Global Mobility Program Management

What is a global mobility program?

A global mobility program is the framework an organisation uses to plan, execute, and monitor international assignments. It draws together immigration, tax, payroll, talent management, and employee experience under one roof so that relocating staff is a seamless transition and the company stays compliant in multiple jurisdictions.

Key Components of an Effective Global Mobility Program

Strategic planning

Every global mobility strategy should grow out of workforce planning. IAS helps HR directors map upcoming needs, decide which roles merit relocation, and set assignment lengths and structures (long‑term, short‑term, commuter, or remote‑first) that fit the objective.

Employee engagement & retention

People remember how they were treated during big life changes. We design orientation, mentoring, and re‑entry plans that sustain morale and preserve corporate knowledge on return.

Compliance considerations

Regulators do not excuse payroll errors because an employee is abroad. IAS assigns one compliance manager per client, ensuring immigration, tax, social security, and labour laws are checked before deployment, not after penalties land.

Integrating talent management

A mobility policy should dovetail with succession planning and L&D. We link assignment milestones to performance reviews and career pathways, so relocated staff see the bigger picture and HR can measure ROI.

Immigration Requirements in Global Mobility

Visa pathways – intra‑company transfer, local hire, digital nomad, frontier worker.

Work‑permit quotas – navigating annual caps and labour‑market tests.

Sponsorship compliance – maintaining licence ratings, reporting changes, and record‑keeping.

Documentation – passports, employment contracts, proof of qualifications, police clearances, and family certificates.

IAS attorneys track processing times and flag rule changes early, which is vital for projects with tight timelines.

Tax Compliance in Global Mobility

• Corporate tax – permanent establishment risk and profit‑attribution rules.
• Employee tax – host‑country withholding, home‑country filing, double‑tax relief.
• Tax equalisation – keeping net pay predictable; IAS calculates hypothetical tax and manages reconciliation.
• Reporting – short‑term business visitor registers, DAC6, Form W‑2 vs P60 cross‑checks.

Our in‑house accountants coordinate with local partners in multiple global jurisdictions to deliver consistent advice.

Payroll Management Across Borders

• Shadow payroll – mirror reporting in the host state while pay runs through home HRIS.
• Compensation structuring – base pay, allowances, bonuses denominated in stable currencies.
• Payroll tax – timely remittance, social‑security certificates and employer tax credits where available.
• Administration – single calendar, automated exchange‑rate feeds, and employee self‑service portals.

Governed payroll data bolsters audit readiness and employee trust.

Cultural Integration and Talent Management

• Diversity & inclusion – Expatriation should enrich, not dilute, culture. We run briefings that highlight unconscious bias risks and promote inclusive behaviours.
• Cultural training – Country‑specific workshops and e‑learning modules build confidence, essential when 58% of assignment failures stem from cultural mismatch.
• Cross‑cultural teams – IAS coaches leaders on time‑zone etiquette, decision‑making styles, and feedback norms to reduce friction.
• Talent development – We pair assignees with mentors in both home and host offices to cement networks and encourage knowledge transfer.

How IAS Delivers Global Mobility Program Management

Our team includes solicitors, chartered tax advisers, payroll specialists, and intercultural coaches, providing everything needed to run a modern global mobility program. Our global partners are expert, trusted providers and niche local businesses. The combination and variety of partnerships offers you professional assistance on the ground.

Our Process in Five Steps

1. Discovery call (free consultation) – outline objectives, timelines, and current pain points.
2. Diagnostic audit – benchmark existing mobility activity against best practice and identify quick wins.
3. Program build – design policy, workflows, and governance dashboards.
4. Roll‑out & training – launch employee portal, run manager workshops, and migrate live cases.
5. Continuous improvement – quarterly reviews, cost‑savings reports, and legislative updates.

Ready to Transform Your Global Mobility in HR?

A well‑constructed mobility platform unlocks talent, accelerates projects, and safeguards compliance. Whether you need targeted global mobility relocation services or a turnkey global mobility program management solution, IAS can help.

Call +44 (0)333 414 9244 or complete our enquiry form to book your consultation today.