Thinking about taking your skills global in 2025? You’re not the only one.

As the demand for skilled professionals intensifies worldwide, more and more workers – especially those in high-demand technical sectors like automotive are exploring opportunities beyond their home countries. Whether you’re a vehicle technician with EV certifications, a diagnostic expert, or a bodyshop specialist, the global competition for talent has never been fiercer.

Governments across the globe are responding in kind, adjusting visa rules to attract skilled migrants. But with several attractive destinations on the table, how do you decide where to go?

That’s where our article comes in.

This article offers a practical, side-by-side comparison of visa pathways for three leading destinations: the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Each country presents distinct advantages, depending on your qualifications, experience, and long-term goals.

At the heart of the comparison is one key message: the global race for skilled workers is on, and knowing how to navigate each system is essential for success. If you’re planning to take your automotive skills international, this article is your first pit stop.

Ready to explore the best visa pathway for your future? Let’s get started.

1. Visa Eligibility & Application Process in 2025 – UK

The UK’s Skilled Worker visa is a primary pathway for automotive professionals seeking employment in the UK. Eligible occupations include roles such as automotive engineers, vehicle technicians, and mechanics. Applicants must secure a job offer from a UK employer who is a licensed sponsor. The role must be on the list of eligible occupations, and the applicant must meet specific salary thresholds and English language proficiency requirements.

UK Visa application fee:

Visa Type	Application Fee (Primary Applicant)	Additional Fees
Skilled Worker Visa (up to 3 years)	£769	N/A
Skilled Worker Visa (more than 3 years)	£1,519	N/A
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)	£1,035 per year	N/A

Key Eligibility Criteria:

Job offer: Applicants must have a job offer from a UK employer that is approved by the Home Office.​

Eligible occupation: The job must be listed among the eligible occupations for the Skilled Worker visa. For instance, automotive engineers fall under occupation code 2122. 

Salary requirements: The position must meet the minimum salary threshold, which is either £38,700 per year or the ‘going rate’ for the specific occupation, whichever is higher. 

English language proficiency: ​ Applicants must prove their knowledge of English (via an approved test or qualifications), equivalent to B1 level under the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference).

Financial requirements: Proof of sufficient personal savings to support oneself upon arrival in the UK is necessary, unless the employer can cover these costs. 

Occupation Listing: The occupation must be on the Skilled Worker list as defined by the UK Home Office, which includes various automotive and engineering roles.

Experience: Work experience is not explicitly listed as a separate mandatory criterion in the visa application itself, but employers issuing the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) often require a specific number of years of experience for the job role—even if not mandated by the visa rules themselves.

Points Test: The visa operates under a 70-point system, where points are awarded for criteria such as:

• Job offer from a licensed sponsor (20 points)
• Job at appropriate skill level (20 points)
• English language ability (10 points)
• Salary level and additional characteristics (20 points or more)

Skills Assessment: Not generally required. However, certain roles (especially in regulated professions) may require specific qualifications or registration.

Age Requirement: No age requirement. 

United Kingdom Skilled Worker Visa
Job Offer	Mandatory
Eligible Occupation	Required
Salary Requirements	Mandatory
English language proficiency	Mandatory B1 level
Financial Requirements	Proof of funds
Occupation Listing	Required
Experience	Not mandatory
​Points Test	Required – min. 70 points
Skills Assesment	Not generally required
Age Requirement	No explicit age limit

Application Process:

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): The UK employer provides the applicant with a CoS, which contains a unique reference number required for the visa application.​

Online application: The applicant completes the visa application online, providing necessary documents such as the CoS reference number, proof of English proficiency, and financial evidence.​

Biometric information: Applicants are required to provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a photograph.​

Decision: Visa processing times can vary, but applicants typically receive a decision within three weeks when applying from outside the UK.​

For more information click here: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

2. Visa Eligibility & Application Process in 2025 – Canada

Canada offers skilled automotive professionals two primary immigration pathways: the Express Entry system and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).​

Canada Visa application fee:

Visa Type	Application Fee (Primary Applicant)	Additional Fees
Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program	CAD $1,525	N/A
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)	CAD $1,525 + Provincial Fees	Varies

2.1. Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) under Express Entry is designed for skilled workers with foreign work experience who wish to become permanent residents. To be eligible, applicants must:​

Key Eligibility Criteria:

Job Offer: Not mandatory. However, possessing a valid job offer can enhance your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, potentially increasing your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.

Eligible Occupation: Applicants must have at least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3.

Salary Requirements: There are no explicit salary thresholds for eligibility under the FSWP. However, job offers, if presented, should comply with prevailing wage standards as per Canadian labour market conditions.

English language proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French by taking an approved language test. The minimum requirement is a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in all four abilities: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Financial Requirements: Applicants must show they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family after arrival in Canada, unless they are currently authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. The required amount varies depending on family size.

Occupation Listing: Work experience must be in occupations listed under NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. These include management, professional, technical, and skilled trades occupations. 

Experience: Have at least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in a skilled occupation within the last 10 years.​

​Points Test: Score at least 67 points out of 100 on the FSWP selection grid, which assesses factors such as age, education, work experience, and adaptability.​

Skills Assessment: Applicants with foreign education credentials must obtain an ECA to verify that their education is equivalent to a Canadian credential.

Age Requirement: While there is no maximum age to apply, age is a factor in the points assessment. Applicants aged between 18 and 35 receive the highest points, with points decreasing as age increases. 

Canada Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program
Job Offer	Not mandatory
Eligible Occupation	Required
Salary Requirements	Not specified
English language proficiency	Mandatory
Financial Requirements	Proof of funds
Occupation Listing	Required
Experience	Required
​Points Test	Required – min. 67 points
Skills Assesment	Mandatory
Age Requirement	No explicit age limit

Application Process:

Expression of Interest (EOI): An online Express Entry profile is created through the IRCC portal, detailing work experience, education, language proficiency, and other eligibility criteria.

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score: Profiles are assessed and ranked using the CRS, which allocates points based on factors such as age, skills, qualifications, and language ability.

Invitation to Apply (ITA): Candidates who meet or exceed the CRS cut-off score in the latest draw are issued an Invitation to Apply. Draws are held regularly, typically every two weeks.

Visa application: Upon receiving an ITA, applicants are required to submit a complete visa application within 60 days, including documents such as police certificates, medical examination results, proof of funds, and Educational Credential Assessment (if applicable).

Biometric information: Biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph, must be provided at a designated Visa Application Centre (VAC) following application submission.

Decision: Most applications submitted via Express Entry are processed within six months. 

For more information click here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html

2.2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Provincial Nominee Program allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and are interested in settling in a particular province. Each province has its own streams and criteria tailored to its specific labour market needs. For instance, provinces may have streams targeting skilled workers, semi-skilled workers, or tradespeople.​

Key Eligibility Criteria:

Job offer: Required for most PNP streams, particularly those aligned with employer-driven pathways. However, some streams (such as international graduate or skilled worker categories in select provinces) may not require a job offer.

Eligible occupation: Applicants must have work experience in an occupation that aligns with the labour market needs of the nominating province or territory. These vary by region and are published on each province’s in-demand occupation list.

Salary Requirements: There is no fixed national minimum salary threshold across all Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams. However, the offered wage must meet or exceed the prevailing wage for the occupation in the specific province or territory

English language proficiency: Proof of English (or French) language proficiency is required. Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels are determined by the province and the specific stream. Results must be from an approved test such as IELTS or CELPIP.

Financial requirements: Applicants must demonstrate adequate settlement funds, particularly if applying through non-Express Entry streams. The required amount is based on family size and updated annually by IRCC.

Occupation listing: Provinces publish targeted occupation lists based on their economic priorities. Only candidates whose occupations appear on these lists are considered for nomination in most skilled streams.

Points test: There is no test, each province has its own selection criteria, based rather on compatibility with local labour market needs.

Skills assessment: May be required depending on the stream and occupation. Certain regulated professions or trades might require credential recognition or licensing from a provincial authority before nomination or employment.

Age requirement: There is no fixed age limit, but age does influence CRS scores for Express Entry-linked streams. Younger applicants (typically under 45) receive more points.

Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Job Offer	Mostly Required
Eligible Occupation	Required
Salary Requirements	Not specified
English language proficiency	Mandatory
Financial Requirements	Proof of funds
Occupation Listing	Required
Experience	Required
​Points Test	No pre-test
Skills Assesment	Not specified
Age Requirement	No explicit age limit

Application Process:

Expression of Interest (EOI): An Expression of Interest must be submitted to the chosen province or territory, outlining the applicant’s skills, experience, and qualifications relevant to regional labour market needs.

Provincial Nomination: Upon review and acceptance, the applicant may receive a nomination from the province or territory. This nomination significantly enhances the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) via the Express Entry system or allows for a direct application through a non-Express Entry PNP stream.

Visa Application: Following nomination, a full permanent residence application is submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), including all supporting documentation such as proof of nomination, work experience, education, and settlement funds.

Biometric Information: Applicants are required to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph, at an authorised Visa Application Centre (VAC).

Decision: Processing times vary by province and programme stream. Applications are typically processed between 11 and 21 months. You can find more info here.

For more information click here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html

3. Visa Eligibility & Application Process in 2025 – Australia 

Australia offers several visa pathways for skilled automotive professionals, notably the temporary options such as the Skills in Demand visa (SID) (Subclass 482) (previously TSS), the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) or the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (SESR) (Subclass 494) and the permanent options such as the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186), the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), and the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). 

These visas cater to individuals with qualifications and experience in occupations listed on Australia’s Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL), which includes various automotive roles. 

3.1. List of Automotive Occupations on the CSOL:

• Panel Beater
• Automotive Spray Painter
• Motor Mechanic (General)
• Diesel Motor Mechanic
• Motorcycle Mechanic
• Small Engine Mechanic
• Automotive Electrician
• Vehicle Trimmer
• Vehicle Body Builder

Each occupation must align with the description, duties, and skill requirements outlined in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will assess every stage of the application against these criteria.

3.2. Australia Visa costs (in AUD $) :

	SC 482	SC 491	SC 494	SC 186 TRT	SC 186 DE	SC 189	SC 190	SC 191
DHA (Primary Applicant)	$3,115.00	$4,770.00	$4,770.00	$4,770.00	$4,770.00	$4,765.00	$4,770.00
Skills Assessment	If applicable	Between $1,000.00 and $2,000.00		N/A	Between $1,000.00 and $2,000.00			N/A
State or Territory Fees	N/A	May Apply	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	May Apply	N/A
English Language	Apply (unless exempted)
Migration Agent	May Apply
Translations	If required
Health and Character	Applicable

3.3. Types of Visa

3.1.1. Skills in Demand (SID) (Subclass 482) visa (temporary visa)

You must have a valid job offer from an Australian employer.

Step 1: Employer authorisation to sponsor = Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS). Most employers are already accredited to sponsor for 5 years, otherwise they can request or renew their accreditation.

Step 2: Individual Nomination by your employer. For each stream, occupations, must be:

• Specialist skills stream (all ANZSCO major group 1,2,4,5 and 6 occupations earning above AUD$135K/yr – review every year on July 1^st).
• Core Skills (CSOL occupation list) Minimum Salary $73,150 (review every year on July 1^st) & Australia Market Salary Rate (AMSR).
• Labour Agreement / DAMA as per their conditions.

Step 3: Your Visa application for the nominated occupation.

3.1.2. Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) (temporary visa)

You must meet the points test requirements and either be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or by an eligible relative, within a regional area, defined by DHA.

Step 1: Your Skills Assessment application for a nominated occupation.

Step 2: Expression of Interest (EOI) application for the same nominated occupation. When invited, you can proceed to step 3.

Step 3: Your Visa application.

3.1.3. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Subclass 494) (temporary visa)

You must have a valid job offer from an Australian employer in a regional area, defined by DHA. 

Step 1: Employer authorisation to sponsor = Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS), as for SC 482 above.

Step 2: Individual Nomination by your employer. Occupation must be on the SC 494 occupations list.

Regional Certification is required by the local RCB.

Step 3: Your Skills Assessment and Visa applications for the nominated occupation

3.1.4. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) – Transition Stream (TRT) (Subclass 186) (permanent visa)

You must have been working and paid for 2 years, on a SC 482 visa, in Australia, with the agreement of your SC 482 sponsor.

Step 1: Individual Nomination by your employer. Occupation must be the same as your SC 482 visa.

Step 2: Your Visa application for the nominated occupation.

3.1.5. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)- Direct Entry stream (DE) (Subclass 186) (permanent visa)

You must have a valid job offer from an Australian employer, and at least 3 years of experience.

Step 1: Your Skills Assessment application for the nominated occupation.

Step 2: Individual Nomination by your employer. Occupation must be on the CSOL occupations list.

Step 3: Your Visa application for the nominated occupation.

3.1.6. General Skilled Migration (GSM): Skilled – Independent (Subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) (permanent visas)

You must meet the points test requirements. For SC190, you need to be invited by a State or Territory.

Step 1: Your Skills Assessment application for a nominated occupation.

Step 2: Expression of Interest (EOI) application for the same nominated occupation. For SC 190 visa: additional State or Territory approval is required. When invited, you can proceed to step 3.

Step 3: Your Visa application.

3.1.7. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) – Transition Stream (TRT) (Subclass 186) (permanent visa)

You must have held a SC 491 or SC 494 visa and have lived, worked, and paid taxes in a designated regional area for at least 3 years.

Step 1: Your Visa application

3.4. Key Eligibility Criteria:

	SC 482	SC 491	SC 494	SC 186 TRT	SC 186 DE	SC 189	SC 190	SC 191
Sponsorship	Employer	State, Territory or eligible relative	Employer	Employer	Employer	NO	State or Territory	NO
Occupation List:	CSOL (Core Skills)all ANZSCO major group 1,2,4,5 and 6 (Specialist Stream)	MLTSSLSTSOLROL (CSOL)	SC 494	As SC 482 visa	CSOL	MLTSSL (CSOL)	MLTSSL (CSOL) and States / Territories lists	As SC 491 or 494 visa
Expression of Interest	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES	YES	NO
Points Test	NO	Minimum 65 points, but competitive occupations often require higher points to be invited.	NO	NO	NO	Minimum 65 points, but competitive occupations often require higher points to be invited.		NO
Qualification (at ANZSCO level)	Required unless enough experience covers it	Required for skills Assessment		N/A	Required for skills Assessment			N/A
Experience in the nominated occupation	Min 1 year Full-Time experience in the last 5 years	N/A	Min 3 years Full-Time experience	N/A	Min 3 years Full-Time experience	N/A	N/A	N/A
Skills Assessment*	For some occupations only	YES	YES**	N/A	YES	YES	YES	N/A
English Language **	SC 482 Proficiency	Competent ***	Competent	Competent	Competent	Competent ***		Competent
Age	No Age Limit	Under 45 years old		Under 45 years old **	Under 45 years old
Licence and Registration	Depends on state and occupation. 90 days to obtain it after you start working in Australia			If required by ANZSCO
Health and Character	Must pass Australian health and character requirements.

* Valid for 3 years, recommended to have it PRIOR applying for your visa.

** Some exemptions may apply

*** Higher level can bring extra points

 Information reviewed by Konnecting Migration Australia. The above information is generic in nature, and subject to change. For more information, contact the author, Julie Tariel, Registered Migration Agent, MARN1464837 http://www.konnecting.com  

4. Summary

As skilled talent becomes an increasingly valuable asset worldwide, countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia continue to compete for qualified professionals in high-demand sectors – including automotive. But while all three nations offer structured immigration systems and strong labour markets, the pathways vary significantly in complexity, processing time, and eligibility requirements.

The UK offers the most straightforward route through its Skilled Worker visa, especially for candidates with job offers from approved sponsors. With transparent salary thresholds, fast processing (around three weeks), and no upper age limit, it remains the most accessible option for many.

Canada sits in the middle. Its Express Entry system doesn’t require a job offer but does involve a competitive points-based system and longer processing times (up to six months). Candidates must meet clear criteria related to language, education, and work experience – making it a solid but slightly more complex route.

Australia’s Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) is the most demanding. Australia offers many visa options, but the process is generally the most complex and costly. With a high points threshold, mandatory skills assessment, age cap, and limited invitations, it suits experienced professionals who are confident in their qualifications and prepared for a longer application process. 

Each pathway has its advantages, but success ultimately depends on your experience, qualifications, language ability – and how ready you are to meet the specific demands of each system.

Wherever your next step leads, understanding the structure, expectations, and realities of global mobility in 2025 is key. With the right preparation, the world remains wide open for skilled professionals ready to take it on.

Sources:

UK part 1:https://www.gov.uk/

Canada part 2: https://www.canada.ca/en.html

Australia part 3: Information reviewed by Konnecting Migration Australia. The above information is generic in nature, and subject to change. For more information, contact the author, Julie Tariel, Registered Migration Agent, MARN1464837 http://www.konnecting.com  

https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs