Countries Offering Skill Shortage Jobs With Work VISA in 2024

Last updated Jan 21, 2024

In 2024, a major challenge for the global economy is the widespread problem of skill shortages. This occurs when the skills of the current workforce no longer match the changing needs of employers, resulting in numerous job vacancies that hinder economic growth. This guide examines how various countries, such as Japan, Germany, Denmark, Chile, Ireland, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and North America, are addressing and overcoming this issue through different strategies.

What causes skill shortages?

Skill shortages happen when things change quickly in technology, the world becomes more connected, there are shifts in the population, education and training don’t match what’s needed, people can’t easily move to different jobs, and there are strict rules about who can come into a country to work. This affects the workforce, making it not have the right skills for the jobs that are available, especially in areas like IT, Healthcare, and Robotics.

In this article, we look at which specific jobs are having a hard time finding enough people in each country and how these countries are using special immigration programs to try to fill the gap in their job markets.

1. Japan Skill Shortages

Reasons for Shortages: Arising from an aging population and swift technological advancements.
Key Sectors Affected: Information Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing and Construction, Professional Services, Transportation, Eldercare, Education and Training, Robotics, and Automation.
Immigration Programs:
- Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Program: Targets skilled workers for specific roles with high demand.
- Highly Skilled Professionals (HSP) Program: Attracts professionals with advanced expertise.
- J-Skip Visa: Streamlines visa processing for certain skilled categories.
- Future Creation Individual Visa (J-Find Visa): Offers benefits like quick visa processing, pathways to residency, tax exemptions, and flexible visa status for specific professional categories.

Source: Educads.com.

2. Germany Skill Shortages

Introduction of ‘Opportunity Card’:
- Germany has implemented an innovative ‘opportunity card,’ utilizing a points-based system.
- Aimed at streamlining the immigration process for workers possessing the necessary skills.
Broader Strategy to Address Labor Shortages:
- Part of Germany’s comprehensive approach to tackle shortages across various sectors.
- Targeted professions include skilled craftspeople, electrical engineers, IT specialists, carers, nurses, and professionals in catering, hospitality, and manufacturing.
New Immigration Policies:
- Geared towards welcoming professionals with recognized job experience and qualifications from their native countries.
- Special provisions for IT professionals lacking formal education but with relevant job experience, including pathways through the EU Blue Card.
Shortened Duration for Permanent Residence: Skilled workers and EU Blue Card holders benefit from a shortened duration to acquire permanent residence.

Sources: Euronews.com, Fragomen.com.

3. Denmark Skill Shortages

Professionals Shortage: Denmark faces a scarcity of professionals in science, engineering, healthcare, teaching, IT, and finance.
Lists to Address Shortages:
- Positive List for Higher Education: Includes professions where there is a recognized need for skilled workers.
- Skilled Workers List: Encompasses various industries and roles with shortages.
Facilitating Third-Country Recruitment:
- Lowering the pay threshold to make it easier for companies to hire workers from outside the country.
- Fast-track certification for employers to expedite the recruitment process.
Support for International Students:
- International students in Denmark are granted a three-year job search period after graduation.
- Allows them to seek employment without requiring a separate residence permit.

Source: Euronews.com.