Most skilled-worker visas ask for a bachelor's degree because it is the simplest proof of skill. Routes without one need a different proof, usually years of experience in a recognised occupation, a sponsoring employer, or income that does not depend on local work. Which one you can offer decides your shortlist.
Routes With a Sub-Degree Education Floor
These routes state an education floor below a bachelor's degree: secondary school, or a diploma or associate degree. Several of them lead straight to permanent residence.
| # | Programme | Education floor | Permanent residence | Job offer | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlantic Immigration ProgramCanada | Secondary school | Permanent on grant | Required | 6–12 months |
| 2 | Express Entry: Federal Skilled TradesCanada | Secondary school | Permanent on grant | Required | 6–12 months |
| 3 | S PassSingapore | Diploma or associate degree | About 2 years | Required | 0–1 months |
| 4 | Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee ProgramCanada | Diploma or associate degree | About 2 years | Not required | 4–8 months |
| 5 | Alberta Advantage Immigration ProgramCanada | Diploma or associate degree | About 2 years | Not required | 6–12 months |
| 6 | Non-Lucrative VisaSpain | Secondary school | About 5 years | Not required | 1–3 months |
| 7 | D7 Passive Income VisaPortugal | Secondary school | About 5 years | Not required | 2–6 months |
| 8 | D8 Digital Nomad VisaPortugal | Secondary school | About 5 years | Not required | 2–6 months |
| 9 | E-2 Treaty InvestorUnited States | Secondary school | No direct path | Not required | 2–6 months |
Can you get PR without a degree?
Employer Routes With No Degree on Record
These work routes record no education floor at all. What they test instead is the job: an employer willing to sponsor you, and often a salary or a skill level for the role. New Zealand's route is explained in our AEWV guide.
| # | Programme | Permanent residence | Job offer | Salary floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Straight to ResidenceNew Zealand | Permanent on grant | Required | NZD 35/hr (≈ $41,573/yr) |
| 2 | Non-Immigrant Visa "B" (Business and Work)Thailand | About 3 years | Required | None set |
| 3 | Accredited Employer Work VisaNew Zealand | About 3 years | Required | None set |
| 4 | General Employment PermitIreland | About 5 years | Required | EUR 36,605/yr (≈ $41,949/yr) |
| 5 | Subordinate Work Visa (Decreto Flussi)Italy | About 5 years | Required | None set |
| 6 | B Permit (Resident Foreign Nationals) for Third-State NationalsSwitzerland | About 10 years | Required | None set |
| 7 | Global Talent StreamCanada | No direct path | Required | None set |
| 8 | Standard Work Visa (Employer-Sponsored)United Arab Emirates | No direct path | Required | None set |
| 9 | Long-Term Resident Visa (Highly-Skilled Professional)Thailand | No direct path | Required | USD 80,000/yr (≈ $80,000/yr) |
| 10 | L Permit (Short-Term Residents) for Third-State NationalsSwitzerland | No direct path | Required | None set |
Income-Based Routes
If you work remotely or live on savings or a pension, these visas test your income instead of your education. The ones without a degree requirement are listed below.
| # | Programme | Salary floor | Permanent residence | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long-Stay Visitor VisaFrance | None set | About 5 years | 1–2 months |
| 2 | Elective Residence VisaItaly | EUR 31,000/yr (≈ $35,526/yr) | About 5 years | 1–3 months |
| 3 | Non-Lucrative VisaSpain | None set | About 5 years | 1–3 months |
| 4 | D7 Passive Income VisaPortugal | None set | About 5 years | 2–6 months |
| 5 | D8 Digital Nomad VisaPortugal | EUR 3,680/mo (≈ $50,607/yr) | About 5 years | 2–6 months |
| 6 | Destination Thailand VisaThailand | None set | No direct path | 0–1 months |
| 7 | Virtual Work Residence VisaUnited Arab Emirates | USD 3,500/mo (≈ $42,000/yr) | No direct path | 1–2 months |
| 8 | Long-Term Resident Visa (Work-from-Thailand Professional)Thailand | USD 80,000/yr (≈ $80,000/yr) | No direct path | 1–3 months |
| 9 | Thailand Privilege (Membership Visa)Thailand | None set | No direct path | 1–3 months |
Countries With the Most Options
| Country | Routes without a degree requirement |
|---|---|
| Canada | 5 |
| Thailand | 5 |
| United Arab Emirates | 4 |
| Singapore | 4 |
| New Zealand | 3 |
| Italy | 3 |
| Portugal | 2 |
| Ireland | 2 |
| Switzerland | 2 |
| France | 2 |
| United States | 1 |
| Spain | 1 |
A route that records no degree can still ask you to prove your skill in another way, such as a trade licence, a skills assessment, or a registered occupation. Read the eligibility section of each programme page before you rely on it. If you work in hospitality, our guide for chefs goes through the employer routes in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I emigrate without a degree?
Yes. 34 routes open to any nationality in Transita's data do not require a bachelor's degree, including skilled-trades programmes, employer-sponsored work permits and income-based visas. Most replace the degree with work experience, a job offer or proof of income.
Which country is easiest to move to without a degree?
Canada and Thailand tie for the most routes without a degree requirement in our data (5 each). For permanent residence, Canada's skilled-trades and Atlantic routes and New Zealand's employer routes are the strongest options.
Can tradespeople get permanent residency abroad?
Yes. Canada's Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades grants permanent residence on approval and asks for secondary education plus a trade, a job offer and work experience rather than a degree. Check the programme page for trade certification requirements.
Do digital nomad visas require a degree?
Some do and some do not. In our data, the Spain Digital Nomad Visa asks for a degree, the Italy Digital Nomad Visa asks for a degree, the Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa does not. Check the education row on each programme page.
Related guides
Find the routes your experience qualifies for
Transita weighs your work history, trade and income against every route here and shows which ones skip the degree requirement for you. Answer 8 questions and your routes, documents and dates are set up for you. Free.
Build my workspaceofficial sources: AIP · canada.ca·FST · canada.ca·S Pass · mom.gov.sg·SINP · saskatchewan.ca·AAIP · alberta.ca·NLV · exteriores.gob.es·D7 · vistos.mne.gov.pt·E-2 · uscis.gov·STR · immigration.govt.nz·Non-B · mfa.go.th·AEWV · immigration.govt.nz