The IT Visa is for extraordinarily bright tech workers who desire to work in the digital technology sector. Unfortunately, Europe is experiencing a significant lack of computer competence. While all IT positions lost during the pandemic have been restored, the newest numbers show that recruiting IT specialists is currently hampered by a scarcity of skilled workers.
Nonetheless, the IT employment market is expanding. According to IT recruitment firm Janco Associates, more than 11,000 new IT posts have been added each month during the last year.
Tech companies either strive to attract talent globally through remote work or employ and move overseas employees. The battle for digital talent has begun, and numerous European governments have adopted generous tech immigration schemes to recruit the knowledge. Many European countries have worked hard to create “tech visas” that allow foreign entrepreneurs and tech workers to work in their digital ecosystems.
In the second half of our post, we will discuss more European tech visas and their requirements:
United Kingdom
UK Tier 2 Work Visa
This is a long-term visa for foreign employees with an employment offer from a UK firm. The visa is valid for five years, takes around 15 days to complete, and costs approximately €610.
Tech Nation Visa
This is a long-term visa for technology employees or entrepreneurs who have shown remarkable talent and promise. This visa is valid for five years and is limited to 2,000 every year; it takes roughly 15 days and costs around £456.
UK Entrepreneurial Visa
Entrepreneurs in the UK can apply for a long-term visa through this program. There is a 3.4-year visa requirement, and the cost is about £1021; it takes 15 days to process and costs about £50,000 from investors in the UK or £200,000 from anyone else.
Denmark
Denmark’s Positive List Regime
This is a long-term visa for workers experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals in Denmark. Their visa requires a standing employment offer (exceptions apply), which takes one month to process and costs DKK 3,025.
Denmark’s Pay Limit Scheme
This is a long-term visa for workers offered a job in Denmark with a high salary. This visa takes one month to process and costs about DKK 3,025.
Startup Denmark
This is a two-year visa with the possibility of an extension for founders looking to start a business in Denmark. This visa is valid for two years and can take up to six weeks to complete.
Ireland
Ireland’s Highly Skilled Occupations Regime
The Eligible Occupation List is a document that gives professionals with highly skilled occupations the right to work in Ireland. The visa is valid for two years, takes around 28 days to complete, and costs approximately €1,000.
Ireland General Employment Permit
Workers with jobs not on the “Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List” can apply for this visa for a medium-term period. To qualify for this visa, you must earn at least €30.000 per year.
Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit
This is a medium-term visa for highly qualified individuals with employment on Ireland’s Eligible Occupations List, particularly ICT experts, engineers, and technicians. This visa is valid for two years and needs a salary of at least €30,000. It takes 28 days to process and costs around €1,000.
Ireland Startup Visa
For entrepreneurs who have innovative business ideas with funding of at least $75,000, this visa is available on a permanent/indefinite basis for 350 euros.
Estonia
Estonia’s Work & Residence Permit
This is a straightforward, short- to long-term residence permit subject to a minimum pay requirement that varies according to the worker’s qualifications. In Estonia, this two-year visa costs around €64, and in Estonian Representation, it costs around €80.
Estonia Startup Visa
This is a medium-term visa for non-EU entrepreneurs who intend to expand their business in Estonia. This visa is valid for 1.5 years and costs around €80. The criteria are that you can spend at least €140 per month in Estonia.
Italy
Italian Startup Visa
To start a business in Italy, non-EU entrepreneurs need a short-term visa. In addition, non-EU entrepreneurs need €50,000 in funding to qualifying.
Lithuania
Startup Visa Lithuania
This is a short-term visa for non-EU entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Lithuania. It is valid for one year and requires the company to operate in one of the qualifying fields.
Norway
Norway’s Work Immigration Permit
This visa is contract-long permission for foreign workers, and it is usually required beforehand. It is valid for the life of the contract. This visa requires a work offer and takes four weeks to process. The visa is priced at NOK 5.400.
Self-employed person visa
This is a temporary visa for highly competent self-employed individuals working for a firm outside of Norway. This visa is only valid for one year and needs a salary of NOK 30,000. The visa requires 6 weeks of processing and costs around NOK 5.400.
Spain
Spain’s Residency Visa for highly skilled professionals
This is a short-term visa for highly trained professionals who have a monthly income of at least €2.130. This visa is only valid for two years and requires appropriate financial resources; the visa takes 10 days to process and costs around €57.00.
Spanish startup visa
This is a short-term visa for entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Spain. It is valid for one year, typically takes days, and costs around €72.00.
Let’s Sum Up
There is a shortage of computer expertise. As a result, more than 11,000 new IT posts have been added each month. European countries are developing ways to satisfy their requirements. Many IT companies even try to hire people from all around the world. Because of this scarcity, European countries have created “tech visas” to allow foreign entrepreneurs and tech professionals to operate in their digital ecosystems.