Non-EU University student wanting to settle down in EU

Hi, I am Hayes, who is originally from Hong Kong. I came to University of Aberdeen to study English and Linguistics 3 years ago. Since I came to study in Europe, I loved it here and I would love to settle down in Europe. Probably the subject I chose in university would be a wrong-pick for my immigration plan, therefore, I'm probably doing a postgraduate course on International Law (yes, I can do it in my university even my undergraduate is not law-related) in order to increase my competence in getting a job with a work permit.

Since I knew immigrating to UK is difficult, I started learning some other languages 2 years ago (French and Spanish), and I also just started Swedish, so I could probably have more choices in terms of immigrating to Europe. I just want to ask, which countries in Europe, would be relatively easier for me to immigrate to? I am looking at Sweden, Belgium, and probably Germany (I haven't started learning German though)? I am thinking of a work-permit based immigration so I can probably fund myself for that?

Thank you very much,
Hayes

hayeschan wrote:Hi, I am Hayes, who is originally from Hong Kong. I came to University of Aberdeen to study English and Linguistics 3 years ago. Since I came to study in Europe, I loved it here and I would love to settle down in Europe. Probably the subject I chose in university would be a wrong-pick for my immigration plan, therefore, I'm probably doing a postgraduate course on International Law (yes, I can do it in my university even my undergraduate is not law-related) in order to increase my competence in getting a job with a work permit.

Since I knew immigrating to UK is difficult, I started learning some other languages 2 years ago (French and Spanish), and I also just started Swedish, so I could probably have more choices in terms of immigrating to Europe. I just want to ask, which countries in Europe, would be relatively easier for me to immigrate to? I am looking at Sweden, Belgium, and probably Germany (I haven't started learning German though)? I am thinking of a work-permit based immigration so I can probably fund myself for that?

Thank you very much,
Hayes

Getting sponsored by an employer is always difficult, especially fresh out of uni.

If you are seriously thinking about Germany, you might want to look into doing your Masters/PG in Germany (would also be much cheaper!) after completing your degree in Germany you can apply for an 18 month post study work visa, this can then be converted to a regular residence permit leading to indefinite leave/citizenship if you find a qualified job while on the post study permit.

Have a look here:

https://www.daad.de/deutschland/en/

There are Masters programmes in German, bilingual German/English (with integrated German classes to enable you to follow lectures later on, etc.) and programmes completely in English.

Good luck!

ALKB wrote:

hayeschan wrote:Hi, I am Hayes, who is originally from Hong Kong. I came to University of Aberdeen to study English and Linguistics 3 years ago. Since I came to study in Europe, I loved it here and I would love to settle down in Europe. Probably the subject I chose in university would be a wrong-pick for my immigration plan, therefore, I'm probably doing a postgraduate course on International Law (yes, I can do it in my university even my undergraduate is not law-related) in order to increase my competence in getting a job with a work permit.

Since I knew immigrating to UK is difficult, I started learning some other languages 2 years ago (French and Spanish), and I also just started Swedish, so I could probably have more choices in terms of immigrating to Europe. I just want to ask, which countries in Europe, would be relatively easier for me to immigrate to? I am looking at Sweden, Belgium, and probably Germany (I haven't started learning German though)? I am thinking of a work-permit based immigration so I can probably fund myself for that?

Thank you very much,
Hayes

Getting sponsored by an employer is always difficult, especially fresh out of uni.

If you are seriously thinking about Germany, you might want to look into doing your Masters/PG in Germany (would also be much cheaper!) after completing your degree in Germany you can apply for an 18 month post study work visa, this can then be converted to a regular residence permit leading to indefinite leave/citizenship if you find a qualified job while on the post study permit.

Have a look here:

https://www.daad.de/deutschland/en/

There are Masters programmes in German, bilingual German/English (with integrated German classes to enable you to follow lectures later on, etc.) and programmes completely in English.

Good luck!

Thank you for the reply! Germany is definitely one of my choices. And the plan would be from studying to a good work. I have also thought about Sweden, as I have found that the work permit isn't that difficult to get in Sweden? As the salary required is like SEK13,000 per month? Also, the Danish Greencard Scheme will be available to me as well I think?

Thanks,
Hayes

hayeschan wrote:
Thank you for the reply! Germany is definitely one of my choices. And the plan would be from studying to a good work. I have also thought about Sweden, as I have found that the work permit isn't that difficult to get in Sweden? As the salary required is like SEK13,000 per month? Also, the Danish Greencard Scheme will be available to me as well I think?

Thanks,
Hayes

I have no idea about Sweden or Denmark.

I just wanted to put out there that it is quite easy to get settled in Germany once you have completed a degree there and that there are no tuition fees and certainly no higher "international student" tuition fees. There are of course private institutions that do charge for tuition but if you stick with the big universities it's definitely great value for money.

Thank you very much. And yes, I think I will actually consider about it seriously. German is difficult, but I think I can learn it. I still have one more year of University in UK, in the meantime I can learn some German. So when I do go to Germany for postgraduate, I can adapt to the environment easier!

Thanks,
Hayes

ALKB wrote:

hayeschan wrote:
Thank you for the reply! Germany is definitely one of my choices. And the plan would be from studying to a good work. I have also thought about Sweden, as I have found that the work permit isn't that difficult to get in Sweden? As the salary required is like SEK13,000 per month? Also, the Danish Greencard Scheme will be available to me as well I think?

Thanks,
Hayes

I have no idea about Sweden or Denmark.

I just wanted to put out there that it is quite easy to get settled in Germany once you have completed a degree there and that there are no tuition fees and certainly no higher "international student" tuition fees. There are of course private institutions that do charge for tuition but if you stick with the big universities it's definitely great value for money.