Unsponsored work visas — points-based and self-directed routes

Global Talent visa

Unsponsored visa for leaders or potential leaders in academia, research, arts, culture, or digital technology.

Graduate visa

Post-study work visa for recent graduates of eligible UK higher education institutions.

High Potential Individual visa

Unsponsored work visa for graduates of a time-limited list of top global universities.

Chancenkarte (Germany Opportunity Card)

Points-based 1-year residence permit that lets non-EU skilled workers from any country move to Germany without a job offer to search for qualifying work. Six points or full qualification recognition required.

Freelance / Self-employment residence permit (§21 AufenthG)

Residence permission for qualifying freelance (Freiberufler) or commercial self-employment in Germany.

Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG)

Historic 6-month job-search visa for applicants abroad, superseded by the Chancenkarte; §20 AufenthG now covers job search after study or training completed in Germany.

Orientation year (Zoekjaar)

Free 1-year permit to live and work in the Netherlands while you look for a job — open to recent graduates of Dutch universities or top-ranked global universities. No job offer needed to apply.

UAE Green Visa

5-year self-sponsored residence for skilled employees, freelancers, and investors.

UAE freelance permit with residence

Self-sponsored freelance residence via MOHRE or free-zone freelance permits.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Open work permit for graduates of eligible Canadian Designated Learning Institutions.

National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent)

Permanent residence for globally recognised high achievers in target sectors — replacement for the former Global Talent visa.

Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass)

Premium 5-year pass for top-earning professionals, business leaders, and outstanding achievers — not tied to a single employer.

Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)

Non-employer-tied work pass for high-earning EP holders or overseas professionals earning above SGD 22,500 per month.

Post-Study Work Visa

Open work visa for international graduates of eligible New Zealand qualifications — 1 to 3 years depending on qualification level and location.

Talent Passport — Researcher (Passeport Talent Chercheur)

Multi-year residence permit for researchers with a hosting agreement (convention d'accueil) from a French research institution.

Saudi freelance work document (MHRSD)

The official MHRSD freelance work document for self-employment in approved activities. MHRSD issues it to Saudi nationals aged 18 and over — foreign residents on an iqama are not eligible, and it is not a visa.

Job-Seeker Visa (Oppholdstillatelse for aa soeke arbeid som faglart)

Up to 1-year residence permit to enter Norway and search for skilled employment in person — available to qualified professionals.

Temporary Legal Residence (Residencia Temporaria)

Temporary residence for any foreign national settling in Uruguay for work, study or other legally established reasons, granted for 6 months to 2 years and renewable.

Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)

Talent route for high earners and graduates of top-ranked universities to enter Hong Kong without a prior job offer.

Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)

Route for non-local graduates of Hong Kong institutions (and eligible Greater Bay Area campuses) to stay and work after graduation.

Taiwan Employment Gold Card

A combined open work permit, resident visa, ARC and re-entry permit for foreign special professionals in designated fields, not tied to any single employer.

Visitor Visa for Employment-Seeking Purpose

A visitor visa allowing qualifying professionals and recent top-university graduates to enter Taiwan to look for professional work before securing a work permit.

Self-Sponsorship / Registered Worker Permit

A self-sponsorship work permit that lets eligible workers in Bahrain work without being tied to a single employer, administered by the LMRA through its Labour Registration Program.

Oman freelance work: permissions and alternatives

Planning freelance work in Oman? The official work-visa service requires an employer; the sources reviewed do not establish a general standalone freelance visa. Check the permit or business arrangement for your activity before working.

K Visa (young science and technology talent)

For you if you are a young scientist, engineer or technologist: the K visa is a new route (effective 1 October 2025) that lets eligible STEM talent enter China without a domestic employer first inviting you - but read the honesty note below: its work-authorisation status is still being clarified.

EG Job-Seeking Visa (E-class job-seeking sub-class)

For you if you are coming to Cambodia to look for work or get set up before a job starts: the EG is the E-class general sub-class often used while you are job-seeking - and it does not, on its own, let you work.

CARICOM Skills Certificate (Free Movement)

For skilled nationals of other CARICOM countries: with a Skills Certificate you can live and work in Trinidad and Tobago without a work permit, under CARICOM free movement.

Temporary Residence for Work without Work Permit

Temporary residence basis for listed work categories that may apply without a separate work permit.

CSME Certificate Work Access

CARICOM skills route allowing CSME certificate holders to work for six months while upgraded SVG certification is pending.

Attestation of Non-Submission to Work-Contract Visa

Ministry attestation route for people or categories not subject to the ordinary work-contract visa requirement.

Short-Term Work Stay (Permanencia Transitoria)

Short-term work permanence for foreign nationals carrying out remunerated or lucrative activity in Bolivia for up to 180 days.

Temporary Work Residence (Permanencia Temporal)

One-, two- or three-year temporary permanence for foreign nationals carrying out remunerated or lucrative work in Bolivia.

Special Permanence Permit for University Profession Practice

Honduras Special Permanence Permit for foreign professionals practising a university profession, using economic-capacity or contract evidence.

No Svalbard Visa, Work Permit or Residence Permit Needed

Svalbard-specific rule: foreign citizens do not need a Norwegian visa or work/residence permit for Svalbard itself.