Want to work abroad? Here are 16 companies that sponsor visas

So, you want to work abroad. A fresh start awaits you, but there’s just one thing standing in your way: you need to find a company that sponsors work visas. Yes, you can have all of the skills and enthusiasm needed to create a brand new life in the country of your dreams, but without securing that often elusive work visa, you’re going nowhere. So, how can you – a mere mortal – get a visa to work abroad? Here are 16 companies that sponsor work visas.

Well-known companies that sponsor work visas

Google

With offices in Europe, North and South America, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, there’s probably a Google office a stones throw from wherever in the world you want to live.

However, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that Google automatically sponsors work visas if you just apply for a job in the country of your choice. We’ve been told by a reliable source that you stand a much better chance of visa sponsorship if you get a role at Google in your home country and then apply for a transfer after a year. 

Google’s global presence makes it a great option for getting a work visa

Facebook

Just like Google, Facebook has an extensive global presence and it is in the midst of a pretty aggressive hiring campaign. Earlier this year, Facebook announced plans to hire 500 new employees in its London offices alone, as it steps up its focus on cyber security. A significant proportion of these new hires are not UK nationals, which suggests that Facebook is happy to sponsor work visas. We can’t say with 100% certainty that the company is also sponsoring visas to work elsewhere in the world, but it is certainly worth looking into if you want to work abroad and need a visa sponsor.

Amazon

The story is much the same for Amazon, but unlike Google and Facebook, Amazon has an extra trick up its sleeve for anyone looking to work abroad. It offers an abundance of remote working positions in the UK, Europe, US and a few other locations worldwide. These unique positions allow you to work from anywhere in the world without worrying about a visa, because you’ll be legally employed by them in your home country. (And if remote work interests you, check out our list of jobs that will let you travel the world without needing a visa.)

Amazon has offices across the globe, making it another good choice for getting a work visa

Netflix

We’re basing this on reviews left on Glassdoor, but it seems that Netflix can and does sponsor visas for non-US citizens to work in its US offices. As the company also has offices in Asia, South America and Europe, it’s likely that it may also sponsor work visas to work in these regions. 

Lesser-known companies that sponsor work visas

Mindvalley

Mindvalley is a global online learning platform that’s dedicated to all things self improvement. And not only does it have offices in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Tallinn, Estonia, it seems to be fast expanding and recruiting regularly. Applications are open to you wherever you are in the world, so if you’ve always wanted to live in Malaysia or Estonia, Mindvalley could be a great company for you.

CNN International

If TV or digital news and feature documentaries are your thing and you want to work abroad, take a close look at CNN International – the global arm of the US new networks. We know for a fact that this is one company that sponsors visas to work abroad. However, this tends to be the case if you join the company in your native country and show an interest in moving to a different bureau once you have proven yourself to be an asset. It’s a long game, but worth it if you want to work abroad in the media industry.

If Kuala Lumpur is on your bucketlist, take a look at Mindvalley for exciting job opportunities

Mondelez International

You may not be familiar with the name Mondelez, but we’re pretty sure the company has been keeping your snack drawer well stocked for years. From Oreos to Cadbury’s and Trident, this international giant is the powerhouse behind many of the food brands we all know and love. They’ve got offices worldwide and departments spanning so many industries, there’s bound to be a position that suits your skillset. 

Let’s not forget the investment banks and consulting firms

If you have a work history that lends itself well to the investment banking or management consulting world, you probably already know that working for an investment bank or management consulting firm is a great way to find a sponsor for your work visa. Again, it’s a long game that will usually require you to pay your dues in your home country for at least a year before being considered for a transfer.

If investment banking is your thing, a few names to get you started include: Barclay’s, RBS, Morgan Stanley and HSBC.

But bear in mind that if you are hoping to work in the US, it has become harder (but still possible) for banks to successfully secure work visas for non-US citizens (and yes, that’s all down to Trump!)

Global management consulting firms that are known for transferring staff abroad include: Bain, McKinsey & Company, Accenture, Deloitte and KPMG.

Look no further than investment banking for opportunities for working abroad in a new country

How to find out which companies sponsor work visas in any country

These are just a few names to get you started. There are thousands more, and you can find them by checking the relevant governmental website for the country you’re interested in working in. For example, if you want to work in the UK, but you aren’t a UK (or EU, for now) citizen, you can find a comprehensive list of companies that have a license to sponsor work visas for non-UK nationals, here.