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UPDATED AUG 12, 2026✈️ Welcome! If you're reading this, you or your employer have asked Toku to support your work visa or work permit. This guide covers what you can start gathering today, before your application formally begins. Getting these items ready early is the single best way to keep your timeline on track.
This is a general "before you get started" guide. Every country and visa route has its own specific requirements, and your Toku representative will send you an intake form detailing exactly what is needed for your country and visa type. Nothing here replaces that form - think of this page as a head start.
For the list of countries and visa types Toku currently supports, along with timelines and fees, see Toku Immigration and Visa Support Services.
How the process works
- Your Toku representative sends you an intake form. It asks for the details and documents specific to your country and visa route. Completing it promptly is the fastest way to get your application moving.
- Our immigration team reviews your intake and confirms eligibility, the exact document list, and any country-specific or nationality-specific extras.
- You gather and send your documents. Most delays in visa processing come from missing, expired, or non-compliant documents - especially photos.
- We handle the application and guide you through any in-country steps (medical exams, biometrics, ID collection) as they come up.
Documents to start gathering now
These items come up in nearly every application, regardless of country. Your intake form will confirm exactly which apply to you.
- [ ] Passport — a full scan of the complete booklet (every page, not just the photo page). Check your expiry date: most countries require at least 6 - 7 months of remaining validity. If you're close, renew before applying.
- [ ] Passport-style photo — taken to specification (see the photo requirements below - this is the most commonly rejected item).
- [ ] Degree certificate — many countries require your degree to be attested or legalized, which can take 2 - 4 weeks on its own. If your route needs it, start early. Your Toku rep will confirm whether this applies to you.
- [ ] Previous visas or permits — if you've held a visa in the destination country before, copies of the old visa, any national ID card, and (if applicable) the cancellation document from your previous sponsor.
- [ ] Marriage and birth certificates — if dependents (spouse, children) will be included. Certified translations are often required.
- [ ] Personal details — some countries ask for information you may not have on hand, such as your parents' full names, your religion as recorded on official documents, and a local phone number in the destination country.
- [ ] Signed employment agreement — your Toku employment documentation, which we prepare with you.
💡 Keep track of the email address and phone number you use on your application. In many countries, your visa and government ID are issued to a personal government portal account registered under those contact details. You will need them again later - including at the end of your employment - so save them somewhere safe.
Photo requirements
A surprising number of applications are delayed because the photo is rejected. Please follow this list exactly:
- Passport-size photo, 35 - 40 mm in width, in JPEG format
- Clear, sharp focus, and high resolution
- Taken within the last 3 to 6 months
- Plain white background — no colors or patterns
- Face looking directly at the camera — face and body not tilted in any direction
- Close-up of your head and top of shoulders, with your face filling 70 - 80% of the frame
- Both full shoulders and both ears visible
- Uniform lighting - no shadows or reflections, with brightness and contrast that show natural skin tone
- No glasses
- No jewelry or accessories of any type
- No hats or head coverings (unless worn daily for religious reasons - flag this to your Toku rep)
- No teeth showing (neutral expression or closed-mouth smile)
- No white or light-colored shirts (they blend into the background)
- No revealing neckline or clothing
- No ink marks or creases
- Not black and white
- No selfies — have someone else take it or use a photo service
Good to know
- Timelines start when your documents are complete. Published processing times (for example, "10 - 12 working days") count from the moment the application is submitted with compliant documents, not from when you first reach out.
- Don't book non-refundable travel until your Toku rep confirms your visa status allows it. Some steps (medical exams, biometrics, ID collection) must happen in the destination country, and some routes restrict travel mid-process.
- If you currently hold a visa from another employer or sponsor, do not cancel anything until Toku confirms in writing that your new application is ready to proceed. Cancelling too early can leave you without legal status.
- Nationality matters. Some nationalities have extra requirements (additional attestations, entry permits before travel). These are confirmed at the eligibility stage.
Questions?
Your Toku representative is your point of contact throughout the process. You can also reach us at [email protected] or [email protected] for more support.
Disclaimer
This document is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Government requirements, fees, and processing times vary by country and change without notice. Your intake form and the guidance from Toku's immigration team reflect the current requirements for your specific case.
Last Updated: August 2026