Many years ago it was very common for people to work for one employer for the majority of their work-life – often not moving too far from the place they were born.
Nowadays technology and the modern way of life gives us the opportunity to work abroad and have more employment options to choose from. Due to liberal legislations and democracy, we now have the chance to have the career and professional development we want in other countries we wish to experience.
Additionally, visas and work permit programmes exist to remove barriers for professionals who wish to travel.
There are a number of countries that have growing economies and they need professionals to help fill the work demands.
Opportunities to work abroad are plentiful nowadays and if you are a skilled professional, it makes finding the perfect job in your dream country even easier.
In this article, we’re going to cover some of the best countries to work abroad.
Below are some of the top countries with the most job opportunities:
With plenty of countries with job opportunities for foreigners the UK is one of the highest-paying countries to work in and unemployment there is also low.
However, note that Brexit impacted employment opportunities in the UK, especially for foreign workers.
One of the significant changes brought about by Brexit was the end of free movement which means that EU citizens can no longer live and work in the UK without a visa. Now EU citizens are subject to immigration rules similar to those from non-EU countries.
Post-Brexit, the UK implemented a new points-based immigration system post-Brexit where foreign workers, including EU citizens, will be considered on factors such as skills, qualifications, job offers, and English language proficiency when applying for a visa.
Nonetheless, the skill shortage is drastic in the UK and industries are seeking out highly skilled professionals from all over the world to come to work in the UK.
Some sectors experiencing skill shortages include:
Note that these are just a few examples and there is a longer list of skill shortages.
If you wish to pursue a career in the UK there are a number of work visas on offer. These visas include:
Language spoken: English
Websites to look for work: Indeed, CV-Library, Glassdoor, and Monster
Best cities for job opportunities: Milton Keynes, Oxford, York, St Albans
Next up is Germany which possesses one of the largest economies in the world and has seen its role in the international community grow steadily. It is one of the world’s most popular migration destinations and one of the world’s largest leading importer and exporter.
Hence, Germany is considered one of the best country for job opportunities in Europe.
Yearly, Germany grants thousands of work visas to skilled foreigners in order to help build their careers and in return boost the German economy.
As of 2024, some of the most in-demand jobs in Germany are in the following sectors:
Language spoken: German, however, for business, English is the common language used
Websites to look for work: Stepstone, Indeed, Kimeta, Monster
Best cities for job opportunities: Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart
China is considered one of the best countries for job opportunities!
It has experienced remarkable economic growth over the past few decades, transforming it into the world’s second-largest economy.
Due to its rapid economic growth, China is one of the countries that need foreign workers in 2024, specifically skilled workers.
Some of the sectors where skilled workers are needed include:
Language spoken: the main dialect is Mandarin, however, if you go to big cities, you will hear English spoken commonly
Websites to look for work: 51job, Liepin, eChinacities, and China HR
Best cities for job opportunities: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Chengdu
The next country on our list is Turkey – a country which is mostly located in Asia with some parts in Europe and is considered to have great job opportunities!
Also, Turkey has a diverse economy with industries ranging from manufacturing and agriculture to tourism and services. This diversity offers a variety of job opportunities across different sectors.
Since Turkey has been a popular tourist destination, it has created employment opportunities in hospitality, travel, and related services – it’s another sector you can consider in Turkey.
International companies in Turkey are always searching for workers and the country is actively seeking and attracting a foreign workforce from abroad.
Language spoken: mostly Turkish
Websites to look for work: Yenibiris, Indeed, Snaphunt, TurkeyTalent
Cities where you can find work: Istanbul and Ankara
Australia is known for its great living standard and high quality of life. What’s more, it has good weather and gorgeous places to visit and is therefore one of the best countries to work in!
You’ll find plenty of job opportunities due to some of the following reasons…
It has had a stable economy for many years which has been great for job creation.
On top of that, the immigration system in Australia encourages skilled workers from around the world to move to the country to fill gaps in the labor market.
Although Australia is constantly looking for skilled people of certain professions those who don’t have prior qualifications also find lots of opportunities.
An option you have got for working in Australia is the Australian Working Holiday Visa, which gives you a chance to explore the country while working.
If you think Australia is the perfect place for you, apply for your Australian visa today!
Language spoken: English
Websites to look for work: SEEK, Jora, CareerOne, CareerJet, Gumtree, Indeed Australia
Best cities for job opportunities: Melbourne, Cairns, Gold Coast, Brisbane
Canada is considered one of the top countries for job opportunities and for good reason.
It has a strong economy that is stable and thriving, which is great for jobs.
Canada also has a high standard of living, in fact, it ranks among the countries with the highest standard of living. This means good quality of life, social benefits, and a well-developed infrastructure, which are attractive to job seekers. The country also strongly emphasizes workers’ rights, safety, and work-life balance.
What’s more, Canada has a welcoming immigration policy that encourages skilled workers from around the world to migrate to the country. The Express Entry system offers a pathway for skilled workers to obtain permanent residency, leading to citizenship.
Some of the high-demand jobs for Express Entry in Canada are in the following sectors:
While Canada offers significant job opportunities, it’s essential to note that the availability of jobs can vary depending on the region, industry, and individual qualifications.
Overall, Canada is a cherished destination for professionals seeking lifestyle and career advancement.
The easiest way to apply for a work visa for Canada is with Visa First. The Canadian Working Holiday (IEC) visa gives young people the opportunity to experience the Canadian way of life for up to 2 years.
Language spoken: English and French
Websites to look for work: Indeed Canada, Glassdoor, Monster, CareerBuilder Canada
Best cities for job opportunities: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary
A two-hour lunch break, and coffee and croissants to start the day – France sounds ideal to live in!
While longer lunch breaks may be more common in rural areas, France still offers a work-life balance that’s hard to beat.
That’s not all though, France has great job opportunities for people from abroad.
With one of the largest economies in the world, France provides jobs across sectors like:
Whether you’re a skilled or unskilled worker, France offers positions not only for engineers, IT specialists, researchers, and managers, but also in hospitality, agriculture, and services.
Note that France has a huge attraction to a technological workforce. Like other European countries, France has a technology industry that dreams of being able to employ a digitally skilled and qualified workforce from India, China, the Middle East and more.
In fact, there is now the French Tech Visa that aims to attract international talent.
If good life quality, work-life balance, coffee and croissants for breakfast sound appealing to you, France is certainly one to consider for job opportunities!
Language spoken: French
Websites to look for work: Monster France, Indeed France, and Keli Jobs
Best cities for job opportunities: Toulouse, Lyon, Nice, and Marseille
The USA has a diverse and powerful economy, with industries like technology, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment thriving, and as a result, there is a wide range of job opportunities across various sectors.
Hence, the USA has been a popular destination for international professionals seeking better career opportunities and higher salaries.
USA companies often look to attract talented individuals from all over the world, with jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers
The opportunities and financial rewards will be well worth it if you get hired in the US.
Language spoken: English
Websites to look for work: Indeed, CareerBuilder, ZipRecruiter, and Monster
Best cities for job opportunities: San Jose in California, Austin in Texas, Denver in Colorado and Nashville in Tennessee
Looking to find the best country for job opportunities in Europe?.
Be sure to check out Switzerland.
Switzerland has relatively high job opportunities and low unemployment rates this is due to a stable and prosperous economy.
Some popular industries in Switzerland include:
Additionally, Switzerland offers a high standard of living, excellent healthcare, education, and social services, making it ideal for not only local but also international job seekers.
A big employer in Switzerland to note is the financial service industry and it is known as a high-wealth centre.
Although the cost of living is high in Switzerland the career opportunities are worth it!
Language spoken: Official languages include German, Italian and French. However, you’ll also find that English and Portuguese are spoken
Websites to look for work: Indeed, Careerjet, and Jobs.ch
Best cities for job opportunities: Zurich, Winterthur, Geneva, and Bern
Ireland has one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU according to Statista and the highest average wage. Therefore, Ireland is a great country to look for a job in as a foreigner!
Job sectors that are in high demand in Ireland include:
Language spoken: English
Websites to look for work: Jobs.ie, Indeed, IrishJobs.ie, Glassdoor
Best cities for job opportunities: Dublin, Galway and Cork
As an employer in Ireland, it’s a great idea to embrace the growing economy and attract overseas talent.
If you want to attract talent to your company, you can consider programs such as the General Employment Permit and the Critical Skills Employment Permit.
Looking to attract new talent to your company from overseas? Visa First is here to help!
You can start by checking your candidate’s eligibility.
We can help you obtain a work permit for those employees you’d like to work with from overseas.
So there you have some of the top countries for job opportunities.
A pro tip is to to visit the country before settling and getting a job, particularly if you are hesitant as it can help you make your final decision.
While visiting the country is highly recommended, it might not always be feasible for everyone for various reasons. In that case, thorough research, reaching out to expat communities, and seeking advice from those who have experience in the country can help you prepare for your move.
Ready to embrace boundless opportunities abroad? Start your journey today with Visa First!
Although we can’t help you find jobs abroad, we can help you apply for your visa, and assist you with your visa application for some destinations.
Whether you’d like to apply for a visa for yourself or if you are looking for a visa service for your employees, at Visa First, we’ve got over 20 years of experience providing people with visas worldwide.
Need a visa or work permit? Apply for yours today at VisaFirst.com and make your work and travel dreams come true!
Have you ever thought of moving to Australia to live life down under as a backpacker or a working holidaymaker? Many prospective backpackers are daunted by the prospect of travelling to Australia unsure of how they will settle into a new country and culture.
They usually say “If you want bucks, go to Australia, if you want the quality of life, choose New Zealand”.
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