Migration · United Kingdom

Work and Live in Europe – The Right Way

From EU Blue Cards and national work permits to Germany's Opportunity Card and residency-by-investment, our London-based European immigration consultants help you choose a genuine, legal route to Europe and avoid costly work permit scams.

Check My Global Talent Visa Eligibility Read the guide

Last updated 5 Nov 2026

Pathway at a glance

EU Blue Card or national work permit with a job offerMain skilled route

€50,700/year (€45,934.20 for shortage occupations and recent graduates)Germany EU Blue Card 2026

Job-seeker card, no job offer needed – €1,091/month funds (2026)Germany Opportunity Card

Portugal (fund route), Greece, Italy, Malta (residency), Latvia, Hungary, CyprusGolden visas still open

Spain (April 2025), Ireland (February 2023)Golden visas closed

Need a visa or permit to work or live long-term in the EU since BrexitUK citizens

Under negotiation as at mid-2026 – not yet launchedUK–EU youth scheme

Schengen rules – 90 days in any 180-day periodShort visits

Consultancy and document support – not a job or recruitment agencyOur role

Suite 113, Pentax House, South Hill Avenue, South Harrow, HA2 0DUOffice

Eligibility and documents

Valid passport
Job offer or employment contract from a European employer (for most work permits)
Recognised degree or vocational qualification (recognition may be required, e.g. in Germany)
CV and employment reference letters
Language test results where required (e.g. German A1 or English B2 for the Opportunity Card)
Proof of funds (e.g. a blocked account for Germany)
Health insurance valid in the destination country
Police certificate (e.g. UK ACRO certificate)
Proof of accommodation in the destination country
Investment or source-of-funds documents (for golden visas)

Application process

1
Book a consultation
Discuss your profession, qualifications, budget and preferred countries.
2
Choose the right country and route
Compare the EU Blue Card, national work permits, job-seeker visas, digital nomad visas and golden visas.
3
Check recognition and language
Confirm whether your qualifications need recognition and which language level you need.
4
Secure a genuine job offer
For most work routes, apply directly to legitimate employers and never pay for a "job".
5
Prepare your documents
Gather contracts, qualifications, funds, insurance and police certificates.
6
Apply at the embassy or online
Submit your national visa application and attend any appointment.
7
Arrive and register
Register your address, collect your residence permit and plan your path to long-term residence.

Costs and fees

National (D) visa or residence permit	Set by each country – check the embassy
Germany blocked account (Opportunity Card)	€1,091 per month of stay (2026)
Qualification recognition	Varies by country and profession
Golden visa investment	e.g. Greece from €250,000–€800,000, Portugal €500,000 fund route
Health insurance, translations and police certificates	Paid separately
GIEC Global consultation	Contact us for a quote

Fees change. Check the official source before you pay.

Why Choose GIEC Global as Your Immigration Consultants in London?

Quick answer: GIEC Global is a migration and education consultancy based at Suite 113, Pentax House, South Hill Avenue, South Harrow, HA2 0DU. We help people in the UK and worldwide move to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Europe, Dubai and the UK. Our team includes a MARA-registered migration agent for Australia (MARN 0848997) and a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC R711892). You can meet us in London or online.

Registered expertise: Australian and Canadian applications are handled by professionals registered with the relevant regulators.
Multi-country advice: compare destinations side by side instead of being pushed into one country.
Education and migration together: plan study abroad with a clear route to work and PR.
Up-to-date guidance: our country guides are reviewed against the latest 2026 rules.

Where Can You Migrate With GIEC Global?

Destination	Main routes	Guide
Canada	Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, citizenship	Migrate to Canada
Australia	Skilled visas (189, 190, 491), partner, parent and visitor visas	Migrate to Australia
New Zealand	Skilled Migrant Category, Green List, Permanent Resident Visa	New Zealand PR
USA	Work, family and investment-based routes	Migrate to USA
Europe	Work permits, job seeker and residence options	Migrate to Europe
Dubai (UAE)	Golden Visa, Green Visa, employment and family visas	Migrate to Dubai
United Kingdom	Skilled Worker, Global Talent, family and study routes	Migrate to UK

Migrate to Canada

Canada remains one of the most popular destinations for UK and international skilled workers. Key 2026 updates include:

new Express Entry points for high-wage job offers from 3 November 2026;
new Express Entry categories for doctors, researchers and transport workers; and
major changes to provincial programmes such as Ontario and British Columbia.

Check your score with our Canada PR points calculator.

Migrate to Australia

Australia’s skilled migration programme offers points-tested permanent visas such as the 189, state-nominated 190 and regional 491. It also offers partner, parent and family visas. Our MARA-registered agent can help with your skills assessment, EOI and visa application. Start with our General Skilled Migration guide or the Australia PR points calculator.

New Zealand Permanent Residency

From 24 August 2026, New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category has three pathways: Points-based, Skilled Work Experience, and the new Trades and Technician pathway. UK citizens aged 18–35 can also use a Working Holiday visa to gain NZ experience. Read our New Zealand PR guide.

Migrate to the UK

Many people contact us about moving to the UK, from the USA, Dubai, India and elsewhere. Common routes include the Skilled Worker visa (with a licensed UK sponsor), the Global Talent visa, family visas and student visas. Two common questions:

Retiring in the UK: the UK has no dedicated retirement visa, so most people move through family or other routes.
UK Ancestry visa: this is only for Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent, so US citizens are not eligible.

See our Migrate to UK page, or explore Study in UK and Work in UK.

Migrate to Europe, the USA and Dubai

Europe: work permits, job seeker visas and residence routes. Read Migrate to Europe.
USA: employment, family and investment-based immigration. Read Migrate to USA.
Dubai: Golden Visa, Green Visa, employment and remote work visas, plus UK visa support for UAE residents. Read Migrate to Dubai.

How Our Migration Consultancy Works

Consultation: we discuss your goals, family, budget and timeline.
Assessment: we check your eligibility for each country you are considering.
Strategy: we recommend the most realistic and cost-effective route.
Application: we prepare documents and submit a complete application.
After the decision: we guide you on arrival, settlement and your path to PR or citizenship.

Choosing the Best Immigration Consultant: What to Check

Registration: check the adviser’s registration with the right regulator for each country, for example MARA for Australia, CICC (RCIC) for Canada, and the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) for UK immigration advice.
No guarantees: no consultant can guarantee a visa. Only the government decides.
Transparent fees: you should receive a written quote and service agreement.
Up-to-date knowledge: rules changed heavily in 2026, so ask how recent the advice is.

Visit, Study and Work Abroad

Not ready to migrate permanently? GIEC Global also helps with visitor visas, such as Schengen visas for Europe, and with studying abroad and working overseas. Many clients start as students or workers and later move to permanent residence.

Reviewed by the GIEC Global migration team. Registration details reflect GIEC Global’s published MARA (MARN 0848997) and RCIC (R711892) registrations. Country information reflects rules as of October 2026. Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Visa decisions are made only by government authorities, and requirements change regularly – always confirm current rules on official government websites.

Visa pathways and tools