Moving abroad for work often comes with the challenge of securing employment before you leave your home country. While many work visa programmes require an employer to sponsor you, some countries have immigration pathways that allow eligible foreigners to enter the country first and search for employment after arrival.
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In 2026, these pathways include Job Seeker Visas, Opportunity Cards, Jobseeker Visit Visas and Working Holiday programmes. However, the requirements vary significantly from one country to another. Some routes are designed for skilled professionals, while others are limited to young people from countries that have specific mobility agreements.
In this article, we examine nine countries with immigration pathways that may allow eligible foreigners to move without securing a job offer first. For each country, we look at the available pathway, who can apply, the major requirements, how long you can stay and what options may be available after finding employment.
Before applying for any of these visas, check the official immigration requirements for your nationality and confirm that you meet the financial, educational, professional and age requirements where applicable.
General Requirements for Moving Without a Job Offer
Although each country has its own immigration rules, applicants may generally need to meet requirements related to their nationality, age, education, professional qualifications, work experience, language ability and financial capacity. Some countries may also require health insurance, proof of accommodation or evidence that you have enough money to support yourself while searching for work.
Nationality is particularly important for Working Holiday programmes in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, as these options are only available to citizens of participating countries. Other pathways, such as Germany’s Opportunity Card and the UAE’s Jobseeker Visit Visa, have specific education, skills or professional requirements.
Easiest Country to Move to Without a Job Offer in 2026
Here is a list of countries that make it easy for foreigners to enter their country and look for job. Before choosing any of these options, it is important to understand the general requirements and restrictions that may determine whether you qualify.
1. Portugal — Job Seeker Visa
Portugal offers a Job Seeker Visa for foreign nationals who want to travel to Portugal to search for employment without first securing a job offer. The visa is designed to give eligible applicants time to look for work and attend job interviews after arriving in the country.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet Portugal’s visa requirements and demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay. They may also need to provide documents showing that they meet the conditions for entry and residence in Portugal.
Key Requirements
While requirements may vary depending on the applicant’s country of residence and the Portuguese embassy handling the application, applicants may generally need:
- A valid international passport
- A completed visa application
- Proof of sufficient financial resources
- Proof of accommodation or address arrangements
- Travel or health insurance
- Criminal record certificate
- Other supporting documents requested by the Portuguese authorities
How Long Can You Stay?
The Portugal Job Seeker Visa is initially valid for 120 days and may be extended for an additional 60 days, giving successful applicants up to 180 days to search for employment.
What Happens If You Find a Job?
If you secure employment that meets the applicable requirements, you may be able to proceed with the necessary residence and work authorization process in Portugal rather than returning home to apply for a new job-search visa.
Best For
Portugal’s Job Seeker Visa may be suitable for applicants who want a dedicated European pathway that allows them to enter the country and actively search for employment without first obtaining a job offer.
Official Visa Information: Portugal Job Seeker Visa
2. Austria — Job Seeker Visa for Very Highly Qualified Workers
Austria offers a Job Seeker Visa for very highly qualified workers who want to enter the country and search for employment without first obtaining a job offer.
However, this is not a general job seeker visa available to everyone. Applicants must meet Austria’s eligibility requirements and score enough points under the country’s points-based system.
Who Can Apply?
Austria assesses applicants based on several factors, including:
- Educational qualifications
- Professional qualifications
- Relevant work experience
- Language skills
- Age
- Research, innovation or other professional achievements, where applicable
Applicants must achieve the required number of points to qualify for the Job Seeker Visa.
How Long Can You Stay?
The visa allows successful applicants to stay in Austria for up to six months while searching for employment.
What Happens If You Find a Job?
If you find employment that meets Austria’s requirements, you may be eligible to apply for a Red-White-Red Card, which allows qualified third-country nationals to live and work in Austria.
The job and employer must meet the applicable conditions before the Red-White-Red Card can be granted.
Best For
Austria’s Job Seeker Visa is best suited to experienced and highly qualified professionals with strong educational backgrounds, relevant work experience and enough points to meet Austria’s eligibility threshold.
Official Information: Austria Job Seeker Visa and Red-White-Red Card
3. Germany – Job Seeker Visa
Germany’s Opportunity Card, also known as the Chancenkarte, allows eligible foreign nationals to enter Germany without a confirmed job offer and search for suitable employment. Unlike a traditional job seeker visa that may focus primarily on academic qualifications and professional experience, the Opportunity Card provides different routes through which applicants may qualify.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants may qualify if they have a qualification recognised in Germany or if they meet the requirements under the points-based system.
Depending on the route used, factors that may be considered include:
- Educational or professional qualifications
- Work experience
- German or English language ability
- Age
- Previous connection to Germany
- Ability to financially support yourself during your stay
How Long Can You Stay?
The Opportunity Card can allow eligible applicants to stay in Germany for up to one year while searching for employment.
Can You Work While Searching for a Job?
One major advantage of the Opportunity Card is that eligible holders can take up limited employment while searching for a suitable full-time position. This may include working for up to 20 hours per week and participating in job trials under the applicable conditions.
What Happens If You Find a Job?
Once you secure suitable employment, you may be able to apply for the appropriate German residence permit for skilled employment, provided you meet the requirements for that permit.
Best For
Germany’s Opportunity Card may be particularly suitable for skilled professionals, degree holders and qualified workers who do not yet have a job offer but meet Germany’s qualification, points or financial requirements.
Official Information: Germany Opportunity Card
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4. Czech Republic – Long-term Visa for Job Seeking
The Czech Republic should be approached carefully when looking for an option to move without a job offer. Unlike Portugal’s Job Seeker Visa or Germany’s Opportunity Card, the Czech Republic does not offer a broad job seeker visa that allows anyone with a degree to enter the country for nine months and search for work.
One relevant route is available to certain foreign nationals who have already completed higher education in the Czech Republic. Eligible graduates may be able to apply for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment or starting a business after completing their studies.
Who Can Apply?
This route is generally intended for eligible foreign nationals who have:
- Completed higher education at a Czech university
- Held the appropriate residence status
- Applied within the required period after completing their studies
- Met the financial, accommodation, insurance and other residence requirements
How Long Can You Stay?
The residence permit may allow eligible applicants to remain in the Czech Republic while seeking employment or preparing to start a business, subject to the conditions of the specific residence permit.
Important to Know
This option is not a general job seeker visa for applicants living outside the Czech Republic. Simply having a bachelor’s or master’s degree from another country does not automatically make someone eligible to apply for this pathway.
For this reason, the Czech Republic may not be the best option for someone who is looking to apply from Nigeria or another country solely to travel there and begin searching for a job.
Best For
This pathway is mainly suitable for international students and graduates who have completed their higher education in the Czech Republic and want to remain in the country to find employment.
Official Information: Czech Republic Ministry of the Interior — Residence for Seeking Employment or Starting a Business
5. Australia — Working Holiday Visa
Australia’s Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) allows eligible young people to travel to Australia and work temporarily without first securing a job offer.
However, it is important to understand that this is a working holiday programme, not a traditional job seeker visa. It is designed for young travellers who want to combine travel with temporary work.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility depends heavily on the applicant’s nationality. To apply, you must hold a passport from a country or jurisdiction eligible for the Working Holiday Visa programme.
Other requirements may include:
- Meeting the applicable age requirement
- Having sufficient funds to support yourself initially
- Meeting health and character requirements
- Holding an eligible passport
- Meeting any additional country-specific requirements
How Long Can You Stay?
The initial Working Holiday Visa generally allows eligible applicants to stay in Australia for up to 12 months.
Depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the work completed during their stay, some visa holders may be eligible to apply for a second or third Working Holiday Visa.
Can You Work?
Yes. One of the main advantages of the Working Holiday Visa is that holders can work while travelling in Australia, subject to the visa conditions.
This means you do not need to secure employment before travelling. Instead, eligible visa holders can search for work after arriving in Australia.
Important: Nationality Matters
Meeting the age and financial requirements alone is not enough. The Working Holiday Visa is only available to citizens of eligible countries and territories.
Applicants should therefore confirm that their passport is eligible before paying for documents, medical examinations or other parts of the application process.
Best For
Australia’s Working Holiday Visa is best suited for young applicants who hold an eligible passport and want the flexibility to travel and work in Australia without first obtaining a job offer.
Official Information: Australia Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
6. Canada – International Experience Canada (IEC)
Canada’s International Experience Canada (IEC) programme allows eligible young people to travel and gain international work experience in Canada. Depending on the category and the applicant’s circumstances, it may be possible to obtain permission to work without first securing a job offer.
IEC includes three main categories:
- Working Holiday
- Young Professionals
- International Co-op (Internship)
Of these options, the Working Holiday category is the most relevant for applicants who want to travel to Canada without securing employment before applying.
Who Can Apply?
IEC is not available to everyone. Applicants generally need to:
- Be a citizen of an eligible country or territory that has a youth mobility agreement with Canada
- Meet the applicable age requirements
- Hold a valid passport
- Demonstrate sufficient funds
- Obtain health insurance for the required period
- Meet the requirements of their selected IEC category
The age limit and duration of stay depend on the applicant’s nationality and the agreement between Canada and their country.
Do You Need a Job Offer?
The Working Holiday category may allow eligible applicants to receive an open work permit, meaning they can look for employment after arriving in Canada.
However, the Young Professionals and International Co-op categories generally require employment or an internship arrangement before the applicant can proceed.
Important: Nationality Matters
IEC is only available to citizens of countries and territories that have an eligible youth mobility agreement with Canada. Therefore, meeting the age requirement alone does not guarantee eligibility.
Applicants should confirm that their country is included in Canada’s IEC programme before spending money on documentation or making travel arrangements.
Best For
Canada’s International Experience Canada programme is best suited for young applicants from eligible countries and territories who want to gain temporary international work experience. Those applying under the Working Holiday category may have the advantage of travelling to Canada without first securing a job offer.
Official Information: Canada International Experience Canada (IEC)
7. New Zealand — Working Holiday Visa
New Zealand offers a Working Holiday Visa that allows eligible young people to travel, live and work temporarily in the country without first securing a job offer.
However, this is not a general job seeker visa. The programme is based on agreements between New Zealand and specific countries, meaning eligibility largely depends on the passport you hold.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must generally meet requirements relating to:
- Citizenship or nationality from an eligible country
- Age requirements, which vary depending on the applicant’s nationality
- Proof of sufficient funds to support themselves
- Health and character requirements
- A valid passport
- Other country-specific conditions
How Long Can You Stay?
The duration depends on your nationality and the specific Working Holiday Visa arrangement. Many eligible applicants can stay for up to 12 months, although some countries may have different conditions or longer periods.
Can You Work?
Yes. The Working Holiday Visa allows eligible holders to work during their stay, subject to the conditions attached to their visa.
This means applicants do not necessarily need to secure employment before travelling to New Zealand. They can search for suitable work after arriving while also travelling within the country.
Important: Check Your Nationality
Meeting the age requirement alone does not make you eligible. You must hold a passport from a country that has a Working Holiday Visa agreement with New Zealand.
Before starting the application process, check whether your nationality is included and review the specific requirements that apply to your country.
Best For
New Zealand’s Working Holiday Visa is best suited for young applicants from eligible countries who want the flexibility to travel and work temporarily without first obtaining a job offer.
Official Information: New Zealand Working Holiday Visas
8. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The United Arab Emirates offers a Jobseeker Visit Visa that allows eligible foreign nationals to enter the country and search for employment without first securing a job offer or requiring a local sponsor.
The visa is designed for qualified professionals and eligible graduates who want to explore employment opportunities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other parts of the UAE.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements. Depending on the route through which they apply, eligibility may be based on their professional skill level or educational background.
Key requirements may include:
- A valid passport
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification
- Eligibility based on the required professional skill level or graduate criteria
- A financial guarantee
- Health insurance and other required documentation
How Long Can You Stay?
The UAE Jobseeker Visit Visa may be issued for:
- 60 days
- 90 days
- 120 days
The appropriate duration depends on the visa issued to the applicant.
Can You Work With the Jobseeker Visit Visa?
The visa allows you to enter the UAE to search for employment, attend interviews and explore job opportunities. However, securing a job does not automatically give you the right to begin working. You must complete the required employment and residence authorization process before starting work.
Best For
The UAE Jobseeker Visit Visa may be suitable for qualified professionals and graduates who meet the eligibility requirements and want to explore employment opportunities in the UAE without first obtaining a job offer.
Official Information: UAE Jobseeker Visit Visa
Conclusion
Moving to another country without a job offer is possible, but it does not mean the immigration process is automatic or available to everyone. Each country has its own requirements based on factors such as nationality, age, education, professional experience and financial capacity.
For skilled professionals, countries such as Germany, Austria and Portugal can provide opportunities to enter the country and search for employment under specific immigration routes. The UAE also offers a jobseeker pathway for eligible professionals and graduates. Working Holiday programmes in Australia, New Zealand and Canada provide another option, but they are restricted to citizens of participating countries.
Before choosing a destination, compare the requirements with your own circumstances. Pay particular attention to the nationality restrictions, proof-of-funds requirement, right to work, visa duration and options available after securing employment.
Most importantly, use the official immigration website of the country you intend to move to before submitting an application or paying an agent. Visa requirements and fees can change, so information published online should always be checked against the latest official requirements.
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