A work visa authorises you to take up employment with a specific employer in another country. It usually requires a job offer and employer sponsorship, and it is tied to that job for the visa's duration.
By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Updated 2026-09-15
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Destination
Passport
Purpose
Taking up paid employment with an employer in the destination country.
Who it’s for
Workers with a confirmed job offer and employer sponsorship.
How you apply
Sponsor-led residence or work-permit application filed by the employer or with their support.
How Krosz helps
Krosz can help you understand the general work visa landscape and required documents. Work permits are sponsor-driven; we are a private service and not a government authority.
Destinations
Only destinations where Krosz has verified data for this purpose are shown.
Krosz does not currently process this visa category for specific destinations.
Contact the relevant embassy for your destination, or for guidance.
Overview
A work visa (or work permit) lets you legally take employment in a country. It is almost always linked to a specific employer and role; changing jobs usually requires a new or amended permit.
It is designed for workers who have a confirmed job offer and an employer willing to sponsor them. The employer often leads the application or provides key documents.
Work visas differ from business visas (short business activity, no local salary) and from digital nomad visas (remote work for a foreign employer, not local employment).
Exemptions depend on your nationality, destination and circumstances — always confirm for your exact case.
Activities
Employment
Working for the sponsoring employer in the named role.
Local salary
Receiving a salary from the local employer.
Residence
Living in the country for the job duration.
Family inclusion
Including dependants in many programmes (rules vary).
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 and blank pages.
Photograph
Recent photo meeting the destination's rules.
Application form
Completed work permit / visa application.
Job offer / contract
Confirmed employment contract with the sponsor.
Employer sponsorship
Sponsor licence and certificate of sponsorship where required.
Qualifications
Proof of qualifications and experience for the role.
Background checks
Police clearance and health checks where required.
Process
Steps may differ by destination and your circumstances.
Secure a job offer
Get a confirmed offer from an employer licensed to sponsor.
Employer sponsors
The employer issues a sponsorship certificate and may file the permit.
Prepare documents
Gather contract, qualifications, police clearance and identity documents.
Apply & pay
Submit the work visa application with the sponsor's certificate.
Processing
The authority verifies the sponsor, role and applicant.
Decision
Receive the work visa tied to the employer and role.
Need help with your Work Visa?
Tell us where you're going — a Krosz visa expert will walk you through it.
Comparison
| Point of comparison | Work Visa | Business Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | Local employment with salary | No local employment |
| Sponsor | Employer sponsorship required | Host company invitation, not sponsorship |
| Duration | Tied to the job contract | Short business stay |
| Activities | Performing productive work | Meetings, negotiations, events |
Be prepared
Practical
FAQ
About the Work Visa, answered by Krosz visa experts.
A visa or permit that lets you take paid employment with a specific employer in the destination, usually tied to a job offer and sponsorship.
Usually no. Work visas are tied to a sponsoring employer. Changing employers often requires a new or amended permit.
Often the employer leads the application or provides the sponsorship certificate. The employee usually files the visa part with the sponsor's documents.
Many work visa programmes include dependants, but rules vary by country and visa type.
A work visa authorises local employment and salary; a business visa is for short business activity without local employment.
Remote workers for a foreign employer usually use a digital nomad visa, not a local work visa, depending on the country.
Usually you need a new sponsorship or an amendment. Check the destination's rules before changing employers.
It depends on the contract and programme. Some are renewable; many lead to longer residence over time.
Share your trip and a Krosz visa expert will explain the work 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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