Working in Canada, Australia and New Zealand has many advantages that sometimes become very influential in a person’s life. After all, working abroad gives:
- Improvement in English (and in some Canadian provinces, French) language, acquaintance with and immersion in a new culture different from your own. Studying or working in a country with a foreign language is the ideal environment for mastering the language.
- Foreign work experience, which enhances your CV and consequently career advancement becomes real. In a recruiter’s eyes, a person with overseas work experience has superior adaptability, a different work ethic , and knowledge of a foreign language. All these factors amount to a significant advantage in the labour market.
- New acquaintances, new knowledge, a new perspective of familiar things.
- Another salary level.
- The opportunity to stay in the country permanently and obtain residency and later citizenship.
In order to get the right to work full-time legally, you need to overcome the challenge of obtaining a work visa.
In most countries it is challenging to obtain a work visa and this is definitely true of Australia, New Zealand and Canada. An exception is made for specialists in high demand in areas with an acute shortage of qualified personnel.
You can read about professional immigration in our article.
Those who do not fall into this category should not despair because they can also get the right to work. For example, they can obtain an education in the country and get a work visa after studies.
Each country has its own requirements to obtain a work visa. Below, we will consider what work visas entail in different countries.
Australia work visas
Temporary work visas include:
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa – for those who have an invitation from an employer accredited to sponsor. Issued for a period of 2 to 4 years.
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (for up to 5 years) and Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa – for those who plan to live and work in regional Australia.
- A Temporary Graduate Work visa for university graduates – for a period of 1.5 to 5 years.
Resident work visas (Skilled Independent visa, Skilled Nominated visa, Employer Nomination Scheme) – for highly qualified specialists. In the case of the Employer Nomination Scheme, an invitation from the employer is required.
Read more about Australian work visas
New Zealand work visas
Accredited Employer Work Visa – for highly qualified specialists who have received an invitation from an employer. Issued for a period of 1 to 5 years.
Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa – for those with specific skills required for an accredited employer. Issued for up to 30 months.
Working Holiday visa – for people under 30 who would like to work and travel in New Zealand. Issued for up to 12 months.
Post Study Work Visa – for university graduates. It is issued for a period of 1 to 3 years (depending on the training program).
Canadian work visas
To work in Canada, you need to obtain a Work Permit, which has 2 types:
Open Work Permit – with no restriction as to the employer. Partners of graduates and holders of work visas fall into this category.
Post-Graduate Work Permit issued to graduates of Canadian universities also refers to the Open Work Permit and is given for 8 months to 3 years.
Employer-Specific Work Permit – for those who have an invitation from an employer who has the right to hire a foreign specialist.
