Visa Sponsorship and Relocation for APAC Employees

It’s 1 July - welcome to FY2025/26. Now is a good time to pause and pressure-test your immigration settings. Not just “are we compliant?” but “are we set up to hire strategically, sustainably, and with minimal friction this year?” Here’s the Global Mobility checklist I’ve been working through with some of my clients. These are just some of the questions we’re asking and the steps we’re taking: 1️⃣ The migration landscape has shifted. Are you across it? ✔️ The new salary threshold is in effect. Employer-sponsored roles must meet the AWOTE minimum of $76,515 (up from $73,150). Note: If the Award wages are above AWOTE, you need to pay the Award wage. ✔️ TSS and SID visa processing times are evolving. Build buffer time if your hiring is tight (at least 6 - 12 weeks). ✔️ Training visa refusals (subclass 407) are increasing. These visas need solid programs and documentation. 2️⃣ Are your workforce plans aligned with visa requirements? 🟡 Which roles will require sponsorship this year? Map roles against skills gaps. 🟡 Are those roles eligible? Check the Core Skills Occupation List and recent changes. If occupation has been removed from the CSOL, plan early. 💡 Build immigration into workforce planning early, like salary bands or headcount. 3️⃣ Have you budgeted for the true cost of sponsorship? 🟡 Costs go beyond visa charges, you need to think about legal support, relocation, dependants, health cover, internal time.  🟡 Visa application charges (VACs) have increased from 1 July by approx. 3% due to indexation. Update budgets accordingly. 💡 A “true cost of sponsorship” calculator helps HR and finance teams plan better. 4️⃣ Is your sponsorship and compliance framework still fit for purpose? 🟡 Is your business sponsorship current? Don’t let it lapse unnoticed. 🟡 Do your contracts meet updated ANZSCO codes and salary thresholds? With promotions, does the PD still meet the nominated occupation? 🟡 Are you advertising roles now for future hires? Early LMT saves time later. 💡 Automate VEVO and right-to-work checks - spreadsheets don’t scale. 5️⃣ Are your teams across their visa responsibilities? 🟡 Do HR and recruitment understand differences between visa types and conditions? 🟡 Do they know associated obligations? 🟡 Do policies reflect current legislation and risk triggers? 💡 Run a refresher session to help teams spot red flags early. 6️⃣ How are you staying on top of changes? 🟡 Do you get regular migration updates? 🟡 Do you attend webinars or briefings? 🟡 Is immigration discussed at leadership level or stuck in HR? 💡 Appoint an internal “visa lead” to connect HR, legal and business needs. Immigration shifts fast and can easily slip down the priority list until something breaks. But with a bit of structure, it becomes manageable and can support everything from hiring to retention planning. If you’re not sure whether your current processes still meet the mark, or just want a sense-check. Let’s talk.

🌍 Want to work abroad? Aim for companies that are already global. One of the smartest ways to land an international job — especially with relocation support — is by targeting multinational companies. Think Google, Amazon, Siemens, SAP, Microsoft, and many more. Why it works: ✅ These companies have offices around the world ✅ Many offer visa sponsorship and relocation packages ✅ Internal mobility is encouraged — so you could start locally and transfer globally ✅ They’re often more experienced in hiring international talent 💡 Pro Tip: Use filters like “relocation,” “visa sponsorship,” or “global mobility” when searching their career pages or job boards. Also, check if they run: 🔹 Graduate programs with global tracks 🔹 Remote roles with future relocation opportunities 🔹 Internal transfer programs for existing employees 📌 Bonus: Multinationals tend to have structured onboarding, cross-cultural teams, and strong support systems — great if you're moving to a new country for the first time. The world gets smaller when you get strategic. Start global from day one. 🌐💼 Are you targeting any multinational companies in your job search? Let’s talk about it below Sandeep Khaira⬇️

When I started coaching professionals aiming to work abroad, one of the biggest challenges I saw was this: “How do I find companies that actually sponsor work visas?” It’s a common struggle — and I get it, because I’ve guided many clients through this exact journey. Here’s the proven strategy I teach to help them target visa sponsored roles smartly — so they don’t waste time applying blindly: My 6-Step Strategy to Land a Visa Sponsored Role Abroad: 1️⃣ Use targeted LinkedIn searches I show my clients how to combine job titles with keywords like “visa sponsorship”, “work permit”, or “international applicants welcome” to find relevant openings. 2️⃣ Tap into country-specific job boards I recommend reliable boards like Canada’s Job Bank, Australia’s Workforce Australia, and the UK’s Find a Job — filtering for visa sponsorship roles. 3️⃣ Leverage Global Talent and Visa Programs I help them explore programs like the UK Skilled Worker Visa, Australia’s Employer Nomination Scheme, and Canada’s Global Talent Stream that fast-track visa sponsorship. 4️⃣ Target multinational companies actively sponsoring visas Companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Deloitte, and PwC regularly sponsor international talent — I guide my clients to prioritize these employers. 5️⃣ Network in global communities I encourage joining LinkedIn groups, Slack channels, and expat forums where international recruiters share exclusive openings. 6️⃣ Work with international recruitment agencies I introduce trusted agencies like Michael Page, Hays, and Adecco, especially their country-specific branches focused on visa sponsorship. My top tip: I always advise clients to tailor their resumes to the destination country’s style and to explicitly mention their openness to relocation and visa sponsorship on LinkedIn — this attracts recruiters proactively. If you’re serious about working abroad, having a clear, focused strategy is the difference between endless applications and interview calls. Feel free to message me if you want personalized guidance on your study or work abroad journey. #CareerCoach #VisaSponsorship #WorkAbroad #InternationalCareers #JobSearchStrategy #LinkedInTips #GlobalTalent #CareerGrowth