Families
We promote a more inclusive global mobility landscape where accompanying family members of internationally mobile employees also have the opportunity to fulfil their career potential. Unless otherwise stated we use the term partner for both married spouses and civil partners.
Is your family moving
abroad
for a
career opportunity?
While this can be an exciting time, there’s a lot to consider. Often a major concern is whether both partners will be able to work in the host country.
2%
of partner respondents were considering leaving the host country due to work access restrictions.5%
of partner respondentswere not employed post relocation.4%
of organisationshad employees return early from assignments due to partner employment concerns.The good news is that more than 40 countries now allow defined categories of accompanying partners to work. Permits Foundation is proud to have played a role in this important progress, but there is more to do. In many countries, partners still face long, complex procedures or uncertainty when seeking work access. Additionally, some countries do not recognise unmarried or same-sex partners as dependants.
How does Permits Foundation help relocating families?
Permits Foundation works to convince governments that recognised accompanying partners of highly-skilled international employees should be granted direct work access. This means that the accompanying partner does not need to wait to obtain separate work permission and can work openly, for any employer or be self-employed. We welcome policy that also includes same-sex partners, non-married partners and children who reach working age during an assignment. In this way, Permits Foundation works to bring about systemic legislative and/or policy change that significantly benefits thousands of internationally-mobile families.
Answering an important question: Can I work in the host country?
If your family is considering a move abroad, as an accompanying partner, knowing in advance whether you can work while retaining your dependant status is extremely important. Our interactive World Map is here to help. You can learn where there is direct work access, whether conditions apply and if self-employment might be possible. We also show countries that recognise same-sex partners and/or non-married couples as dependants. Additionally, we show countries that authorise work access for other family members, such as children of working age. This map is intended as a helpful tool and is not legal advice.
International surveys
Permits Foundation regularly carries out large-scale international surveys and we welcome feedback from accompanying partners of highly-skilled international employees. The results from these surveys help inform our evidence-based advocacy work.
Accompanying partner = Accompanying talent
Governments and international employers are increasingly realising that policies to enable partner work access can help address skills shortages, facilitate global mobility, safeguard assignment success and improve integration. Our latest survey found that although 90% of partners were working pre-move, post-move 53% were not employed. This is despite the fact that partners of highly-skilled international employees are likely to be highly qualified themselves. In our survey, 88% had a bachelor’s or master’s degree or a PhD. In addition, accompanying partners hold experience in a range of sectors, often mirroring the skills that are needed in the host country.
Improving employee and family experience
As part of our work, Permits Foundation conveys the very human aspects of global mobility and the challenges experienced by the relocating family. Our survey found that partners of international employees who were not working in the host country were more likely to report a negative impact on their adjustment to the host country (44%), family relationships (36%), or general health/well-being (47%). Additionally, 56% of respondents said that not working negatively impacted their mental health.
Furthermore, our survey respondents indicated that maintaining two salaries is a necessity for many families, especially those living in global mobility hubs, which tend to be cities that are expensive to live in. For our partner survey respondents, 67% considered a dual income to be ‘important’ or ‘very important’ to their families.
Get involved
If you are a relocating employee or family member, you probably recognise some of the issues raised here. If you would like to help Permits Foundation:
You can register your interest in our next international dual-careers survey. Register HERE.
Share your experience. If partner work access, or the lack thereof, has impacted your family’s decision to move to or remain in a host country and you would like to relay your experience, please get in contact with us via the form below.
Talk to human resources. Employers are increasingly aware of the importance of dual careers and many offer partner support. Relocating employees can usually enquire via HR. See the ‘More Support is available’ section below.
Highlight our work within your network. Many companies don’t yet know about us. The more organisations that join Permits Foundation as a sponsor the more we can do. Sponsor information is available HERE.
Fill out our World Map poll. Where would you like to see legislative change? Help us focus our advocacy efforts by completing our World Map poll.
Behind every successful international move, there’s a partner who dares to start over. Giving them the freedom to work isn’t just fair – it’s smart. It’s what makes mobility sustainable, for families and for companies.
Armelle Perben
Founder - Absolutely French
Too often the assumption is that a dependent is just that - dependent and redundant - but more often than not they are highly skilled and experienced professionals in their own right.
Permits Foundation Partner Survey Respondent
For many young, highly-educated and mobile couples, the automatic right to work and unrestricted access to the job market for the partner is a pre-requisite condition for a move.
Permits Foundation Partner Survey Respondent
More support is available
While Permits Foundation focuses on partner work permission, we realise this isn’t the only issue that families encounter when moving abroad. Accompanying partners can face language barriers, cultural differences, loss of network, issues around professional qualification recognition, and the responsibility of setting-up the family in the new location. Thankfully, many organisations offer partner support.
Permits Foundation recommends that all employers provide an opportunity for partners to be included in employee conversations surrounding the move, particularly at the decision phase. Relocating employees can often enquire via HR. If helpful, you can reference the Permits Foundation World Map and Employers page.
Share your experience
If the issue of partner work access has impacted your family’s decision to move to or remain in a host country and you would like to share your experience, you can tell us about it via email or the contact form provided. Your feedback will be treated confidentially (and anonymously if preferred). Case examples really help us to highlight why partner work access is so important. Both positive and negative experiences are welcome!
For general enquiries
