Work Visa – KUDRAT IMMIGRATION

Build Your International Career with Kudrat Immigration’s Work Visa Services!

Are you a skilled professional looking to advance your career in a dynamic international environment? A work visa is your essential tool for securing employment and building a fulfilling life in a new country. Kudrat Immigration specializes in simplifying the complex work visa application process, connecting talented individuals like you with global job opportunities.

What is a Work Visa?

A work visa (often called an employment visa or work permit) is an official authorization that allows a foreign national to legally work in a specific country for a defined period. Unlike visitor or business visas, work visas are directly tied to employment and often require a job offer from an employer in the destination country.

Each country has various work visa categories, often based on skill level, occupation lists, employer sponsorship, or specific programs designed to attract foreign talent.

Key Requirements for a Work Visa:

While requirements vary significantly by country and visa type, here are the common elements you’ll typically need:

Job Offer/Employment Contract: A valid offer of employment from a recognized employer in the destination country, often requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or similar labor market test, or being on an “in-demand” occupation list.
Sponsorship: In many cases, your employer must be an approved sponsor with the country’s immigration authorities.
Qualifications & Experience: Proof of your educational qualifications (degrees, diplomas) and relevant work experience (experience letters, pay stubs, resume/CV) matching the job requirements.
English Language Proficiency: Scores from approved English language tests (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, PTE) may be required.
Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.
Financial Proof: Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself and any accompanying family members upon arrival.
Medical Examination: A health check-up conducted by an approved panel physician.
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): A clean criminal record.
Visa Application Form: Duly completed and signed.
Passport-Sized Photographs: Recent photos meeting specific requirements.
Ties to Home Country (sometimes): While less common for permanent work visas, some temporary work visas may require you to demonstrate strong ties to your home country to ensure you will return.

Country-Specific Insights for Work Visas:

Here’s a brief overview of popular work visa destinations, their general requirements, indicative fees, and processing times.

1. Work in Canada 🇨🇦

Popular Pathways:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): Requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the employer.
- International Mobility Program (IMP): LMIA-exempt work permits (e.g., Intra-Company Transfers, Post-Graduation Work Permits, CETA, GSS).
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Provinces nominate individuals with in-demand skills for work permits leading to permanent residency.
- Express Entry: While not a work permit itself, having a job offer or provincial nomination can significantly boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for permanent residency, often followed by a work permit.
General Requirements: Job offer, LMIA (if applicable), proof of funds, educational credentials, English/French proficiency (often CLB 7+ for skilled work), medical exam, PCC.
Indicative Fees:
- Work Permit Fee: CAD 155 (approx. ₹9,500).
- Open Work Permit Holder Fee (if applicable): CAD 100 (approx. ₹6,100).
- Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 (approx. ₹5,200).
- Employer Compliance Fee (paid by employer, for LMIA-exempt): CAD 230 (approx. ₹14,000).
- LMIA Processing Fee (paid by employer, for LMIA-required): CAD 1,000 (approx. ₹61,000).
Processing Period (from India): Varies greatly by stream.
- TFWP (LMIA-based): LMIA processing (10-15 business days for some streams) + Work Permit processing (approx. 20-21 weeks from outside Canada).
- IMP (LMIA-exempt): 8-10 weeks.
- Global Skills Strategy (GSS): 2 weeks for highly skilled roles.

2. Work in Australia 🇦🇺

Popular Pathways:
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482): Employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers. Has Short-Term, Medium-Term, and Labour Agreement streams.
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): Points-tested permanent visa, no sponsorship required (invitation-based).
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): State/territory nominated permanent visa (invitation-based).
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): Provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by a state/territory or sponsored by a family member to live and work in regional Australia, with a pathway to permanent residency.
General Requirements: Skill assessment, relevant occupation on ANZSCO lists, English proficiency (IELTS 6.0-7.0+), Expression of Interest (EOI), state/territory nomination (for 190/491), job offer and sponsorship (for 482). Age limits apply for permanent skilled visas.
Indicative Fees:
- TSS Visa (Subclass 482): From AUD 1,455 – AUD 3,035 (approx. ₹80,000 – ₹167,000) for base application. (There was a fee increase in July 2024.)
- Skilled Independent/Nominated Visa (Subclass 189/190): From AUD 4,640 (approx. ₹255,000).
- Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy (paid by employer for sponsored visas): Ranges from AUD 1,200 – AUD 7,200 per year (depending on business turnover and visa duration).
Processing Period (from India):
- TSS (Subclass 482): 8 days to 5 months (highly variable by stream and completeness).
- Skilled Independent (Subclass 189): 3-25 months.
- Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190): 4-14 months.

3. Work in the UK 🇬🇧

Popular Pathways:
- Skilled Worker Visa: Requires a job offer from a licensed UK employer who provides a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is the primary route for most skilled workers.
- Health and Care Worker Visa: A specific route for eligible health and social care professionals, generally faster and with lower fees.
- Global Talent Visa: For leaders or emerging leaders in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology.
- Other categories: e.g., Innovator Founder, Scale-up visa.
General Requirements: Job offer from a licensed sponsor, Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), English language proficiency (IELTS UKVI or equivalent, generally B1 or B2 CEFR level), sufficient funds for maintenance, valid passport, TB test.
Indicative Fees:
- Skilled Worker Visa Application Fee (outside UK):
  - Up to 3 years: GBP 769 (approx. ₹80,000).
  - More than 3 years: GBP 1,519 (approx. ₹158,000).
  - (Lower fees apply if the job is on the Immigration Salary List).
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): GBP 1,035 per year (approx. ₹108,000).
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fee (paid by employer): GBP 239 (approx. ₹25,000).
- Immigration Skills Charge (paid by employer): GBP 1,000 per year for large sponsors; GBP 364 per year for small sponsors.
Processing Period (from India):
- Skilled Worker Visa: Typically 3 weeks from biometrics.
- Health and Care Worker Visa: Generally faster, often 3 weeks.
- Priority services are available for an extra cost.

4. Work in the USA 🇺🇸

Popular Pathways:
- H-1B Visa: For individuals in specialty occupations. Highly competitive, subject to an annual lottery. Requires a U.S. employer to file a petition on your behalf.
- L-1 Visa: For intra-company transferees (executives, managers, or those with specialized knowledge) from a foreign company to a U.S. parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary.
- O-1 Visa: For individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- E-3 Visa (for Australian citizens, relevant for comparison): A specialty occupation visa for Australian citizens.
General Requirements: Approved petition (I-129) filed by a U.S. employer, specific educational qualifications or equivalent experience, demonstration of non-immigrant intent (for most), valid passport, DS-160, interview.
Indicative Fees:
- H-1B Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee): USD 185 (approx. ₹15,655).
- H-1B Petition Filing Fee (paid by employer): USD 460 (approx. ₹38,230).
- Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee (paid by employer): USD 500 (approx. ₹41,500).
- ACWIA Fee (paid by employer, based on company size): USD 750 (for <25 employees) / USD 1,500 (for 25+ employees).
- Premium Processing Fee (optional, for faster processing): USD 2,500 (approx. ₹207,500).
- H-1B Registration Fee: USD 215.
- L-1 Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee): USD 185.
- L-1 Petition Filing Fee: USD 460.
Processing Period (from India):
- H-1B: After lottery selection, petition processing by USCIS can take several months (or 15 days with premium processing). Visa interview slots can have long wait times.
- L-1: Petition processing by USCIS can take several months (or 15 days with premium processing). Interview appointment times vary.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Work Visa with Kudrat Immigration:

Eligibility Assessment: Our experts will analyze your qualifications, work experience, and career goals to determine the most suitable work visa options and target countries for you.
Job Search & Employer Connection (where applicable): While we don’t guarantee job placement, we can guide you on effective job search strategies, resume optimization for international standards, and sometimes connect you with recruiters or employers.
Skill Assessment & English Test Guidance: Advice on mandatory skill assessments by relevant authorities and preparation for English language proficiency tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE).
Documentation & Application Preparation: Meticulous assistance in gathering, translating, and organizing all required personal, academic, and professional documents.
Employer Sponsorship Support (if required): Guidance for your prospective employer on sponsorship requirements, LMIA application, or Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issuance.
Online Application & Form Filling: Expert help in accurately completing complex online visa application forms.
Fee Payment & Biometrics/Medical Coordination: Guidance on paying the correct fees and scheduling biometrics appointments and medical examinations.
Interview Preparation: For countries requiring an interview, we provide comprehensive coaching and mock sessions to ensure you’re confident and prepared.
Application Submission & Tracking: We assist with the final submission of your application and monitor its status diligently.
Pre-Departure Briefing: Essential information and advice for your arrival and initial settlement in your new country.

Ready to Build Your Global Career?

Don’t let the complexities of work visas hinder your professional ambitions. Partner with Kudrat Immigration, and let our expertise pave the way for your successful career abroad.

Apply Now and take the decisive step towards your international professional future!