When your business goes global, you’ll most likely encounter the overseas work permit process. Whether it’s for your current team or an expat from another market, work permits are necessary for any non-local employees in your new country. Many countries encourage new talent from foreign countries to enter the market, which makes the overseas work permit process pretty straightforward. Despite its popularity, there are still many steps that employers need to be aware of before tackling international employment. We’ve put together five steps to help you get started.
1. An Overseas Work Permit Requires Employer Sponsorships
In most countries, work permits can only be obtained after an official job offer has been granted to an employee. As an employer, you need to maintain accurate records of offers and submit paperwork to immigration offices in your new market in order to help your employees obtain permits.
Also, work permits are attached to each position and job offer. Your employee can only use their work permit for the agreed job. If they receive a new offer, they need to apply for a new work permit.
2. Plan Ahead
Work permits must be obtained by employees before they can start working in the new country. As a result, you need to plan ahead and help your employee navigate the process by providing and submitting all of the proper paperwork. This varies from country to country. In addition, countries have deadlines for permits.
For example, if your employee misses one of these deadlines, that could start a chain reaction, which delays the work permit process and their start date. In return, this delay could negatively impact your company’s overall global operations.
3. Plan for Fees
Help your employee manage fees associated with the overseas work permit application process by offering them a stipend or additional pay in their first paycheck. As you’ve probably guessed, fees vary in each country.
For example, in the UK, the application fee is about $700 for a standard, three-year work permit. If your employees are bringing family members, all additional dependents must also apply and pay the $700 fee.
4. Time Limits
As an employer, it’s your responsibility, along with the employee, to monitor time limits for an overseas work permit. As mentioned, in the UK, work permits are good for three years. In Brazil, foreign employees have the option to obtain a temporary two-year work visa. Employees can renew their work permit for another two years but must apply for reapplication 30 days before the expiration.
Employers need to provide more documentation to renew their employees’ work permits. This information has strict deadlines and must be submitted in time to prevent expiration.
5. Seek Guidance to Obtain an Overseas Work Permit
Managing international hiring requirements is a large feat on its own. Adding work permits into the mix complicates your responsibilities as a global business even more. It’s wise to seek advice from an attorney or an international consultant. Experts can help you understand the labor laws and requirements associated with work permit sponsorship and the overall management of operations for your business venture.
Another option is using International PEO to get your global operations up and running. In addition to managing compliance, hiring, and payroll, this service helps employers obtain work permits overseas. Contact our team to learn more about this service to see if it can help your business.
