How to get work abroad
- Pick your path: law firm practice, in-house counsel, or compliance work.
- Check licence rules early; most countries need a bar transfer exam.
- Take an English test like IELTS if the country asks for it.
- Get your law degree assessed, like Canada's NCA or Australia's state admission.
- Apply to global firms, sponsor-list employers, and in-house legal jobs.
- Get a job offer, then apply for your work visa.
Licensing: Law is regulated almost everywhere; expect bar transfer exams like the UK SQE, Canada's NCA, or Australian state admission before full practice.
Your path to permanent residency
- Arrive on a sponsored work visa and start your legal job.
- Finish local licensing steps so you can practice with full rights.
- Work steadily and keep clean tax and immigration records.
- Improve language scores and gain experience to earn PR points.
- Apply for PR, like Express Entry or UK Indefinite Leave to Remain.
- After PR, meet the residency days and apply for citizenship if wanted.
Best bets right now
United KingdomSkilled Worker visa
Global law hub; trainee solicitors get lower salary bar
AustraliaSkills in Demand visa
Solicitor is on the Core Skills Occupation List
CanadaExpress Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades)
Points-based; lawyers eligible without a job offer
SingaporeEmployment Pass
In-house counsel and arbitration roles pay very well
United Arab EmiratesStandard Work (Employment) Residence Visa
DIFC firms hire common-law lawyers; tax-free pay
GermanyEU Blue Card
In-house counsel roles qualify above salary threshold
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 — H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa · 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
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom — Skilled Worker visa
- 🇮🇹 Italy — EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE)
- 🇩🇪 Germany — Skilled Worker Visa (Fachkräfte) · EU Blue Card · Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) · Self-Employment / Freelance Visa
- 🇨🇭 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) · EU Blue Card (Highly Qualified Employment) · Residence Permit for Highly Qualified Persons to Look for Work or Start a Business (Job Seeker Permit)
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates — Jobseeker Visit Visa (Job Exploration Entry Visa) · Standard Work (Employment) Residence Visa · Green Visa (5-Year Self-Sponsored Residence) · Golden Visa (10-Year Long-Term Residence)
- 🇸🇬 Singapore — Employment Pass · Personalised Employment Pass
- 🇶🇦 Qatar — Work Visa & Work Residence Permit (QID)