When planning a move abroad, understanding visa options is essential, but the rules, names, and requirements can be overwhelming. This guide outlines how to research visa types, what to look for based on your personal circumstances, and what red flags might lead to a refusal. From students, HNW people to retirees, this guide will help you ask the right questions before you commit to a move.
For most people moving abroad, understanding the different visa types on offer is going to be essential. Every country has slightly different criteria, but it’s vital to research the specific visas on offer for countries on your shortlist.
Your visa will also determine what you are allowed and not allowed to do during your visit, so it is important to understand which are the most suitable options for you. It’s also vital to understand whether you will be eligible as early in the research process as possible to avoid wasting time planning a move which isn’t suitable for you.
Whether you’re planning a short-term adventure, a professional relocation, a permanent move, or retirement abroad, understanding your visa options early is critical to avoid delays, undue stress and expense, or outright refusals.
This article doesn’t cover specific visa types by country, as those details change regularly. Instead, we have written this guide to provide a framework to help you approach your research effectively, know what to look out for, and understand what could jeopardise an application.
By the end of this article, you won’t know exactly where to move, but you will have a good understanding of the different types of visas and what to look for when creating your shortlist of countries and visas.
We’ve written this guide assuming you already know what a visa is and why a visa is required when moving country.
As you’ll already know, every country has its own rules. but most visas fall into a few common categories, and most will require you to prove that you have the necessary funds or income to be self-sufficient without depending on the state.
Essentially, a successful visa application will likely be determined around whether you will be contributing to the local economy and have something significant to offer.
As you start researching, focus on the following key areas:
The type of visa most suitable will almost always be tied to your reason for moving, including:
These categories often overlap and may also have different tax implications. Each issuing country puts its own spin on them, so always look beyond the name and dig into the eligibility.
Excluding tourist visas, some visas are short-term (i.e. 6–12 months), others are multi-year with a path to permanent residency. When researching visas, it’s important to check:
If you get the wrong visa and overstay, you can get a negative immigration record which could prohibit you from future applications or re-entering the country. You may also lose future rights.
For many visas, you can extend your visa to prolong your stay if required, but it’s important to understand how your intended length of stay and the rules of your visa align to ensure you don’t harm future applications.
Your personal situation is ultimately going to be the most defining factor when applying for a visa and most countries assess your eligibility based on the following:
Understanding how you fit into their system is more important than knowing the visa names themselves.
Many visa refusals happen because of issues that applicants didn’t realise would matter, or worse, intentionally hid. Typical disqualifying factors include:
It is vital to be honest with yourself early in the process, especially when you are speaking to a visa specialist as they may be able to offer guidance to maximise your chances of a successful visa application. If any of the above situations apply, speak to a professional before applying, it could save you time, money, and disappointment.
To give a flavour without diving into country-specific details, here are two examples of common visa types and what they tend to require:
Visa research can feel overwhelming, especially when information is buried in jargon or scattered across multiple websites. Here’s the best way to begin your research:
Work, family, student, investor, and retirement visas are the most common. The exact names and requirements vary by country, but these categories exist almost everywhere. Digital nomad visas have become more common since Covid, however not all countries offer them.
Start by identifying why you’re moving (work, study, family, etc.), then use the official immigration site of your destination country to see what options could potentially match your profile, draw up a shortlist of options. Finally, speak to a specialist for more in-depth guidance when you’ve decided on your country and visa shortlist.
It depends on the country and visa. Some have routes for entrepreneurs, high-skilled individuals, students, retirees, or digital nomads. However, most work visas do require employer sponsorship or proof of income from specific sources.
Common reasons include criminal convictions, lack of (or incorrectly structured) financial resources, health issues, missing documents, or incorrect information on your application. You can also be refused if you’ve previously and inconsistently breached the rules of previous visas.
You may not need a visa if your second passport gives you residency or free movement rights in your destination country. Always check the visa rules for both passports.
Processing times vary. Tourist visas can take no time at all, student visas might take days or weeks; skilled work or residency visas can take months. The best way to find out is to speak to a visa specialist and even people who have successfully gone through the process themselves.
If your case is straightforward, you may not need one. But if you’ve been denied before, have dependants, or are unsure about eligibility, professional advice is highly recommended.
Choosing the right visa is one of the most important steps in planning a successful move abroad. While the exact rules will vary between countries, the process always demands early planning, honest self-assessment, and careful attention to what’s required.
From understanding your purpose to identifying potential dealbreakers, doing your research properly can save you months of stress and thousands in lost fees.
If in doubt, get professional advice before making commitments that depend on visa approval.
The right visa isn’t just about entry, it’s the foundation for your life abroad which will enable you to live in a way you wish to live.
Failure to get this right, and your dream of living abroad could be doomed to fail before you even move.
