10 Types of Visas That Can Help Travelers Live, Work or Study Abroad

October 30, 2023
By Robynne Trueman

Discover the various ways to stay longer in destinations around the world, from working to studying or living abroad.

Summary

  • Understand the types of visas available when considering moving to another country: Student Visa, Working Holiday Visa, Tourist Visa, Work Visa, Long Stay Visa, Volunteer Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, Spouse Visa, Partner Visa, Temporary Resident Visa.

  • Each visa has different requirements and limitations, such as period of validity, ability to work, and other specific requirements. Always check the visa requirements before traveling.

  • Consider your specific needs and goals when choosing a visa, whether it's studying abroad, working and traveling long-term, experiencing living in a country, or accompanying a spouse or partner.

There are many different reasons to travel abroad besides leisure. Many travelers want to delve deeper into a language or culture by staying somewhere long-term. Living abroad to work or study is a rewarding experience, but it can be challenging to organize the process of getting there. Understanding what types of visas are available to travelers that can make living abroad a reality is the first step toward living this travel dream. Here are 10 types of visas to consider when looking for ways to move to another country, either short-term or long-term.

10 Student Visa

This type of visa is best for travelers who are hoping to learn the language in a country while living there or who are hoping to engage in higher education abroad

A student visa is used for travelers who intend to study abroad. The visa allows them to live in the country for the duration of their studies and, in many cases, may also allow them to legally work part-time up to a certain number of hours each week.

  • Typical Period of Validity: The study period plus 90 days to one year

  • Can You Legally Work While on this Visa: Up to 20 hours a week

  • Other Requirements to Note: The duration of a study permit or visa varies drastically by country

9 Working Holiday Visa

This type of visa is best for travelers who are hoping to explore a country at length while making money to extend their travels

A working holiday visa can be a good choice for travelers who want to travel long-term within a specific country. This type of visa exists because of an agreement between the travelers’ home country and their working holiday destination, allowing the visa holder to legally work and live in the country for a specific period (usually 12 to 24 months).

  • Typical Period of Validity: 12 to 24 months

  • Can You Legally Work While on this Visa: Yes

  • Other Requirements to Note: Most countries require you to have a minimum amount of money in your bank account to qualify

8 Tourist Visa

This type of visa is best for travelers who are hoping to experience what it’s like to live somewhere for 90 days or less and won’t need to work while visiting

Tourist visas may be sufficient for travelers who want to experience living in a country in the short term. In some cases, American travelers can travel and live (but not work) in a destination for up to 90 days without applying for any additional visa.

  • Typical Period of Validity: Varies by destination

  • Can You Legally Work While on this Visa: No

  • Other Requirements to Note: You may need to apply for a tourist visa, or it may be free upon arrival

Note: Not all tourist visas are valid for 90 days. Many free tourist visas are only valid for 10 days or less. Always check visa requirements before traveling.

7 Work Visa

A work visa is best for travelers who are relocating to another country to take on a new job (already secured at the time of the move) or who are being sent by their current company to work abroad

A work visa or work permit is a legal document that allows a traveler to accept a job abroad. In most cases, they must secure the job in order to apply for the visa, with the company backing the application.

  • Typical Period of Validity: 1-2 years

  • Can You Legally Work While on this Visa: Yes

  • Other Requirements to Note: Usually, must have a job offer from an employer requiring your special knowledge or skills

6 Long Stay Visa ( Residence Visa)

A residence visa is best for travelers hoping to live in a new country long-term without becoming a citizen at the present time

A residence visa allows a person to legally reside in a country long-term without being a citizen. It grants various rights and privileges, such as access to healthcare and education, but doesn't entail full political participation, like voting in elections.

  • Typical Period of Validity: 1-5 years with re-entry allowed

  • Can You Legally Work While on this Visa: Yes

  • Other Requirements to Note: This visa must be renewed regularly

5 Volunteer Visa

A volunteer visa is best for travelers hoping to live in a country for an extended period and engage in meaningful community work

A volunteer visa can allow a traveler to stay in a country longer than they would on a tourism visa while engaging in genuine volunteer work for a community organization. This cannot be a replacement for an otherwise paid role.

  • Typical Period of Validity: Varies

  • Can You Legally Work While on this Visa: Not for pay

  • Other Requirements to Note: The role must be a community organization and not in a role that is normally paid

4 Digital Nomad Visa

A digital nomad visa is best for travelers who work online and want to live abroad in a specific country long term

A digital nomad visa is ideal for remote workers who can do their jobs online from anywhere in the world and want to travel while doing so. Digital nomad visas issued in some countries give travelers the ability to stay in a destination long-term while continuing to work for an organization abroad. Travelers can look at Spain's digital nomad visa program, Portugal's digital nomad visa, and many countries with digital nomad visas in the Caribbean.

  • Typical Period of Validity: 6 to 12 months

  • Can You Legally Work While on this Visa: You can work remotely, not as an employee of a local company.

  • Other Requirements to Note: Must be working for an employer outside of that country and able to perform the job from anywhere in the world

3 Spouse Visa

A spouse visa is best for travelers whose legal husband or wife is moving abroad for work or study, and they want to accompany them

A spouse visa applies to people who are legally married. These types of visas can help the spouse of a traveler go to the destination with them when they are studying or working long-term abroad.

  • Typical Period of Validity: 2 years (renewable for longer after this period)

  • Can You Legally Work While on this Visa: Usually, yes

  • Other Requirements to Note: Must apply for their own work permit

2 Partner Visa

A partner visa is best for travelers whose common-law partner is moving abroad for work or study, and they want to accompany them

A partner visa is another way for a traveler to sponsor their partner to travel with them even if they are not legally married. To be considered a “partner,” most countries require the couple to have been in a committed relationship for at least three years.

  • Typical Period of Validity: Six months

  • Can You Legally Work While on this Visa: Usually, yes

  • Other Requirements to Note: Must apply for their own work permit

1 Temporary Resident Visa

A temporary resident visa is best for travelers who don’t yet qualify for permanent residency or another type of permit they are seeking but want to remain in the country

If someone is seeking a permanent resident visa or other status in a country but doesn’t currently meet the requirements, they may be able to secure a temporary resident visa that allows them to stay in the interim.

  • Typical Period of Validity: 1-3 years

  • Can You Legally Work While on this Visa: Must not work or study without a work or study permit

  • Other Requirements to Note: Usually, one must leave the country at the end of this period unless other arrangements are made.


https://www.thetravel.com/types-of-visas-for-travelers-to-work-study-abroad/#working-holiday-visa