Expat Work Assignments Expected To Grow

expat network

Expat Work Assignments Expected To Grow

Business leaders still view an international mobile workforce as key to meeting their strategic objectives, according to new research by global mobility specialists, Santa Fe Relocation Services.

This is despite mounting concerns around immigration and an increasingly uncertain geopolitical climate following changes implemented by the new US administration and the anticipated impact of Brexit.

Santa Fe’s annual Global Mobility Survey Report found over a third of business leaders still believe empowering a globalized workforce was critical to meeting its strategic objectives – with nine in ten saying it is important.

As a result, international assignments (work relocation opportunities) are expected to grow significantly over the next twelve months, with graduate programmes, short-term assignments and one-way relocations all set to increase significantly. Contrarily to previous years, even long-term assignments are expected to see significant growth in the year ahead, which highlights both ongoing global economic growth and the crucial role that long-term placements have in companies’ talent planning.

But businesses are facing increased challenges in sending workers abroad due to growing complications around stringent immigration compliance and new legislation. The findings from Santa Fe reveal half of global mobility professionals cite immigration complications as the top challenge to achieving businesses’ objectives over the next five years – ahead of concerns around local political climates and staff safety or security.

The USA now tops the charts for the most challenging location to send assignees, with nearly one in ten respondents stating it is the hardest to navigate from a global mobility perspective due to tightening immigration and visa restrictions for long-term business relocations.

But despite these challenges, the USA still remains the most common destination to send assignees, with nearly a fifth of respondents saying it was the most frequent destination for assignment opportunities. China was the second most popular, followed by the UK.

The report found that over half a million (500,000) employees from the companies surveyed are already internationally mobile.

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.