If you are looking for an immigration route that does not hinge on a single employer’s job offer, we have good news for you as many countries today are offering pathways that admit skilled workers, graduates, entrepreneurs or investors without a prior job. These routes are used by students, founders, highly skilled professionals and investors to move, work and settle but they differ widely in criteria, costs and outcomes.
Canada : Express entry (Federal Skilled Worker) and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
According to the Government of Canada, the Federal Skilled Worker Program is for skilled workers who have foreign work experience and want to become permanent residents. Express Entry (points-based) allows qualified applicants to be invited to apply for permanent residence without a job offer (though a valid job offer boosts points). Provincial Nominee Programs add many employer-independent nomination routes. Canada’s system is the global example of large-scale, points-based permanent selection. According to a 2018 DICE Report in Ifo Institute, point-based systems regulate the immigration of large volumes of economic immigration in Canada, New Zealand and Australia. This policy review explains how points systems select migrants on observable human-capital traits (age, education, language, experience). The researchers argued that they can admit workers likely to contribute economically but warn about design choices (which traits are rewarded) and the need to monitor labour-market outcomes after arrival. As per a 2023 NBER working paper
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Canada’s Start-up Visa Program increased the likelihood that US-based immigrants started a company in Canada by 69%. The paper showed that an entrepreneur-focused immigration route (Start-up Visa) can measurably shift founders’ location choices and illustrated that immigration policy design (not just labour demand) shapes who comes and why.
Australia: Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) (points-tested)
According to Australian Home Affairs, “This visa is for invited workers and New Zealand citizens with skills we need, to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.” Australia’s Skilled Independent (189) visa is a classic example of a permanent, points-tested skilled visa that does not require an employer sponsorship (successful candidates receive an invitation and may apply for PR). Australia’s program demonstrates how points-based selection can operate at scale. A 2019 Migration Policy Institute report revealed that points-tested visas account for a large share of Australia’s permanent skilled migration and the system has evolved to target skills the country needs. This review traced the strengths and limitations of Australia’s selection approach as it brings in skilled workers at scale but requires ongoing calibration to labour-market needs and to reduce mismatch and exploitation risks. As for policy evaluation or reform recommendations, Grattan Institute (2024) and government reviews examine how to refine points systems and improve labour-market matching.
New Zealand: Skilled Migrant Category (points)
Immigration NZ pages and recent proposed reforms clarify criteria that New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category is for people who have skills that are in demand in New Zealand and uses a points system for selection. NZ’s system, like Canada and Australia, allows skilled applicants to apply for residence or selection without an employer offer (though points are higher with a job). Recent reforms (2024–25) aim to simplify points and orient selection to medium- to long-term gaps. OECD and national reviews emphasise monitoring outcomes (employment match, wages) because points alone do not guarantee rapid occupational match in the receiving labour market. A number of studies (OECD reviews) recommend stronger ties between selection and integration supports.
Netherlands : Orientation year (Residence permit for highly educated persons/graduates)
As per the Netherlands government, a residence permit for the orientation year is a 1-year residence permit for recently graduated students, PhD graduates and researchers as it allows you to look for work or start a business. This post-study “look for work” permit does not require a job offer to enter the country after graduation and gives free access to the labour market for a year and is attractive to recent international graduates seeking EU jobs. Dutch research and 2021 surveys and retention reports pointed out that a majority of non-EEA graduates indicated that they planned to live and work in the Netherlands after studies. Stay rates vary but the orientation year facilitates job search and retention. Empirical studies of the orientation-year permit show it is an important retention tool but actual stay and long-term career integration depend on language, field of study and local labour demand.
Germany : Job seeker visa (search for a job without an offer)
Germany’s skilled immigration reforms and visa options make it easier and as per the German government, “Skilled workers can apply for a jobseeker visa that allows them to come to Germany and look for work.” The German job-seeker visa grants up to six months to search for employment without having a job offer in hand. It is popular among engineers, IT specialists and academics who want to connect directly with German employers. Studies of Germany’s Skilled Immigration Act and subsequent selection reforms highlight that job-search visas help fill persistent shortages but successful transition depends on credential recognition and language acquisition. Policy evaluations suggest pairing job-seeker entry with fast recognition services improves uptake.If you want to migrate without an employer-tied job offer, you have many credible options where each pathway carries trade-offs (cost, processing, integration hurdles and political risk). The scholarly and policy research shows that these programs work differently. Use official government guidance for up-to-date rules and the research above to weigh which pathway best matches your profile and long-term goals.
