Moving from India to Europe
Hey r/IWantOut,
I’m an IT Risk & Compliance professional based in Gurugram, India with about 11 years of experience (CISA certified, currently at a Big 4). I’ve been seriously thinking about relocating to Europe — mostly the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, or the UK — for roles in IT Audit, GRC, or AI Governance.
I have a few specific questions and would really appreciate input from people who’ve actually done this:
1. Visa reality check — How hard is it really to get an employer to sponsor? Do most European companies refuse to look at Indian applicants without an existing right to work?
2. Which country is most realistic? — I keep going back and forth between Netherlands (Highly Skilled Migrant visa looks clean) and Ireland (English, no language barrier). For a compliance/audit profile, which actually has more demand?
3. CV and LinkedIn — Any tips on adapting an Indian resume for European hiring managers? I’ve heard no photo, 2 pages max — anything else?
4. Timeline expectations — From “decided to move” to “landed a job offer in Europe” — realistically, how long did it take you?
Not looking for a perfect plan, just honest experiences from people who’ve been through it. What do you wish you knew before starting?