When companies start hiring across borders, one of the first questions they ask…“Is work permit and visa the same?” It sounds simple, but the answer affects everything—from how quickly a team member can start work to whether your organization stays compliant with local labor laws.
At Atlas HXM, we support global hiring every day through our Employer of Record service. And we've seen how confusing immigration terms like work visa vs work permit can be, especially when every country uses them differently. That's why we've made a guide that breaks down what each document does, when you need them, and how global immigration services and global mobility compliance come into play when expanding internationally.
What Does a Work Visa Actually Do?
To understand work permit vs work visa, let's start with the visa itself.
A work visa is often an entry document, but in many countries it also serves as the legal authorisation to work and reside.. It's issued by a country's immigration authority or consulate and placed directly into a passport. Its main purpose is simple: it lets someone enter a country for employment.
Common features include:
Secured before traveling
Shows why the person is entering (employment, intra-company transfer, etc.)
Includes the duration the visa holder is allowed to stay
Often linked to a specific employer
Examples from around the world include:
U.S. – H-1B, L-1, O-1
U.K. – Skilled Worker Visa
Singapore – Employment Pass
Canada – Temporary Work Visa
Quick Definition Checklist
Visa: Permission to enter a country for a specific purpose.
Entry Visa: Lets a person cross the border but may not allow work.
Work Visa: A type of visa specifically for employment-related entry.
Residence Visa: Allows long-term stay but may require a separate work permit.
What’s a Work Permit? A Simple Explanation
A work permit is a document that authorizes someone to begin employment in the country they have entered. Work permits may be issued before arrival, at the border, or after arrival, depending on the country, and it's tied to specific conditions such as job role, duration, and employer.
Work permits often require:
An approved job offer
Proof of qualifications
Background checks
Medical exams (in some countries)
Employer visa sponsorship
Some examples include:
U.S. – Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
Canada – Employer-Specific Work Permit
EU – EU Blue Card
Middle East – Employer-sponsored work permits
A work permit is what transforms an international hire from “allowed to enter” to legally allowed to work. For example, a software engineer from Brazil receives a job offer in Germany. Her work visa allows her to travel to Germany for employment, but she still needs a German work permit issued after arrival before she can legally begin working. Without both documents, she may face delays or be unable to start the role.
Is Work Permit and Visa the Same? Understanding the Difference
No, they are not the same thing. A visa lets you enter a country, whereas a work permit lets you work once you're there.
Even though the two documents work together, they are not interchangeable. And depending on the country, you may need:
Just a work visa
Just a work permit
Or both
Many employers also ask about terms like work authorization, employment eligibility, and residency status. While these terms relate to global mobility compliance, they don't mean the same thing as a visa or a work permit. A visa controls entry, a permit controls employment, and work authorization is the broader legal approval required for someone to perform job duties in a specific country. Understanding these terms helps HR teams avoid delays, rejections, and compliance risks.
Work Permit vs Work Visa
To make the difference clear, here is a simple comparison of work permit vs visa terms:
Work Visa | Work Permit |
Controls entry into a country | Controls the ability to legally work |
Usually issued before travel | Often issued after arrival |
Stamped in the passport | Card, document, or digital authorization |
Can include stay duration | Tied to the length of the employment contract |
Often required first | Can only be issued once the visa status is valid |
Linked to travel and border control | Linked to employment law and labor rules |
May allow limited work activities | Always required for legal employment duties |
Often tied to a specific employer or purpose | Always tied to a job role or employment contract |
Allows the worker to remain for the visa duration | May expire earlier and require renewal even if the visa is still valid |
In many countries, you cannot get a work permit until you have a valid visa. In others, both are combined into a single authorization.
Quick Guide: Visa vs Permit Needs
If the employee is relocating for a full-time role: Visa + work permit required.
If the employee already has legal residence: May only need a work permit.
If the work is short-term client meetings: Often visa only (country-specific).
If the worker is a remote employee for a foreign employer: May require a permit even if they do not relocate.
How Different Countries Handle Work Visas and Work Permits
Global immigration systems vary widely. Understanding work visa vs work permit requirements depends entirely on the country.
Here are examples:
Country / Region | Visa Requirement | Work Permit Requirement | Notes |
United States | Requires a work visa such as H-1B, L-1, or O-1 for entry. | Sometimes requires an EAD; some categories are authorized “incident to status.” | Work authorization rules vary by visa type. |
Canada | Requires a Temporary Work Visa for entry. | Required to begin employment; includes open and employer-specific permits. | Permit type depends on job offer and employer sponsorship. |
European Union | Many workers in participating EU countries use the EU Blue Card for entry and residence. | The Blue Card also serves as a work permit. | Salary and qualification thresholds apply. |
Singapore | Employment Pass grants entry rights. | Employment Pass also functions as a work permit. | One of the most streamlined systems globally. |
Middle East | Entry visas issued before travel. | Employer-sponsored work permits are issued after arrival. | Permits are tied closely to employment contract terms. |
Australia | Visa needed, commonly the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. | Work permit authorization is tied to occupation lists and employer sponsorship. | Visa and permit requirements linked to skill shortages. |
Japan | Category-based work visas issued before travel. | Work authorization is granted with a residence card after arrival. | Must work within the scope of the visa category. |
Mexico | Requires a “visa for entry” from a consulate. | Converted to a Temporary Resident Card with work rights after arrival. | Both steps are required for legal employment. |
This global complexity is why global mobility tax and compliance solutions are so important for companies scaling internationally.
How Long Does a Work Visa Last? How Long Does a Work Permit Last?
Because visa and permit validity often differ, companies must track both expiration dates. A worker may still have a valid visa but lose work authorization if the permit expires first.
Failing to renew in time can interrupt payroll, trigger penalties, or require the employee to exit the country temporarily. This is why many organizations rely on global mobility compliance tools to monitor renewals.
How long does a work visa last?
It depends on the country. Some visas are valid for:
1–3 years (e.g., H-1B in the U.S.)
Short-term periods (e.g., seasonal worker visas)
Renewal cycles tied to employer sponsorship
How long does a work permit last?
Work permit duration usually matches:
The employment contract
The approved assignment length
Local labor regulations
Some permits can lead to permanent residency, while others are strictly temporary.
Understanding these timelines matters because visas and permits often expire at different times, which can interrupt work authorization if not monitored correctly.
Atlas HXM solves this with visa tracking, renewal management, and global mobility compliance monitoring built directly into our EOR platform.
When Do You Need a Visa, a Permit, or Both?
The answer depends on the hire's specific situation:
Employee relocating internationally: In many cases, relocating employees need both an entry authorisation and work authorisation—either as separate documents or combined into a single permit.
Employee already in-country: They may only need to switch status or apply for a work permit.
Short-term projects: Some countries allow limited work activities under a visa alone, while others require both documents—even for 90-day assignments.
What Remote Workers Need to Know
Remote workers sometimes believe they can work from any country if they hold a tourist visa, but this is rarely true. Many countries require formal work authorization even for remote employment performed from home. Some locations offer “digital nomad” visas, but these may still limit the type of work allowed. Employers must verify each country's rules before allowing remote cross-border work.
Why This Matters for Employers: Compliance, Risk, and Hiring Timelines
Immigration audits are becoming more common worldwide. Authorities may review employer records to verify job descriptions, work locations, payroll data, and permit validity. Mistakes—such as allowing an employee to begin work before approval—can lead to fines, worksite inspections, or future sponsorship restrictions. Clear processes and global immigration solutions help reduce these risks. Misunderstanding work permit vs visa rules can slow down hiring or lead to compliance issues.
Employers who get it wrong may face:
Fines
Delayed employee start dates
Legal penalties
Inability to onboard the hire
Employee relocation issues
How Atlas HXM Helps With Visas, Work Permits, and Global Mobility
Atlas HXM combines a direct Employer of Record model with full global immigration services to streamline hiring and relocating employees in 160+ countries.
We support your teams with:
Visa & Work Permit Sponsorship
Family and Dependent Visas
Work Authorization Tracking
Status Changes & Renewals
Documentation Preparation
Global Mobility Planning
Global mobility tax and compliance solutions
Because Atlas HXM owns entities worldwide, there are no third-party handoffs—just clear processes, faster onboarding, and predictable timelines.
Simplify Global Expansion with Atlas HXM
Hiring internationally becomes much easier once you understand the difference between a work visa and a work permit—but managing global compliance, documentation, and relocation is still a big task. That's why so many organizations choose Atlas HXM as their global hiring partner.
Companies partner with Atlas HXM because we offer:
Direct EOR support in 160+ countries — no third-party delays.
In-house global immigration experts who handle visas, work permits, and renewals.
Full global mobility support, including relocation planning, car leasing, and office setup.
Proactive compliance monitoring to help you avoid legal and financial risks.
Faster onboarding timelines, backed by local entities and country-specific expertise.
If you're ready to hire or relocate talent globally, Atlas HXM makes it easier, compliant, and more efficient—so your teams can start working with confidence.
Contact Atlas HXM today to get started!
FAQs
Do you need both a work visa and a work permit?
In most cases, yes—one allows entry while the other authorizes employment.
Can a work visa be converted into a work permit?
Sometimes. This depends on the country and the employee's eligibility requirements.
Is remote work allowed on a visa?
Usually not. Many countries require a permit even for remote work performed at home.
What happens if a visa expires before the work permit?
The employee may lose the right to stay in the country even if the permit is still valid.
What happens if a work permit expires first?
The employee must stop working immediately until the permit is renewed.