2026-02-24 · NextMigrate Team
Skills That Developing Country Workers Have That Are Genuinely Scarce Abroad (2025)
There is a question that sits quietly in the mind of almost every professional in Lagos, Manila, Karachi, or Nairobi who has ever considered working abroad:
Am I actually good enough?
It is a reasonable question. When you grow up in a country where your currency is weak, where your passport is treated with suspicion at every border, and where the global narrative says your economy is "developing," it is hard not to internalise the idea that you are somehow less qualified than someone from London or Toronto or Sydney.
This article exists to show you the opposite. Not with motivational platitudes, but with data.
The truth is that wealthy countries have severe, structural skill shortages that their domestic labour markets cannot fill. And many of those shortages map precisely to skills that professionals from developing countries already have.
1. IFRS Accounting and Financial Reporting
Here is something most people outside the accounting world do not realise: the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are the global standard for financial reporting, used in over 140 countries. Nigeria, Kenya, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, South Africa — all train their accountants in IFRS.
The United States does not. American accountants are trained in US GAAP, a different system.
This means that when a British, Canadian, or Australian company needs accountants who can do IFRS reporting, consolidation, and compliance, the global talent pool they draw from is disproportionately from developing countries. In the UK alone, accountancy roles appear consistently on the Shortage Occupation List. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) — whose largest membership bases are in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Malaysia — reported in 2024 that UK firms were struggling to fill over 27,000 finance and accounting roles.
Salary Data by Country and Role
| Role | UK (GBP) | Canada (CAD) | Australia (AUD) | Germany (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFRS Accountant (3-5 YOE) | 42,000-55,000 | 65,000-80,000 | 75,000-95,000 | 50,000-65,000 |
| Group Reporting Accountant | 50,000-70,000 | 75,000-95,000 | 85,000-110,000 | 55,000-75,000 |
| Financial Controller (IFRS) | 65,000-90,000 | 90,000-130,000 | 110,000-150,000 | 70,000-100,000 |
| IFRS Technical Specialist | 55,000-80,000 | 80,000-110,000 | 90,000-120,000 | 60,000-85,000 |
| Audit Manager (IFRS) | 55,000-75,000 | 80,000-105,000 | 90,000-120,000 | 55,000-80,000 |
Classification Codes and Shortage List Status
| Country | Classification Code | On Shortage List? | Visa Sponsorship Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | SOC 2421 (Chartered and certified accountants) | Yes — on Immigration Salary List at GBP 30,960 (discounted threshold) | High — 1,400+ sponsor licence holders for accounting roles |
| Canada | NOC 11100 (Financial auditors and accountants) | TEER 1 — eligible for Express Entry. Listed in some PNP priority streams (Ontario, BC, Alberta) | Medium — employer-specific LMIA or Express Entry self-application |
| Australia | ANZSCO 221111 (Accountant — General) | On MLTSSL — eligible for subclass 189, 190, 491 | High — but competitive. Points typically need 85-95 for accountants |
| Germany | No specific code — falls under "Fachkräfte" (skilled worker) | No formal shortage list, but high demand. Finance roles in Frankfurt, Munich routinely offer Blue Card sponsorship | Medium-High — especially for Big 4 and multinational firms |
Open Job Postings (January 2025 Snapshot)
| Search Term | Indeed UK | Indeed Canada | Seek Australia | LinkedIn Germany |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "IFRS accountant" | 2,300+ | 1,100+ | 850+ | 600+ |
| "Group reporting accountant" | 780+ | 320+ | 210+ | 180+ |
| "IFRS" + "visa sponsorship" | 340+ | N/A (Canada doesn't use this term) | 190+ | 120+ |
| "ACCA" + "accountant" | 4,200+ | 680+ | 420+ | 290+ |
What this means for you: If you hold an ACCA, ICAN (Nigeria), ICAP (Pakistan), or CPA qualification and you have 3+ years of IFRS experience, you are not a "developing world accountant." You are an accountant with the exact skillset that most of the world's economies require. Many of the UK roles above list salaries of GBP 45,000 to GBP 75,000 and explicitly offer visa sponsorship.
Credential Recognition Path
| Your Qualification | UK Recognition | Canada Recognition | Australia Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCA | Full member — direct recognition | Mutual recognition with CPA Canada (with bridging exams) | CPA Australia pathway via mutual recognition |
| ICAN (Nigeria) | ACCA reciprocal pathway (exemptions for 5-9 papers) | WES assessment + CPA bridging exams | VETASSESS assessment + CPA bridging |
| ICAP (Pakistan) | ACCA reciprocal pathway | WES assessment + CPA bridging exams | VETASSESS + CPA bridging |
| CPA (Philippines) | ACCA pathway or direct via ENIC-NARIC | WES assessment + CPA bridging | CPA Australia mutual recognition |
| CA India (ICAI) | ACCA reciprocal pathway (exemptions for 5 papers) | WES + CPA bridging (significant exemptions) | VETASSESS + CPA bridging |
2. Nursing Specialisms — Not Just General Nursing
Everyone knows there is a global nursing shortage. But what gets less attention is the specific specialisms where the shortage is most acute:
- Critical care / ICU nursing. COVID-19 burned out an entire generation of ICU nurses in wealthy countries. Attrition rates in the UK for ICU nurses reached 15% in 2023. Nigerian and Filipino nurses with ICU experience are being actively headhunted.
- Theatre / perioperative nursing. Surgical backlogs in the NHS and Canadian healthcare system mean there is enormous demand for nurses who can work in operating theatres. Many nurses from the Philippines receive theatre training as part of their standard curriculum — a specialism that takes years of additional training in the UK.
- Mental health nursing. The UK has a critical shortage of Registered Mental Health Nurses (RMNs). In 2024, there were over 11,000 vacancies. India and Nigeria produce mental health nurses whose training is increasingly being recognised by the NMC.
- Midwifery. Australia and Canada face severe midwife shortages in rural areas. Filipino and Nigerian midwives with community health experience are well-suited to these roles.
Nursing Salary Comparison by Country and Specialism
| Specialism | UK (GBP) | Canada (CAD) | Australia (AUD) | Germany (EUR) | UAE (AED/USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Registered Nurse | 29,000-36,000 | 65,000-85,000 | 70,000-90,000 | 36,000-45,000 | 96,000-144,000 ($26-39K) |
| ICU/Critical Care Nurse | 35,000-45,000 | 75,000-100,000 | 80,000-110,000 | 40,000-52,000 | 120,000-180,000 ($33-49K) |
| Theatre/Perioperative Nurse | 33,000-42,000 | 72,000-95,000 | 78,000-105,000 | 38,000-50,000 | 108,000-156,000 ($29-42K) |
| Mental Health Nurse (RMN) | 33,000-42,000 | 72,000-92,000 | 75,000-100,000 | 38,000-48,000 | N/A (limited demand) |
| Midwife | 33,000-43,000 | 75,000-100,000 | 80,000-110,000 | 36,000-48,000 | 96,000-144,000 ($26-39K) |
| Nurse Practitioner | 40,000-55,000 | 90,000-120,000 | 95,000-130,000 | N/A (role doesn't exist) | N/A |
Classification Codes and Shortage Status
| Country | Nursing Classification | Shortage List Status | Visa Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | SOC 2231 (Nurses) | On Immigration Salary List — discounted threshold GBP 23,200 | Health and Care Worker Visa — reduced fee, no Immigration Health Surcharge |
| Canada | NOC 31301 (Registered nurses) | TEER 1. Listed in healthcare category-based draws (CRS cutoff as low as 388 in 2024) | Express Entry or provincial health worker streams |
| Australia | ANZSCO 254411 (Nurse Practitioner), 254499 (Registered Nurses nec) | On MLTSSL — all subclasses. Priority processing for health workers. | Subclass 189/190/491. Some states offer direct state nomination for nurses. |
| Germany | Gesundheits- und Krankenpfleger/in | Not on formal list but automatic recognition of Filipino, Vietnamese, some Indian nursing qualifications via bilateral agreements | Skilled Worker Visa or Blue Card (if salary meets threshold) |
Employer-Sponsored Packages for International Nurses
Many NHS trusts and Australian public hospitals offer relocation packages to international nurses:
| Benefit | UK (NHS) | Australia (Public Hospital) | Canada (Provincial Health Authority) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights | Covered (economy class) | Covered (economy class) | Sometimes covered |
| Airport pickup | Provided | Provided | Sometimes provided |
| Temporary accommodation | 4-8 weeks free | 2-4 weeks free | Varies |
| NMC/AHPRA/NNAS registration fees | Covered (GBP 1,000-2,000) | Sometimes covered | Sometimes covered |
| OSCE preparation course | Provided free (6-12 weeks) | N/A | N/A |
| Visa sponsorship | Yes — employer covers CoS fee (GBP 536) | Yes — employer sponsors 482/494 visa | Yes — employer provides LMIA or provincial nomination |
| Minimum contract | 2-3 years | 2-3 years | 1-2 years |
What this means for you: If you are a nurse with experience in ICU, theatre, mental health, or midwifery, your skillset is not just "in demand." It is scarce enough that employers will often sponsor your visa, pay for your flights, and provide accommodation while you settle in. Do not undersell your specialism on your CV.
3. Multilingual Customer Service and Business Process Outsourcing
This one surprises people, but the numbers are striking.
As businesses in the UK, Canada, and Australia expand into African, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian markets, they need customer service professionals who speak the languages of those markets. Here is a sample of job postings from Q4 2024 and Q1 2025:
| Language Pair | Average UK Salary (GBP) | Number of Open Roles (Q1 2025) | Average Canada Salary (CAD) | Average Australia Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English + French (African French) | 28,000 - 35,000 | 1,200+ | 48,000 - 62,000 | 55,000 - 70,000 |
| English + Arabic | 30,000 - 40,000 | 900+ | 50,000 - 65,000 | 58,000 - 75,000 |
| English + Portuguese (Brazilian) | 28,000 - 34,000 | 600+ | 46,000 - 60,000 | 52,000 - 68,000 |
| English + Yoruba/Igbo/Hausa | 26,000 - 32,000 | 200+ (growing) | 44,000 - 58,000 | N/A |
| English + Hindi/Urdu | 27,000 - 35,000 | 1,400+ | 45,000 - 60,000 | 54,000 - 70,000 |
| English + Tagalog | 26,000 - 32,000 | 350+ | 44,000 - 58,000 | 52,000 - 66,000 |
| English + Swahili | 26,000 - 32,000 | 150+ | 44,000 - 55,000 | N/A |
| English + Mandarin | 30,000 - 42,000 | 2,100+ | 52,000 - 70,000 | 60,000 - 80,000 |
Source: Aggregated from Indeed UK, Indeed Canada, Seek, Reed, and LinkedIn job postings, January-February 2025.
Classification Codes for Multilingual Roles
| Country | Applicable Codes | Eligibility Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK | SOC 3542 (Business sales executives), SOC 7211 (Call and contact centre occupations) | SOC 3542 is eligible for Skilled Worker Visa at GBP 38,700 threshold. SOC 7211 is NOT eligible — ensure the role is classified correctly as business development, not call centre. |
| Canada | NOC 14201 (Banking, insurance, and other financial clerks), NOC 64409 (Other customer and information services representatives) | NOC 14201 is TEER 2 — eligible for some PNPs but not Express Entry FSW. NOC 12101 (Human resources and recruitment officers) may apply for client-facing multilingual roles. |
| Australia | ANZSCO 611211 (Insurance agent), ANZSCO 225113 (Marketing specialist) | Multilingual roles are often classified under marketing or business development, which ARE on skills lists. Pure customer service roles (ANZSCO 6395) are NOT on MLTSSL. |
The critical insight is that "multilingual" does not mean French-English in the European sense. Companies expanding into West Africa need people who understand Francophone African business culture. Companies entering the Pakistani market need Urdu speakers who understand the regulatory environment. This is not something you can train a monolingual British graduate to do in six months. It is a skill you already have.
What this means for you: If you speak English plus any major developing-world language, and you have customer service, sales, or operations experience, you have a genuinely scarce skill combination. These roles are increasingly eligible for Skilled Worker Visas in the UK, particularly when classified under business development or international account management. The key is ensuring the job offer uses the correct SOC/NOC/ANZSCO code — if it is classified as "call centre" rather than "business development," it may not qualify for a skilled worker visa.
4. Civil and Structural Engineering
Here is a statistic that should get your attention: the UK Institution of Civil Engineers estimated in 2024 that the UK will need 100,000 additional engineers by 2030 to deliver its infrastructure pipeline, including HS2, nuclear energy projects, flood defence systems, and housing developments.
Where are these engineers going to come from? Domestically, the UK produces roughly 7,000 civil engineering graduates per year. The maths does not work.
Engineers from Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines are filling this gap. The UK Engineering Council's pathway via the International Professional Engineers Agreement (IPEA) allows engineers with recognised qualifications and experience to gain Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
Engineering Salary Data by Country and Specialism
| Specialism | UK (GBP) | Canada (CAD) | Australia (AUD) | Germany (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Civil Engineer (0-2 YOE) | 28,000-35,000 | 55,000-70,000 | 60,000-75,000 | 42,000-52,000 |
| Civil Engineer (3-5 YOE) | 38,000-50,000 | 70,000-90,000 | 80,000-100,000 | 52,000-68,000 |
| Senior Civil Engineer (6-10 YOE) | 48,000-65,000 | 90,000-120,000 | 100,000-130,000 | 65,000-85,000 |
| Principal/Lead Engineer (10+ YOE) | 60,000-85,000 | 110,000-150,000 | 120,000-160,000 | 78,000-110,000 |
| Geotechnical Engineer (5+ YOE) | 45,000-65,000 | 85,000-115,000 | 95,000-130,000 | 58,000-80,000 |
| Structural Engineer (5+ YOE) | 45,000-62,000 | 82,000-110,000 | 90,000-125,000 | 55,000-78,000 |
| Water/Environmental Engineer (5+ YOE) | 42,000-60,000 | 78,000-105,000 | 88,000-120,000 | 52,000-75,000 |
| Highway/Transport Engineer (5+ YOE) | 45,000-65,000 | 85,000-115,000 | 92,000-125,000 | 58,000-80,000 |
Classification Codes and Shortage Status
| Country | Code | Shortage Status | Key Projects Driving Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | SOC 2121 (Civil engineers) | On Immigration Salary List — discounted threshold GBP 30,960 | HS2, Sizewell C nuclear, Thames Tideway Tunnel, Northern Powerhouse Rail |
| Canada | NOC 21300 (Civil engineers) | TEER 1 — eligible for Express Entry. On multiple PNP priority lists. STEM category-based draws. | Trans Mountain Pipeline, Gordie Howe Bridge, various provincial infrastructure programs |
| Australia | ANZSCO 233211 (Civil engineer) | On MLTSSL — all visa subclasses. Priority processing in some states. | Inland Rail, Western Sydney Airport, Snowy Hydro 2.0, Melbourne Metro Tunnel |
| Germany | Falls under "Ingenieur/in — Bau" | Automatic shortage occupation recognition for engineers | BER airport expansion, Deutsche Bahn network modernisation, Energiewende infrastructure |
Open Job Postings (January 2025 Snapshot)
| Search Term | Indeed UK | Indeed Canada | Seek Australia | StepStone Germany |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Civil engineer" | 8,400+ | 5,200+ | 3,800+ | 4,100+ |
| "Structural engineer" | 4,200+ | 2,800+ | 2,100+ | 1,900+ |
| "Geotechnical engineer" | 1,800+ | 1,200+ | 900+ | 700+ |
| "Civil engineer" + "visa sponsorship" | 1,200+ | N/A | 650+ | 380+ |
The specific sub-specialisms in highest demand:
- Geotechnical engineering — foundation design, ground investigation. Demand driven by housing construction and renewable energy (wind turbine foundations).
- Structural engineering — particularly for residential and commercial buildings. The UK alone needs 300,000 new homes per year and consistently builds fewer than 250,000.
- Highway and transportation engineering — the UK's road network is ageing, with £12 billion in maintenance backlog.
- Water and environmental engineering — climate change is driving massive investment. The UK water industry committed £96 billion in capital expenditure for 2025-2030.
Similarly, Canada's Express Entry system awards points for engineering occupations under NOC codes 21300-21399. Australia lists civil engineers on its Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
What this means for you: If you are a civil engineer with 5+ years of experience and your degree is from an accredited institution, your skills are not just transferable — they are urgently needed. Many Nigerian and Indian engineers are surprised to learn that their project experience on large-scale infrastructure in challenging environments (poor soil conditions, limited resources, extreme weather) is considered highly valuable, not a disadvantage.
Engineering Credential Recognition Path
| Your Qualification | UK Path | Canada Path | Australia Path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Accord degree (IITs, some NITs, UP Diliman, etc.) | Direct application to Engineering Council for CEng/IEng | Engineers Canada recognition — no additional exams in most cases | Engineers Australia direct recognition — CDR (Competency Demonstration Report) required |
| Non-Washington Accord degree | Individual assessment by Engineering Council. May require additional evidence. | Engineers Canada technical exams may be required (3-7 exams) | Engineers Australia CDR with more detailed evidence required |
| COREN registration (Nigeria) | Apply via IPEA or direct to Engineering Council. 3-5 years experience typically sufficient. | WES credential assessment + Engineers Canada evaluation | Engineers Australia CDR assessment (8-12 week processing) |
| PRC license (Philippines) | Engineering Council individual assessment | Engineers Canada evaluation | Engineers Australia CDR |
5. Software Engineering — But Not What You Think
Yes, there is a global shortage of software engineers. But the shortage is not evenly distributed across all tech skills. Here is where developing-country engineers have a specific edge:
Backend and infrastructure engineering. While the Western tech job market has seen layoffs in product and marketing roles, backend engineers — particularly those experienced in Python, Go, Java, and cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP) — remain in extreme demand. Engineers from India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Egypt often have deep backend experience because the outsourcing industry trained them to build reliable, scalable systems.
Fintech-specific engineering. Nigeria and Kenya are global leaders in mobile money and fintech innovation. Engineers who have built payment systems for M-Pesa, Paystack, Flutterwave, or similar platforms have experience that London and Singapore fintech companies are actively seeking. If you have built payment APIs, handled real-time transaction processing, or worked with mobile money integrations, your experience is not "developing world fintech." It is cutting-edge fintech.
DevOps and reliability engineering. If you have worked in environments with unreliable infrastructure — intermittent power, unstable internet, limited cloud budgets — you have learned to build resilient systems. Western employers increasingly recognise that engineers who learned to keep systems running under constraints are often better reliability engineers than those who have only ever worked with unlimited AWS budgets.
Software Engineering Salary Data by Skill and Country
| Skill/Role | UK (GBP) | Canada (CAD) | Australia (AUD) | Germany (EUR) | Remote (Global Pay, USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backend Engineer (Python/Go, 5+ YOE) | 55,000-85,000 | 100,000-150,000 | 110,000-160,000 | 65,000-95,000 | 100,000-180,000 |
| DevOps/SRE (AWS/GCP, 5+ YOE) | 60,000-90,000 | 110,000-160,000 | 120,000-170,000 | 70,000-100,000 | 110,000-190,000 |
| Data Engineer (Spark/Airflow, 5+ YOE) | 55,000-85,000 | 100,000-150,000 | 110,000-155,000 | 60,000-90,000 | 100,000-170,000 |
| ML/AI Engineer (5+ YOE) | 70,000-110,000 | 120,000-180,000 | 130,000-190,000 | 75,000-120,000 | 130,000-250,000 |
| Fintech Backend (payments, 5+ YOE) | 65,000-100,000 | 110,000-160,000 | 115,000-165,000 | 70,000-100,000 | 110,000-200,000 |
| Cybersecurity Engineer (5+ YOE) | 60,000-95,000 | 100,000-155,000 | 110,000-160,000 | 65,000-95,000 | 110,000-190,000 |
| Frontend/Full-Stack (React, 5+ YOE) | 50,000-75,000 | 90,000-130,000 | 95,000-140,000 | 55,000-80,000 | 80,000-150,000 |
| Mobile (iOS/Android, 5+ YOE) | 55,000-80,000 | 95,000-140,000 | 100,000-150,000 | 58,000-85,000 | 90,000-160,000 |
Classification Codes and Immigration Pathway
| Country | Code | Shortage Status | CRS/Points Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | SOC 2134 (Programmers and software development professionals) | Was on Shortage Occupation List until April 2024. Now subject to GBP 38,700 salary threshold. | N/A (UK has no points for occupation) | Most senior dev roles meet the salary threshold. Junior roles may not. |
| Canada | NOC 21232 (Software developers and programmers), NOC 21231 (Software engineers) | TEER 1. Eligible for STEM category-based draws (cutoff 388-436 in 2024-2025). | +50 CRS points for category-based draw eligibility. Standard STEM-specific draws. | Express Entry is the primary path. No employer sponsorship needed. |
| Australia | ANZSCO 261312 (Developer programmer), 261313 (Software engineer), 261111 (ICT business analyst) | 261312 and 261313 on MLTSSL — eligible for all subclasses. | +20 points for Superior English (IELTS 8.0 each). No occupation-specific bonus. | ACS skills assessment required. 2-year recency requirement for experience. |
| Germany | Falls under IT-Fachkraft | No degree required since 2024 reform — salary threshold of EUR 41,041.80 for IT workers without a degree. | N/A (no points system) | Most permissive IT immigration policy among major economies. |
Open Job Postings (January 2025 Snapshot)
| Search Term | Indeed UK | Indeed Canada | Seek Australia | LinkedIn Germany |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Software engineer" | 32,000+ | 18,000+ | 11,000+ | 14,000+ |
| "Backend engineer" | 8,400+ | 4,200+ | 2,800+ | 3,100+ |
| "DevOps engineer" | 9,200+ | 5,600+ | 3,400+ | 4,800+ |
| "Data engineer" | 11,000+ | 6,800+ | 4,100+ | 5,200+ |
| "ML engineer" OR "machine learning" | 6,200+ | 3,800+ | 2,200+ | 3,400+ |
| "Software engineer" + "visa sponsorship" | 4,800+ | N/A | 2,100+ | 1,600+ |
Which Tech Skills Get Extra Points or Shortage List Inclusion?
| Skill Area | Canada (CRS/Category Draws) | Australia (Skills List) | UK (Shortage List) | Germany (Fast-Track) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software development | STEM category draw eligible | On MLTSSL (189/190/491) | No longer on shortage list since April 2024, but salary threshold easily met | EUR 41,041.80 minimum — no degree required |
| Data science / ML | STEM category draw eligible | On MLTSSL | Not on shortage list | Blue Card eligible |
| Cybersecurity | STEM category draw eligible | On MLTSSL | On Immigration Salary List (SOC 2139) | Blue Card eligible |
| DevOps / Cloud | STEM category draw eligible | On MLTSSL (261112 — Systems analyst) | Not separately listed | Blue Card eligible |
| Database administration | STEM category draw eligible | On MLTSSL (262111) | Not on shortage list | Blue Card eligible |
| Network engineering | STEM category draw eligible | On MLTSSL (263111) | On Immigration Salary List (SOC 2139) | Blue Card eligible |
What this means for you: If you are a software engineer from a developing country, stop comparing yourself to a Silicon Valley engineer with a Stanford degree. The market does not need more Stanford graduates. It needs people who can actually build and maintain systems. That is you.
6. Healthcare Workers Beyond Nursing
Nursing gets the most attention, but several other healthcare professions are in severe shortage:
Allied Health Salary and Demand Data
| Profession | UK (GBP) | Canada (CAD) | Australia (AUD) | Shortage Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapist (5+ YOE) | 35,000-48,000 | 72,000-95,000 | 80,000-110,000 | UK: SOC 2221, on Immigration Salary List. Australia: ANZSCO 252511, on MLTSSL. Canada: NOC 31202, TEER 1. |
| Occupational Therapist (5+ YOE) | 35,000-48,000 | 70,000-92,000 | 78,000-105,000 | UK: SOC 2222, on Immigration Salary List. Australia: ANZSCO 252411, on MLTSSL. |
| Medical Laboratory Technologist | 30,000-42,000 | 60,000-80,000 | 65,000-90,000 | UK: SOC 3111, on Immigration Salary List. Australia: ANZSCO 234611, on MLTSSL. |
| Pharmacist (3+ YOE) | 38,000-55,000 | 85,000-115,000 | 80,000-110,000 | UK: SOC 2213. Canada: NOC 31120, TEER 1. Australia: ANZSCO 251511, on MLTSSL. |
| Radiographer/Sonographer | 33,000-45,000 | 68,000-90,000 | 75,000-100,000 | UK: SOC 3214, on Immigration Salary List. Australia: ANZSCO 251211, on MLTSSL. |
| Dentist (3+ YOE) | 50,000-80,000 | 120,000-200,000 | 100,000-180,000 | All countries: shortage in rural/regional areas specifically. |
7. Skilled Trades — The Overlooked Category
Wealthy countries have a critical shortage of tradespeople that is often invisible to university-educated professionals:
Trades Salary and Demand Data
| Trade | UK (GBP) | Canada (CAD) | Australia (AUD) | Germany (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | 35,000-50,000 | 65,000-95,000 | 75,000-110,000 | 35,000-48,000 |
| Plumber | 32,000-48,000 | 60,000-90,000 | 70,000-105,000 | 32,000-45,000 |
| Welder (coded) | 30,000-45,000 | 55,000-85,000 | 65,000-100,000 | 30,000-42,000 |
| Heavy equipment operator | 28,000-40,000 | 60,000-95,000 | 70,000-110,000 | 32,000-45,000 |
| Carpenter/Joiner | 28,000-42,000 | 55,000-80,000 | 65,000-95,000 | 30,000-42,000 |
| HVAC Technician | 30,000-45,000 | 55,000-85,000 | 65,000-95,000 | 32,000-45,000 |
Canada specifically runs Federal Skilled Trades (FST) draws through Express Entry. In 2024 and 2025, trades-specific draws had CRS cutoffs of 388-420 — significantly lower than general draws. NOC codes for eligible trades include: 72010 (Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades), 72011 (Electricians), 72020 (Plumbers), 73200 (Residential and commercial installers), and many others in TEER 2 and 3.
Australia lists most trades on the MLTSSL, with priority processing for regional visa subclass 491. Tradespeople willing to work in regional Australia often receive state nomination (adding 15 points) and faster processing.
The Bigger Picture: Structural Demand, Not Charity
None of what I have described above is charity. It is not about wealthy countries doing developing countries a favour. It is about structural demographic reality.
| Country | Working-Age Population Trend | Annual Immigration Target | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Shrinking — 64.4% of population is working age in 2025, projected to fall to 61% by 2035 | ~700,000 net migration (2024) | NHS staffing, infrastructure delivery, ageing population |
| Canada | Near-zero natural growth — 0.7% population growth entirely from immigration | 395,000 permanent residents (2025 target) | Labour force maintenance, pension system sustainability |
| Germany | Shrinking — losing 400,000 workers/year from retirement by 2030 | 400,000 skilled immigrants/year (government stated need) | Manufacturing, healthcare, engineering |
| Australia | Growing slowly — 1.6% growth rate, mostly from immigration | 185,000 permanent places (2024-25 allocation) | Construction, healthcare, technology |
These are not abstract policy statements. They translate directly into job openings, visa sponsorship, and real salaries for people with the right skills.
What To Do With This Information
If you recognised yourself in any of the categories above, here is what to do next:
Step 1: Check the Shortage Occupation Lists
Every major destination country publishes one:
| Country | List Name | URL | Update Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Immigration Salary List (formerly Shortage Occupation List) | gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-shortage-occupations | Reviewed annually |
| Canada | TEER system + category-based draw eligibility | canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry | Updated as draws occur |
| Australia | MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list | Reviewed annually |
| Germany | Positivliste (Federal Employment Agency) | arbeitsagentur.de/en/positivliste | Updated every 6 months |
| New Zealand | Green List | immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/tools-and-information/work-and-employment/green-list | Reviewed periodically |
Step 2: Search for Real Job Postings
Go to LinkedIn, Indeed, and Totaljobs. Search for your job title plus "visa sponsorship." Count the results. The number will surprise you.
Pro tip: On Indeed UK, filter by "visa sponsorship" in the search. On LinkedIn, use Boolean: "software engineer" AND "visa sponsorship" AND "UK". On Seek (Australia), filter by "Employer-sponsored visas" under "More" filters.
Step 3: Get Your Credentials Assessed Early
| Destination | Assessment Body | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | WES (World Education Services) | CAD 220-310 | 5-8 weeks |
| Australia | VETASSESS (general), ACS (IT), Engineers Australia, ANMAC (nursing) | AUD 300-1,310 | 4-12 weeks |
| UK | ENIC-NARIC (now ENIC) | GBP 49.50 (basic comparison) | 10-15 business days |
| Germany | ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen) | EUR 200 | 2-4 months |
Step 4: Calculate Your Points Score
Use the official calculators:
- Canada: canada.ca CRS calculator (free)
- Australia: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au points calculator (free)
- New Zealand: immigration.govt.nz points indicator (free)
Step 5: Start the Process — Do Not Wait for Permission
The data says you are needed. The job postings say you are needed. The shortage lists say you are needed. The only person who has not said you are good enough is you.
The most common regret we hear from professionals who successfully migrated: "I wish I had started two years earlier." Every year you wait costs you age points (Canada), points-test competitiveness (Australia), and compounding salary growth (everywhere).
If you want to understand exactly where your skills fit in the global job market and which visa pathway makes the most sense for your profile, NextMigrate can help you map it out.
