Work Permit Eligibility Calculator

Check Your Work Visa Eligibility for Canada, Australia, UK, USA & Germany

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Understanding Work Permit Eligibility

Obtaining a work permit is a critical step for professionals seeking international employment opportunities. Each country has specific requirements including occupation eligibility, salary thresholds, language proficiency, and skills assessment. This comprehensive calculator helps you understand your eligibility for work permits in Canada, Australia, UK, USA, and Germany.

Why Use This Calculator?

Work Permit Types by Country

Canada Work Permits

Canada offers several work permit pathways for international workers:

Visa Type Requirements Processing Time Path to PR
LMIA-Based Work Permit Job offer + LMIA approval
Median wage for occupation
No language requirement (general)
2-6 months Yes (Express Entry)
LMIA-Exempt (CUSMA/CETA) Job offer + Trade agreement eligibility
Professional occupation
Bachelor's degree minimum
2-3 months Yes
Global Talent Stream Tech/high-skilled job offer
Designated employer
Fast-track LMIA
2-4 weeks Yes
Intra-Company Transfer 1 year employment with company
Managerial/specialized role
Existing company in Canada
2-4 months Yes

Australia Work Visas

Visa Type Requirements Processing Time Path to PR
TSS 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) Job offer + TSMIT AUD 73,150
IELTS 5.0 overall
Skills assessment
2-4 years validity
1-4 months Yes (after 3 years)
Subclass 186 (ENS) 3 years experience in occupation
IELTS 6.0 each band
Skills assessment
Age under 45
6-12 months Direct PR
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) 65+ points
IELTS 6.0+ each
Skills assessment
Occupation on MLTSSL
8-12 months Direct PR
Subclass 190 (State Nominated) 65+ points + state nomination
IELTS 6.0+ each
Skills assessment
8-12 months Direct PR

UK Work Visas

Visa Type Requirements Processing Time Path to Settlement
Skilled Worker Visa Job offer from licensed sponsor
Salary £38,700+ (general)
CEFR B1 English
Certificate of Sponsorship
3-8 weeks Yes (5 years)
Health and Care Worker Visa Job in eligible health profession
£29,000+ salary
English requirement
NHS or care provider sponsor
3-8 weeks Yes (5 years)
Global Talent Visa Exceptional talent/promise endorsement
Arts, sciences, digital tech
No job offer needed
8 weeks Yes (3 years)
Intra-Company Transfer 12 months employment with company
£45,800+ salary
Existing UK branch
3-8 weeks No (max 5 years)

USA Work Visas

Visa Type Requirements Processing Time Path to Green Card
H1B Visa (Specialty Occupation) Bachelor's degree minimum
Job offer in specialty occupation
Prevailing wage compliance
Annual lottery (April)
3-6 months Yes (employer-sponsored)
L1 Visa (Intra-Company) 1 year employment with company
Managerial/specialized role
US office of company exists
2-4 months Yes (EB-1C)
O1 Visa (Extraordinary Ability) Extraordinary ability in field
Awards, recognition, publications
Job offer or contract
2-4 months Yes (EB-1A)
E2 Visa (Treaty Investor) Indian citizens NOT eligible
Investment in US business
Treaty country national
3-6 months No

Germany Work Visas

Visa Type Requirements Processing Time Path to PR
EU Blue Card University degree
€58,400 annual salary
€45,552 for shortage jobs
Job offer or contract
2-3 months Yes (33/21 months)
Job Seeker Visa University degree
Financial proof €6,000+
German language helpful
6 months validity
4-8 weeks Convert to work visa
Skilled Worker Visa Vocational training or degree
Job offer
Salary matching German standards
Recognition of qualification
2-3 months Yes (4 years)
ICT Card (Intra-Corporate) 6 months employment with company
Managerial/specialist role
German branch exists
2-3 months No (max 3 years)

Salary Threshold Requirements

Meeting minimum salary requirements is crucial for work permit approval:

Country Minimum Salary Exceptions/Lower Thresholds Currency Equivalent (INR)
Canada Median wage for occupation
(Varies by NOC)
Provincial variations
Entry-level positions lower
₹25-45 lakh/year
Australia AUD 73,150 (TSMIT) AUD 70,000 for certain occupations
Concessions for under 45
₹40.3 lakh/year
UK £38,700 (general)
£48,500 (experienced worker)
£30,960 (new entrant under 26)
£23,200 (health/education/PhD)
₹41.7 lakh/year
USA Prevailing wage by location
$60,000-100,000 average
Varies by state/occupation
H1B LCA specific
₹50-83 lakh/year
Germany €58,400 (EU Blue Card) €45,552 (shortage occupations:
IT, Engineers, Doctors)
₹53 lakh/year

Language Requirements

English Language Tests Accepted:

IELTS (International English Language Testing System):

PTE Academic: Accepted by Australia (50+), Canada (some provinces), UK (59+)

CELPIP: Canada-specific test, fully accepted for immigration

TOEFL iBT: Accepted by USA employers, some Canadian provinces

Skills Assessment Requirements

Many countries require skills assessment to verify your qualifications match their standards:

Canada Skills Assessment

Australia Skills Assessment

UK Skills Assessment

Common Questions About Work Permits

Q1: What is the easiest country to get a work permit?

Answer: Canada is generally considered easiest for Indian professionals due to:

  • No mandatory English test for LMIA work permits (though beneficial)
  • Large Indian community and cultural familiarity
  • More job opportunities in IT, healthcare, engineering sectors
  • Clear pathway from work permit to permanent residence
  • Processing times relatively faster (2-6 months)

Germany is also increasingly accessible with Job Seeker Visa allowing 6 months to find employment without prior job offer.

Q2: Can I apply for a work permit without a job offer?

Answer: Limited options exist:

With Job Offer NOT Required:

  • Germany Job Seeker Visa: 6 months to find employment (requires degree + funds)
  • UK Global Talent Visa: For exceptional talent in arts, sciences, digital tech (endorsement needed)
  • Australia Skilled Independent 189: Points-based PR (no job offer needed but 80-90+ points required)

Job Offer Required:

  • Canada LMIA Work Permits
  • USA H1B Visa
  • UK Skilled Worker Visa
  • Australia TSS 482 Visa

Q3: How long does work permit processing take?

Answer: Processing times by country:

  • Canada: 2-6 months (faster with Global Talent Stream: 2-4 weeks)
  • Australia: 1-4 months for TSS 482, 6-12 months for PR visas
  • UK: 3-8 weeks for Skilled Worker, faster with priority service (5 days: £500, 1 day: £800)
  • USA: 3-6 months for H1B (after lottery selection), premium processing available (15 days: $2,500)
  • Germany: 2-3 months for EU Blue Card

Note: Times vary based on application completeness, country of origin, and visa office workload.

Q4: Can my family accompany me on a work permit?

Answer: Yes, most countries allow dependent visas:

Canada:

  • Spouse gets open work permit (can work for any employer)
  • Children get study permits (free public school education)
  • Apply simultaneously or after your work permit approval

Australia:

  • Spouse and children included in TSS 482 application
  • Spouse can work full-time
  • Children attend school (government schools free)

UK:

  • Spouse/partner can work (most Skilled Worker dependents)
  • Children can study
  • Additional fees apply per dependent

USA:

  • H4 visa for spouse and children (H1B dependents)
  • Spouse work authorization (EAD) available in certain cases
  • Children can study

Germany:

  • Family reunion visa for spouse and children
  • Spouse can work (with EU Blue Card holder)
  • Children access to German schools

Q5: What happens if my work permit application is rejected?

Answer: Options after rejection:

1. Understand Rejection Reason:

  • Request detailed reasons from immigration authority
  • Common reasons: Incomplete documents, salary below threshold, occupation not eligible, insufficient language scores

2. Reapplication:

  • Address all rejection concerns
  • Provide additional documentation
  • Can reapply immediately in most countries
  • Wait period: None for Canada/Australia, USA depends on reason

3. Appeal/Administrative Review:

  • Canada: Federal Court judicial review (complex, expensive)
  • Australia: AAT (Administrative Appeals Tribunal) - 21 days to lodge
  • UK: Administrative review (14 days) or appeal
  • USA: Limited appeal options, often need to reapply

4. Alternative Pathways:

  • Different visa category
  • Different country
  • Study pathway then work permit

Dr. Shruti Mehta's Rejection Recovery Rate: 80%+ success in overturning work permit rejections through proper documentation and strategic reapplication.

Q6: Do I need a lawyer or consultant for work permit application?

Answer: Not mandatory but highly recommended:

Benefits of Professional Help:

  • Higher Success Rate: Dr. Shruti Mehta: 98% work permit approval rate vs 70-80% self-applications
  • Faster Processing: Complete documentation first time = no delays
  • Expert Knowledge: Up-to-date with policy changes, program-specific requirements
  • Document Review: Ensures all forms completed correctly, supporting documents adequate
  • Complexity Management: Multiple visa types, occupation-specific requirements
  • Interview Prep: For countries requiring interviews (USA)
  • Refusal Prevention: Identifies potential issues before submission

When Professional Help is Essential:

  • Regulated profession (doctor, engineer, accountant) needing licensing
  • Previous visa refusals
  • Complex cases (gaps in employment, frequent job changes)
  • Multiple family members accompanying
  • Tight timelines (job start date approaching)

DIY Possible For: Simple cases with clear-cut eligibility, standard occupation, complete documents

Q7: Can I change employers on a work permit?

Answer: Depends on visa type and country:

Canada:

  • LMIA-Based: Employer-specific, need new LMIA for new employer
  • Open Work Permit: Can change employers freely (PGWP, spouse of skilled worker)
  • Process: Apply for new closed work permit or request employer change

Australia:

  • TSS 482: Employer-sponsored, need new nomination from new employer
  • Cost: New sponsorship application required
  • Timeline: 1-3 months for new sponsorship

UK:

  • Skilled Worker: Can change employer if new employer has sponsor license
  • Same Role: Notify UKVI, no new visa needed if salary/role similar
  • Different Role: New Certificate of Sponsorship + visa application

USA:

  • H1B: New employer must file H1B transfer petition
  • Can Start Work: Once transfer petition filed (portability rule)
  • Timeline: 2-4 months for transfer approval

Germany:

  • EU Blue Card: Approval needed for first 2 years, free movement after
  • Process: Notify Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners' Office)

Q8: What is the pathway from work permit to permanent residence?

Answer: Each country has different PR pathways:

Canada (Easiest & Fastest):

  • Timeline: 1-3 years total
  • Pathway: 1 year work experience → Express Entry CEC
  • Requirements: IELTS 5.0-7.0, 1 year NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 work
  • Processing: 6-8 months after ITA
  • Success Rate: Very high if CRS above cutoff (470-490)

Australia:

  • Timeline: 3-4 years minimum
  • Pathway: TSS 482 (3 years) → ENS 186 PR
  • Requirements: IELTS 6.0 each band, skills assessment, age under 45
  • Alternative: Direct 189/190 skilled migration (65-90 points needed)

UK:

  • Timeline: 5 years
  • Pathway: Skilled Worker (5 years) → Indefinite Leave to Remain
  • Requirements: Continuous employment, £18,600+ salary, Life in UK test, English test
  • Citizenship: Eligible after 6 years (1 year after ILR)

USA:

  • Timeline: 2-10+ years (country quota dependent)
  • Pathway: H1B → EB-2/EB-3 Green Card
  • Challenge: Indian nationals face 5-10 year wait due to country caps
  • Alternatives: EB-1 (extraordinary ability), EB-5 (investment)

Germany:

  • Timeline: 21-33 months (fastest in Europe!)
  • Pathway: EU Blue Card → Permanent Settlement Permit
  • Requirements: 21 months with German B1 language, 33 months with basic German
  • Citizenship: After 8 years residence (6 years with integration course)

Verdict: Canada offers easiest and fastest work-to-PR pathway for Indians, followed by Germany. USA has longest timeline due to country quotas.

Expert Tips from Dr. Shruti Mehta

🎓 15+ Years Experience | 4000+ Successful Work Permits

"As an immigration consultant with PhD qualification and 15 years of experience, I've helped 4000+ professionals secure work permits across Canada, Australia, UK, USA, and Germany with 98% success rate. Here's my professional advice:"

1. Start Early: Begin 6-12 months before intended employment start date. Skills assessment, document preparation, language tests all take time.

2. Choose Right Pathway: Not all visa types suit everyone. LMIA work permit might be easier than express entry for some profiles. Professional assessment crucial.

3. Language Scores Matter: Even when not mandatory, higher IELTS/PTE scores improve approval chances and PR prospects. Invest in proper preparation.

4. Salary Negotiation: Ensure offered salary meets or exceeds minimum threshold for your occupation/location. Below-threshold offers = automatic rejection.

5. Skills Assessment First: For Australia especially, complete skills assessment BEFORE job hunting. Employers want confirmed eligibility.

6. Document Quality: Immigration officers scrutinize work experience letters, pay slips, tax returns. Professional formatting and completeness essential.

7. Regulated Professions: Doctors, engineers, accountants need licensing verification. Start this process 12+ months in advance.

8. Think Long-Term: Choose country/visa type considering PR pathway. Canada work permit → PR is much easier than USA H1B → Green Card.

9. Professional Guidance Pays: Work permit rejections waste 6-12 months and damage future applications. Expert help ensures first-time success.

10. Family Considerations: Factor in spouse work rights, children's education. Canada's open work permit for spouses is huge advantage.

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