companies often take these costs on themselves, but this is not an obligation according to the rules.

- EU Blue Card/national EU programs: the employer draws up an offer/contract; fees are usually paid by the applicant (company policy may reimburse). Thresholds vary by country.

- USA (H-1B/TN/L-1): the employer files a petition (I-129 for H-1B/L-1; TN – or through CBP with a package of documents); in H-1B, a significant part of the fees is borne by the employer.

- Canada (GTS/TFWP): employer submits LMIA (where required) or offer via Employer Portal (IMP) and pays CAD 230 employer compliance fee for LMIA-exempt categories.

In 2025, the strongest “fully sponsored” routes are EU Blue Card (with updated rules), UK Skilled Worker (higher thresholds, but wide availability), H-1B/TN/L-1 in the US (with new integrity rules and lottery-free alternatives), Canada GTS/TFWP/IMP (fast-track processes for innovative companies). The optimal choice depends on citizenship, profession, salary range and timelines.

The rules are constantly changing, and details regarding salary thresholds, documents or deadlines may differ depending on the country and your profile. To avoid mistakes and not waste time, we recommend contacting migration lawyers. They will help you choose the optimal program, prepare documents and accompany the process of obtaining a visa or work permit.

Remind us! Are you looking for a job abroad in 2025? We have already told you which professions are in high demand, which countries are best to work in, which visas are needed and which skills are effective.

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