36 Skill Shortage Immigration Programs Worldwide in 2024: Many nations are experiencing a lack of skilled workers in vital industries as the world’s economy continue to change. Different immigration schemes have been created to draw in talented workers from all over the world in order to bridge these gaps.
List of 36 International Skill Shortage Immigration Programs in 2024
Here’s a comprehensive list of skill shortage jobs based immigration programs available in 2024:
New Zealand
- Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): Targets skilled workers in professions such as trades, healthcare, and engineering.
- Essential Skills Work Visa: For skilled workers in occupations on the Long-Term Skill Shortage List or the Regional Skill Shortage List.
Canada
- Express Entry: Manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program targeting various skilled occupations.
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program: Helps employers in Atlantic Canada hire foreign skilled workers and international graduates.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Each province and territory nominates skilled workers who meet specific regional labor market needs.
- Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Permit: Allows multinational companies to transfer key employees to Canada temporarily.
- Quebec-selected skilled worker (QSW): For skilled workers aiming to become permanent residents of Quebec.
United Kingdom
- Global Talent Visa: For highly skilled individuals in fields like science, engineering, medicine, and the arts.
- Skilled Worker Route: For skilled workers with a job offer from an approved employer sponsor.
- Shortage Occupation List: Eases visa processes for foreign workers in specific occupations with shortages.
- Tech Nation Visa: For tech talent with job offers from UK-based tech companies.
Australia
- TSS Visa (Temporary Skill Shortage): Allows employers to sponsor skilled workers for occupations on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List or the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List.
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme: Enables employers in regional areas to sponsor skilled workers for occupations on the Regional Occupation List.
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): For skilled workers not sponsored by an employer or family member but have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190): For skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government agency.
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186): Allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers for permanent residency.
- Regional Skilled Migration Program (subclass 491): For skilled workers and their families wanting to live and work in regional Australia.
Germany
- Fachkräftezuwanderungsgesetz (Skilled Immigration Act): Attracts skilled workers from outside the EU to address labor shortages in various sectors.
Ireland
- Critical Skills Employment Permit: For highly skilled workers in occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List, including healthcare and engineering roles.
United States
- H-1B Visa: Allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, including healthcare, engineering, and technology roles.
Singapore
- Employment Pass: For foreign professionals with acceptable qualifications and specialist skills.
Denmark
- Positive List for Skilled Workers: Fast-tracks residence and work permits for foreign nationals with in-demand skills.
Japan
- Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT) Permit: For employees of multinational companies transferred to a branch or subsidiary in Japan.
Switzerland
- Swiss Blue Card: For highly qualified workers from outside the EU/EFTA with job offers in Switzerland.
South Africa
- Skilled Migration Programme: Targets skilled workers in various fields to address national skill shortages.
Finland
- Employment Permit System: Allows employers to hire skilled workers from outside the EU/EEA for job vacancies they cannot fill locally.
Sweden
- Key Employee Initiative: Allows companies to quickly recruit highly skilled key personnel from abroad.
Norway
- Residence Permit for Employment: For skilled workers with job offers in Norway.
Chile
- Start-up Visa: Attracts foreign entrepreneurs to start innovative businesses in Chile.
Malaysia
- Employment Pass: For foreign professionals working in specific skilled occupations in Malaysia.
Netherlands
- Entrepreneur Visa: Allows entrepreneurs to establish and operate innovative businesses.
Hong Kong
- Employment Pass: permits foreign professionals to work provided they have employment offers and meet the requirements.
Malta
- Key Employee Initiative: permits businesses to hire highly qualified foreign personnel who are necessary for operations.
South Korea
- Skilled Migrant Visa: for knowledgeable individuals with training and expertise in high-demand fields.
France
- Talent Passport: For investors, new graduates, and highly skilled individuals who wish to operate or launch enterprises in France.
Belgium
- Highly Skilled Migrant Programme: focuses on offering highly qualified professionals jobs in Belgium.
Programs for immigration aimed at addressing the global talent shortage provide qualified people with a wealth of chances to advance their professions and support the economic growth of their host nations. Regardless of your profession—engineering, trades, IT, or healthcare—there’s probably a program that fits your ambitions and skill set.
