Chapter 1 of 7 · 5 checks · 3 min
Research visa routes on official sites
Understand which legal routes exist for your destination, who applies, and what they require, using only official government sources.
Use the destination government's official immigration site as your main sourceMust
Why it matters and how to check
Immigration rules, thresholds and forms change regularly, and blogs, videos and agents often repeat outdated information. The official government site is the only source that is current and that the decision makers will apply.
USCIS, for example, advises checking that a website or email address ends in .gov. Other countries have their own official domains, such as gov.uk or canada.ca. Bookmark the official pages for the routes you are considering.
Check it: every rule you are relying on comes from a page on the destination government's official domain, and you have noted the date you read it.
Do
- Bookmark the official page for each route you consider
- Note when you last checked each rule
Avoid
- Relying on social media posts or agents for eligibility rules
List the skilled work routes your destination offers for software rolesMust
Why it matters and how to check
Most countries have one or more routes for skilled workers. Examples: the UK Skilled Worker visa requires a confirmed job offer from a Home Office approved employer; the EU Blue Card, which applies in 25 EU member states (not Denmark or Ireland), requires a job offer or contract of at least six months; the US H-1B is for specialty occupations and is filed by the employer.
Some countries also have points-based or job-seeker routes that do not need an offer first. Read each route's official overview before narrowing down.
Check it: you have a short list of routes for your destination, with the official page for each and one line on whether it needs a job offer first.
Do
- Compare employer-sponsored and independent routes
Avoid
- Assuming the route a friend used still exists in the same form
Check the core requirements: job offer, salary level, qualifications and languageMust
Why it matters and how to check
Routes usually test a few things: whether you have a qualifying job offer, whether the salary meets a minimum, whether your degree or experience qualifies, and whether you meet a language requirement. The UK Skilled Worker visa, for example, has a minimum salary that depends on the type of work, and usually requires proof of English. The EU Blue Card can accept professional experience instead of a degree in some sectors, including ICT.
Thresholds and details change, so read the current numbers on the official site for your exact situation.
Check it: for your chosen route, you have checked each requirement against the official page and know which documents prove each one.
Do
- Check whether your degree and experience meet the route's definition
Avoid
- Using salary thresholds from old articles
Find out who applies, the employer or you, and when the application window opensShould
Why it matters and how to check
On many routes the employer starts the process. For the US H-1B, the employer files the petition, and cap-subject petitions depend on a selected electronic registration. For the UK Skilled Worker visa, the employer gives you a certificate of sponsorship and you can apply up to 3 months before the start date on it.
Knowing who acts first, and when, tells you what to ask your employer for and when you can realistically start.
Check it: you know which steps the employer handles, which you handle, and the earliest date you can apply.
Do
- Ask your employer for a written timeline of their steps
Avoid
- Booking flights before you know when you can apply
Check whether your partner and children can come and what they needShould
Why it matters and how to check
If family will move with you, check the dependant rules for your route early. The UK Skilled Worker page, for example, says your partner and children may be able to apply to join you if they meet the requirements, and the EU Blue Card rules aim to make family reunification faster.
Dependants often need their own documents, such as marriage and birth certificates, and some routes limit their right to work.
Check it: you have read the official dependant rules for your route and listed the documents each family member needs.
Do
- Gather marriage and birth certificates early
Avoid
- Assuming a partner can work without checking their visa conditions