News
27 November 2009
Permits Foundation global spouse survey - final report 2009
The final report of Permits Foundation global spouse survey has sharpened focus on partner employment needs and the impact on assignment success and international mobility.

The survey studied the employment aspirations of expatriate spouses and partners of highly skilled international staff. More than 3300 spouses and partners took part, representing 120 nationalities in as many host countries. They accompanied highly skilled staff working for more than 200 employers in both the private and public sectors.

The results provide a clear evidence that:
  • A lack of partner employment opportunities adversely affects global mobility of highly skilled international employees.
  • A few focused improvements by employers and governments can make a triple win for families, employers and host countries.
  • Work permits for spouses and partners are one of the keys to location attractiveness.
The final report includes additonal analysis highlighting the importance of career issues to male spouses and partners, unmarried partners, younger partners and those with a university degree.
21 June 2009
UK - Permits Foundation submits evidence to the Migration Advisory Committee on skilled workers, intra-company transfers and dependants under the Points Based System
The UK Government has asked the Migration Advisory Committee to review a number of aspects of the points based system in the light of current economic circumstances. Permits Foundation has submitted evidence against a further tightening of procedures for intra-company transfers and other skilled workers in Tier 2 and supporting a retention of work authorisation for dependants.
15 January 2009
Malaysia - Spouses of Employment Pass holders permitted to work
The Malaysian Immigration Department has published new regulations that allow spouses on a Dependent Pass to take paid employment after obtaining an endorsement in their passport by the Immigration Department. They no longer need their own Employment Pass or Visit Pass Temporary Employment.
A job offer is required and the employer needs to have approval from the relevant authority (MIDA, MDEC, Central Bank of Malaysia, Securities Commission or Public Service Department of Malaysia).
At the same time, husbands of Employment Pass holders may now apply for a Dependant Pass. Previously, they were only eligible for a Long Term Social Visit Pass.
19 December 2008
Permits Foundation global survey report 2008
Permits Foundation has conducted the first global survey to look specifically at the employment aspirations of expatriate spouses and partners of highly skilled international staff. More than 3300 spouses and partners took part, representing more than 100 nationalities in as many host countries. They accompanied highly skilled staff working for more than 200 employers in both the private and public sectors.

The results provide a clear evidence that:

  • A lack of partner employment opportunities adversely affects global mobility of highly skilled international employees.
  • A few focused improvements by employers and governments can make a triple win for families, employers and host countries.
  • Work permits for spouses and partners are one of the keys to location attrractiveness.
08 June 2007
France implements regulations allowing family members to work freely
Permits Foundation applauds the French government's implementation of measures allowing spouses and family members of skilled international staff to work during the course of an assignment.

The changes, which apply to the family members of intra-group transferees and persons with a residence and work permit for 'competences and talents', were prescribed by the immigration and integration law of 2006 and have been implemented and integrated into the labour code by Décret n° 2007-801, published on 11 May 2007.
04 April 2007
International employers and diplomats meet to discuss international mobility, dual careers and work permits for spouses and partners
Fifty representatives of international employers, government ministries and diplomatic missions met recently at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London to discuss access to employment of spouses and partners during an expatriate assignment.

Delegates from several ‘best practice’ countries confirmed that allowing spouses and partners to work was an integral part of their policy on managed migration and an opportunity to create a competitive and attractive climate for international investment and highly skilled, mobile employees.

Permits Foundation hopes that the common interest from both the private and diplomatic sectors will help to raise awareness with governments and that the positive experience of countries that grant work permission to accompanying partners will stimulate other countries to consider similar arrangements.
04 April 2007
France introduces new regulations allowing family members to work freely
France is the latest country to improve its regulations to allow spouses and family members to work freely during an expatriate assignment. A new law n° 2006-911 on immigration and integration (of persons from outside the European Union) was passed on 24 July 2006, subject to further decrees before implementation.

Among other things, this law creates new categories of residence and work permit for 'competences and talents' (to be decided each year) and intra-group transferees earning at least 1.5 times the minimum salary in France. The family members of both these new permits will receive a temporary residence permit mentioning 'private life and family' which allows the holder to work without a work permit.
The decree on residence permit for competences and talents (Décret n° 2007-372) was issued on 21 March 2007. The list of competences and talents has not yet been published.

The decree on intra-group transferees is expected before the summer of 2007.
25 May 2006
Take part in EU study of impact of partner employment on mobility
The European Commission's Directorate for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities has commissioned a study into the mobility of dual-career couples in Europe. The study is aimed specifically at partners of people who have moved for a job, considered moving or declined a job in another country in Europe during the last 10 years.

The study includes moves between all EU member states, the EEA (Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland) and the three EU candidate countries Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey.

The study is being conducted as part of the 2006 European Year of Workers’ Mobility. The partner’s perspective is important in order to determine what types of assistance programs would be of value. Complete the questionnaire for partners before 15 June 2006 at http://questions.netq.nl*
(*Survey completed - questionnaire no longer available.)

The EU has also commissioned related studies aimed at international employers and companies that provide services related to international staff mobility.
25 May 2006
Hong Kong implements regulation allowing spouses to work
The new regulation permitting accompanying spouses of professional staff and capital investors to work without prior approval of the Immigration Department was implemented on 15 May 2006. Spouses who were living in Hong Kong prior to 15 May 2006 may apply to the Immigration Department for removal of the previous restriction. This change applies to married spouses. It does not apply to spouses of foreign nationals admitted for study purposes; they still need to apply for prior permission of the Director of Immigration.
24 February 2006
Hong Kong - Spouses of professional staff to be allowed to work freely again
The HK government has announced that it will reintroduce regulations allowing spouses of professional staff to work without prior permission of the immigration department. It made the announcment in a Press Release also announcing the new Quality Migrant Admission Scheme on 23 February 2006. Prior to 2003, spouses were allowed to work freely. From July 2003, spouses needed prior permission from the Director of Immigration. With the improving economic conditions and employment situation, it has been decided to remove this restriction to enhance Hong Kong's edge in attracting professionals. In other words, dependants of persons admitted for professional employment or as capital investment entrants will not be required to obtain prior permission from the Director of Immigration for taking up employment, just as the situation was before July, 2003. The details of the revised conditions for dependents, including the effective date, will be announced separately.
28 December 2005
Economic migration in the EU - Commission presents a roadmap on legal migration and includes dependents in policies for development.
The European Commission has adopted a Policy "Plan on Legal Migration", giving an overview of initiatives that the Commission intends to take in the period 2006-2009. It addresses four areas for the development of the EU common legal migration policy: a legislative section to regulate the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals in employment; actions and policies to foster knowledge building and sharing of information in the immigration field; policies and funding aimed at supporting and improving the integration of economic migrants and their dependents on the labour market and in the host society; and measures aimed at a more efficient management of international immigration flows which need the cooperation and the support of the countries of origin. Studies on specific issues and discussions on the way forward will take place during 2006, followed by concrete initiatives starting from 2007.
15 October 2005
Permits Foundation contributes to the EU Commission's discussion of demographic change
Immigration and shorter-term migration will help to mitigate the effect of demographic imbalances. That's the view of Permits Foundation in its response to the EU Commission's Green Paper "Confronting demographic change: a new solidarity between generations" The consultative document raised questions about the possible contribution of immigration and specific policy initiatives. Permits Foundation proposes that policies be developed to allow the legally resident spouses / partners / family members to work freely. This will facilitate integration, combat discrimination and encourage more women and young people into employment.
06 October 2005
European Commission recognises spouse employment difficulties as a mobility obstacle
The European Commission has recognised that the difficulty of finding employment for spouses of mobile workers is one of the major obstacles for occupational and geographic mobility in Europe. As a result, the European Commission's Directorate for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunity is preparing to launch initiatives to understand and tackle the issue. Results will contribute to the implementation of the Commission's proposals on the Single European Labour Market. The study will include a survey and mutual learning process through the dissemination of good practice in seminars, including the Public Employment Services, European companies and other organisations with spouse employment or related training schemes.

Further background in a report on Community Measures in the field of Employment / Work Programme 2005 (updated May 2005) published on the Commission's web site:Work Programme 2005

The same report states that geographical and occupational mobility continues to remain limited, largely as a result of a lack of awareness of rights to free movement between member states or the existing services to support such mobility. The Commission plans 2006 as the "European Year of Workers' Mobility" to be launched in February 2006.

Permits Foundation plans to contribute to both these European initiatives.
08 July 2005
Permits Foundation contributes to the EU Commission's debate on economic migration
Permits Foundation responsed in writing to the EU Commission's Green Paper on Managing Economic Migration. The Commission's consultative document was silent on the subject of work permits for accompanying spouses and partners. Permits Foundation asserts that open work permits for accompanying spouses are an essential element of a successful economic migration policy.
25 April 2005
The Netherlands: Partners of 'knowledge migrants' to work freely
A new press release from Permits Foundation
28 February 2005
The Netherlands: Partners of knowledge workers to be allowed to work freely in the Netherlands
Partners of foreign knowledge workers in the Netherlands are to be granted an exemption from the requirement of a separate work permit. This means that they can work directly without any further requirements. The exemption will be lost if the partners separate within three years.
11 February 2005
European Commission launches public debate on economic migration
The European Commission has adopted a green paper on "An EU approach to managing economic migration". Its aim is to stimulate a public debate with civil society at large, the social partners and the other EU institutions on the need to develop a comprehensive EU strategy on this issue. The Commission will organise a hearing in July 2005 and incorporate the findings of this debate in a policy plan on legal migration for the end of 2005. Contributions can be sent to the following mailbox: jls-economic-migration@cec.eu.int by 15 April 2005.

Permits Foundation will make a submission to the Commission to propose open work permits for spouses and partners.
28 January 2005
Permits Foundation will host International Dual Careers Conference, London, 10 February 2005 [UPDATE]
Permits Foundation is holding an international Dual Careers Conference on Thursday 10th February 2005 at BT Tower in London. The conference will bring together government representatives, the corporate sector and others with an interest in international mobility to consider how we can work together to bring about change in the area of spouse work permits worldwide. Attendance is by personal invitation and pre-registration is essential. If you would like to attend, please contact us directly.
17 December 2004
Brazil: Restricted residence cards for spouses of permanent work visa holders
The Federal Police has assumed a discretionary interpretation of policy that spouses are not entitled to Brazilian employment authorization in the absence of the labor market testing required for other foreign workers. We understand that this policy is not yet law and have received the information courtesy of FRAGOMEN GLOBAL IMMIGRATION SERVICES.
17 December 2004
Germany: New Immigration Act, 1 Jan 2005
The new Immigration Act will be implemented on 1 January 2005. It is a framework legislation, which will require further bylaws. The new Act is based on a broad political consensus. This consensus came about because, contrary to the original plan and the suggestions of a commission set up in 2000, immigration will not now be actively expanded, but regulated and strictly limited. On the other hand, the right of asylum will be improved and efforts to integrate foreigners markedly stepped up. Since the Federal Government had already reformed the law on citizenship, this means that the overall legal situation of foreign citizens living in the Federal Republic of Germany has been overhauled.
For assignments of less than one year, there is currently no automatic permission for family members to join the employee. However, there is discretion to issue the work authorization to the spouse who joins an employee at a later date. For assignments of more than a year, the partner will be given the same permit as the employee, which will support finding a job. The new law also introduces a special class of knowledge workers, subject to salary level.
17 December 2004
The Netherlands: Residence/work permit procedures for knowledge workers streamlined
Source: www.ind.nl (in dutch)
17 December 2004
The Netherlands: Minister Verdonk (Immigration) is considering open work authorisation for partners
See page 23 in official record of Minister Verdonk's replies to members of parliament.
Download the official record here (in dutch)
17 December 2004
Ireland: Spouse work permits eased, 2004
Details by the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Development.
publication no longer available
17 December 2004
France: Spouse work permit regulations eased, 2004
Summary in English published by the French Agency for International Investment.
Official French government Circulaire DPM/DMI n° 2004-212.
Source: www.sante.gouv.fr (in french)
17 January 2004
USA: Spousal Work Authorisation, Jan 2004
On January 16th 2002 the President of the USA, George W. Bush, signed into law two bills that allow accompanying spouses of L and E visa holders in the United States to obtain work authorisation.
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