Visas and settlement
Routes that do not require you to already hold a job offer from that country.
AbroadMaster research from official immigration pagesVerified August 2026
Being able to enter and then look for work changes everything. It is the difference between needing an employer to gamble on a stranger overseas and interviewing in person.
Opportunity Card
Main route in
Points-based, and it lets you enter for a year to look for work
EPS E-9
Main route in
Government to government scheme with a large Sri Lankan quota
Specified Skilled Worker
Main route in
Sri Lanka has a bilateral agreement, exams are held locally
| Rank | Country | Main route in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th place | United Arab Emirates60 to 120 days to enter and search, no sponsor needed | Job Exploration Visa | 60 to 120 days to enter and search, no sponsor needed |
| 5th place | CanadaNo job offer required, but the points bar is high | Express Entry | No job offer required, but the points bar is high |
| 6th place | AustraliaPoints-based and fully independent of any employer | Skilled Independent 189 | Points-based and fully independent of any employer |
| 7th place | Portugal120 days to find work, extendable by 60 | Job Seeker Visa | 120 days to find work, extendable by 60 |
| 8th place | AustriaPoints-based, with a job seeker version for very qualified workers | Red-White-Red Card | Points-based, with a job seeker version for very qualified workers |
| 9th place | PolandEmployer-led, but among the fastest and cheapest in the EU | Work permit type A | Employer-led, but among the fastest and cheapest in the EU |
| 10th place | New ZealandFor listed occupations, residence is granted directly | Green List straight to residence | For listed occupations, residence is granted directly |
AbroadMaster research from official immigration pages
Verified August 2026
Compiled by AbroadMaster from the official pages of each country named above. There is no single published index behind this list, and we are not claiming one.
This is information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules and figures change without notice. Confirm anything you plan to act on with the official authority for that country, and check your own position with the eligibility checker.
Visa-free reach, with the Sri Lankan passport measured on the same scale.
How many years of legal residence it actually takes to stop needing a visa.
How easy it is to settle in, make friends, and stop feeling foreign.
