What's Covered in This Article
Canada
A temporary public policy has been issued to allow certain temporary residents to apply for a work permit from within Canada.
All temporary residents can apply for an employer-specific work permit under the public policy.
The public policy came into effect on August 24, 2020, and the eligibility criteria were expanded to allow all visitors who are in Canada with valid temporary resident status to apply inland for an employer-specific work permit, regardless of when they arrived in Canada.
The public policy is being extended until February 28, 2025.
You can only apply for a work permit from inside Canada if you have a temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more.
New Zealand
While in New Zealand on a visitor visa, can I look for a job?
While on a visitor visa, you can look for work or attend a job interview in New Zealand, but you are not allowed to work. You need to apply for a work visa before you can start work.
New Zealand issues you a visitor visa on the basis that you have a genuine intention to visit temporarily and return to your home country afterwards.
In order to work in New Zealand as a foreignor therefore, you must hold a valid work visa.
Should you land in New Zealand on a visitor visa, and get offered a job, you may apply for a work visa while in New Zealand, based on this job offer.
When your visa was granted, it was on the basis of you visiting New Zealand.
You cannot work in New Zealand on a visitor visa, but you can look for work according to the New Zealand government immigration website here.
Visitor visas are not a pathway to residency and you cannot work on a visitor visa.
If you want to work in New Zealand and gain residency, you must apply for a different type of visa.
For the visas that lead to residency, you need to have certain skills, experience, qualifications or occupations.
You can apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa, which is granted for a maximum of 3 years and does not automatically lead to an application for a residence class visa.
There are other specific purpose, seasonal or horticulture-specific visas.
United States of America
USCIS clarified that searching for employment and interviewing for a position are permissible B-1 or B-2 activities. However, there are a few things that one should follow.
How to convert US B1/B2 Visit Visa to Work Permit
B-1 or B-2 visa holders cannot work in the domestic labor market while in B-1 status or engage in any employment while in B-2 status.
Approval of a petition and change of status from B-1 or B-2 US visitor visa to work permit aka an employment-authorized status is necessary before starting any new employment in the United States. The new status must take effect before beginning work.
If a change of status request is rejected or the individual’s new employment requires notification at a consulate or port of entry, they must leave the US and re-enter in a valid employment-authorized status before starting their new job.
Germany
The Germany Job search opportunity card technically isn’t a visitor visa but it allows you to convert to a work permit without leaving Germany.
The Job search opportunity card (from June 1st, 2024) is a new legal basis in the German Residence Act to enable controlled access to finding qualified employment in Germany. In addition to searching for a job, it also makes it possible to search for measures to recognize foreign professional qualifications in Germany.
The opportunity card visa can be obtained in two ways:
- Third-country nationals who can prove that their foreign professional or academic qualifications are fully recognized in Germany and are therefore considered ‘skilled workers’ can receive the opportunity card if they can prove that they have sufficient financial resources to fund their job search in Germany without any further special requirements.
- All other applicants must provide evidence of a foreign university degree (recognized by the country in which you obtained it), a professional qualification of at least two years (recognized by the country in which you obtained it) or a professional qualification issued by a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad. In addition, either basic German (level A1) or English language skills (level B2) are required. If these requirements are met, you can collect different points for criteria such as recognition of qualifications in Germany, language skills, professional experience, age and connection to Germany as well as the potential of the partner or spouse moving with you. In order to receive the opportunity card, at least 6 points must be achieved.
The opportunity card is issued for a maximum of one year if you have sufficient financial resources to fund your job search in Germany.
It offers opportunities for trial work or part-time employment for 20 hours a week during your stay in Germany.
Further information about the opportunity card (especially a ‘self-check’) as well as general information about working and living in Germany can be found on Make it in Germany.
