The top 10 Countries Hiring Foreign Workers in 2025 show that many nations urgently need skilled people.

Whether you’re a healthcare worker, a tradesperson, or a technology specialist, these ten countries have rolled out or expanded visa pathways in 2025 to secure the expertise they need, and many even offer routes to permanent residency or citizenship in return.

Australia 

At the top spot, Australia has rolled out the new Skills in Demand Visa (launched December 2024) to fill critical roles in infrastructure, construction, cybersecurity, and aged-care. Applicants must align their occupation with ANZSCO job codes and apply early through the Department of Home Affairs portal for the best chance at permanent residency.

Canada 

Canada’s famously welcoming stance continues in 2025, with high demand for registered nurses, truck drivers, welders, and software engineers. Through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program, foreign professionals can change jobs swiftly once their new work-permit application is lodged—no extended waits required.

Germany 

Germany’s new points-based “Opportunity Card” simplifies the recruitment of mechatronics engineers, technicians, and healthcare workers. Hosted on the Make it in Germany portal, this system, bolstered by bilateral recruitment agreements, streamlines qualification recognition and speeds up visa approvals.

Japan  

In fourth place, Japan’s reformed immigration policies target caregivers, factory operators, IT engineers, and English instructors. Prospective migrants can apply under the Specified Skilled Worker program for key occupations or the Highly Skilled Professional pathway, which offers accelerated residency benefits to top-tier talent.

Ireland 

Ireland’s booming tech and services sectors drive demand for nurses, chefs, childcare providers, and data scientists. The government issues Critical Skills Employment Permits for in-demand roles and general Employment Permits for other qualifying positions, with fast-track options for degree-holders.

Estonia 

 Leveraging its digital-first ethos, Estonia offers one of Europe’s simplest work-permit frameworks. Tech specialists, software developers, web designers, and IT support can choose a short-term D-Visa for on-site work or a Digital Nomad Visa to live in Estonia while serving clients worldwide.

Romania 

Romania now issues up to 100,000 annual guest-worker visas, primarily to citizens of Nepal, Bangladesh, and India. This program welcomes semi-skilled and manual workers in construction, agriculture, and hospitality, even those without university degrees, helping fill hands-on roles quickly and affordably.

Singapore 

As Asia’s innovation hub, Singapore recruits digital and biomedical experts through the Employment Pass (for highly skilled professionals) and the S Pass (for mid-level specialists). Detailed eligibility criteria and quotas are published on the Ministry of Manpower’s website.

Spain 

Spain has overhauled its work-permit rules to address shortages in building trades, farm labour, and hospitality. The new Seasonal Worker Visa enables temporary assignments, while the General Long-Term Work Visa covers year-round employment under simplified application procedures.

New Zealand