Imagine you’re a small business owner looking to expand your team. With the tight job market, you decide to consider foreign workers. Their unique perspectives and innovative approaches are wonderful assets for American businesses.
Are you wondering how to hire foreign employees? There are questions to be asked, considerations to keep in mind, and dos and don’ts to be aware of. But don’t worry; as long as you know what you’re doing, you can find highly-qualified foreign employees.
Read on for tips about hiring a foreign worker.
Establishing the Legal Process of Obtaining a Work Visa
The legal process of obtaining an employment visa must be established for those employees entering the United States to work. Employers should consult a specialized attorney for help in the process. This can be a long, complicated, and pricey endeavor. But, it is necessary to avoid potential legal consequences.
Employers must file the following documents with the appropriate government office:
- petition
- support letter of a job offer
- assessment of application
- documents from the employee
A petition must be made before an applicant is considered to obtain a foreign worker’s visa. After the petition is submitted, it must be approved by the Office of Foreign Labor Certification. In addition, the employer must also obtain a Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor. This application must be certified that the employer will provide the same wages, benefits, and working conditions to foreign employees.
Finally, once all documents are submitted, the employer must wait for the appropriate visa to be issued. The process may take several weeks, even months, to be completed.
Developing a Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits Plan
Organizations should prioritize local market data and research foreign employment laws. They should compare them to their own legal and tax requirements. Additionally, salary surveys should be completed to identify pay norms across countries and within industries.
Individual countries may have their own components of compensation and benefits. However, a universal base should be explored and agreed upon before extending employment offers. Employers must decide to whom and what they will offer the following:
- relocation expenses
- housing allowances
- pension and retirement plans
- insurance plans
- bonuses
It is important to remember that dismissal terms are covered by local employment law. They should be incorporated into the initial compensation and benefits package. Common sense and an eye for detail should also be exercised throughout the process.
Sourcing Potential Qualified Candidates
Employers should post the position on a variety of job boards to ensure the greatest reach. This includes international boards and countries of origin for the desired new hire. Employers should provide a more detailed job description that may include cultural nuances.
Additionally, employers should implement assessments to provide more insight into the experience and qualifications of the potential foreign hire. They can also utilize resources like employment eligibility verification. This can verify if a person is authorized to work in the US.
All these steps provide a holistic approach to ensure the best candidate for the job is chosen.
Tips When Hiring a Foreign Worker
Hiring a foreign worker can open up your organization to a variety of new perspectives and knowledge. For companies that are interested, they should keep in mind legal requirements and the paperwork involved while researching the best world talent.
To begin this process, it is best to contact an immigration attorney who can help your business navigate the complexities. Ready to start your search?