US figures are placeholders until the first data update finishes. They are not real statistics.
Work Route

Routes to permanent residence, side by side

Each country has two common routes: one that starts with a degree there, and one that starts with a job offer and no degree. Teal is the degree route, amber the route without one.

United States See jobs and employers

With a degree

United States: route to a green card

Study, work on OPT, get an H-1B, then an employer sponsors the green card.

  1. F-1 studentUS degreeBachelor's or master's at a US school
  2. OPTWork after graduation12 months, or 36 months for STEM majors
  3. H-1BSpecialty work visaAnnual lottery; up to 6 years
  4. PERM + I-140Employer sponsors youLabor certification, then immigrant petition
  5. Green cardEB-2 or EB-3When your priority date is current
Without a degree

United States: route to a green card

A US employer sponsors you directly from abroad; no study or work visa needed first.

  1. Job offerUS employer hires youCommon in meat processing, farms, hotels, construction
  2. PERMLabor certificationEmployer pays all costs
  3. I-140Immigrant petitionEB-3 Skilled Worker or Other Workers
  4. WaitVisa Bulletin lineOften several years for Other Workers
  5. Green cardEnter as a permanent residentImmigrant visa interview abroad

Rules as of October 2026. Sources: US Visa Bulletin, DOL permanent labor certification. Always confirm with the official immigration authority.

Canada See jobs and employers

With a degree

Canada: route to permanent residence

Graduate in Canada, get a post-graduation work permit, then apply through Express Entry after a year of skilled work.

  1. Study permitCanadian degree or diplomaCollege programs must match a shortage field
  2. PGWPPost-graduation work permitUp to 3 years, based on program length
  3. Work1 year skilled workTEER 0 to 3 jobs
  4. Express EntryCanadian Experience ClassInvited by CRS score or category draw
  5. PRPermanent residence
Without a degree

Canada: route to permanent residence

Come on an employer's LMIA work permit, then look for a provincial nomination. There is no federal route for most TEER 4 and 5 jobs.

  1. LMIAEmployer gets approvalEmployer may not charge you for it
  2. Work permitTemporary foreign workerTied to that employer
  3. WorkBuild Canadian experienceTrades in TEER 2 or 3 can use Express Entry
  4. PNPProvincial nominationRegional and in-demand streams vary by province
  5. PRPermanent residence

Rules as of October 2026. Sources: IRCC post-graduation work permit, Moving2Canada on the closed TEER 4–5 pathway (Aug 2025). Always confirm with the official immigration authority.

United Kingdom See jobs and employers

With a degree

United Kingdom: route to indefinite leave to remain

Graduate, use the Graduate visa to find a sponsored job, then qualify for settlement on a Skilled Worker visa.

  1. Student visaUK degree
  2. Graduate visaWork without a sponsor2 years (3 for PhD); 18 months for applications from Jan 1, 2027
  3. Skilled WorkerLicensed sponsor hires youDegree-level job and salary threshold
  4. Qualifying yearsLive and work in the UK5 years today; a 10-year baseline has been proposed
  5. ILRSettlementGraduate visa time does not count
Without a degree

United Kingdom: route to indefinite leave to remain

Since July 22, 2025 most new Skilled Worker visas need a degree-level job. Only roles on the Temporary Shortage List remain open below that level.

  1. TSL jobRole on the Temporary Shortage ListOpen to new visas until Dec 31, 2026
  2. Skilled WorkerSponsor licence requiredNo dependants on these roles
  3. Qualifying yearsLive and work in the UKSettlement rules are under review
  4. ILRSettlementCheck current rules before relying on this route

Rules as of October 2026. Sources: Burness Paull on the Temporary Shortage List, Paragon Law, Graduate visa 2026 guide. Always confirm with the official immigration authority.

Australia See jobs and employers

With a degree

Australia: route to permanent residence

Graduate in Australia, work on a graduate visa, then get PR through the points test or an employer.

  1. Student visaAustralian degree
  2. Subclass 485Temporary graduate visaWork rights after graduation
  3. Skills assessmentOccupation and pointsAge, English, experience, study in Australia
  4. 189 / 190 / 186Points-tested or employer PR visaInvitation through SkillSelect, or employer nomination
  5. PRPermanent residence
Without a degree

Australia: route to permanent residence

Trades and many other jobs can be sponsored on the Skills in Demand visa, then after two years the same employer can nominate you for PR.

  1. ExperienceShow your trade skillsAt least 1 year of relevant experience; some trades need a formal skills assessment
  2. Subclass 482Skills in Demand, Core Skills streamOccupation on the Core Skills list; salary at least A$79,423 from Jul 1, 2026
  3. WorkStay with your sponsor2 years full time
  4. Subclass 186Employer nomination, transition streamGenerally under 45
  5. PRPermanent residence

Rules as of October 2026. Sources: MyVisa, Skills in Demand 2026 guide, Magpie on 482 to 186 in 2026, Home Affairs visa listing. Always confirm with the official immigration authority.

Japan See jobs and employers

With a degree

Japan: route to permanent residence

Study in Japan, work on an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa, and apply for PR after 10 years, or after 1 to 3 years as a Highly Skilled Professional.

  1. StudentJapanese degree or vocational diploma
  2. Engineer/HumanitiesProfessional work visaJob must use your field of study
  3. HSP (optional)Highly Skilled Professional70 points or more
  4. ResidenceYears in Japan10 years with 5 on a work visa; HSP 3 years (70 pts) or 1 year (80 pts)
  5. PRPermanent residentTaxes, pension and insurance must be paid
Without a degree

Japan: route to permanent residence

Pass a Japanese test and a skills test for Specified Skilled Worker (i), move up to type (ii), then build residence toward PR. Time on type (i) does not count toward the 5 working years.

  1. TestsJapanese (N4) and skills testTaken abroad or in Japan
  2. SSW (i)Specified Skilled Worker (i)Up to 5 years; no family
  3. SSW (ii)Specified Skilled Worker (ii)Higher skills test; no time limit; family can join
  4. ResidenceYears in Japan10 years, with 5 on a counting work visa
  5. PRPermanent resident

Rules as of October 2026. Sources: Immigration Services Agency SSW statistics, Office Tree SSW guide (Japanese), Coto Academy PR guide. Always confirm with the official immigration authority.

Singapore See jobs and employers

With a degree

Singapore: route to permanent residence

Graduate, get an Employment Pass or S Pass from an employer, then apply for PR after some years. Singapore has no post-study work visa and PR is discretionary.

  1. Student's PassSingapore degree
  2. EP / S PassEmployer-sponsored passMust meet the salary floor; EP also needs 40 COMPASS points
  3. WorkBuild years in SingaporeSalary, tenure and family ties count
  4. PR applicationApply to ICANo published points or minimum years
  5. PRPermanent residence
Without a degree

Singapore: route to permanent residence

Work Permits cover most factory, construction and service jobs, but holders cannot apply for PR. The path runs through an S Pass.

  1. Work PermitEmployer hires youApproved source countries only; South Korea is included
  2. SkillsUpgrade and gain experienceCertificates and years raise your value
  3. S PassMove up to an S PassSalary from S$3,300 a month (S$3,600 from Jan 2027)
  4. PR applicationApply to ICAWork Permit holders cannot apply
  5. PRPermanent residenceDiscretionary

Rules as of October 2026. Sources: MOM Employment Pass eligibility, MOM S Pass eligibility, MOM Work Permit services sector rules. Always confirm with the official immigration authority.

South Korea See jobs and employers

With a degree

South Korea: route to permanent residence (F-5)

Study in Korea, find a professional job on an E-7 visa, then move to points-based residence and permanent residence.

  1. D-2Korean degree
  2. D-10Job-seeker visaTime to find work after graduating
  3. E-7Professional work visaJob must match an eligible occupation
  4. F-2-7Points-based residence
  5. F-5Permanent residenceRequirements set by the Ministry of Justice
Without a degree

South Korea: route to permanent residence (F-5)

Pass the EPS-TOPIK at home, work on an E-9 permit, then move to the E-7-4 skilled worker visa for long-term stay.

  1. EPS-TOPIKKorean test at homeThrough your country's official EPS centre
  2. E-9Work permitUp to 4 years 10 months
  3. E-7-4Skilled worker visaAfter 4+ years, 200 of 300 points; renewable, family can join
  4. F-2 / F-5Long-term or permanent residencePossible later if you meet income and residence requirements

Rules as of October 2026. Sources: HiKorea, SeoulStart E-7-4 guide. Always confirm with the official immigration authority.