As Mobility Professionals this is one of the questions we find ourselves being asked most regularly. When undertaking immigration processes on behalf of your company there are significant risks to consider, one of the most important being the financial consequences of getting it wrong. With this in mind, we’d like to explore some of the key reasons why Crown recommend the engagement of a licensed immigration adviser.
First and foremost, by engaging an immigration professional you are taking the appropriate ‘diligent’ level of care. There are many things that can go wrong if your new employee does not hold the correct visa, which can have a major impact on your employee’s future. A qualified adviser or partner will also track the lifetime of your employee’s visa and ensure that its expiration and renewal dates are understood and there are no unpleasant surprises.
Having an external immigration adviser/partner provides all involved with an ongoing ‘reality check,’ it’s amazing how many organisations feel they can manipulate protocols and compliances even when they are legislative. Securing visas can be a long and complex process, with many delays and constantly moving goal posts. Having an industry expert on the team provides peace of mind that issues and delays are being professionally addressed in real-time.
Providing one-on-one support to new employees means that you will be receiving a barrage of time consuming questions before the recruitment process even begins. There is a risk of providing incomplete advice that may have unexpected consequences further through the process. A licensed adviser will have the answers at their fingertips and will consistently follow and communicate the correct course of action transparently, within agreed timeframes.
Your new employee will be under both time and emotional pressure, given the magnitude of moving their life from country to county. Having their own personal adviser to guide them through the visa process will inspire a high level of confidence and comfort. They will be impressed and reassured by the professionalism of their new employer, which is a major factor in ensuring the ultimate success of their relocation and settling-in experience.
Another question accredited employers often ask is: ‘why would I engage an adviser? We have accreditation so the process is really easy.’ It is true that in some instances, accreditation enables a clear and straight forward process with reduced workload. However, it’s not always this simple and employees can benefit significantly from professional advice with respect to the presentation of supporting documentation and staying on the correct pathway from the outset.
For some new employees there can be twists and turns that could never have been envisaged during the recruitment phase of their appointment to their new role. Highly complex immigration issues can often result in time consuming, stressful, and expensive delays! In these instances, the value of an experienced professional partner/adviser shines through. The expert will have gone through similar situations and challenges many times and inherently understands how to rescue a difficult situation.
After reading this article you may be a little unsure as to what’s the best approach for yourself and your organisation with regards to immigration support. Please don’t hesitate to contact us, anytime, for a free, no obligation, consultation!
Written by Kerry James, Mobility Services Manager of Crown World Mobility. If you wish to discuss this article you can contact Kerry via email: [email protected] or call: 027 471 7290
