Permits Foundation’s World Map
Track how and where accompanying family members of highly-skilled international employees can access work. Follow our advocacy progress.
Thank you to our sponsors
Our progress is made possible by the companies and organisations that sponsor our work in support of international dual careers.
Observer:
Welcome to Permits Foundation
Through our evidence-based representation to governments around the world, Permits Foundation promotes automatic work authorisation for recognised spouses and partners of highly-skilled internationally mobile employees. As an independent, not-for-profit corporate initiative, advocating solely and specifically on this issue, we have a deep understanding of the challenges and extensive experience of best-practice work permit policy and legislation. A triple win for host countries, employers and relocating families.
Active since
and successful in influencing change in priority global mobility destinations around the world.
More than
countries now allow direct work access for accompanying spouses or partners.
Over
of employers agree, partner work authorisation makes a country a more attractive business destination.
Find out more about how our work benefits you if you are:
Countries that authorise accompanying partners to directly access work, attract highly-skilled employees associated with international business, investment and development. Find out more on our Governments page.
Go to Governments pageFrom C-suite to Human Resources, with each success, we make it easier for you to achieve inclusive global mobility, improve talent acquisition and retention, and reduce costly administrative burden. Find out more on our Employers page.
Go to Employers pageWhen an employee is offered a job in a new country, their partner values assurance that they’ll be allowed to work directly, without uncertain and long work permit procedures. If not, health and well-being is often impacted and many families consider leaving early, or don’t even accept the appointment. Find out more on our Families page.
Go to Families PagePromoting change
Thanks to our impressive network, our evidence-based approach and our uniquely global perspective, Permits Foundation brings a proven track record of success. We engage with government representatives in writing and in person, making policy recommendations and informing legislative progress. We advocate for change in global destinations that are important to employers, including: India, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, the US and many others. Our work also helps safeguard against policy roll-back in countries where work access for dependants is currently available. Find out more about our advocacy and how we choose our priority destinations by visiting our Promoting change page.
Our evidence base
Permits Foundation’s international surveys show that where recognised family members receive direct work authorisation in a host country, a triple win occurs:
A win for governments: It makes host countries more attractive to international investment and helps to address skills shortages and demographic challenges.
A win for employers: It becomes easier for employers to attract, retain and move talent, share knowledge and expertise and support inclusive global mobility values.
A win for families: Relocating employees and families gain peace of mind, integration is eased, health and well-being is improved.
The changes we are announcing… ensure that Ireland attracts those skilled workers who might not otherwise come to Ireland if their spouse or partner cannot work.
Peter Burke TD
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment - Government of Ireland
Convincing governments to relax work permit regulations for partners will help to attract the best international employees. That’s good for families, good for business and good for host countries.
Peter Voser
Chairman of the Board - ABB Ltd.
I needed certainty about my ability to work six months before we moved. I am an asset to the economy in my host country.
Permits Foundation partner survey respondent
Our sponsors & observers
