Same problem in a lot of countries. I looked into this for Germany as a backup option; my technical expertise and low level of German proficiency would get me and my wife easy residency, but she wouldn’t be allowed to work.

Then again, given the right mix of COL and wages, that might be tolerable, especially in a situation where something makes me willing to follow through on that plan.

In Germany, if your partner doesn't work, your income tax is essentially divided by 2 for taxation purposes, which is huge given that ~45% of your income will be paid in taxes otherwise, a big part of which are income taxes.

Also, charitable donations, which includes working for charities for free, as well as voluntary work, are tax deductible for the "tax entity", which if you are married you can choose to be your marriage.

So depending on what your partner does, and likes to do, if you are in a very high paying job, it might make more economic sense for your partner to "work for free" donating their work to a charity.

This essentially would mean that you get 100% of your income, free of taxes.

Example A: your salary 200k, your partner salary 50k. Combined taxes: 250k * 0.45 = 112k. Earnings: 250 - taxes = 138k.

Example B: your salary 200k, your partner exercises a 50k job for a charity for free. Taxes: 200*0.45/2 - 50k = -10k = 0k. Earnings 200k > 138k.

I'm not suggesting that your partner shouldn't work, only mentioning that if you are moving to Germany for a high-paying job, that is just one part of the equation. IANAL, nor a tax advisor, so I'd recommend you explore the options and evaluate the package "as a whole".

For a lot of people, being able to work for a charity for free for a couple of years can be much more rewarding than a 8-5 office job at a FAANG.

I worked in software in Germany, almost all of the technical people are on Blue Card, which gives a spouse a work permit from day one.

Also, depending on your level, you may be eligible for an immediate Permanent Residence permit. This gives you a lot more rights in Germany than the Blue Card, but ironically fewer rights in the rest of the EU.

Interesting that this is not the case in Canada. My partner is the main visa-holder here, and is tied to her employer in the same way a H1B would in the US, but it also provides a full 'open' visa for her spouse, which allows me to work anywhere without restrictions. It seems like a smart move, as it definitely tipped the scales in Canada's favor for us.

When I moved to Canada we both got Canadian "Green Cards" as soon as we landed. Technically possible in the US but show me an employer that will sponsor an EB-2 unless you work for them already.

Also don't be Indian in the US if you ever expect a EB-2/3 "Green Card"

A French friend of mine was recently denied a visa to Canada. His wife got a job there working in public policy, and he was going to work there in software (film industry). I figured it would be easy for him, but it's a mess!

low COL usually means you don't both need to work.

Is this controversial? to me that's one of the benefits of a LCOL areas, that one of the spouses doesn't need to be in the rat race.