Research by the Permits Foundation names the USA, India and China as the top three countries to which it is most difficult to transfer expat employees because of partner work permit concerns. Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, Japan, Russia, the UK and South Africa complete the top ten.
Challenges
The Permits Foundation conducted a survey among 177 international employers to learn more about the challenges that organisations face with regard to international dual careers. Among the reasons why it was hard for expat couples to have dual careers in the top three countries, the organisations listed: ‘strict visa rules for spouses who want to work’ in the USA, ‘no permit for an unmarried partner’ in India and ‘unattractive local employment conditions’ in China.
Critical for success
The survey also shows that being able to transfer employees internationally is critical to business success. Restrictive work permit regimes have a negative effect on the transfer of employees and business outcomes.
The Permits Foundation is a non-profit corporate initiative promoting access of expat partners to employment through improvement in work permit regulations. Global Connection is a sponsor of the Permits Foundation.
