Many worldwide wish to emigrate to countries where they can have a better job, better standard of living, etc. However, many countries are challenging to immigrate into because of various factors. These factors can range from stringent immigration policies to issues of types of visas. Countries like the U.S. can charge from $730 to $1,385 for a regular H-1B visa. The cheapest work visa countries are nations with affordable work visas for prospective immigrants and permanent residents.
What is a Work Visa?
A work visa is a legal document that allows a person to work in a foreign country. It can also lead to more extended stays and permanent residency. This special visa expressly permits employment, making it a smart choice for skilled workers looking to build a life. Each country has rules about every type of visa, including what kind of job you can do and how long you can stay.
These are the cheapest work visa countries:
1. Mexico
A Mexico work visa offers access to a growing economy, rich culture, and excellent quality of life. The South American country also offers a perfect blend of work and play with its blooming industries. Its major cities, Guadalajara and Monterrey, offer diverse work opportunities. Their cost of living is well below that of many neighboring countries like Costa Rica. Mexico has a work visa application process that is affordable and straightforward. It is pretty hassle-free.
Applying for a Mexico Work Visa requires a job offer from a local employer willing to sponsor it. Many of these employers are in Mexico, especially in tourism, education, and tech industries. This work visa allows legal work for up to one year. The process averages about $290 in fees, with processing times ranging from two to six weeks.
2. Portugal
Acquiring a Portugal visa opens one up to manifold career options and experiences. Portugal offers a comfortable lifestyle, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine. Its advanced cities, like Lisbon and Braga, also lead cities in integration and inclusivity. Porto is a European city at the forefront of technological advancement. Portugal is undoubtedly one of the best and cheapest work visa countries.
The process time for a Portugal work visa is one of the shortest in Europe. In just around sixty days, applicants can get feedback on their documents. There are many thriving industries here that skilled professionals can apply to. Immigrants in tech, hospitality, and renewable energy have high annual incomes. The visa fee is around $85–$110, making it one of the most economical options in Western Europe.
3. The United Arab Emirates
The UAE is well known for its steep living conditions. However, this high-end lifestyle is warranted by the quality of life and monthly income enjoyed in the region. A blend of modernity and tradition with a cosmopolitan lifestyle makes the UAE a fantastic destination. It also boasts cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which are on the bleeding edge of progression and innovation. Fortunately, the absence of income taxes offset the high cost of living. UAE work visas are highly sought after.
Applying for a UAE Work Visa requires a job offer from two or more local employers willing to sponsor it. Many of these employers are in the UAE, especially in the tourism, finance, and tech industries. The work visa allows residents to reside in the UAE for up to three years, with more opportunities for self-employed people. The process averages about $150 to $300 in fees, with processing times ranging from one to two weeks.
4. Thailand
The first Southeast Asian country on this list undoubtedly merits its inclusion. Thailand is one of the cheapest work visa countries, at the top of Asia. The country is renowned for its tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins, and ornate temples. However, it also has fast-paced urban hubs like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Thailand is an excellent location to enjoy a beautiful and serene life while building your career.
The process time for a Thailand work visa, specifically the Non-Immigrant B Visa, is one of the quickest in the world. In just around one week, applicants can get fully registered on a work basis. Industries with high monthly income here include automotive, electronics, and agriculture. Depending on the consulate, the visa costs around $30–$60.
5. Poland
Poland is another underrated country in which to live and work. This former Soviet Union state is one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies. Poland possesses such a rich history, natural beauty, and warm locals. Its rapidly urbanizing hubs like Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw are desirable options for foreigners to build careers. Poland also offers relatively low living costs compared to Western Europe.
A Polish work visa is perhaps one of the most accessible documents for prospective immigrants to obtain. Its processing time is minimal, often taking no less than 30 days. You can apply for a visa at a Polish consulate after you have received a work permit from an employer. Polish companies offer significant annual income in IT, finance, and manufacturing industries. The work visa fee is approximately $50–$100, depending on the processing location.
6. Vietnam
Vietnam’s Work Visa is increasingly popular due to its low costs and vibrant job market. The Asian country offers various benefits for foreign workers looking to advance their careers. The country is also renowned for its fast-paced and tech-heavy cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. A lively atmosphere and low cost of living make Vietnam one of the best and cheapest work visa countries.
To obtain a Vietnam work visa, employers must secure a work permit from the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, which can take a few weeks. However, this initial work visa is valid for one year and can lead to permanent residency. There are many employers in Vietnam, especially in industries like English tutoring, IT, and manufacturing. The Vietnam work visa fee is about $50–$100, depending on your nationality.
7. Estonia
An Estonian work visa offers access to a fast-growing economy and an inexpensive cost of living. The country also offers a unique culture and an innovative framework. Its major cities, like Tallinn, provide an advanced and booming tech sector. Estonia also comes with a moderate cost of living, suited to immigrants looking to settle. This Baltic state has a work visa application process that is thorough yet inexpensive. It is equally thoroughly expedited.
Many of these employers are in Estonia, especially in industries like agro-tourism, finance, and tech. After an Estonian employer applies for sponsorship, foreigners can work up to two years. The entire process averages about $100 in fees, with processing times of not less than a month.
8. Argentina
Argentina is a great and historic country with an ever-expanding economy. It is also renowned for its immigration and expulsion policies, which were instituted as far back as 1934. These favorable policies make living and working in Argentina easy as a foreigner. Buenos Aires is the main hub for job seekers, with opportunities abounding.
Foreigners can begin the visa acquisition process by submitting applications at the Argentine consulate in their home countries. These applications must include documents like a passport and proof of employment. Many employment opportunities in Argentina are open to foreign workers. However, opportunities in technology, hospitality, and education are the most in demand. The visa fee is approximately $200, making Argentina one of the cheapest work visa countries.
9. Turkey
Turkey is one country famous for its friendly and universal immigration policy. This multicultural and busy country also has delicious cuisine. Turkey is a practical choice for qualified workers to enter the vibrant EU job market. It is also renowned for its cities like Istanbul and Ankara, hotspots for growth and technological advancement.
The Turkey visa allows you to work and live in Turkey for up to one year, with the possibility of renewal. Applying for a Turkey work visa requires a job offer from a local sponsor. Many of these high-monthly income sponsors work in the tourism, construction, and technology industries. The Turkish work visa is one of the cheapest in the world. The visa fee is around $50, and processing typically takes up to 30 days.
10. Spain
Acquiring a Spanish work visa affords foreign workers manifold career opportunities and experiences. Spain offers a vibrant culture, an extensive economy, and a comfortable lifestyle. Its major cities, Madrid and Valencia, are multicultural opportunity hubs. Spain has a lower cost of living than other advanced European countries. Spain is undoubtedly one of the best and cheapest work visa countries.
The process time for a Spanish work visa is long and extensively thorough. Applicants may not even hear about applications until after three months. However, there are innumerable thriving industries that immigrants can apply to. Companies in banking, education, and technology are actively recruiting foreign workers. The visa fee is around $160 for a fulfilling experience beyond work.
11. Philippines
The Philippines is an accessible work option for foreigners looking to exploit a fast-growing economy. This Asian nation is projected to be one of the economies with the most growth potential by 2036. The Philippines boasts stunning beaches and exciting nightlife. It is a prime location for immigrant workers looking to live exciting lives. Significant cities like Manila and Cebu are also thriving with various work opportunities.
Philippine employers/companies must first file a work permit application through the Department of Labor and Employment. Foreign workers must include passports, medical certificates, and offers of employment. The Philippines' cost of living is amongst the lowest in Asia, making jobs in agrotourism, business process outsourcing, and data analysis increasingly lucrative. The visa fee is around $150; processing times can take two to four weeks.
12. South Africa
South Africa is a vibrant and diverse country known for its multicultural sights and sounds. It is a fantastic option for those looking for a flavor different from the other countries on this list. South Africa is also one of the cheapest work visa countries. Its cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town stand at the forefront of African progress and development. South Africa provides immigrants with a unique and enriching experience, including safaris and tech exports.
This work visa allows residents to work in South Africa for the duration of the employment contract. This can be for anywhere from up to five years, with options for a residence permit. However, in South Africa, employers must apply for a work permit through the Department of Home Affairs. Popular industries here include mining, finance, and technology. The cost of living is also affordable outside its major urban areas. The visa fee is approximately $100 for a three-month visa program.
13. Germany
Germany’s Work Visa is highly sought after due to its strong economy and job market. Germany is also a top-rated destination because of its expedited immigration process for English speakers. Germany offers a blend of work and leisure in its lively cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt. The cost of living is also reasonable, especially outside of major centers.
Many German employers assist foreigners in obtaining work and temporary residence permits. Technology, engineering, and healthcare companies recruit thousands of immigrants every year. The temporary permit for these immigrants typically allows work with minimum income requirements. In Germany, these contract lengths can range from one to four years. The visa fee is around $100, with processing times varying from two to six weeks.
14. Colombia
Colombia's emerging economy and warm climate have become popular for immigrants. These factors have made it rank high amongst the cheapest work visa countries. Colombia's rich history, diverse ecosystems, and friendly locals create a welcoming atmosphere. The country's urban hubs, like Bogotá and MedellÃn, are booming with development. These cities are well suited to high-octane industries and even remote workers.
Colombia offers onsite and remote employment in consultancy, technology, and agriculture. It is a country that provides a blend of work and adventure. The work visa process is around $80 and takes 30 to 90 days.
15. Sweden
Sweden is a popular destination for those seeking opportunities in a thriving European economy. The country also offers an employee-friendly work culture and extensive social benefits. Its major cities, like Stockholm and Gothenburg, are centers for trading in the pervasive EU market. Sweden may have a high cost of living, but its competitive salaries and medical insurance compensate for this. This Nordic country has an inexpensive and straightforward work visa application process.
There are many employers of migrants in Sweden, especially in industries like technology, engineering, and design. Foreigners can also work for as long as their employment contract and monthly income requirements are valid. The entire process leverages about $200 in fees, with up to three months processing times.
16. Singapore
Singapore’s Work Visa provides a gateway to one of Asia's most dynamic economies. It is also one of the most beautiful countries and has various things to do. The country has the third highest per-capita GDP in the world in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). This is coupled with its exceedingly low tax rates, perfect for low and high-income earners.
A Singapore work visa is typically valid for one or two years and comes with temporary residence permits. This is particularly true for international workers in the finance, technology, and healthcare industries. Singapore work visas cost around $200, and processing takes two to three weeks.
17. Finland
Finland’s Work Visa offers a pathway to live and work in one of the world’s happiest countries. It is also one of the cheapest and best work visa countries. Working in Finland allows foreigners to ply their trade in upscale cities like Helsinki. Finland is also known for its beautiful natural features and excellent education system. This makes it the perfect place for workers looking to build careers and start families.
Competitive salaries and a strong welfare system balance Finland's high cost of living. The average salary is highest for jobs in sectors like technology, education, and healthcare. Foreign workers can work and live in Finland for up to four years, with options for a residence permit. The work visa costs $150 and takes 30 to 90 days to process.
Conclusion
Many of the countries listed above have a high percentage of working immigrants. They are bolstered by friendly immigration policies and rewards for future employers who hire immigrants. Look no further if you want to start or continue a budding career in a foreign country. You can learn how to acquire work visas by reading how to secure a Work Visa and Work Permit Overseas.
