A work permit is an official government-issued document that authorizes an individual to work in a specific country.
While we all understand why we have permits for cars, and planes, the need for a work permit is a little less clear.
The purpose of a work permit is to regulate and control the employment of foreign nationals within a country.
While being a citizen generally gives you the right to work in your home country, foreign workers require authorization in the form of a permit.
Work permit vs. work visa
While "work permit" and "work visa" are often used interchangeably, there are distinctions between the two, and the precise terminology can vary depending on the country.
Work permits
The characteristics of a work permit can vary depending on the country and its immigration policies, but some common characteristics include:
- Issued by a government agency
- Acts as the primary document that explicitly and legally authorizes a foreign national to work in a specific country
- Grants entry into a country for an extended period of time
- Outlines the terms and conditions of employment, such as the type of work allowed, the employer, and the authorization duration
- Required in addition to a visa, especially in countries where the two are separate documents
Work visas
The elements of work visas can differ from country to country. Here are some shared characteristics of work visas:
- Issued by a government agency
- Acts as only part of the entry requirements for a foreign national to legally work in a specific country
- Grants temporary entry into a country
- Outlines the terms and conditions of employment, such as the type of work allowed, the employer, and the authorization duration
- Required for entry into the country and may be accompanied by additional documents, including the work permit
How to obtain a work permit
The steps for acquiring a work permit can vary depending on the country and immigration policies. Here are five general steps to pursuing a work permit:
- Eligibility requirements. Employee eligibility is based on factors such as the job offer, qualifications, and the specific application category.
- Job offer and employment contract. The job offer is often a crucial component of the work permit application. The employment contract includes essential details such as job responsibilities, duration of employment, and salary.
- Application and required documentation. The employer and employee prepare the application, and the employer typically submits it to the relevant government agency responsible for immigration or labor.
- Fees. The employer typically pays the work permit application costs. Fees can vary widely and cover processing costs, administrative expenses, or other charges related to permit issuance.
- Processing and decision. Processing times can vary, and checking the expected timeline for a decision is essential. Some countries may offer expedited processing for specific situations.
Required documentation
Requirements vary, but generally speaking an application will require:
- Completed application form
- Valid passport
- Job offer letter or employment contract
- Educational qualifications and professional certifications
- Proof of financial means
- Health and medical certificates
- Passport-sized photographs
FAQs
Are work permits necessary in every country?
Generally, yes. While the name may vary, some form of work permit is required in almost every country as a legal authorization for foreign nationals to work there.
Read also: How to Stay Compliant When Hiring Internationally
How much does it cost to obtain a work permit?
The cost of getting a work permit varies depending on the type, the applicant's age, where the applicant currently lives, where they seek to work, and other factors.
For example, acquiring a work permit in the U.S. costs $495 : $410 for the filing fee for Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and $85 for a biometric services fee. In contrast, an Israeli work permit can cost as little as $47 annually.
How long do work permits last?
The duration of work permits varies widely worldwide and is influenced by each country's specific laws and regulations.
For example, the U.S. employment authorization document (EAD) work permit for non-U.S. citizens usually lasts for one year. However, it may be valid for more or less than that based on your other visas and licenses.
Employer considerations before obtaining a work permit
Before obtaining an employee's work permit, employers must carefully consider various factors to ensure compliance with immigration laws and facilitate a smooth and legal hiring process. Here are key considerations for employers:
Establishing legal entities
A consideration for global companies hiring foreign talent is that applicants often require sponsorship from a locally incorporated legal entity.
For example, suppose a company is hiring a foreign national or relocating a current employee to another country, and that employee plans to live and work in that country long-term. The employer typically must be able to sponsor their work visa and permit, which means the company must also have a legal entity in that country.
Length of stay
An employee's length of stay in a particular country also determines whether or not they need to obtain a work visa or work permit.
For example, suppose a company works with an employee with a digital nomad visa who plans to move from one country to another after about 90-180 days. In this case, the employee typically does not need a work visa or sponsorship from their employer.
However, if the employee stays in another country for longer than about six months, the employee likely needs a work visa and permit. This responsibility of sponsoring the employee usually falls on the company, meaning the company once again needs a legal entity in that country.
Complying with global employment laws
Work permit types and regulations differ from country to country, including fees, application processes, renewal information, and more. Organizations must be aware of these changes if they sponsor work permits and work visas in various countries or hire remote foreign nationals.
Make permits pleasant with Pebl
Obtaining a work visa is pretty easy to forget about before going global-if someone is over the age of 18, chances are they can work for you if they have the skills. Once you're crossing borders though, everything changes, and making sure your employees are able to legally work in the target country is of the utmost importance.
Here's how Pebl can help:
We can start by handling hiring, visa sponsorship, and work authorization with our Employer of Record services, acting as the legal entity in 185+ countries worldwide. Our Global Payroll services get your people on a single, centralized system allowing near real-time payroll management from Burundi to Bogota while our Global Benefits team crafts country-specific compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.
When you're ready to go global, contact us.
This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice and is for general informational purposes only. The intent of this document is solely to provide general and preliminary information for private use. Do not rely on it as an alternative to legal, financial, taxation, or accountancy advice from an appropriately qualified professional. The content in this guide is provided "as is," and no representations are made that the content is error-free.
© 2025 Pebl, LLC. All rights reserved.
