The evolution of the world economy or economic globalization has always invigorated skill capital to amass in economically advanced or advancing countries. For decades skilled migration has been instrumental in propelling the economic development of many nations.
This vogue has been a catalyst for the development of some very competitive and discerning immigration policies in many OECD countries. Every year many countries, based on the critical skills in demand, develop pathways for skilled immigrants.
Developed countries welcome thousands of immigrants with specific skills every year to live and work. They offer residency to immigrants to fill the demand for specific skills. While countries come up with their own programs and pathways, the three most popular pathways are Intra-Company Transfer (ICT), Sponsorship (Employer-Sponsored), and Permanent Resident (PR) visas.
Popular Skilled Migration Pathways
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa
The ICT Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows companies operating both in the receiving country and abroad to transfer certain classes of employees from its foreign operations to the receiving country operations for up to 2 to 5 years. The office in the receiving country could be a parent company, child company, or sister company to a foreign company. The employee must have worked for a subsidiary, parent, affiliate, or branch office outside of the receiving area for at least one year out of the last three years.
Sponsorship (Employer-Sponsored) Visa
A Sponsorship Visa is where a local company in the receiving country sponsors the applicant in the form of a job offer. This means an applicant will need to apply for an offered position with a local company in the receiving country. The company will offer a job and provide visa sponsorship to the applicant.
Permanent Resident (PR) Visa
A Permanent Resident (PR) Visa does not require the applicant to have a job offer. On getting the PR Visa, the applicant can live and work in the resident country, without any restrictions from a sponsoring company.
Country-Specific Skilled Migration Programs
Canada Skilled Migration Programs
Under this category, Canada runs federal and provincial programs. The federal program has a points system based on factors including age, education, work experience, and language skills.
-
Express Entry – The Canadian Government has been inviting applications for skilled working professionals for many years under the Express Entry Program (officially rolled out on 31 January 2015) to fill vacancies. Internal link: Learn more about Canada Express Entry → /canada-express-entry
-
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) – A pathway to permanent residence for individuals skilled in trades listed by the Canadian Government.
-
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – For individuals with a minimum of one year of Canadian work experience or those who have studied for more than a year in Canada.
-
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – Allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals. Internal link: Explore Canada PNP options → /canada-pnp
Additional internal link: Read about Canada Immigration → /canada-immigration
Australia Skilled Migration Visas
Australia has one of the most comprehensive immigration programs for skilled migrants. Out of their total quota of 190,000 places, 70% are allocated for skilled migration. Basic eligibility criteria include being a graduate with relevant experience of at least 2 years in the same discipline, being under 45 years, and having the appropriate level of English proficiency.
-
Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa: Points-tested for skilled professionals not sponsored by an employer or family member. Applicants first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect portal.
-
Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa: For those nominated by a state or territory government agency; a permanent residency visa.
-
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa: For people wishing to live and work in regional/low-population-growth areas of Australia. Applicants should obtain a minimum of 60 points in the points test.
-
Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS): PR visa when nominated by an Australian employer.
-
Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa: Temporary visa to live and work in Australia; employer-sponsored for short-term skill needs.
Additional internal link: See Australia Skilled Migration pathways → /australia-immigration
United Kingdom Skilled Migration Programs
The UK has two major programs for skilled migration:
-
Global Talent Visa – Alternative to the Tier-1 Exceptional Talent Visa program. To qualify, an applicant must have critical skills assessed by endorsing bodies such as Royal Society, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Royal Academy of Engineering, The British Academy, Arts Council England, Tech Nation. Endorsement may be as a recognized leader (exceptional talent), an emerging leader (exceptional promise), or under the UKRI endorsed funder option.
-
Skilled Worker Visa (Points System) – Replaced the Tier 2 Visa in December 2020. An applicant must score 70 points to qualify.
Internal link: Learn about the UK Skilled Worker Visa → /uk-skilled-worker-visa
New Zealand Critical Skilled Visas
The New Zealand government publishes a skilled shortage list for applicants to check if their skills are listed for a critical visa. Based on availability, they can then apply for their Critical Skilled Visa. The applicant must be under 55 years, be healthy and of good character, and must be proficient in English.
Careful consideration is needed for the eligibility requirements, as tertiary qualifications are assessed strictly. This is a two-step process involving submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI). It is a points-based system where an applicant gets points for age, qualification, work experience, or a job offer in New Zealand. A prioritized application takes between 4 to 7 months, while a non-prioritized application takes 10–18 months.
Internal link: Discover New Zealand Skilled Migration → /new-zealand-immigration
To Know More About the Application Process and Your Eligibility
Please get in touch with our expert consultants at +91-9019-400-500 or email us at [email protected]. Internal link: Contact our team → /contact-us
FAQs
1) What are the main skilled migration pathways if I don’t have a job offer? Answer: Permanent Resident (PR) Visa pathways such as Canada’s Express Entry, certain PNP streams, or Australia’s Subclass 189 allow you to apply without a job offer, subject to points-based eligibility.
2) How do points-based systems work in Canada and Australia? Answer: Points are awarded for age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. Canada uses Express Entry with separate programs (FSTP, CEC, PNP), while Australia uses points for visas like Subclass 189/190/491. Higher scores improve your chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) or nomination.
3) Can my employer transfer me overseas temporarily? Answer: Yes. Under Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) frameworks, eligible multinational employers can transfer staff to a parent/child/sister company abroad for 2–5 years, provided you meet the employment history and role requirements.
