Work visas by country, compared
We cover twelve countries today: Poland, Latvia, Romania, Croatia, Slovakia, Czechia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Japan and Russia. In each one an employer is part of the process. What differs is who can apply from India today, who files first, and where you apply. Here they are side by side, from the official pages.
Europe
Ten EU countries in Eastern Europe, all in the Schengen area.
| Country | Status from India | Usual route | Who applies | Where in India |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PolandEUSchengen | Open. Visa dates by draw | Work permit (type A) plus national D visa for work | Your employer, then you | Embassy in New Delhi or Consulate General in Mumbai (Kerala and the south go to Mumbai), in person at a VFS centre after the e-Konsulat draw |
| LatviaEUSchengen | Open. Stricter from 1 Jan 2027 | Temporary residence permit with the right to employment | Your employer, then you | D visa: VFS Global centres in India after a Hello Verify document check. Residence permit: Embassy of Latvia, New Delhi, by appointment |
| RomaniaEUSchengen | Shortage-job route paused | D/AM1 long-stay work visa (highly qualified and special categories) | Your employer applies | In person at a Romanian mission; in India, the Embassy of Romania in New Delhi (visa-centre arrangements not confirmed) |
| CroatiaEUSchengen | Open. Stricter for employers | Stay and work permit (single permit) | Your employer, then you | A Croatian diplomatic mission (details for India not confirmed); the employer files the permit in Croatia first |
| SlovakiaEUSchengen | Unclear for non-graduate jobs | Temporary residence for employment (single permit) with Labour Office confirmation | Your employer, then you | Embassy of Slovakia, New Delhi, in person (appointments requested by email) |
| CzechiaEUSchengen | Government programmes only | Employee Card through the Qualified Worker Programme | Your employer, then you | Embassy of the Czech Republic, New Delhi, on a date given through your employer’s programme |
| BulgariaEUSchengen | Open. Employer tests the market | Single Permit for Residence and Work | Your employer applies | VFS Global centres in New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai |
| EstoniaEUSchengen | Open. High salary floor | Temporary residence permit for employment | Your employer, then you | Embassy of Estonia, New Delhi, by appointment booked online (free) |
| LithuaniaEUSchengen | EU Blue Card only from India | EU Blue Card (Lithuania) | Your employer, then you | VFS Global in New Delhi or Mumbai, booked through MIGRIS (highly skilled and a few other grounds only) |
| HungaryEUSchengen | Mostly graduate routes | EU Blue Card | You apply | Embassy of Hungary, New Delhi (graduate and priority-investment routes only) |
| Russia | Quota permits. MEA safety warning | Work permit and work visa for visa-required nationals (within the annual quota) | Your employer applies | Embassy of the Russian Federation in New Delhi or its consulates, with the employer’s MVD invitation (current visa-centre arrangements not confirmed) |
Asia
| Country | Status from India | Usual route | Who applies | Where in India |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Open with skills and Japanese tests | Specified Skilled Worker (i) (SSW (i)) | Your employer applies | Japan Visa Application Centre (VFS Global), with the Certificate of Eligibility your employer gets in Japan; the Embassy in New Delhi or a consulate decides by where you live |
Each country page lists its sources. Status describes candidates applying from India. More destinations are added once their rules have been checked against official sources.
Not sure which one fits you?
The country matcher sorts all twelve by your qualification and where you live, using the same official facts.
Find a country that fitsThe EU countries in one guide
How a work permit for Europe works for Indians, what is open today, and what to watch out for.
Read the guide