Working abroad

Legal work for foreigners

A foreigner may work only under a status that allows it: a work visa, a work permit, a residence permit with work rights, or temporary protection. Permission is often tied to a specific employer, so changing jobs can require a new permit.

Regulated professions such as medicine or engineering also need formal recognition of qualifications, and in Germany the route without a recognised degree runs through Ausbildung. Coverage explains how to find a sponsoring employer, what sponsors must do, and how to avoid dishonest recruiters.

In Canada most employers must first obtain a positive LMIA, while in Australia an employer has to become an approved sponsor. Highly skilled workers in the EU can apply for an EU Blue Card with a degree and a contract paying at least the national salary threshold. Ukrainians with temporary protection can work in the EU without a separate permit, although regulated professions still need recognised qualifications. Recruiters can be checked in official registers, such as Poland's KRAZ register of employment agencies.