Countries / Territories
- 🌐
Related contacts
Related offices
- Atlanta, GA
- Auckland
- Beijing
- Bengaluru
- Boston, MA
- Brisbane
- Brussels (Benelux)
- Chicago, IL
- Miami, FL
- Dallas, TX
- Doha
- Dubai (DIFC)
- Frankfurt
- Hong Kong
- Houston, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Johannesburg
- Kochi
- Kuala Lumpur
- London
- Los Angeles, CA
- Matawan, NJ
- Melbourne
- Mexico City
- Nairobi
- New York, NY
- Perth
- Phoenix, AZ
- Rio de Janeiro
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose
- São Paulo
- Shanghai
- Sheffield
- Silicon Valley, CA
- Singapore
- Sydney
- Toronto
- Detroit, MI
- Washington, DC
- Zurich
Related contacts
Related offices
- Atlanta, GA
- Auckland
- Beijing
- Bengaluru
- Boston, MA
- Brisbane
- Brussels (Benelux)
- Chicago, IL
- Miami, FL
- Dallas, TX
- Doha
- Dubai (DIFC)
- Frankfurt
- Hong Kong
- Houston, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Johannesburg
- Kochi
- Kuala Lumpur
- London
- Los Angeles, CA
- Matawan, NJ
- Melbourne
- Mexico City
- Nairobi
- New York, NY
- Perth
- Phoenix, AZ
- Rio de Janeiro
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose
- São Paulo
- Shanghai
- Sheffield
- Silicon Valley, CA
- Singapore
- Sydney
- Toronto
- Detroit, MI
- Washington, DC
- Zurich
Related contacts
Related offices
- Atlanta, GA
- Auckland
- Beijing
- Bengaluru
- Boston, MA
- Brisbane
- Brussels (Benelux)
- Chicago, IL
- Miami, FL
- Dallas, TX
- Doha
- Dubai (DIFC)
- Frankfurt
- Hong Kong
- Houston, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Johannesburg
- Kochi
- Kuala Lumpur
- London
- Los Angeles, CA
- Matawan, NJ
- Melbourne
- Mexico City
- Nairobi
- New York, NY
- Perth
- Phoenix, AZ
- Rio de Janeiro
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose
- São Paulo
- Shanghai
- Sheffield
- Silicon Valley, CA
- Singapore
- Sydney
- Toronto
- Detroit, MI
- Washington, DC
- Zurich
By: Janis M. Bailey
- Can my spouse work? Many countries around the world allow the spouse of a work permit holder to seek independent employment of their own. More countries do not. If the spouse is accustomed to working, or if the family’s finances depend upon the spouse normally working, this issue alone could prove the end of consideration for the assignment or move.
- Is my spouse legally considered my spouse? Many countries in the world will only allow legally married, opposite-sex couples to immigrate together. Civil partnerships will often not be deemed “marriages” for purposes of immigration, and moreover, same-sex couples continue to face legal discrimination in many parts of the world.
- Can my 21-year-old child come with me? Some countries will consider a 21-year old child to be a dependent able to accompany a work permit holder, but others will consider that same child to be an adult who must seek his or her own immigration permission separate from their parents.
- Will the work permit be ready in time for the school term start date? In many countries, it is nearly impossible to predict the exact timing of when permits will be issued with much accuracy. Although we can always provide general timeframes, any number of hurdles can block the way to a smooth approval (e.g. lack of government staffing, change in government, additional document/information requests, etc).
- Can the family be accompanied by our nanny? This issue has particularly arisen in my career when there is a widowed mother or father who has been asked to go on assignment and the children are accustomed to a nanny that has been with them from a young age. Many countries, however, make it very hard if not impossible to sponsor foreign nannies.
- Will my family be able to move at the same time as me? This is a question that so often does not get asked by assignees because the answer is assumed to be yes. However, there are a few countries in the world where the employee must arrive first before the family can join. This, as one might imagine, can cause quite a bit of stress in the family that must temporarily separate from each other.
Countries / Territories
- 🌐
Related contacts
Related offices
- Atlanta, GA
- Auckland
- Beijing
- Bengaluru
- Boston, MA
- Brisbane
- Brussels (Benelux)
- Chicago, IL
- Miami, FL
- Dallas, TX
- Doha
- Dubai (DIFC)
- Frankfurt
- Hong Kong
- Houston, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Johannesburg
- Kochi
- Kuala Lumpur
- London
- Los Angeles, CA
- Matawan, NJ
- Melbourne
- Mexico City
- Nairobi
- New York, NY
- Perth
- Phoenix, AZ
- Rio de Janeiro
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose
- São Paulo
- Shanghai
- Sheffield
- Silicon Valley, CA
- Singapore
- Sydney
- Toronto
- Detroit, MI
- Washington, DC
- Zurich
Related contacts
Related offices
- Atlanta, GA
- Auckland
- Beijing
- Bengaluru
- Boston, MA
- Brisbane
- Brussels (Benelux)
- Chicago, IL
- Miami, FL
- Dallas, TX
- Doha
- Dubai (DIFC)
- Frankfurt
- Hong Kong
- Houston, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Johannesburg
- Kochi
- Kuala Lumpur
- London
- Los Angeles, CA
- Matawan, NJ
- Melbourne
- Mexico City
- Nairobi
- New York, NY
- Perth
- Phoenix, AZ
- Rio de Janeiro
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose
- São Paulo
- Shanghai
- Sheffield
- Silicon Valley, CA
- Singapore
- Sydney
- Toronto
- Detroit, MI
- Washington, DC
- Zurich
Related contacts
Related offices
- Atlanta, GA
- Auckland
- Beijing
- Bengaluru
- Boston, MA
- Brisbane
- Brussels (Benelux)
- Chicago, IL
- Miami, FL
- Dallas, TX
- Doha
- Dubai (DIFC)
- Frankfurt
- Hong Kong
- Houston, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Johannesburg
- Kochi
- Kuala Lumpur
- London
- Los Angeles, CA
- Matawan, NJ
- Melbourne
- Mexico City
- Nairobi
- New York, NY
- Perth
- Phoenix, AZ
- Rio de Janeiro
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose
- São Paulo
- Shanghai
- Sheffield
- Silicon Valley, CA
- Singapore
- Sydney
- Toronto
- Detroit, MI
- Washington, DC
- Zurich
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Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Slocombe discusses what is considered US residency now that Prince Harry has changed his primary residence from the UK to US.
Media mentions
Director Willys Mac’Olale shares the impact the AfCFTA will have on Kenya’s economy and immigration policies.
Video
Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio explains the process for posting foreign workers to France during the eagerly awaited 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce shares how a Supreme Court visa denial case could impact challenges to employment-based visa denials.
Awards
Partner Kevin Miner is selected by the Daily Report as a finalist in the “Legal Innovators” category of the publication’s 2024 Southeastern Legal Awards.
Blog post
This blog considers how employer sponsorship of long-term residence permits in Europe could be a means for retaining their talent.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha quais indústrias estão recrutando talentos estrangeiros no Brasil.
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni and Senior Associate Xiaodan (Susan) Song help international commercial enterprise investors make informed decisions by explaining the differences between EB-5 rural projects and high unemployment projects.
Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia discusses how those planning to attend the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games in Paris can prepare for their trip from an immigration perspective.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of immigration programs and relief options by USCIS for Venezuelan nationals amidst the political and economic crisis in Venezuela.