International Mobility: A Guide For Businesses & Individuals

Why Is International Mobility Important?

The world is becoming increasingly globalised, and as it does so, having talent with international mobility is becoming increasingly beneficial. Having skills in international mobility means that you can scale your company much faster, and as such, your team is better able to interact and work in newer countries and with different cultures in a seamless manner.

That being said, getting workers up to speed on new cultures and customs is a lengthy process. Yet, if a company can engage mobile employees and contractors that have high international mobility, they will be able to adapt to their surroundings quickly, and there is no need for any training or hand holding through the process.

Even more so, international mobility exposes businesses to whole new perspectives that can lend a hand in problem-solving and innovation and can aid in the expansion of diversity inside an organisation.

Should a business deploy a member of their team to operate at a new location, this can enable them to bring fresh ideas to the company.

When a company hires people who have skills in international mobility, or when they train their staff to be more in touch with international mobility, the company as a whole becomes more agile and is prepared in the event of a skills shortage.

The team can become ready to grow and take advantage of any new opportunities that could arise in foreign markets, aiding in diversification and flexibility in any market volatility.

Setting the foundations for international mobility in business assures the company that team members are ready for anything. Should a business need for foreign travel be needed, the company as a unit is prepared.

Global Mobility Vs. International Mobility

There is a clear difference between being globally mobile and being internationally mobile. Global mobility focuses on a business’s ability to support its workforce as it moves and branches out to different locations across the globe.

Alternatively, international mobility has a stronger focus on a specific individual’s ability to travel abroad to locations outside of their home country.

If anything, international mobility is an integral aspect of global mobility.

This is because while a business can support its individuals in global mobility and the organisation attempts to reach new horizons, an individual needs to be able to travel outside of their home country without issue.

Individual employees being internationally mobile allows companies to scale globally much faster, and teams across nationals will be able to interact and scale growth in new cultures and countries with a much higher success rate.

The primary difference between international mobility and global mobility is that international mobility is in the skills of a team or individual employee.

Meanwhile, global mobility is more focused on the business and legal immigration aspects of employees travelling abroad and working in new countries.

Different Types Of International Mobility Options

Overview

There are different reasons why an individual may consider international mobility. Businesses should be aware of these options and how they can benefit them as a company.

However, international mobility is not only beneficial for business travel but also for students, young people, and those who have an aspiration to work overseas.

International mobility can be used for many benefits, and the types of international mobility can depend on the reason for travel.

Here are some types of international mobility and reasons why an individual may choose them:

Training

Training is very often a cause of international mobility for workers and students. A university may send some students abroad to train and learn from a business through a work placement or receive guidance in their area of study.

Training opportunities can also be conducted for workers by a different company or through events. Training overseas has advantages for companies that send workers abroad to learn and develop skills from other companies or branches that may have new techniques or technology.

Studying

Studying abroad is very popular; universities overseas may have courses that local ones do not or may be considered more expert in the field.

However, the experience of studying abroad does open opportunities for overseas work in the student’s future as a graduate. Studying as a form of international mobility can enable understanding of culture and work overseas as well as in the home country of the student.

It enables students to advance their possibilities as graduates.

Networking

Networking between companies in the same industry is key, and integrating this with international mobility allows businesses to gain international experience, data, and information on global trends, perhaps not so easily gained from networking in their primary location.

Mobility Experience

Mobility experience can also be critical in businesses and for individuals, as it enables individuals to gain knowledge that can advance their career options in the future. However, for businesses, the mobility experience of their employees can prepare them for the potential option of relocation should the company expand overseas.

Employees can gain language skills, learn to integrate with locals, and develop cultural knowledge in countries where the business may wish to expand.

Seminars

International mobility for seminars can be very useful for businesses in the acquisition of global industry knowledge. Having a few international mobility employees attend overseas seminars can aid in the development of a business beyond the limitations of national knowledge.

Events

International mobility can also be seen in events for individuals and businesses alike. Events can lead to networking, the expansion of knowledge, and more. Depending on the specifics of the event, it can be very beneficial to everyone.

What Are The Requirements For Travelling To The UK for International Mobility?

The requirements for international mobility into the UK depend on the person and their reasoning.

For example, if a person is travelling to the UK to study, then a Student Visa and its associated requirements should be considered.

Alternatively, if a person is travelling to the UK to set up a branch of a business from overseas which has not yet begun trading in the UK, then a UK Expansion Worker visa is required.

If a worker is travelling to the UK for training then a Temporary Worker visa is ideal, as it will allow migrants to enter the country for a temporary period to complete work experience, research, training, or a language programme.

When a worker needs to enter the UK for seminars, networking, meetings, or signing a contract, a Standard Visitor visa is applicable. However, certain criteria must be met for a worker to be eligible for this.

How To Apply For International Mobility To The UK?

There is no visa specifically for those seeking international mobility; it is entirely dependent on the purpose or type of international mobility and the reasoning. A student who seeks to be internationally mobile and study abroad will require a different visa than a member of an overseas company coming to the UK to set up a branch of their business in Britain.

The first step to applying for international mobility is to be aware of what visa suits you. Most types of international mobility are covered above, but if you are still unsure of what type of visa you are eligible for, give IAS a call today at +44 (0)333 305 9375, and our legal team can help you understand what visa you should be applying for.

Once you have figured out what type of visa suits your needs as a worker, business, or individual, you can start the process of applying for the visa you need.

1. Make sure that if you are applying for certain visas, such as a Skilled Worker visa, you have the necessary documentation (certificate of sponsorship) to apply. Alternatively, if you are applying for a visa to study, ensure you have the necessary documentation from the university you will be studying at.
2. Collect the other relevant documentation. Some visas will require you to have a TB certificate depending on your location, and all will require identification documentation such as a passport or other relevant travel document.
3. Start your application online and send off the relevant documents for the visa most applicable to you. Most visas will also require that you visit your local visa application centre to submit your biometrics; alternatively, you can download the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
4. Once you have applied for your visa, you will have to wait for a decision to be made by the Home Office as to whether or not you will be granted your visa. The time for processing your visa application will vary depending on what visa you applied for. Some visas may have the option for you to get a priority decision, in which case you will receive the decision much faster. However, you do have to pay a fee for this.
5. Once you have been granted your visa, you can then proceed to enter the UK. However, if your application is refused, you may be able to dispute it; otherwise, you will need to apply again. If your visa is refused, you will be informed of the reasoning for this. Visa applications that are refused are non-refundable, and you will need to pay to apply again.

The type of visa you are applying for will dictate the application process you need to complete. Some visas are more complex than others. The UK Expansion Visa will have stricter criteria and more requirements than a Temporary Worker Visa.

You must collect all the necessary and relevant documentation before applying; otherwise, the decision on your application could be delayed or even refused.

How IAS Can Help With International Mobility

International mobility is a worldwide process that is making people more global, businesses more international, and the entire working world more widespread. There is no strict singular visa that allows for international mobility, as it all depends on the person applying and their reasons for travel.

This means you need to know what visa applies to you, which can be complicated. At IAS, our legal team is well versed in immigration law, and we can help you understand your visa options and what you will need to apply for.

An IAS lawyer or legal advisor can walk you through the application process or even assist in the application. If your application is refused, we can help you dispute this, which could save you unnecessary fees. At IASIAS, can help reduce the stress of businesses and individuals taking a step towards international mobility. Just give us a call at +44 (0)333 305 9375 today and get started!