Migration Guide
Visa windows worth marking on your calendar
A handful of migration programs only accept applications during a specific window each year, miss it and you wait for the next cycle. This page tracks which programs work that way, roughly when their window opens, and where to confirm the exact current date.
Windows shown are typical ranges based on past cycles, not guarantees. Always confirm the current year's exact dates on the official government page linked below. Verified July 2026.
US Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery
United StatesAnnual US green card lottery open to nationals of countries with historically low immigration to the US. Free to enter, registration is a fixed multi-week window each year.
- Typical window
- Registration typically opens early October and closes early November
- Cadence
- Annual
Italy Decreto Flussi
ItalyItaly's annual quota decree for non-EU seasonal and non-seasonal work permits. Applications open on a specific 'click day' and quotas fill fast.
- Typical window
- Click-day windows are announced annually, typically opening within the first half of the year
- Cadence
- Annual
Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
GermanyA points-based residence permit letting non-EU jobseekers move to Germany to search for skilled work, points depend on qualifications, language, age, and experience.
- Typical window
- Applications accepted year-round, no fixed annual window
- Cadence
- Ongoing
South Korea EPS Work Visa (E-9)
South KoreaEmployment Permit System for foreign workers, entry requires passing the EPS-TOPIK Korean language test, with country-specific quotas released on a schedule.
- Typical window
- EPS-TOPIK test dates and country quotas are announced periodically through the year
- Cadence
- Periodic
Building your case for a move abroad?
Browse verified jobs and fellowships that come with their own visa sponsorship, or check our directory of employers known to sponsor.