As our socioeconomic activity continues to extend across the globe, many companies are opting to hire international workers to help their businesses evolve. International workers can help you reach new markets, deliver new skill sets to your company, and dream up innovations you might never have thought to implement yourself. If you’re thinking of expanding your recruitment efforts abroad or already are taking advantage of a larger employment pool to find the best possible candidates, here are some tips to keep in mind.
- Embrace new ideas and perspectives
One of the main benefits of hiring an international worker is gaining access to an international perspective—one that will help your company grow in new ways. For example, a marketing specialist from Japan might be able to introduce new strategies to attract East Asian customers to the US, to your business, thereby expanding your audience. You also may learn that international employees can bring a different perspective to interpreting relationships and situations allowing you to offer unique solutions in a global market. These different views can be extremely valuable in the right situations.
- Familiarize yourself with different visa options
There are two main types of employment visas. One is the nonimmigrant visa, which authorizes an individual to work in the US temporarily; and the other is the immigrant visa, which is meant for those who want to work and live in the US on a permanent basis. It tends to be easier to sponsor someone for a nonimmigrant visa, but the worker’s eligibility depends upon some very narrow criteria. With more effort, you could sponsor your candidate for lawful permanent residence in the US in the form of a green card. Make sure you consider the multiple visa and green card options before you make any decisions about sponsorship.
- Verify identity and work authorization
As with any new hire, you will have to complete and keep an I-9 form for each of your foreign workers once they have been officially hired. The form is used to prove whether an employee is authorized to work in the US and classify them as a certain type of legal worker. You can consult the Form I-9 instructions for more detailed information.
- Avoid breaching any discrimination laws
The I-9 form will also state that you must leave the choice of supporting documents—the ones that prove their identity and work authorization—up to your new hire. You are not legally allowed to request a specific document. Discrimination law also prohibits you from stating a preference for a certain class of legal worker.
- Seek guidance from a qualified attorney
With so many guidelines to follow and so many laws to observe, it’s worth getting help from a professional who knows everything there is to know about business immigration. An attorney will be able to walk you through the sponsorship and international hiring process. When you have as much information as possible, you’ll be better equipped to abide by the law and effectively leverage your access to international workers.
At Ser & Associates, we understand that you are the expert when it comes to running your business. You can leave the legal jargon to us while you do what you do best. Give us a call and see how we can assist you grow your business.
