Asked six recruiters about visa sponsorship. Two said yes, one said maybe, three didn't reply

Took a week of cold emails to get that. The wording I use now: 'Do you sponsor, and if not, what's the usual process for a candidate on a work permit like mine?' Short and direct, no apology. The clearest answers came from people who'd obviously never been asked before. Posting it in case it saves someone the awkward first draft I sent.