Work Visas and work permits are oftentimes used interchangeably but they are not the same thing. They are both needed to work in foreign countries but are two entirely different documents. A visa grants you access or entry into another country for study, work, business or leisure purposes while a work permit gives you legal authorization to work in a foreign country.

Now let’s define both terms
A visa is an official document, endorsement or stamp on a passport that allows you legally enter, stay or live in a foreign country. While a work permit is an official document that authorizes legal employment in a specific country. A work permit gives you license to work in a foreign country.

Both documents are issued by relevant officials. If you must work in a foreign country, you will need both.

Key Differences Between Work Visas and Work Permits:

Purpose:

Work Visas are required for gaining entry into another country. It grants you access to stay in a foreign country for a specific period. A work visa serves the purpose of ensuring the protection and regulation foreign workers . A work visa also ensures you meet the requirements of entering into a particular country. It is concerned about immigration laws.

On the other hand, work permits are legal permission in the form of documents needed to work in a foreign country. The main purpose of a work visa is to regulate employment for foreigners and to ensure they meet the certain legal requirements needed for working. A work permit is more concerned about local labor regulations.

Having a work visa alone cannot guarantee you working, you will need a work permit which would give you license to work.

Duration:

Work visas, just like every other visa, have validity; an issuing and expiry date, which would be clearly stated on your visa. The duration ranges from a few months to several years depending on the country.

In contrast to this, the duration for a work permit is linked to the contract or job. If the job offer is for 3 years, the work permit is likely to be for the same time.

Requirements:
The requirement for a work visa often includes a job/employment offer, clean criminal record, qualifications amongst other necessary documents.

A work permit requires a job/employment offer, qualifications, letter of acceptance, proof of language proficiency, CV or resume amongst other necessary documents.

Other Differences:

• A work visa is usually a stamp on a passport while a work permit is a separate document from the visa.
• A work visa is issued by the host country’s embassy. While a work permit is issued by the host country’s immigration authorities.

A work permit and work visa are both important legal documents issued out to people for employment in a foreign country. Although they are often used interchangeably, a work visa is different from a work permit. A work visa grants access to stay in a specific country, while a work permit gives you the permission or access to that specific country.