A job seeker visa lets qualified professionals enter a country for a limited time to look for employment. It does not itself allow working — once you find a job, you usually convert to a work or skilled worker visa.
By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Updated 2026-09-15
Find requirements by country
Pick a destination and your passport — we'll open the right guide.
Destination
Passport
Purpose
Entering a country to search for skilled employment for a limited period.
Who it’s for
Qualified professionals with the credentials and funds to job-hunt onshore.
How you apply
Application with qualifications, experience, funds and a job-search plan.
How Krosz helps
Krosz can help you understand the general job seeker route and documents. We are a private service and not a government authority.
Destinations
Researched from official immigration sources. Each country has its own detailed guide.
Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) – residence permit for job search under Section 20a German Residence Act
Visit Visa to Explore Job Opportunities (Job Exploration Visa)
Job Seeker Visa for Very Highly Qualified Workers (Visa D)
Residence permit for highly qualified persons to look for work or start a business
Residence permit for search year highly educated persons (orientation year / zoekjaar)
Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G)
Residence permit to look for work or start a business after studies or research
Establishment Card (Etableringskort)
Designated Activities (Future Creation Individual) – J-Find
High Potential Individual (HPI) visa
Figures come from each country's official immigration source, linked on every guide. Always confirm before applying.
Overview
A job seeker visa grants a short stay to look for work in person. It is designed for skilled professionals who meet certain qualification and points criteria, giving them time onshore to secure an offer.
It does not authorise employment. Once you find a sponsor, you apply for a work or skilled worker visa. The job seeker visa bridges the gap between arrival and securing sponsorship.
It differs from a work visa, which requires a confirmed job and sponsor upfront, and from a business visa, which is for short business activity rather than job hunting.
Exemptions depend on your nationality, destination and circumstances — always confirm for your exact case.
Activities
Job searching
Applying for roles and attending interviews onshore.
Networking
Meeting employers, recruiters and attending events.
Short residence
Living in the country for the search period.
What you normally cannot do
Documents
Only documents relevant to this category. Exact requirements vary by country — confirm for your destination.
Passport
Valid with sufficient validity for the search period.
Photograph
Recent photo meeting the destination's rules.
Application form
Completed job seeker visa application.
Qualifications
Degree and credential evidence meeting the criteria.
Experience proof
Work experience records and references.
Funds proof
Evidence you can support yourself during the search.
Health & character checks
Medical and police clearance where required.
Process
Steps may differ by destination and your circumstances.
Meet the criteria
Confirm your qualifications and experience meet the points or criteria.
Prepare a job-search plan
Outline your target roles, sectors and approach.
Gather documents
Collect qualifications, experience, funds and checks.
Apply & pay
Submit the job seeker visa application and fee.
Processing
The authority verifies credentials and funds.
Decision
Receive a visa for the search period, then convert once hired.
Need help with your Job Seeker Visa?
Tell us where you're going — a Krosz visa expert will walk you through it.
Comparison
| Point of comparison | Job Seeker Visa | Work Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Job offer | Not required; the point is to find one | Required upfront with sponsorship |
| Work allowed | No — only job hunting | Yes — that is the purpose |
| Duration | Short search period | Tied to the job contract |
| Next step | Convert to a work visa once hired | Already a work visa |
Be prepared
Practical
FAQ
About the Job Seeker Visa, answered by Krosz visa experts.
A short-stay visa that lets qualified professionals enter a country to look for work, without working. Once hired, you convert to a work visa.
No. You can search and interview, but you cannot start working until you convert to a work or skilled worker visa.
Skilled professionals who meet the destination's qualification, experience and points criteria, with funds to support themselves.
It is a short search period, often a few months. You must find a job and convert within that time.
You apply to convert to a work or skilled worker visa with your new employer's sponsorship.
No — the purpose is to find one onshore. If you already have an offer, apply for a work visa directly.
Most job seeker visas are for the individual; dependants often join after you convert to a work visa.
Common reasons: qualifications below criteria, insufficient funds, or a vague job-search plan.
Share your trip and a Krosz visa expert will explain the job seeker visa process for your destination. No documents or payment needed at this stage.
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Krosz is a private visa & travel assistance service — not a government website, agency or embassy. Visas are granted solely by the relevant government authorities.
Krosz is a private visa assistance platform and is not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Last reviewed: 2026-09-15.
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