Applying to a country different to your home country

Hi,

MBB typically do sponsor in these markets, so an EU passport does not block you, even without a visa.

So the real variable is not whether they can sponsor but whether they will for your specific case, and that usually comes down to level, profile and ties to the country/office you are applying to. The stronger or more specialised your profile, and the more genuine your link to the region, the easier the firm can justify the cost and paperwork over a local hire. For a very junior or generalist profile in a market with deep local supply, the bar is higher. So it is really about how compelling your candidacy is.

That said, sponsorship policies differ from office to office and change over time, driven by local visa rules, quotas and each office's hiring needs in a given year. Two firms in the same city can take opposite approaches, and the same office can be open one year and restrictive the next. So I would ask the recruiting team of the specific office directly since they are the only ones who can tell you where they stand right now.

Hope it helps and good luck with the process!

Federico

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• First of all, considering that you have an EU passport, you must be of a different European nationality than British (since they do not have EU passports anymore after Brexit). What is the reason that you do not want to apply in your home country? I understand if you try to avoid the scarce UK consulting hiring, though.
• Moreover, yes, consuting firms sponsor visas in Singapore and Hong Kong office, and an EU passport without a local work permit does not block you. These offices hire internationally every year and they have the legal setup and the budget for it. So the real question is not "can they" but "do they want to", and that depends on how strong your profile is and how easy it is for the office to justify the extra cost and paperwork compared to a local candidate.
• Lastly, I would strongly advise you to build a credible story for why this specific country. What helps is a real link: family in the region, studies or work there, a language, or a clear professional reason why your background fits their client base. Without that, applications from abroad often get deprioritized, not because of the visa but because the office doubts you will stay.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application files, for your upcoming pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi, yes, MBB firms can sponsor visas in many countries, so not having a local work permit doesn't automatically prevent you from applying.

However, I would separate two questions: can they sponsor you, and why should that office hire you?

The second one is usually more important. Offices such as Singapore or Hong Kong receive applications from all over the world, and if you have no previous connection to the region, recruiters may question why you're applying there rather than London or another European office.

So before applying, I'd make sure you have a convincing answer to “Why Singapore/Hong Kong?” Beyond simply wanting to work abroad. Previous experience in Asia, language skills, family connections, sector expertise relevant to the region, or a clear long-term commitment can all help.

Visa policies also change and differ by country and seniority, so I'd check the current requirements with recruiting for the specific office.

In short: sponsorship is certainly possible, but your bigger challenge may be demonstrating a credible connection and motivation for that geography.

Hi there,

Yes, it will be hard.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to get sponsored in most countries. That said, difficult certainly doesn’t mean impossible.

If you can network effectively and prove yourself to be a highly desirable candidate, then there are always possibilities.

Your application also needs to make sense for the office. If you have relevant work experience, education, language skills, personal ties, or a strong network in Singapore or Hong Kong, that will improve your chances.

I would reach out to recruiting before applying to confirm whether the particular office and role will consider candidates requiring sponsorship.

So yes, they may sponsor you if you receive an offer—but getting through screening without existing work authorization will generally be more difficult than it is for a comparable local candidate.

Good luck!

Hi there

Great question - tricky! Typically this really depends on the country and the office you are applying to. MBB typically want to get the best talent regardless of where they are from, but sponsoring employees can be time-consuming and costly. I would suggest you try and talk to people directly from the company and office you are interested in (either the recruitment team - they are usually your best source for information, or a consultant who works there). I've seen even for two companies in the same city (e.g. BCG and Bain in Singapore) they might have wildly different approaches for sponsoring students. I myself moved to London from Canada, and Bain did sponsor me, so it very much is possible. I hope that helps, let me know if you had any further questions, happy to do a coffee chat!

Yes, MBB firms will sponsor work visas if they extend you an offer, but applying internationally brings a higher screening bar.

Visa Sponsorship Reality: Offices in major hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Middle East regularly sponsor Employment Passes for international talent. However, local labor regulations generally require firms to prove you bring specialized skills or a profile not readily available in the local pool.

Language and Market Context: While business is conducted in English across hubs like Singapore or Dubai, offices in Hong Kong or Tokyo often expect fluency in the local language (Mandarin/Cantonese or Japanese) to put you in front of local clients.

If you lack a direct connection to the region, entry-level international applications get screened out quickly. Building an internal network or securing a local referral in that specific office is critical to getting your resume reviewed.

hey there :)

yes, MBB firms can sponsor work visas in places like Singapore and Hong Kong, but it depends heavily on the office, role, and hiring needs. Having an EU passport does not give you automatic work authorization there.

I’d apply to the specific office you’re interested in and check their current visa requirements. If you have a strong profile, the lack of an existing visa shouldn’t necessarily stop you from applying.

Best, Alessa :)

Hi there, 

generally you can apply to any office but definitely expect that they will ask you for the reason of that application location. If they hire you, they would like to have a candidate that stays for a while so if you cannot convey a clear tie to and motivation for that region it might be a hard sell. 

In terms of visa, this is very case dependent. I would recommend reaching out to the local recruiting team and discussing the options. 

Best, 
Sebastian

Hi there,

You can check directly with the recruiter at that office.

But it's worth bearing in mind that screening is a bit more difficult if you are applying in a geography with which you don't have a clear connection. 

Best,
Cristian