Trump’s new visa fee highlights why global mobility is key to risk management

Oliver Browne, Head of Content and Insights at ECA International: “In this new era of volatility, companies are entrusting their GM teams with the mandate to ensure regulatory compliance, mitigate risk, and protect the significant investment of international assignments.”

A new report* reveals that global mobility (GM) teams are rapidly cementing their role as a critical strategic and financial function. In an increasingly unpredictable global landscape, companies are leaning on their GM teams to manage complex international assignments and mitigate escalating risks.

The ‘Benefits for International Assignments’ report finds that 63% of global organisations now rely on their GM teams’ specialised expertise to determine international relocation benefit packages, a notable increase from 51% in 2021. This trend evidences that companies are increasingly relying on GM to balance cost, compliance, and employee support in a volatile environment.

Oliver Browne, Head of Content and Insights at ECA International, commented: “This is a recalibration of corporate priorities. The recent executive order on H1-B visas, imposing a $100,000 application fee on companies, is a stark example of the sudden and costly changes organisations must navigate. Since benefits are often the most expensive part of an assignment, these new costs further highlight why GM expertise is critical for containing spend and protecting ROI.

“In this new era of volatility, companies are entrusting their GM teams with the mandate to ensure regulatory compliance, mitigate risk, and protect the significant investment of international assignments.”

The report also highlights a significant shift towards a more flexible, cost-conscious approach to international benefits. While the overall take-up of flexible benefits has not risen, the data shows that companies are refining their models, shifting away from lump sums toward core-flex models to gain more control and offer tailored support.

Research from ECA International The full Benefits for International Assignments report can be accessed here.

eca-international.com.

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