Country rankings

Hardest Countries to Immigrate To

Hardest Countries to Immigrate To: compare 24 countries on 4 metrics.

Population24 countries · 4 metricsUpdated Apr 20, 2026Original page
13 sources

Data

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22 countries
Andorra- Active residency possible through a work sponsor or self-employed people who wish to start a company in Andorra., - Passive residency is also available for investors, who need to invest €350,000 in Andorra, earn at least 3x the minimum wage and have a certificate of good co…
Austria- Candidate must demonstrate Adequate means of subsistence, - Candidate must have health insurance coverage+1
Bhutan- Residency only available through a work permit, - Candidate must possess specialized skills or expertise not readily available within the local workforce+2
China- Studentships and temporary work visas are easy to get. However, permanent residency requires more:, - Candidate must have made direct and stable investments in China, with good tax payment records for three consecutive years+1
Eritrea- Residency is not time capped and is relatively simple - a candidate just requires work sponsorship.
Finland- Several residence permits exist, including those that allow you to move with a spouse or family member and for work. The process is relatively straightforward, - Process is automatic for EU citizens
Germany- Skilled Immigration act has expanded residency access for workers with certain qualifications and skills, - Candidate can also get residence for study, marriage and for job-seeking purposes, provided the candidate displays some financial self-sufficiency
India- Long term employment visas provide an easy way to gain residency provided one earns enough money: $25,000 USD equivalent.
Japan- Japan offers a range of long-term and residency visas to foreign nationals, with comparatively low bars to entry. These include work, study, start-up, cultural, and training visas.
Kuwait- 10-15 year resident permits are relatively easy to acquire for those in certain industries. Investor residence permits are valid for 15 years, whereas real estate owners can get 10 year permits, - Otherwise a sponsorship from a company, medical tests and good conduct letter…
Liechtenstein- Residency is very restrictive. Even work visas are limited, with many requiring workers to live in the EEA or in Switzerland and commute into Liechtenstein. Priority is given to high skilled work and Swiss citizens.
Monaco- Permanent residency permit may be acquired after buying real estate, renting for at least one year, or being the director of a company that owns corporate real estate in Monaco. Additionally, a candidate may provide a letter and proof of ownership with a close relative with …
Myanmar- Resident permits available for 10 year periods, for skilled workers, professionals, foreign investors, or ex-residents of Myanmar
North Korea- Very limited - only diplomatic missions, limited NGO workers and a very select set of student and researchers are eligible for permits
Oman- Oman offers long-term residence options, including 10-year 'Golden' and 5-year 'Silver' visas for investors, property owners and retirees, - Standard 2-year work visas are also available for employees
Qatar- Requires a sponsor - either an employer, university, parent or spouse for 1-3 year stays, - Longer permits, of 5 or 10 years, are available to entrepreneurs and investors.
San Marino- Residency options are very limited - must be seeking family reunification with a citizen, making significant investment or for EU retirees.
Saudi Arabia- The Saudi Arabia residence permit is known as an Iqama, - To be eligible for an Iqama, the employee must be at least 21 years old; the employee must hold a valid passport; the employee must have a clean criminal record; the employee must be financially stable; the employee …
South Korea- Permanent residency has the same period requirement as naturalisation. Residency is quite easy to get otherwise.
Switzerland- The C-Permit is a permanent resident pass, which requires A2 language skills in the official language of the canton you wish to move to, basic understanding of Swiss geography, history, and political institutions, as well as participating in the economic and social life of t…
United Arab Emirates- Candidates must invest in property (minimum 750,000 AED for a 2-year visa, or 2 million AED for a 10-year Golden Visa), establish a business (starting around 10,000 AED), secure employment, or apply as a student or freelancer
United States- Candidate can gain residency by being sponsored by a family member, employer, or obtaining refugee/asylee status, - There's also a lottery for green card residency.

Quick answers

Where does this hardest countries to immigrate to data come from?
Rankodex compiles it from World Population Review and the primary sources it cites: 15 countries with the hardest paths to citizenship by naturalization in 2023 - Immigrant Invest; Citizenship - CIA World Factbook; 5 Hardest Countries for Obtaining Citizenship - Investopedia; CUUNA: The Five Hardest Countries to Immigrate To - Nomad Capitalist.

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