# Countries with a highly skilled work route

Snapshot: approved-static-6fbe9b847dfeb5d6

Current highly skilled migration routes by destination, preserving the official route name and source locator.

- Canonical: /reports/highly-skilled-work-visa-countries/
- Last checked: 2026-07-15

## Answers

### Canada

highly skilled — Route scope: Express Entry manages applications for skilled-worker permanent-residence programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class.
- Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry.html
- Checked: 2026-07-15

### Estonia

Top specialist employment under temporary residence permit — Route scope: See the linked official authority page for the current requirements.
- Source: https://workinestonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/relocation-guide.pdf
- Checked: 2026-07-14

### France

highly skilled — Route scope: Passeport talent / European Blue Card long-stay route exists for highly qualified employees; France-Visas states degree or comparable experience and salary threshold conditions.
- Source: https://www.france-visas.gouv.fr/talents-internationaux-et-attractivite-economique
- Checked: 2026-07-15

### Germany

highly skilled — Route scope: Germany provides EU Blue Card and skilled-worker residence routes for qualified employment.
- Source: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/eu-blue-card
- Checked: 2026-07-15

### Iceland

Residence permit for work requiring expert knowledge — Route scope: See the linked official authority page for the current requirements.
- Source: https://island.is/en/permit-based-on-work/requirements
- Checked: 2026-07-14

### Norway

Norway skilled worker residence permit — Route scope: Norway has an official skilled-worker residence-permit route; the applicable permit depends on the applicant's competence and the work type.
- Source: https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/
- Checked: 2026-07-13

### Portugal

PT highly_skilled — Requirements: Employer: IAPMEI-certified company using the applicant's activity; Language Options: Portuguese; English; French; Spanish; Minimum Age Years: 18; Renewal Period Years: 3; Qualification Options: ISCED-2011 level 6 minimum; ISCED-2011 level 5 professional higher technical course plus at least 5 years exceptional specialised experience; Program In Force Since: 2019-01-01; Undertaking Validity Months: 6; Employer Undertaking Required; Minimum Salary Multiplier Ias: 2.5; Temporary Residence Validity Years: 2; Contract Or Service Agreement Min Months: 12; Third Country And Not Permanent Eu Resident; Alternative Routes If Employer Not Certified: general highly qualified Art. 90(1)(a); EU Blue Card Art. 121-A and following
- Source: https://aima.gov.pt/pt/trabalhar/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-atividade-altamente-qualificada-exercida-para-empresa-certificada-art-90-o-tech-visa
- Checked: 2026-07-13

### Saudi Arabia

Special Talent Residency — Route scope: See the linked official authority page for the current requirements.
- Source: https://pr.gov.sa/product-details-apply-special-talent
- Checked: 2026-07-13

### South Korea

KR highly_skilled — Documents: Route Code: E-7-4; Route Name: Skilled Worker Points System Visa; Eligibility Scope: foreign employees with the stated lawful-work history on E-9, E-10 or H-2
- Source: https://www.immigration.go.kr/immigration_eng/1852/subview.do
- Checked: 2026-07-13

### Spain

ES highly skilled — Route scope: Spain offers temporary residence and work authorization for highly qualified professionals, with EU Blue Card and national modalities, based on higher-education qualification or qualifying equivalent experience and a qualifying job.
- Source: https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/w/66.-autorizacion-inicial-de-residencia-y-trabajo-de-profesionales-altamente-cualificados
- Checked: 2026-07-15

### United Arab Emirates

Golden visa for exceptional talent and rare specialisations — Route scope: Golden visa page: What is the Golden visa?; eligible categories table: Those with exceptional talent or rare specialisations; includes specialists and other listed categories; 10 years.
- Source: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/golden-visa
- Checked: 2026-07-14

### United Kingdom

Global Talent — Route scope: Official Home Office rules define Global Talent for adults in science, engineering, humanities, social science, medicine, digital technology, or arts and culture who demonstrate exceptional talent or promise; endorsement or a listed prestigious prize is required for most applicants.
- Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-global-talent
- Checked: 2026-07-15

### United States

highly skilled — Route scope: Employment-based immigrant visas include EB-1 extraordinary ability, outstanding professors/researchers and multinational executives/managers.
- Source: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigrant-visas-first-preference-eb-1
- Checked: 2026-07-15

## Method

Select current sourced routes in the highly_skilled family, keep one route per destination, publish available conditions and link the responsible authority.

## Boundary

This report is a route directory, not an eligibility decision or legal advice. Verify the linked authority before applying.