Evidence base
Permits Foundation’s research is a trusted resource used by global mobility professionals and government representatives.
Permits Foundation’s advocacy is evidence based, drawing from our international surveys, feedback from our esteemed network and the country legislation compiled in our World Map. Our body of research covers the issues that impact multinational organisations, employers, highly-skilled international employees and their families today.
Permits Foundation's international surveys
Permits Foundation regularly carries out large-scale international surveys. Respondents include HR professionals working in global mobility and accompanying partners of highly-skilled international employees. Along with our country data, insights and expert analysis from our network, these survey findings form an important part of our evidence-based recommendations to government. Permits Foundation’s reports are also a valuable source of information for employers and relocating families. Our next survey is scheduled for 2026. Click here to participate.
International Dual Careers Survey (2022)
Part 1 (June 2022): Feedback from Global Mobility Professionals reflects employer views and experiences during an important period of change. It attracted responses from 128 participants from over 64 private and public sector organisations, employing almost 4.5 million people.
Part 2 (October 2022): This feedback reflects the views of spouses and partners of highly-skilled international professionals during a period where organisations, employees and their families were rapidly adapting to new ways of working. It gathered feedback from 730 spouses and partners, with representation from 67 nationalities, in 103 host countries and with 130 employers cited from both public and private sectors.
Brexit Survey (June 2018)
The Permits Foundation Brexit Survey looks at the impact of Brexit on EU citizen employees, with a focus on family members during the transition phase and beyond. It was completed by HR and mobility managers in 74 companies, research institutes and universities in the UK. The report includes several policy recommendations to the UK Home Office.
The Impact of Removing the Unrestricted Right of Dependants to Work in the UK (September 2015)
This survey of 1,063 expatriate employees was created in response to a review of the Tier 2 visa route by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) as part of a government drive to reduce immigration levels. To read all of our respondent comments, please click here.
International Mobility and Dual Career Survey (2012)
Permits Foundation surveyed over 177 leading global organisations (employing almost 7.5 million people between them) to look at the challenge of dual careers and its potential impact on business success, with some very compelling findings.
Expatriate Spouses and Partners Employment, Work Permits and International Mobility-Global Survey Summary (December 2008)
This survey examines the views of 3,300 expatriate spouses and partners, of 122 nationalities, currently accompanying international employees working in 117 host countries for over 200 employers (in both the private and public sector). The survey results provide evidence that a lack of spouse or partner employment opportunities adversely affects global mobility of highly-skilled international employees. A summary of the survey can be accessed below. The full survey report is available here.
How to take part in our
surveys
To be notified about upcoming surveys and opportunities to participate, fill out the form, or contact us directly.







