Hiring people from other countries can provide insight and depth to your company. Having a broad set of skills and diverse knowledge among your employees is especially crucial in a global company. You can also help people from other countries expand their opportunities and relocate to the United States.
Before you start the process, it’s important to understand what’s involved, such as sponsorship and paperwork. The good news is that there are resources that can reduce the complexity and minimize stress for you and your candidate.
Know the Big Picture
The details vary among the types of positions, but you will typically need to show that the person you are hiring has a specialized set of skills. Certain roles, such as doctors, researchers, professors, scientists, executives and other highly specialized professions, are generally eligible for priority processing. You should identify the right category for your position because it could affect the types of forms you need and the timeframe for processing.
Understand Sponsorship
If your prospective employee is a noncitizen or nonresident, he or she will need to acquire a visa. As a sponsor, you will need to show that you have a position to provide and that the candidate is highly qualified for it. You’ll need to demonstrate that you’ll be paying a typical wage, also called the prevailing wage, for that role in your region.
Develop a Plan
It’s important to map out your plans and budget in advance. You should identify all the requirements for that specific position, including the forms that you need and the costs for filing them. It’s a good idea to inventory all projected costs and allow for contingencies so that you can budget accordingly. You should also know the requirements of the employer and employee after placement. With all the coordination required, you’ll want to set realistic expectations and communicate clearly with everyone involved.
Prepare for Paperwork
While the requirements vary for different situations, you should prepare to submit a variety of forms to multiple agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services, among others. You should research all the forms that are required and what sequence to file them in. Additionally, some forms have precise requirements in which a small mistake could lead to a big issue. You don’t want to spin your wheels with the wrong forms or wind up with delayed paperwork or denied applications.
Consider Consular Processing
One way to make the process more efficient is to use consular processing with the guidance of a legal firm that specializes in international employment and immigration. An experienced firm knows how to work with the U.S. Departments of State in other countries as well as foreign embassies. Candidates may need assistance with scheduling interviews, providing the right records and knowing how to prepare. This can help minimize snags, which could hold up an application or delay an employee’s start date.
Seek Expert Help
A skilled immigration firm can advise you and your candidate on potential issues to avoid, as well as help if paperwork gets stuck in bureaucratic churn or other challenges arise. Reducing stress is important for your candidate, who is already juggling paperwork and the logistics of a potential move. Chances are, an immigration firm has seen similar issues before and knows who to contact and what to do.
Meeting the challenges of today’s economy requires diverse skills and global knowledge. Although there are some challenges in hiring a worker from overseas, there are many benefits for both the employer and the employee. Planning ahead and engaging the right resources can help you fill your position successfully.