6 Europeans  Countries That Offer Jobseeker Visas

• Looking to move abroad but don’t have an employment offer letter yet? That doesn’t have to mean delaying your plans. A job seeker visa works as a temporary residence permit and allows you to look for employment—without a sponsor or an offer letter—while living in the country for a specified period of time. In most countries, once you find employment and meet the requirements, you can receive permanent residence in the country.

• In addition to the fact that European Union countries attract a large number of foreigners who even plan to live in the bloc’s countries following high living standards, the education system as well as low tax prices, EU countries also need a large number of workforces in order to deal with labour shortages.

Which EU Countries Offer Job Seeker Visas?

• At present, the following six European Union countries offer Job Seeker Visas, permitting internationals to come and find jobs, thus living temporarily in countries that offer such opportunities:
• Austria
• Denmark
• Germany
• Portugal,
• Spain
• Sweden.

Ø Austria

• Austria’s Job Seeker Visa permits foreigners to reach this country for work purposes, allowing them to work in this country for six months, under the Red-White-Red Card scheme.

Eligibility Requirements for the Job Seeker Visa in Austria

The criteria are divided into special qualifications and skills, work experience, language skills, age, and studies in Austria.

Special qualifications/skills Points (maximum 40 points)

• Graduation from an institution of higher education, the minimum duration of programme: four years 20
• In the subjects: mathematics, informatics, natural sciences or technology 30
• Post-doctoral qualifications or PhD 40
• Research and innovation activities 20
• Awards (recognized prizes) 20
• Work experience Points (maximum 40 points)
• Work experience (per year) 2
• Six months of work experience in Austria 10

Language skills Points (maximum 10)

• German or English language skills (A1 level) 5
• German or English language skills (A2 level) 10

Age Points (maximum 20)

• Up to 35 years of age 20
• Up to 40 years of age 15
• Up to 45 years of age 10

Studies in Austria Points (maximum 10)

• The second part of the diploma programme or half of the required total ECTS points 5
• Completed diploma programme or Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programme 10

 

How to Apply for the Job Seeker Visa in Austria

In order to apply for a Job Seeker visa in Austria, you must visit the embassy or consulate in the country you reside. The application process, then, is as follows:

• Gather all the required documents.
• Fill out the application form. Application forms are available at the Austrian representative authority.
• Submit the documents along with the application form personally to the competent Austrian representative (embassy or consulate). All documents must be submitted as originals and copies. If the documents are not in German or English, translations into German or English must be provided.
• See Austrian Representations to find out which embassy/consulate you must apply to in your home country.

Ø Denmark

• Denmark has among the shortest working week in the world, with an average expat working 37 hours per week, giving employees five weeks of vacation, thus permitting them to spend more time with their families.

Eligibility Requirements for the Job Seeker Visa in Denmark

• The Job Seeker Visa in Denmark is a type of visa that allows non-EU citizens to stay in the country for up to six months in order to look for a job. The eligibility requirements for this visa include:
• Qualifications: You must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree or have equivalent qualifications from your home country.
• Funds: You must have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Denmark. This is typically around DKK 10,000 per month.
• Health insurance: You must have health insurance that is valid in Denmark for the duration of your stay.
• Accommodation: You must have a place to stay during your stay in Denmark.
• Intention to find work: You must have a genuine intention to find work in Denmark and provide evidence of your job search efforts.
• Language skills: You must have sufficient Danish language skills to work in Denmark, or demonstrate that you are taking steps to learn the language.
• No criminal record: You must have a clean criminal record and provide a certificate of good conduct.

How to Apply for the Job Seeker Visa in Denmark

• Create a case order ID
• Complete the payment fees
• Submit the documents that are required
• Submit the visa application form
• Await the result of the application
• Biometrics must be taken
• Await the response to the request

• the most significant shortage has been noted in the following occupations in Denmark this year:
• Lawyer
• Architect
• Marine engineer
• Journalist
• Industrial Designer

Ø Germany

• Through the Job Seeker Visa, foreigners are eligible to stay in Germany for six months and find employment and then apply for a work permit and stay in the country long-term.
• However, German authorities have clarified that nationals from the following countries don’t need a Job Seeker Visa:
• European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland
• Australia, New Zealand, Israel, South Korea, Japan, Canada, as well as the United States

• The Job Seeker visa is a German national long-stay visa that allows qualified professionals to stay in Germany and explore job opportunities. The duration of the Job Seeker visa in Germany is six months.

Eligibility Requirements for the Job Seeker Visa in Germany

In order to be eligible for the Job Seeker visa, you must:

• Hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a German university or an equivalent foreign degree.
• Have at least 5 years of experience in your related field.
• Provide proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during the time you are in Germany.
• Obtain travel or medical insurance. It should be valid for your entire stay in Germany or until you get the Work Permit.

How to Apply for the Job Seeker Visa in Germany

• You must apply for a Germany Job Seeker visa at the German embassy/consulate in your country. Once you are confident that you fulfill the criteria to apply, the application process is as follows:
• Gather all the required documents.
• Fill out the application form online.
• Schedule an appointment.
• Submit the application form in person along with the rest of the documents at the embassy/consulate nearest to you.
• Attend the interview at the embassy or consulate.

Ø Portugal

• In order to reduce labor shortages and increase employment of youth and under-represented groups, Portugal has become one of the few countries in Europe to introduce the Job Seeker visa. This visa will allow foreign nationals to come to Portugal and explore job opportunities. The visa is single-entry and is valid for a period of 120 days and can be renewed for a further 60 days.

Eligibility Requirements for the Job Seeker Visa in Portugal

• There are no detailed qualifications yet, as the visa has recently been launched. However, you must:
  
  
• Have a valid passport for the entire duration that you are in the country.
  
  
• Have health insurance.
  
  
• Have purchased a ticket that shows the date of departure and the date of the return (in case you cannot get a job).
  
  
• Have enough funds to support yourself while you are in Portugal.

 

How to Apply for the Job Seeker Visa in Portugal

• In order to apply for a Job Seeker visa in Portugal, you must visit the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country. You must gather all your documents, namely:
• Your passport. It should be valid for at least 3 months after your date of return.
• Two photos. Must be recent and in good condition.
• Request for criminal record inquiry.
• Criminal record certificate. It is only accepted if issued by the relevant authority.
• Valid travel insurance.
• Transport document.
• Proof of financial resources.
• Once you have collected all documents, you must submit those at an embassy or consulate in your home country and pay the fees.

Ø Spain

• Spain’s Job Seeking Visa or Employment Seeking Residency Permit in Spain also attracts a large number of foreign workers.

• This kind of visa permits students to hold a Spanish residency authorisation for a period of 12 months to search for a job or set up their own business, after completing their studies in Spain.

Eligibility Requirements for the Job Seeker Visa in Spain

• Obtain a previous Student Visa
• Finish a level six study of the European Framework
• Complete official studies
• Graduate before filing an application for this residence permit
• The application can be submitted for a period between 60 days before the expiration date or up to 90 days after

• The immigration office has a maximum of 20 days in order to issue a response. If applicants don’t receive a response by then, the permit is automatically granted and the applicant proceeds with the fingerprinting process for the TIE.

Ø Sweden

• Sweden’s Job Seeker Visa is valid for a period of three months, however, it can be extended to nine months. It has been confirmed that those who are qualified for jobs are issued the Sweden Job Seeker visa.

Eligibility Requirements for the Job Seeker Visa in Sweden

• To qualify for a Job Seeker visa, you must fulfill the following conditions:
• You must hold a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or another advanced degree.
• You must be able to support yourself during your time in the country.
• You must be willing to look for jobs or start your own business. This includes having a well-laid-out plan to do so.
• You must have comprehensive health insurance.
• You must own a passport that is valid for the whole time you will be there.
• You must be living out of Sweden.

 

How to Apply for the Job Seeker Visa in Sweden

•  
• To apply for the Job Seeker visa in Sweden, you need to visit the Swedish embassy or consulate in your home country. The application process is as follows:
  
  
• Gather all your documents. You must include the letter of consent to the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) proving that they can contact higher education institutions in your country to verify your educational documents.
  
  
• Download your documents from the official website
  Fill out your application form online.
  
  
• Submit your application form, along with the documents and the letter of consent to a Swedish embassy or consulate in your home country.