UNDERSTANDING EXPATRIATE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

Expatriation is the most expensive staffing strategy for multinational organizations, but still it is a viable method for increasing the organizations’ understanding of international operations. Expatriation is a way for the organizations to develop global competencies that are consistent with the organizations’ overall strategic human resource plan.  It also helps to transfer technical, administrative or management know-how; to develop international management skills; to ensure the same company standard worldwide; gain experience and exposure for future positions within foreign operations etc

Expatriation involves Expatriates, who are people who move across national border(s) to other countries to pursue their professional, economic and financial goals. 2 key challenges usually faced by expatriates are acceptance by organizational members; and cultural fitment in the host nation.

Expatriate Management

The management of these Expatriates who come on international assignments for multinational corporations is called Expatriate Management. It involves a lot of processes and operations that include contract preparation, expat sourcing and selection,  visa processing, relocation assistance, home finding, schooling for their kids, registration, tax, reimbursements,… etc.

The International Human Resource Management literature suggests that effective management of expatriates requires attention to the four parameters basically referred to as “FOUR PILLARS OF EXPATRIATE MANAGEMENT”

Selection of Expatriates: This entails careful assessment of an expatriate to ascertain whether he/she is the best and most cost-effective choice for the international assignment. This assessment should be conducted and the selection process should be designed to enhance the effective development of actual and potential expatriates of the company

Preparation for International Assignments: In-depth socio-cultural training should be provided to the expatriate as well as to the family members accompanying the employee on the expatriate assignment.

Performance management of expatriate: Being able to articulate clearly the objectives and expectations for the expatriate is essential in terms of reducing ambiguity surrounding the expatriate assignment, and making sure that the goals of the expatriate and the goals of the company are aligned.

Repatriation practices: Repatriation is the process of bringing back the expatriate after the completion of their international assignment. It would be added advantage for companies to retain their repatriates by providing opportunities for them to use the knowledge and skills they gained during their assignment, otherwise they may lose this valuable source of global competence to their competitors.

Challenges in Managing Expatriates

ü  Immigration administrative problems surrounding obtaining necessary documents like work permits, visa processes, renewal and deletion of expats, regularization, extension of re-entries etc.

ü  Integration of global workforce with the local workforce

ü  Problems of differential government regulations governing the workforce

ü  High cost of expatriate recruitment   

ü  Work related problems i.e. the time it takes to develop necessary working relationship with the host employee and external stakeholders.

ü  Challenges involving proper expatriate selection and training (for both the expats and accompanying persons) keeping in mind all the needs and motives of an individual expat

StreSERT Services Limited provides immigration consulting services listed below with an effective registration and tracking system. Based on our in-depth knowledge of immigration policies, procedures and its attendant protocols we partner with our clients to ensure a hitch free immigration system as well as full compliance with statutory requirements in the following areas: " Expatriates quota New, Additional, Renewal Re-designation, Restoration and Upgrading to PUR status, Deletion

"Subject To Regularization (STR)/CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Resident Permit And Alien Card)

"Regularization, Re-designation, Change of Employment/Entry Visas

"Business/Visitors Visa, Extensions and Re-entries

"ECOWAS Residence Card & Passport" Expatriates Monthly Returns/Process Review

"General Advisory and Consulting