The digital technology industry is fast-growing thereby creating jobs full of opportunities for career success. Due to technological development workers can work remotely and choose where in the world they want to work thus are not confined to a particular geographical area.
Different countries offer different tech-enabled visas depending on whether you’re a tech professional or have a tech-enabled business (startup/founder).
Below is a list If you are looking for opportunities to relocate as a tech professional or as a founder (tech-enabled business).
Contents
1. Canada
1.1 For Tech Profile
1.1.1 Province Nominee Program (PNP)
1.2.1 Canadian Startup Visa
2. New Zealand
2.1 For Tech Profile
2.1.1 Skilled Migrant Category
2.1.2 Work Visas
2.2.1 Entrepreneur Work Visa
3.1 For Tech Profile
3.1.1 Tech Nation Visa
3.1.2 Skilled Worker Visa
3.2.1 UK Startup Visa
3.2.2 Innovator Visa
4. Finland
4.1.1 Finnish Startup Permit
5. Switzerland
5.1 For Tech Profile
5.1.1 Swiss Work Visa
6. Australia
6.1 For Tech Profile and Tech-enabled Business
6.1.1 Global Talent Visa Program
7. Germany
7.1 For Tech Profile
7.1.1 German Temporary Residence Permit for Employment
7.2.1 Permit for Self Employment
8. France
8.1.1 The French Tech Visa
9. Italy
9.1.1 Italia Startup visa
10. Spain
10.1 For Tech Profile
10.1.1 Residence Visa for Highly Skilled Professional
10.2 For Tech-enabled Business
10.2.1 Entrepreneur Visa
11. Disclaimer
1. Canada
For Tech Profile
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Provinces and territories offer general pathways for skilled workers based on where there is a shortage of skilled labor. Each province has an immigration program that targets specific groups. Tech is a significant area of need which is why some provinces operate tech worker streams.
I. The Ontario Tech Pilot
This forms part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), candidates need to have an Express Entry profile. The main goal of this program is to identify candidates in the Express Entry pool that possess the right technical skillset.
Requirements for the Ontario Tech Pilot Program
- Possess 1-year experience in one of 6 tech occupations
- Meet the Human Capital Priorities Stream under Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
Dependants: included
Duration: 1 year
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: Yes
II. British Columbia Tech Pilot
This program allows candidates with job offers in in-demand tech occupations to apply for provincial nomination with expedited processing through the BC PNP.
Job offer requirements
- To qualify for the Tech program, your job offer must be for one of 29 selected in-demand occupations. The offer does not need to be indefinite, but it must be for a period of at least one year.
Dependants: included
Duration: 1 year
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: Yes
For Tech-enabled Business
I. Canadian Start-Up Visa (SUV)
If you are an entrepreneur by nature you may be eligible to migrate to Canada through the Start-up visa program.
Canada is looking for talents that are interested in building a business in their country, this will stimulate the Canadian economy while creating employment for its citizens.
Immigrant entrepreneurs must demonstrate that their business is innovative, will create new jobs for Canadians, and can compete on a global scale.
Requirements for Canadian Start-up Visa
- Have a qualifying business.
- Have a letter of support from a designated organization.
- Meet the language requirements.
- Provide proof of funds (the amount you need depends on the size of your family).
Dependants: included
Duration: 2 years
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: Yes
2. New Zealand
For Tech Profile
I. Skilled Migrant Category
If you possess the right skill, qualifications, or experience that New Zealand needs you may be able to immigrate to New Zealand through the Skilled Migrant Category.
Requirements
- Check if you meet the requirements and calculate your points (Self-assessment).
- Submit an expression of interest (EOI).
- Receive an invitation to apply (ITA): If you have 160 points or more you’ll be selected from the EOI pool and may be sent an ITA.
- Submit a residence application.
- Collect your visa (if successful you’d be issued a visa).
Dependants: included
Duration: indefinitely
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: Yes
II. Work Visas
New Zealand offers a range of work visas of which all are temporary though some can lead to permanent residence.
Dependants: included
Duration: contract length
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: depends on points gained
For Tech-enabled Business
I. Entrepreneur Work Visa
This visa program is for entrepreneurs who want to bring their business to New Zealand. With this visa, you can set up your business and work on your business for up to 3 years in total.
Requirements
- A detailed business plan.
- Have at least NZ $100, 000 to invest in your business and to be able to claim 120 points on your points scale.
Dependants: included
Duration: up to 3 years
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: Yes
3. The United Kingdom
For Tech Profile
I. Tech Nation Visa
If you are a talented or promising individual and want to work in the UK’s digital technology sector, the Tech Nation Visa can help you do this.
There are two routes available to cater to different levels of experience:
Exceptional Talent: for individuals who have proven to be recognized leaders.
Exceptional Promise: for individuals who have proven to be emerging leaders.
Requirements
- You must meet 1 mandatory and 2 optional “Exceptional Talent” criteria.
- You must meet 1 mandatory and 2 optional “Exceptional Promise” criteria.
Dependants: included
Duration: up to 5 years
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: Yes
II. Skilled Worker Visa
The skilled worker visa allows you to stay in the UK to work with an approved employer within your field.
Requirements
- You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa.
- work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office
- have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK
- do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
- be paid a minimum salary – how much depends on the type of work you do
- You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English.
Dependants: included
Duration: up to 5 years
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: Yes
For Tech-enabled Business
I. UK Start-up Visa
The UK Start-up visa is for individuals who are entrepreneurs and want to establish a business in the UK for the first time.
Requirements
- You must be endorsed by an authorized body.
- You must be able to show that your business idea is a new idea.
- Your business idea has to be innovative.
- Your business idea has to be viable.
Dependants: included
Duration: 2 years
Renewable: no
Leads to permanent residency: no
II. Innovator Visa
The innovator visa is for individuals who are experienced entrepreneurs who are seeking to establish a business in the UK.
Requirements
- You must be able to show that your business idea is new.
- You must be able to show that your business idea is innovative.
- You must be able to show that your business idea is viable with potential for growth.
- You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English.
Dependants: included
Duration: 3 years
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: yes
4. Finland
For Tech-enabled Business
I. Finnish Start-up Permit
The Finnish startup permit makes it possible for entrepreneurs to build a startup company in Finland and to become part of Finland’s vibrant startup ecosystem. The permit is meant for innovative startup founders coming from countries outside the European Union.
Requirements
- have a startup team – at least 2 founders – with versatile expertise planning to move to Finland
- have an intention of founding a fast-growing company in Finland
- have an innovative business plan
- must be committed to the business idea and eventually building the company
- possess significant holding in the company (For example the team applying for the permit, has a holding of not less than 60% of the company.)
- have access to sufficient resources and funding for the company’s early-stage development
- have secure financial means for support.
Dependants: included
Duration: 2years
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: yes
5. Switzerland
For Tech Profile
I. Swiss Work Visa
The Swiss work visa is one of the types of Switzerland long-stay visas (also known as national or D-visa). The holder of this visa is allowed to work in Switzerland for the duration that the visa is issued.
Requirements/Process
- Finding a job in Switzerland.
- Completing the Swiss work visa document file
- Your employer applies for your residence permit in Switzerland.
- You apply for the Switzerland work visa in your country.
Dependants: included
Duration: 5 years
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: yes
6. Australia
For Tech Profile and Tech-enabled Business
I. The Global Talent Visa Program
The Global Talent Visa Program is for highly skilled professionals to work and live permanently in Australia.
This program is designed to attract highly talented individuals, with entrepreneurial ideas and cutting-edge skills within target industry sectors, who can contribute to Australia’s economy by driving innovation and supporting the creation of local jobs.
Requirements
- To be invited to apply for a visa under the Global Talent Visa Program, a candidate will be highly skilled in one of the 10 target sectors and able to attract a salary that meets the high-income threshold.
Dependants: included
Duration: 2years
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: yes
7. Germany
For Tech Profile
I. German Temporary Residence Permit for Employment
This is a short-term visa issued to individuals who have secured a job in Germany, this is valid for up to 3 years depending on the duration of the employment.
Requirements
- An employment contract
- Description of your role filled by your employer
- Documentation of your professional qualification
Dependants: included
Duration: up to 3 years, depending on the duration of employment
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: yes
For Tech-enabled Business
I. Permit for Self-employment
This permit is issued to entrepreneurs and valid for up to 3 years. If your business is a success after the 3 years duration you will have the option to apply for a permanent settlement permit.
Requirements
- Establish that there is an economic interest in your planned business
- A business plan
- financing plan and revenue forecast
Dependants: included
Duration: up to 3 years
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: yes
8. France
For Tech-enabled Business
I. The French Tech Visa
The French Tech Visa is a fast-track scheme for non-EU start-up employees, founders, and investors to obtain a residence permit for France.
Requirements
- An innovative business project you want to develop in France.
- Recognition of the project by a public-sector body ;
- Sufficient annual financial means corresponding to the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC).
Dependants: included
Duration: up to 4 years
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: yes
9. Italy
For Tech-enabled Business
I. Italia Start-up Visa
This visa program is for individuals who wish to join the Italian start-up ecosystem to establish their innovative businesses.
Requirements
- Application form for ISV
- Presentation deck (in ppt. format)
- Forecast of costs and revenues (business plan)
- Cover letter for proof of financial resources and attached files
- Copy of your passport
Dependants: included
Duration: 1 year
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: yes
10. Spain
For Tech profile
I. Residence Visa for Highly Skilled Professionals
This is a short-term visa that allows for highly skilled professionals to live and work in Spain.
Requirements
- Visa application form (must have been completed)
- One passport-type photo (attached to the form)
- Passport
- Certification of “absence of police records”
- Proof of sufficient economic funds for you and your family for the entire period of your residency in Spain.
- Proof of Insurance that covers Sanitary Assistance, Accidents, Emergencies, Evacuation, Medical Repatriation, Return of Remains with complete international coverage, with ZERO (0) deductible, no co-payment.
Dependants: included
Duration: 2 years
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: yes
For Tech-enabled business
I. Entrepreneur visa
This visa is a residence permit that allows you to live and start a project in the country that goes in line with the general interest of the Spanish economy within a 2 year period.
Requirements
- Your profile as a professional
- Entrepreneur visa business plan
- The project as to be something that does not already exist in the country
- The project has to be highly innovative
Dependants: included
Duration: 2 years
Renewable: yes
Leads to permanent residency: yes
DISCLAIMER
This is a non-exhaustive list. It is advised that you always check visa information from time to time as they change constantly.
If you have any questions you can reach out to us.
