Nine Countries Now Recruiting Skilled Workers Abroad as Global Labour Shortage Deepens

As of June 2025, nine countries in Europe, Asia, and Oceania have opened or expanded work visa programs to recruit skilled foreign workers.

The sectors in demand include construction, healthcare, technology, agriculture, and hospitality. This reflects widespread labour shortages caused by ageing populations and shifts in workforce demographics.

Governments are not only simplifying immigration processes but also introducing new policies to make skilled migration more accessible and responsive to labour market needs.

Australia and Germany Lead Skilled Worker Recruitment

Australia launched the Skills in Demand Visa in late 2024 to attract professionals in construction, aged care, and cybersecurity. Despite the demand, the system faces delays, prompting authorities to advise early applications.

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Germany has adopted a points-based Opportunity Card system aimed at engineers, IT professionals, and healthcare workers. To meet its goal of hiring 250,000 workers from abroad, Germany has signed labour agreements with Kenya, Morocco, and India.

Asian Nations Expand Work Visa Quotas and Special Categories

A report from DAAD’s Forum relays that Japan is seeking caregivers, IT engineers, and English instructors under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) categories. Following the milestone of reaching two million foreign workers in 2023, Japan has set higher recruitment targets for 2025.

Singapore remains a major destination for talent in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and software development. Its Employment Pass and S Pass programs continue to offer streamlined processing for professionals and mid-skilled workers, with a focus on long-term career integration.

European Countries Address Sector-Specific Shortages

Ireland is hiring nurses, chefs, and data scientists through its Critical Skills Employment Permit and General Employment Permit. Over 15,000 permits were issued in early 2024, and more are expected as new occupations have been added to the eligibility list for 2025.

Estonia offers flexible visa options for tech workers, including a D-visa for short-term work and a Digital Nomad Visa for freelancers. The country’s digital infrastructure and high visa approval rates make it attractive for remote professionals.

Romania has approved an annual quota of 100,000 guest worker visas for jobs in construction, hospitality, and agriculture. These roles are accessible to workers without university degrees, making the country a feasible option for semi-skilled labourers from Asia and Eastern Europe.

Spain is also actively hiring in agriculture, hospitality, and construction. Its legal migration policies are aimed at reducing labour shortages while supporting long-term residency and family reunification for foreign workers.

Global Trends Show Convergence on Skills-Based Migration

All nine countries have changed their immigration plans to focus on jobs they can’t fill locally. Instead of allowing general immigration, they now list specific skills they need and offer visas for those jobs.

While the names and mechanisms differ—Australia’s “Skills in Demand Visa,” Germany’s “Opportunity Card,” the goal is the same: bring in skilled professionals quickly and efficiently to support national economic needs.

Tips for International Job Seekers

Prospective applicants are encouraged to use official government portals, prepare country-specific documentation (including CVs, certifications, and proof of experience), and review visa eligibility criteria before applying. Basic language knowledge and familiarity with visa processing timelines can further improve application outcomes.