Navigating a Global Crisis: Strategies for Success

Many businesses hire talent from across the globe and have operations worldwide.

When a global crisis occurs, such as COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and, most recently, the events in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, immigration professionals can provide employers with support in navigating complex mobility regulations that may be impacted by the situation.

Global crises present unique challenges for employers and employees, including the potential need to relocate employees quickly for safety or business continuity reasons. This blog explores ways businesses can work with their immigration professionals to ensure they are prepared to react and make swift decisions during a global crisis.

Stay Informed on the latest legal developments

Global crises can often be entangled with complex political and geographic nuances. Each country responds differently and may make rapid changes to immigration laws and policies. Many of these changes take place in real time with little or no notice to businesses or foreign nationals.

Using resources and tools to stay informed, such as Fragomen’s microsite detailing travel and mobility considerations surrounding the events in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, can help employers understand rapidly changing conditions in real time and decide on the best relocation management strategies if needed.

Maintain quality data

Global crises can often force organizations to make quick decisions surrounding their workforces. It is critical that employers have access to updated, impactful data that can help them make informed decisions on how to best support their businesses and employees.

To be prepared to make these quick decisions, employers can collaborate with their immigration professionals to maintain quality data about their talent, such as biographic information for employees and key visa expiry dates. This will allow employers to plan and identify options as quickly as possible for business-critical moves if necessary.

Engage professional support for visa and document needs

Managing visa applications and documentation can be daunting for employers, especially during a global crisis.

Immigration professionals can guide employers and their employees through the visa application process, ensuring that all necessary documents are completed for successful application processing, thereby minimizing delays and preventing potential issues.

This also ensures that both employees and employers remain compliant with immigration regulations, reducing the risk of penalties or delays.

Contingency planning

Proactivity during a global crisis is key to help minimize business disruptions. Employers can work with immigration professionals to identify and solidify contingency plans for employees affected during challenging and uncertain times. Contingency planning can include remote work options, short-term relocation, or even long-term relocation in unique circumstances. The development of flexible immigration policies can be key to a business’s continuity plan.

Relying on experienced immigration professionals to help navigate complex mobility systems is critical to helping employers stay informed and essential for businesses needing to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.

Need to know more?

Fragomen’s unique Immigration Program Management group supports and delivers strategic solutions for clients. For questions, please contact Senior Associate and Immigration Program Manager Liat Zudkewich at [email protected].

This blog was published on October 12, 2023, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.