EU visa on arrival: 5 Countries, Salary Thresholds & Fees in 2026

Quick answer: In 2026 the EU offers a EU visa on arrival work scheme for South Asian skilled workers in five countries—Poland, Croatia, Romania, Lithuania and Bulgaria—provided they have a pre‑approved job offer and meet each country’s salary threshold.

As of October 2026, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival for short‑term work in five EU countries—Poland, Croatia, Romania, Lithuania and Bulgaria—provided they meet the pilot‑scheme salary thresholds and have a pre‑approved job offer.

EU visa on arrival: eligibility overview

The pilot programmes launched in early 2026 target electricians, welders, chefs, plumbers and other trades where EU labour shortages are acute. Each participating country sets a minimum net monthly salary, a modest processing fee, and requires a signed contract from a recognised employer. The border officer then issues a temporary residence sticker that functions as a work permit for the first 90 days.

Which EU countries offer visa on arrival for Indian skilled workers in 2026?

In 2026 the EU launched five pilot visa‑on‑arrival work schemes targeting South Asian tradespeople. The participating countries are Poland, Croatia, Romania, Lithuania and Bulgaria. For Indian passport holders the schemes include a few nationality‑specific easements: Romania waives the usual language‑test requirement for Indians, while Poland and Lithuania accept Indian technical certificates without additional accreditation. All five pilots require a pre‑approved job offer from an EU employer and proof that the offered salary meets the minimum net threshold set by each country.

For more details on each country’s process, see our dedicated guides: Poland work visa guide, Croatia work visa guide, Romania work visa guide, Lithuania work visa guide and Bulgaria work visa guide.

How does a visa on arrival differ from a traditional work permit?

A traditional EU work permit is issued after a lengthy application processed by the destination country’s immigration authority, often taking weeks or months. A visa on arrival (VoA) under the 2026 pilots lets the worker enter the Schengen area with a short‑term entry stamp after presenting, at the border, a pre‑approved job offer, qualification certificates and proof of salary. The border officer issues a temporary residence sticker that allows the holder to start work immediately; the VoA can later be converted to a longer‑term work permit or residence card, as in Lithuania where an e‑visa can be switched to a work visa after arrival.

The key differences are speed (border issuance vs. Office processing), the need for prior employer approval (still mandatory) and the limited initial stay (usually 90 days, extendable once).

What are the salary requirements for a visa on arrival in Poland for electricians?

Poland’s 2026 “Skilled Worker Visa on Arrival” pilot sets a minimum net monthly salary of €1 500 for eligible trades. For electricians the average net wage in Poland is about €2 200 per month (Eurostat 2026), well above the threshold. To prove eligibility the worker must present, at the border, a signed employment contract showing the gross salary, a recent payslip or employer salary letter, and a certificate of qualification (e.g., Polish‑recognised electrician licence). The border officer checks that the net amount after Polish tax and social‑security deductions meets or exceeds €1 500.

Note: Salary figures are based on Eurostat averages; actual take‑home pay varies with individual tax class and deductions.

Can Pakistani chefs get a visa on arrival in Bulgaria in 2026?

Yes. Bulgaria’s 2026 pilot allows visa on arrival for certified chefs and cooks from Pakistan (and Nigeria). The scheme requires a net monthly salary of at least €1 500 and a processing fee of €130. The worker must present a signed contract, a culinary qualification certificate recognised by the Bulgarian Ministry of Labour, and proof of health insurance covering the stay. The initial VoA grants a 90‑day stay, which can be extended for another 90 days if the employment contract continues.

For a step‑by‑step checklist, download our Bulgaria chef visa‑on‑arrival checklist (PDF).

What is the processing time and fee for Croatia's visa on arrival for welders?

Croatia’s 2025‑2026 amendment to its Labour Act sets the visa‑on‑arrival fee for eligible workers at €120. After the employer receives pre‑approval from the Croatian Ministry of the Interior, the worker can travel to Croatia; at the border the officer verifies the documents and issues the VoA stamp in approximately 5‑7 minutes. The VoA allows a maximum stay of 90 days, with a single possible extension of another 90 days subject to continued employment.

Average processing time from job‑offer acceptance to border entry (including employer pre‑approval) is about 7‑10 days.

Do I need a language test for Romania's visa on arrival for HVAC technicians?

Romania’s 2026 work‑visa‑on‑arrival scheme for skilled trades (HVAC, carpenters, plumbers) requires a minimum net salary offer of €1 800 per month. For Indian passport holders the usual language‑test (Romanian A2) is waived; applicants from other South Asian countries must still pass the test or provide proof of completion of a Romanian‑language course. Qualification proof (e.g., HVAC technician certificate) and a signed employment contract are mandatory at the border.

How much can I realistically save each month working as a plumber in Lithuania?

Lithuania’s average net monthly salary for a plumber is about €2 000 (Eurostat 2026). The cost‑of‑living index for a single expatriate in Vilnius (Numbeo 2026) shows monthly expenses of roughly €950, which includes rent for a studio apartment (≈ €450), utilities, groceries and transport. Subtracting expenses from income leaves around €1 050. Applying the realistic savings rate suggested by the pilot data (≈ 30 % of gross income after essential costs) yields about €600 of savings per month.

This estimate assumes the worker lives alone, cooks most meals and uses public transport. Actual savings will vary with lifestyle choices and any additional deductions.

What documents are required for a visa on arrival for South Asian workers in the EU?

While each country has slight variations, the core document set is common across the five pilots:

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
• Pre‑approved job offer or employment contract from an EU employer (showing salary and duration)
• Proof of professional qualification (trade certificate, licence, or diploma)
• Recent payslip or employer salary letter confirming the net monthly salary meets the country‑specific threshold
• Travel health insurance covering the entire Schengen stay (minimum €30 000 coverage)
• Proof of sufficient funds for the initial stay (often a bank statement showing €500‑€1 000)
• Completed visa‑on‑arrival application form (available at the border or online for Lithuania’s e‑visa)

Country‑specific add‑ons:

• Poland: Electrician, welder or truck‑driver licence recognised by the Polish Ministry of Labour.
• Croatia: Construction or welding qualification approved by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior.
• Romania: HVAC, carpenter or plumber certificate; language‑test waiver for Indians only.
• Lithuania: Machine‑operator qualification; e‑visa application completed online before travel.
• Bulgaria: Chef or cook certification from a recognised institution; contract salary ≥ €1 500 net.

Common reasons for rejection include missing qualification documents, salary below the threshold, or insufficient health insurance. Always verify the exact list with the destination country’s embassy or official migration portal before travel.

Step‑by‑step checklist to prepare for your EU visa on arrival

1. Secure a job offer from a registered employer in one of the five pilot countries.
2. Confirm the offered net salary meets the country‑specific minimum (see table below).
3. Obtain your professional qualification certificate and, if required, an apostilled translation.
4. Purchase travel health insurance with at least €30 000 coverage.
5. Gather financial proof (bank statement) showing €500‑€1 000 available for initial expenses.
6. Complete the online pre‑approval form (Lithuania) or request the employer to submit the pre‑approval to the relevant ministry.Print all documents, keep digital copies, and carry them in a waterproof folder for border inspection.
7. Pay the visa‑on‑arrival fee (cash or card) at the border point.
8. Upon entry, receive the temporary residence sticker; note the expiry date and extension procedure.
9. Within the first 30 days, register your address with the local municipality as required by national law.

Cost breakdown example: Pakistani chef in Bulgaria

Assuming a net salary offer of €1 800 per month, the cost breakdown for the first three months looks like this (all figures in euros):

With a net monthly income of €1 800, the worker can expect to save roughly €750 per month after expenses, aligning with the pilot’s projected 30 % savings rate.

Comparison of the 5 EU visa‑on‑arrival pilot schemes (2026)

Average fee across the five schemes is €106. The projected inflow of South Asian skilled workers to the EU under these pilots is expected to grow by about 12 % per year (European Commission migration forecast 2024‑2026). See the official announcement European Commission migration pilot announcement for full details.

Last verified: October 2026.

Warning: Wage levels, living‑cost indices and visa regulations change frequently. Always confirm the latest salary thresholds, fees and document requirements with the official embassy or the destination country’s ministry of labour before making travel arrangements.

Scam alert: Beware of recruiters who ask for upfront payments to “process” a visa on arrival or who promise guaranteed jobs without a verifiable employer. Legitimate VoA schemes never require payment to a third party for the border issuance; all fees are paid directly to the government authority. If an offer seems too good to be true, verify the employer’s registration with the local chamber of commerce and request a copy of the pre‑approval notice.

For a printable checklist covering all five countries, download our EU Visa‑on‑Arrival Checklist (PDF).