European Work Visa · Skilled Trades

Work in Europe —
Are You Ready?

A clear, honest pathway to Europe for skilled tradespeople — electricians, mechanics, welders, and construction workers. Answer 5 questions and find out where you stand.

Scroll down to check your readiness

European Work Readiness Check Step 1 of 5

What is your main trade or profession?

Do you hold a trade qualification or certificate?

How comfortable are you reading and writing in English?

Can you access around £800–£900 for the application process?

This covers GVJ service fees. Government visa fees vary by destination and are not included.

When are you aiming to be working in Europe?

Your Readiness Result

Based on your answers

How It Works

Work in Europe — The Route

GVJ offers employer-sponsored work visa routes to Europe for skilled tradespeople from West Africa. Our primary and most accessible route is Poland — a Schengen country with strong demand for experienced trades and a Type D national visa valid for up to 3 years.

Skilled Trades Focus

Electricians, mechanics, welders, plumbers, and construction workers are in high demand from Polish employers.

Employer-Sponsored

A licensed European recruitment agency matches you to an employer, who then files your work permit through the relevant national labour authority.

Up to 3 Years

The Type D national visa can be issued for up to 3 years and renewed in-country — no repeated visa applications each year.

Schengen Travel

Your Polish national visa also grants 90 days of travel across the wider Schengen zone — 27 countries with your work visa.

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Our Primary Route

Poland Type D Work Visa

The Type D is Poland's national long-stay visa for non-EU skilled workers. Unlike a Schengen tourist visa, it is specifically for employment and is issued for up to 3 years. The process starts before you arrive in Poland — the employer must first secure a work permit, which is then used to support your visa application at the Polish Embassy in your home country.

Key Facts

Visa Type

National (Type D)

Visa Validity

Up to 3 years

Consulate Fee

€80 (Polish govt)

After Work Permit

2–4 weeks

Schengen Access

Yes (90 days)

Renewable

Yes, in-country

Documents Required

Valid passport (minimum 6 months beyond intended stay)
Work permit issued by the Polish labour authority, or Declaration of Entrusting Work
Signed employment contract or confirmed job offer letter
Proof of accommodation in Poland
Travel health insurance (minimum €30,000 Schengen cover)
Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, 3 months)
Completed visa application form + biometric photos

The 7-Step Process

1

Skills Verified

We confirm you hold the trade qualifications and experience that Polish employers require. If you have experience without a certificate, we guide you through the RPL process first.

2

European-Standard CV Built

We rebuild your CV to European format and produce a skills verification document. This is what licensed Polish agencies review before agreeing to represent you.

3

Agency Reviews Your Profile

Your CV and trade credentials are submitted to licensed Polish recruitment agencies actively hiring in your trade. The agency assesses your fit for current employer vacancies.

4

Employer Files Work Permit

Once matched, the Polish employer files your work permit with the relevant Voivodeship (regional labour authority). This takes 4–8 weeks depending on the region and trade category.

5

Work Permit Approval Received

The approved work permit letter is issued to the employer and shared with you. This document is the foundation of your visa application and must be included with your embassy submission.

6

Type D Visa Applied at Polish Embassy

We prepare your complete visa application pack — work permit letter, financial evidence, accommodation proof, insurance, cover letter — and you submit it at the Polish Embassy in your home country. Processing takes 2–4 weeks after submission.

7

Visa Issued — Travel to Poland

Your Type D national visa is collected from the Embassy. We provide a pre-departure briefing. You travel to Poland, begin work, and your visa also allows 90 days of Schengen travel across 27 countries.

Ready to Start?

The first step is a Work Readiness Assessment — £99. We review your trade qualifications, experience, and financial profile, and tell you honestly which step of the process you are at and what is needed next.

Book Assessment — £99
Transparent Pricing

Three Steps. Three Products.

Each service stands on its own. You are never required to commit beyond the step you have paid for.

Step 1

Work Readiness Assessment

£99 one-off

An honest review of your skills, qualifications, experience, English level, and finances. We tell you which countries and visa routes are genuinely realistic for your profile. Delivered within 48 hours.

Book Assessment — £99

Step 3

Visa Application Support

£250–£350

Once you have a job offer, we handle your complete work visa application — document preparation, checklist, and translation guidance — from work permit coordination through to your Type D visa application at the Embassy.

Get Started — WhatsApp Us

Most clients complete all three steps. You are never required to commit beyond the step you have paid for — each one stands on its own.

Common Questions

Work Visa FAQ

Poland's labour market has strong demand for electricians, plumbers, HVAC engineers, welders, mechanics, automotive technicians, carpenters, and general construction workers. These trades are listed as shortage occupations, which means work permits are processed faster and employers are actively seeking candidates from outside the EU. If your trade is not listed here, ask us — the list is broader than most people expect.
A formal trade certificate is strongly preferred by Polish employers and agencies. However, hands-on experience without a certificate can still qualify through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, where your skills are assessed and formally verified. This takes additional time but is a recognised pathway. We guide you through RPL as part of the European Work Preparation Package if needed.
No. Most skilled trade roles in Poland — particularly those filled through international recruitment agencies — are conducted in English at the management and documentation level. On the job site, basic communication is typically handled through bilingual supervisors. Polish language skills are an advantage for longer-term settlement but are not required at the entry stage.
Allow 3–5 months from the Work Readiness Assessment to visa issuance. The longest step is the work permit, which takes 4–8 weeks once the employer submits it to the Polish labour authority. After the work permit is issued, the Polish Embassy typically processes the Type D visa within 2–4 weeks. We advise starting as early as possible — the process cannot be meaningfully rushed once it is in the Polish government's hands.
The Polish government consulate fee for a Type D national visa is €80. This is paid directly to the Polish Embassy in your home country at the time of your visa appointment — it is not a GVJ fee and is not included in our service prices. GVJ fees cover the assessment, CV rebuild, agency matching, and visa document preparation. The €80 consulate fee is separate and non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Yes, dependants can apply for a family reunification visa once you are legally resident and employed in Poland. This is a separate process that begins after you are established there — it is not part of the initial work visa application. If family reunification is a priority for you, mention it at the assessment stage so we can factor the timeline into your planning.
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Ready to Work in Europe?

Take the quiz above or book your Work Visa Assessment now. We respond within 24 hours.

Global Visa & Journeys Ltd provides visa consultancy and work visa preparation services. General guidance on visa routes is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute regulated immigration advice. For specific immigration legal advice we recommend consulting an OISC registered adviser or qualified solicitor. Registered in England & Wales No. 16959031.