Ways to Simplify International Relocation for Employees

Running a successful international business often means bringing in skilled workers from overseas. This might mean relocating existing workers to a new facility in a new territory, or it might mean bolstering your domestic workforce with new, international talent.

When it comes to international relocation, the right processes can make a world of difference. Through those processes, you’ll be able to keep your employees happy, and stay on the right side of any relevant regulations – wherever those regulations might have been devised.

Streamlining the Visa and Work Permit Process

In most cases, settling a new worker in a new country requires obtaining a visa and a work permit. Typically, short-term visas are offered alongside long-term ones. If your employee is going to be based in a new country for longer than a year, then it’s a residence permit you might need to secure. Businesses can often help an employee get on the right side of the law by sponsoring their visa.

The exact process you’ll navigate will depend on the country to which the employee is relocating. For this

reason, it’s worth bringing in expert guidance from consultants and lawyers with experience in matters related to immigration. For more complex cases, engaging global mobility lawyers can ensure full compliance with immigration regulations.

Providing Comprehensive Employee Support Packages

Employees settling into a new country might need legal and logistical support. Beyond that, they might also benefit from healthcare, cultural orientation, and housing, all of which might be provided (at least, in part) by the company. Extra perks, like insurance and pension contributions, might help to drive up rates of satisfaction among employees, which can ultimately drive down your staff turnover. It’s often a good idea to seek feedback from employees undergoing the process, so that you can understand exactly which measures are most effective. In many cases, you can make a big difference to employee wellbeing without spending a huge amount on luxury perks.

Establishing a Clear Relocation Policy

By getting your relocation policy down in writing, you’ll provide reliable guidance for everyone involved in your organisation. This can help you to ensure that the experience is consistent for everyone who relocates internationally. If there are any flaws in the process, you’ll be able to document and address them so that the next employee might enjoy a better experience.

A good relocation policy will have a number of essential components. These might include support for housing, and special allowances for the transition. It might also include a revision of the terms of the employment contract. When employees can see that they’re going to be looked after, they might be more inclined to agree to a relocation.