How to get work abroad
- Build two or more years of kitchen, hotel, or tour work experience.
- Collect proof: pay slips, reference letters, and your cooking or tourism diplomas.
- Get a skills assessment if needed, like TRA for Australian chef jobs.
- Take an English test such as IELTS if the country asks for it.
- Apply to hotels and restaurants on official sponsor and accredited employer lists.
- With a job offer, apply for the work visa and pay fees.
Licensing: No licence needed in most countries, but chefs often need a skills assessment (TRA in Australia) or recognized trade qualifications (Germany).
Your path to permanent residency
- Start on a sponsored work visa in your target country.
- Work full time and follow all visa rules carefully.
- In New Zealand, earn Skilled Migrant Category points for residence.
- In Australia, move from sponsorship to the Employer Nomination Scheme visa.
- In Canada, get a provincial nomination, then apply for permanent residence.
- Pass language, health, and character checks, then submit your PR application.
Best bets right now
AustraliaSkills in Demand visa
Chef and cook on Core Skills Occupation List
New ZealandAccredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
Big chef demand; Skilled Migrant Category residence path
United Arab EmiratesStandard Work (Employment) Residence Visa
Hotel boom adding thousands of hospitality jobs
GermanySkilled Worker Visa (Fachkräfte)
Hospitality shortage; recognized culinary training opens doors
CanadaProvincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Alberta and other provinces welcome cooks and chefs
QatarWork Visa & Work Residence Permit (QID)
Growing tourism sector hires hotel staff fast
Matching visas by country
- 🇨🇦 Canada — Employer-Specific Work Permit (TFWP / International Mobility Program) · Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades) · Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- 🇺🇸 United States — Employment-Based Green Card (EB-1 / EB-2 / EB-3)
- 🇦🇺 Australia — Skills in Demand visa · Skilled Independent visa · Skilled Nominated visa · Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa · Employer Nomination Scheme visa
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand — Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) · Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
- 🇮🇹 Italy — Subordinate Work Visa — Decreto Flussi
- 🇩🇪 Germany — Skilled Worker Visa (Fachkräfte) · Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland — Short-term Residence Permit L (non-EU/EFTA workers) · Residence Permit B for Gainful Employment (non-EU/EFTA skilled workers) · Cross-border Commuter Permit G (non-EU/EFTA)
- 🇸🇪 Sweden — Work Permit (Employee)
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates — Jobseeker Visit Visa (Job Exploration Entry Visa) · Standard Work (Employment) Residence Visa · Green Visa (5-Year Self-Sponsored Residence)
- 🇸🇬 Singapore — S Pass
- 🇶🇦 Qatar — Work Visa & Work Residence Permit (QID)