Compare
DACH work permits and global visas compared
Choosing the right work visa depends on your qualifications, career goals, and personal circumstances. Below, we compare the major work permit pathways across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and eight countries worldwide. Each visa has distinct eligibility criteria, salary requirements, and timelines โ so the best option for a software engineer may differ completely from the best option for a nurse or a tradesperson. Use these tables to narrow your search, then visit each visa's dedicated guide for the full application process.
DACH Work Permits Compared
| Feature | ๐ฉ๐ช Chancenkarte | ๐ฉ๐ช EU Blue Card | ๐ฆ๐น RWR Card | ๐จ๐ญ Swiss B Permit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Germany | Germany | Austria | Switzerland |
| Job offer required? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Min. salary | None | โฌ50,700 | Varies | Market rate |
| Degree required? | Yes (or vocational) | Yes (university) | Yes (or vocational) | Depends on role |
| Processing time | 3-6 weeks | 4-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 6-12 weeks |
| Gov. fees | โฌ75 | โฌ75-100 | โฌ120-160 | CHF 65-170 |
| Validity | 12 months | 4 years | 2 years | 1 year (renewable) |
| Path to PR | Switch to work visa | 21-33 months | Yes (after 2 years) | 5-10 years |
| Family reunion | No | Yes (immediate) | Yes | Yes |
| Work any job? | 20h/week any job | Only qualified role | Only contracted role | Only contracted role |
Which DACH Visa Fits Your Profile?
No job offer yet?
The German Chancenkarte is the only DACH work permit that does not require a job offer. If you have a recognized degree and score 6+ points, you can enter Germany for 12 months to search for employment while working part-time up to 20 hours per week.
Chancenkarte guideHigh earner with a degree?
The EU Blue Card offers the fastest path to permanent residency in the DACH region โ as little as 21 months in Germany. You need a university degree and a job paying at least EUR 50,700 per year (or EUR 45,934 in a shortage occupation such as IT, engineering, or healthcare).
EU Blue Card guideVocational qualification?
Austria's Red-White-Red Card uses a points system that values vocational training. If you hold a recognized trade qualification and have a job offer in Austria, this may be your strongest path. Switzerland's B Permit also accepts vocational qualifications but requires employer sponsorship and is subject to annual quotas for non-EU nationals.
RWR Card guideAll Countries at a Glance
No job offer requiredHighlighted rows do not require a job offer
| Country | Top Visa | Min Salary | Processing Time | Gov Fees | PR Path | Language Required | Job Offer Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ๐ฉ๐ช Germany | Chancenkarte | None | 3-6 weeks | โฌ75 | Switch to work visa | German A1 or English B2 | No |
| ๐ฉ๐ช Germany | EU Blue Card | โฌ50,700/yr | 4-8 weeks | โฌ75-100 | 21-33 months | None required | Yes |
| ๐ฆ๐น Austria | RWR Card | Points-based | 8-12 weeks | โฌ120-160 | After 2 years | German A2+ | Yes |
| ๐จ๐ญ Switzerland | B Permit | Market rate | 6-12 weeks | CHF 65-170 | 5-10 years | Local language preferred | Yes |
| ๐ฎ๐น Italy | EU Blue Card | โฌ28,000/yr | 4-12 weeks | โฌ80-200 | 5 years | Italian helpful | Yes |
| ๐ฏ๐ต Japan | HSP/J-Skip | ยฅ3M-10M/yr | 2-4 weeks | ยฅ4,000 | 1-3 years | Japanese N1-N2 helpful | Yes |
| ๐ธ๐ฆ Saudi Arabia | Premium Residency | SAR 600,000 deposit | 4-8 weeks | SAR 800 | Permanent (renewable) | None required | No (self-sponsored) |
| ๐ฆ๐ช UAE | Golden Visa | AED 30,000/mo | 2-4 weeks | AED 2,800 | 5-10 years | None required | Yes |
The global comparison above highlights a key divide: some countries require a job offer before you can apply (Germany's Blue Card, Austria, Switzerland, Japan), while others offer self-sponsored pathways (Germany's Chancenkarte, Saudi Arabia's Premium Residency). Processing times range from as little as 2 weeks in Japan to 3 months or more in Switzerland. Government fees vary dramatically โ from EUR 75 in Germany to the equivalent of USD 160,000 for Saudi Arabia's permanent Premium Residency.
Digital Nomad Visas Quick Compare
Top 10 most popular digital nomad visa programs. For the full comparison of 66+ countries, see the full Digital Nomad Visas guide.
| Country | Income Threshold | Duration | Tax Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| ๐ต๐น Portugal | EUR 3,480โ3,680/mo | 1โ5 years | 14โ48% if 183+ days |
| ๐ช๐ธ Spain | EUR 2,849/mo | 1โ5 years | 24% flat (Beckham Law) |
| ๐ญ๐ท Croatia | EUR 3,295/mo | 18 months | 0% on active foreign income |
| ๐ฆ๐ช Dubai / UAE | $3,500/mo | 1 year (renew) | 0% income tax |
| ๐ฒ๐น Malta | EUR 3,500/mo | 1โ4 years | 0% Year 1; 10% after |
| ๐ฏ๐ต Japan | ~$5,583/mo | 6 months | 0% (effective) |
| ๐น๐ญ Thailand (DTV) | ~$2,000/mo + savings | 5 yr visa / 180-day stays | Complex; tightening |
| ๐บ๐พ Uruguay | No minimum | 1 year | 0% on foreign income |
| ๐ณ๐ต Nepal | $1,500/mo | 5 years | 5% flat if 186+ days |
| ๐จ๐ด Colombia | $1,100/mo | 1โ2 years | 0% if <183 days |
Next Steps
Once you have identified a visa that matches your profile, visit the dedicated guide for that permit to see the full document checklist, step-by-step application process, and tips from successful applicants. If you are unsure which country is right for you, our Healthcare Workers guide and Digital Nomad Visas page offer curated comparisons tailored to specific career paths.