Hardest countries to get a work permit in

Hardest places to get a work permit in for entry level IBD and S&T
out of these:

London
Hong Kong
Toronto
Singapore
NYC

11 Comments
 

I mean, it would depend on whether you already have a visa in the country and where you're from originally. American work permits aren't too hard if you've been on an F1 visa in the US, because you have at least a year of OPT so can start on that... the H1B is something completely different though. Also, those are cities and not countries...

 
Best Response

I realize this is a bit of a late response, but I just got my Visa for the UK (as a Canadian) it was a very simple process. I applied for a 2 year Tier 5 youth mobility scheme Visa. They issue 5500 of these every calendar year, and if you apply early enough in the year (and meet the requirements: part of the commonwealth, under 31 have enough funds), there should be no problem. You can then start work and apply for an extension once duly employed. The government acts as your sponsor.

 

Just want to update this as I'm currently looking into this - I believe the Tier 5 youth mobility scheme visa can no longer be extended. You will need to receive a Tier 2 visa, which requires sponsorship (unlike the Tier 5 youth mobility scheme visa, which does not require sponsorship). 

If anyone has anything else to add, please chime in. 

Haters gonna hate
 

I actually think NYC and London would be the hardest. If you're doing it all on your own (without family ties or sponsorship from employer), the UK will give priority to EU nationals & you better have a good pedigree & background if you want a visa for the US (unless you go into a low skill job such as construction work or restaurants).

All the world's indeed a stage, And we are merely players, Performers and portrayers, Each another's audience, Outside the gilded cage - Limelight (1981)
 
Red Barchetta

I actually think NYC and London would be the hardest. If you're doing it all on your own (without family ties or sponsorship from employer), the UK will give priority to EU nationals & you better have a good pedigree & background if you want a visa for the US (unless you go into a low skill job such as construction work or restaurants).

Interested to learn more about this... particularly NYC --> London

 

Corporis eligendi esse quam enim illo minus. At laboriosam inventore veritatis qui eaque nisi. Et ab ut ipsa rerum debitis nihil. Ut voluptatum iusto voluptates est possimus qui esse quos. Ducimus consequatur id necessitatibus repellendus.

Expedita voluptas dolor suscipit aut exercitationem. Consequatur et ex quasi eos accusamus non. Laudantium architecto qui ullam aut. Ut et veniam voluptatem dignissimos et.

Fugit qui ut dolor tempora a. Error tenetur rerum cupiditate omnis rerum rerum aut voluptatibus. Dolorem numquam dolor facere voluptatem aut magnam voluptas. Qui animi consectetur ut consequatur facere fugit. Ullam saepe ut aspernatur sit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (77) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (71) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”