Work visas: the job offer and application process

Some routes are tied to a specific employer and role. Others allow eligible people to work without being tied to one employer. Avoid the universal claim that every work visa requires a job offer.

The UK Skilled Worker route, for example, requires an approved employer and a certificate of sponsorship. Canadian open work permits are limited to eligible circumstances. These illustrate differences between systems, rather than a list of destinations the company serves.

Record the employer’s legal name, job description, work location, pay, hours and contract start date together. Identify remote, temporary or multi-country work separately.

Ask whether the offer is conditional on immigration permission, what the employer will submit and who handles missing information. Distinguish an unsigned draft from a confirmed offer.

1. Applicant: provides accurate identity, education, occupation and application history.
2. Employer: supplies role and contract details and any employer-side documentation.
3. Consultant: performs preparation and coordination tasks within the agreed scope.
4. Authority: assesses the application and makes the decision.

Keep a document list with owners and dates. Flag tasks that cannot be finalised until an earlier step is complete.

Names, role titles, workplace details and contract dates should be consistent across records. Check current official instructions for translations or certification rather than arranging them automatically for every document.

Holding an offer or submitting an application does not itself establish permission to travel or work. Reconfirm the start date with the employer in light of the relevant permissions.