What are cities and countries doing to attract international talent?
The competition for skilled professionals is fierce. Cities and countries recognise the vital role that international talent plays in driving innovation, economic growth and cultural diversity, especially as demographic and technological changes complicate traditional workforce development models.
Governments worldwide are implementing creative and ambitious strategies to attract and retain the best and brightest from around the globe. Below are a dozen approaches that are shaping cross-border talent attraction.
Digital nomad visas
Expat-oriented tax schemes
Fast-tracked processing for highly-skilled professionals
Remote worker relocation incentives
Entrepreneur and startup visas
Long-term residency for skilled professionals
Global impact visas
Talent-employer matchmaking
Skills-based immigration
Post-study work visas
International houses and welcome centres
Bilateral talent exchanges
“Life Quality Insurance”
We dive into each one, with links to the examples from across the world.
Digital nomad visas
As remote work has become normalised, many countries are seizing the opportunity to attract digital nomads. These programmes allow location-independent professionals to live and work in a country for extended periods.
Estonia launched its Digital Nomad Visa in 2020, allowing remote workers to live in the country for up to a year. Other countries include Georgia's “Remotely from Georgia” programme, Barbados' “Welcome Stamp,” Croatia's Digital Nomad Residence Permit, and Dubai's Remote Work Visa all offering similar opportunities.
These visas not only bring in skilled professionals, but also contribute to local economies through long-term stays. However, as they become popular attraction schemes, they have also been blamed by local residents for contributing to higher costs of living, although the association between the two remains a topic for further research and investigation.
Expat-oriented tax schemes
Several countries are using tax incentives to make themselves more attractive to highly skilled foreign professionals. The Netherlands' 30% Ruling is a prime example, allowing eligible expats to receive up to 30% of their salary tax-free for up to five years.
Portugal's Non-Habitual Resident (NHR)programme offers tax exemptions on foreign-source income and a flat rate for certain professions. Finland's foreign expert tax regime provides a flat 32% tax rate for up to four years for eligible foreign experts, although the threshold on skills is higher.
These schemes can significantly reduce the tax burden for international talent, making these destinations more competitive in the global job market. But long-term popularity in places like the Netherlands has led to challenges by local citizens who see these as unfairly benefiting expats and contributing to rising housing costs.
Fast-tracked processing for highly-skilled professionals
Recognizing that time is often of the essence in recruiting top talent, some countries have implemented fast-track processing for work permits and residency applications.
Canada's Global Skills Strategy promises processing times of two weeks or less for eligible workers in high-demand fields. Australia's Global Talent Program offers a streamlined path to permanent residency for exceptionally talented individuals in specific sectors.
These expedited processes can be a crucial factor in attracting talent in competitive industries where speed of hiring can make or break a deal.
Remote worker relocation incentives
In a bold move, some cities and regions offer financial incentives to attract remote workers. The “Tulsa Remote” program in Oklahoma offers $10,000 to eligible remote workers who relocate to the city for at least a year.
Vermont's Remote Worker Grant Program provided up to $10,000 over two years to cover relocation expenses for eligible remote workers, although funding is no longer active. Across the Atlantic, some areas of Tuscany are providing cash incentives through the “Residenzialità in Montagna” scheme to those willing to move to rural mountain communities and revive the future prospects of diminishing towns.
These programs not only attract new talent, but can also help to revitalize local or rural economies and communities that have seen chronic decline.
Entrepreneur and startup visas
Many countries are rolling out the red carpet for entrepreneurs and innovators. Singapore's Tech.Pass is designed to attract founders, leaders, and technical experts in high-growth tech companies.
Chile's Start-Up Chile programme offers equity-free funding and a one-year visa for entrepreneurs launching startups in the country. France's French Tech Visa provides a fast-track procedure for tech talent, including founders and employees of startups.
These visas aim to boost local startup ecosystems and position countries as hubs of innovation, while also boosting high-quality employment for locals.
Long-term residency for skilled professionals
Some countries are offering long-term residency options to attract and retain top talent. Dubai’s Golden Visa provides 5 or 10-year renewable residency to individuals in certain professions or with specialised talents.
Japan's Highly Skilled Professional Visa offers a fast track to permanent residency for points-based qualified professionals. These programs provide the stability and long-term prospects that many skilled professionals seek when considering an international move.
Global impact visas
A unique approach is the creation of a visa specifically for innovators and entrepreneurs focused on creating positive global impact. New Zealand's Global Impact Visa is a pioneering example, offering a 3-year visa for entrepreneurs and investors who aim to create scalable, positive global impact through their work.
This approach not only attracts talent, but also aligns immigration with broader societal and environmental goals.
Talent-employer matchmaking
Recognizing that finding the right job opportunity can be a barrier for international talent, some countries have implemented more deliberate matchmaking programs in partnership with the private sector.
The Work in Austria Talent Hub platform connects international skilled workers with Austrian employers. And the Make it in Germany programme provides comprehensive information and job-matching services for international professionals. At the regional level, Bizkaia Talent’s job-matching efforts work in a similar way.
These initiatives help companies access pre-qualified international talent, facilitate smoother transitions for international workers and result in confirmed job placements that translate directly to ROI.
Skills-based immigration
Many countries are moving towards points-based immigration systems that prioritize immigrants with in-demand skills and qualifications. Canada's Express Entry and Australia's SkillSelect are well-known examples, awarding points for factors like education, work experience and language proficiency.
New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category and the UK's Points-Based System operate on similar principles. These systems allow countries to tailor their immigration policies to their specific labor market needs.
Post-study work visas
Recognizing the value of international students, many countries offer post-study work visas to retain this talent pool.
The UK's Graduate visaallows international graduates to stay and work for up to two years after completing their studies (three years for doctoral students). Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit is similar and allows for three years of extended stay.
Germany's Job Seeker Visa goes beyond graduates to offer all qualifying individuals six months of time to relocate and find a job within the country, after which someone who finds work can apply for a work visa and residence permit.
These visas provide a pathway for international students (and beyond) to transition to longer-term residency.
International houses and welcome centres
To help international talent settle in and foster deeper-rooted connections to the local community, many cities have established dedicated support centers. International House Copenhagen, International House Helsinki, Work in Estonia's International Houseand the Dutch system of international welcome centres are examples of initiatives that provide comprehensive support services.
These centers offer assistance with practical matters like housing and bureaucratic procedures, as well as providing networking opportunities and cultural integration support.
Bilateral talent exchanges
Some countries are forming partnerships to facilitate the flow of skilled workers, benefiting all parties by balancing supply and demand.
Germany's “Triple Win” programme partners with countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Philippines, and Tunisia for nursing professionals, resulting in the recruitment of 4,300 nurses. The triple win includes addressing skill shortages in Germany, easing pressure on labour markets in the country of origin and enabling remittances back to migrant families.
“Life Quality Insurance”
Copenhagen has never been shy about innovating when it comes to talent attraction. It did so again with the marketing campaign that offered a guarantee on enjoying relocation to the region. If someone moved and did not like it, their trip home was paid for through their life quality insurance initiative.
The offer removed a potential barrier to moving (costs) while strengthening the region’s position as a living destination. After all, who else would provide a “no risk” guarantee? This is no longer active, but generated significant international media attention and is a great example of how to break through the noise to elevate the profile of a talent destination.
These initiatives not only benefit the countries and cities implementing them, but also create new opportunities for skilled professionals looking to work internationally. For policymakers, they provide valuable examples of how to create attractive environments for global talent depending on the circumstances at home.
