In todayβs competitive job market, many professionals in the insurance sector are seeking better career prospects abroad. Fortunately, several top-paying insurance companies in the USA, UK, and Canada are eager to attract international talent. These firms not only offer lucrative salaries and benefits, but also provide visa sponsorship and paid relocation packages to help ease the transition for foreign workers.
Whether you’re an actuary, underwriter, risk manager, or insurance technology expert, this guide highlights the leading companies and career paths that can take you across borders.
Why Insurance Careers Abroad Are Highly Attractive
The insurance sector is among the most financially stable industries globally. With the rising demand for risk management, climate resilience, cyber insurance, and specialty underwriting, international firms are actively sourcing skilled workers from around the world.
Here are some key reasons why pursuing an insurance career abroad is beneficial:
π High earning potential: Insurance professionals often earn premium salaries, particularly in developed countries like the United States, UK, and Canada.
π Comprehensive benefits: Employees typically receive health insurance, life insurance, pension plans, and generous paid time off.
π Visa sponsorship and relocation support: Many firms cover the costs of obtaining a work visa and will even pay for your move, including flights, housing assistance, and settling-in allowances.
π Career progression: Multinational insurers offer clear paths for career development, training programs, and international assignments.
π Diverse work environment: Working abroad provides exposure to international markets, multicultural teams, and global best practices.
Top Insurance Companies That Offer Visa Sponsorship and Paid Relocation
Below are some of the most reputable insurers that actively recruit globally and provide support to help international employees relocate successfully.
1οΈβ£ AXA Group
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Headquarters: Paris, France (major offices in the USA, UK, Canada)
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Visa Sponsorship: Yes (for skilled positions)
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Relocation Package: Flights, housing allowance, moving expenses, and family support where applicable
AXA is a powerhouse in life insurance, property insurance, and asset management. AXA is known to sponsor work visas for actuaries, underwriters, risk analysts, and insurance data scientists.
π‘ Tip: AXA often prioritizes candidates with experience in digital insurance (InsurTech), predictive analytics, and climate risk management.
2οΈβ£ AIG (American International Group)
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Headquarters: New York, USA
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Visa Sponsorship: Yes
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Relocation Package: Full relocation including temporary accommodation, shipping of goods, and family assistance
AIG is one of the largest insurance companies in the world, offering competitive compensation and benefits. AIG actively recruits global talent for its risk management, specialty insurance, and cyber insurance teams.
π‘ Tip: Candidates with certifications like CPCU, ARM, or FCAS often have an edge when applying for sponsored roles at AIG.
3οΈβ£ Zurich Insurance Group
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Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland (offices in the USA, Canada, UK)
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Visa Sponsorship: Yes
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Relocation Package: Paid relocation expenses and support for dependents
Zurich Insurance Group is highly rated for its corporate insurance, reinsurance, and property & casualty lines. Zurich sponsors skilled professionals, especially in underwriting and actuarial services, where talent shortages exist.
4οΈβ£ Aviva
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Headquarters: London, UK
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Visa Sponsorship: Yes
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Relocation Package: Paid relocation for critical roles
Aviva is a major player in both the UK and Canadian insurance markets. It provides visa sponsorship for strategic hires, including IT professionals working on digital transformation, data scientists, and specialty underwriters.
5οΈβ£ Manulife / John Hancock
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Headquarters: Toronto, Canada (John Hancock is the U.S. brand)
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Visa Sponsorship: Yes
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Relocation Package: Comprehensive support including moving allowance and help finding housing
Manulife is a leader in life insurance, wealth management, and insurance technology innovation. The company recruits globally for actuarial, technology, and analytics roles.
Types of Insurance Roles That Often Qualify for Sponsorship
To increase your chances of securing a visa-sponsored insurance job with relocation support, itβs wise to target roles that are considered critical or hard to fill. These typically include:
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Actuaries (Life, General, Pensions, Reinsurance)
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Underwriters (Specialty lines like cyber, marine, aviation)
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Risk Managers
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Insurance Data Scientists
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Claims Specialists (Complex claims, catastrophe claims)
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Insurance Technology Engineers (InsurTech)
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Product Development Managers
π Note: These positions often require professional certifications such as ACII, CPCU, ASA, or FCAS.
How to Secure a Visa-Sponsored Insurance Job
Landing a visa-sponsored role with relocation support requires strategic planning. Hereβs how to improve your chances:
β Enhance your qualifications: Pursue globally recognized certifications like Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS), or Certified Risk Manager (CRM).
β Gain niche expertise: Focus on emerging areas like cyber insurance, climate risk insurance, and InsurTech.
β Apply through official company portals: Global insurers like AIG, AXA, Zurich, Aviva, and Manulife have dedicated career sites for international hiring.
β Work with international recruiters: Specialized agencies can help match you with roles where sponsorship is available.
β Prepare a global CV: Tailor your resume for international applications, emphasizing certifications, languages, and cross-border project experience.
Average Salaries for Sponsored Insurance Roles
π² USA: Senior insurance professionals can earn between $90,000 and $180,000 USD annually, with actuaries and senior underwriters often exceeding $150,000.
π² UK: Experienced insurance professionals in London typically earn between Β£60,000 and Β£130,000, with additional benefits and bonuses.
π² Canada: Insurance specialists can expect between CAD 75,000 and CAD 140,000, depending on role and experience.
These figures are for base salaries and often exclude performance bonuses, stock options, and benefits.
Final Thoughts
If you’re an ambitious insurance professional looking to build your career globally, targeting companies that offer visa sponsorship and paid relocation is a smart move. The firms highlighted in this article β AXA, AIG, Zurich, Aviva, and Manulife β are industry leaders in supporting international talent. By aligning your skills with in-demand roles and preparing well for international job applications, you can open doors to exciting new opportunities in the USA, UK, or Canada.