A Simple Travel Insurance can Save you a World of Pain
Do I need tickets to get on a plane? Does a pancake need eggs? Do My Overseas Employees need International Travel Insurance? The answer to all the questions is the same. Yes. Travelling without insurance is not only irresponsible but also a very dangerous endeavour. One might think that it is an unnecessary expense as in all likeliness, nothing will go wrong. The question is, what if? Would you send your employees overseas without sufficient backup?
One should think not. Let’s talk about how travel insurance came about in the first place. With a story at that. Nothing drives home a point like one. Please note that the names are changed to protect the identity of the person.
Alice was all set to proceed on her annual vacation to Bali. She was working onsite and was meeting her family there. She had booked a three-day cruise for the entire family. But she did not anticipate her family to be unable to make it to the venue because of a snow-storm back at home. She had to forgo the cruise. No point in making it alone now, is there? She could not reschedule as she could not take much time off from work again.
The only reason she managed to get back home without losing her mind was that she was smart enough to have taken travel insurance for the whole trip. That included a refund in case the flight was missed due to unavoidable reasons. Everything fell in place, and she lost a lot less than what she would have had she not taken the insurance.
The point is that no matter how planned you are, there is simply no way to predict just about everything that could go wrong. This travel insurance that you take is a pretty good fail-safe strategy that could protect you from a significant loss.
Have you wondered when this all started? This concept?
THE HISTORY OF TRAVEL INSURANCE
This is not a modern concept. It was started close to 150 years ago. Like any other insurance, there was a lot of scepticism around it before it picked up with sudden vigour. Being in a strange land and facing unexpected expenses without no proper resources, travel insurance has now become almost compulsory for any kind of trip – business or pleasure.
WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE
International travel insurance is used to cover travellers for a specific range of problems that might occur during the travel within a specified region. Different types of coverages can be combined to protect your employee. A good travel insurance agency will work towards providing high-quality care and ensuring a smooth transaction in case things do not go as planned.
WHY TRAVEL INSURANCE
The reason why travel insurance must be taken is straightforward and logical. More often than not, insurances such as health either have very little coverage or none when the insured travel beyond home boundaries. Travel insurance will cover not only the employee but also your company from incurring emergency expenses that could not only impair the project but also increase the budget multifold.
When you send an employee overseas frequently, it makes sense to purchase a multi-trip plan as opposed to the regular single-trip coverage. Do note that travel insurance is not applicable to cover long lengthy trips.
TYPES OF TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurances help you handle both medical expenses and financial losses at you might incur during travel. It helps with logistics, covers the cost of the care and ensures connection with the right centres to provide the necessary facilities. Over many years, the concept has evolved tremendously and has begun to cover various aspects and probable events. There are different types of travel insurance available today. These policies are taken irrespective of the purpose of the travel. 1) Health insurance 2) Trip cancellation 3) Loss of items due to theft and other reasons 4) Kidnapping 5) Terrorism 6) Natural disaster 7) Missed reservations 8) Cancelled flights 9) Lost baggage 10) Accidental death / flight accident
Please note: this is not an exhaustive list.
The insurance will pay for the losses incurred due to the above incidents. Take note that there are many conditions involved. For example, be wary of an agency that overprices their insurance. Take a look at the reputation of the company before you purchase a policy from them. Consider all possible events before you pick your cover.
TRAVEL INSURANCE BY CORPORATES
Globalization has led to employees being deployed for both short-term and long-term projects. A growing workforce and expansion of the business lead to international travel. A successful business trip is more than the completion of the project. It includes a hassle-free journey with no unnecessary complications.
Not all business interactions go the way they are planned. Many hurdles can be expected by an international traveller. When things go wrong in a foreign country with no sufficient backup, it is prudent to ensure that both the business and the employees are protected and covered.
BENEFITS OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR YOUR OVERSEAS EMPLOYEES
– Mitigate against unexpected emergency expenses
– Ensure that your employee is taken care of at all times
– Having travel insurance means the logistics during emergency situations is taken care of
– All paperwork is efficiently handled by the travel agency in places where the employee has no other backup
– Travel beyond the borders of the home country with no fear
Awareness of the concept and the magic of the internet has projected fears in dramatic ways. Today, various agencies provide this insurance. You can now compare prices and purchase your own policies online. The boom in the industry has increased competitiveness thereby reducing expenses. Insurance premiums have now reduced to an affordable level. It is not only less expensive today to purchase insurance, but the overall value has also improved as well. The number of add-on options that are offered by various travel insurance agencies can confuse you. But the peace of mind that accompanies with the policy is priceless.
We, at Future Focus Infotech, offer many value-added services from which you can pick what you need. Guide to accommodation. Pick up from the airport and familiarizing with the local areas and essential destinations such as the bank and the market. And of course assistance with respect to International Travel Insurance. We are here to guide and support you with everything that you need when you live in a strange land with new customs and traditions. Protect yourselves and your overseas employees from almost anything. It is worth it.
Stay ahead of the game. That is the key. Simplify international expansion. Make your global growth goals a reality.
Tips to Choose the Right Global Expansion Partners
Global Expansion, while seems like a very self-explanatory step, should not be taken lightly. Many variables that need to be taken into consideration before embarking on a worldwide journey. Companies today assume that if they are successful in their home front, they will automatically qualify for global success. That is the first, and the biggest mistake one can make.
Markets are defined by the instruments that are traded on them. They can also be determined by the people who utilize them. A marketplace brings together the people who, by trading with each other, share common interests. It can form a community. The protection of every member of this community will require a certain amount of governance.
Now that we have a better understanding of the marketplace, let’s take a look at how it plays a role in global expansion.
Obstacles during global expansion
Understanding the marketplace
Thorough knowledge of the background of the new market is important while addressing global expansion. It is more than renting a building and resuming what was done on the home territory. A connection must be established with the local audience, the prospective buyers and what sells. Having a partner who is familiar with the new territory will help bring in knowledge and skill to the dynamics. Innovation output is enhanced.
Markets are as integrated as they are unique. Fair rules on the competition, the rule of the law and property rights are vital to be accepted across the borders.
Compliance
Rules and regulations are different in different countries. Laws need to be sufficiently sound in order to preserve the integrity of the market but not taxing that it suffocates the very market. Ensuring strict compliance has an impact not only on the current project but also the company as well.
Understanding competition
Business expansion is taken up to gain a competitive edge over opponents. Understanding the existing players in the market requires expertise that your global expansion partner must be able to bring to the table. Expansion into a market where the competition does not operate often will have a first-mover advantage. This helps create strong brand awareness.
Global expansion partners and how to pick them
You need a partner who not only takes care of the logistics and the paperwork (though that is very important to the process of global expansion) but is also very knowledgeable about the various geographical locations where the business development could take place.
When the staffing partner has already established roots in the territory, a lot of advantages follow automatically. For instance, they would have an excellent network in the market that would enable the business to connect and create relationships. Knowing the right places to go and the quality of the various services available will be a big boon to the new company.
Access to new talent pools is needed by the new business. An intelligent expansion partner will have all the resources analysed and ready to be put to use for the business.
The legal requirements are not only different in each country, they also keep changing frequently. You are more than likely to miss something if you are not an expert.
What is more often than not underestimated is the culture and tradition of the new region. An employee new to a very culturally different location such as UAE might have trouble adjusting on both a personal and a professional level.
Global partners can also help businesses acquire access to various necessities such as industry ecosystems and new technologies. Take a look at the profile of your prospective Global Expansion Partner. The portfolio will speak volumes, as will the clientele and the recommendations received.
Do your research before initiating global expansion. Hire a global expansion partner with extensive expertise and experience in the field.
About us
Expansion into the global arena is a must not just for small businesses but midsized companies as well. Taking the leap of faith is essential to seek real and sustainable growth. Moving into new markets is a significant risk, and some companies choose to avoid stepping into the unknown. Solving the various obstacles that we discussed earlier aren’t the only priorities during business expansion. The internal strategies have to be taken care of as well.
That is why it is crucial to take in a Global Expansion Partner to handle activities beyond the realm on the business. Both go hand-in-hand, and it is crucial to have experts taking care of every activity. Expansion by itself is a full-time job and can be more than what the company can handle alone.
We at Future Focus Infotech have both the experience and the expertise to take you beyond your comfort zone and settle you down without constraints. Our USP is that we provide you with solutions as unique as your needs. Get your priorities in order, and we will take care of the rest. That is the smart way to explore the world.
Importance of the Employee Visa in Kuwait
Relocating to any destination is hard. Kuwait is no exception. There are pros and cons to every city. In Kuwait, the advantages are many. Good malls. Great good. Lovely beaches. And a job that hands you a good paycheck. Luxurious life and relaxed work culture. If you can get an excellent job in this part of the world, you can have a good career ahead of you.
Now, let’s talk about the currency in Kuwait – KWD and the impact it has on the employees
Kuwaiti Dinar: The price of one Kuwaiti dinar equals approximately 1,197.92 NGN. (1 KWD : 3 USD). The highest national currency in the world. With a general population about 3.1 million people, data shows that one out of seventeen people in Kuwait is regarded as a millionaire depending on this person’s income per year.
Most of the expatriates here work as employees. Some take up businesses as well. The most significant advantage of working in Kuwait is that your income is entirely tax-free. The irony is that despite not taxing the income of the population, this country is one of the wealthiest nations in the world.
Lifestyle to education, everything is of high quality. It is a relatively safe place to live in, both for expats as well as locals. Kuwait is, therefore, one of the most sought-after places to work in. Getting a job is not sufficient though. You must ensure that you have taken care of the legalities and related paperwork.
Employee Visa in Kuwait
Red tape and bureaucracy are especially harder in Kuwait. Applying for government-related services such as visa can be an ordeal. While all members of the GCC are entitled to work in Kuwait automatically without having to go through any formalities, others have to go through a rigorous process.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour has announced new rules with respect to the issue of work permits to expats. As per the latest circular issued (November 2018), the expat workers will be made to prove their competency levels by undergoing a series of tests. Fitness certificates have to be submitted to work here.
There are some key points you can take note of before applying for a visa in Kuwait
It is not wise to sign any document written only in Arabic. Ensure that a translation accompanies it.
The work permit must include the essential data such as salary, job position, your academic qualification and work experience, etc. This data is vital especially when you wish to transfer visas or resign.
Read every statement carefully. Twice. Issues are likely to crop up when there is a disconnect. The type of contract has a direct implication on the salary increase, number of days of stay, etc.
Shifting from being a domestic worker to the private sector and back before the completion of 3 years entitles a fee of KD300 to be paid.
KD350 is to be paid for a transfer from a government contract to the main file of the same employer.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour must be approached in case of salaries not received or ill-treatment. Until the case is closed, the employee should not leave the work environment.
Acceptance of resignation is compulsory.
Importance of the Employee Visa in Kuwait.
With the Ministry considering a separate department to verify the contract between the employee and the office, this visa is incredibly crucial to the employee at all counts. It speaks about his very competency level and the legality of his stay in Kuwait. The recruitment criteria, including the field of specialization, work experience and salary etc. are all part of the process with his the employee is scrutinized.
Kuwait is taking into consideration the balance of job opportunities provided for the nationals both in private as well as the public sector. The population structure must be balanced. Employee visa in Kuwait is therefore issued to those expats who hold a certificate required in various fields of specialization. This is according to the ministerial decision number 136/2001.
About us
We at Future Focus Infotech help you bring out the best in yourselves by taking care of all your logistics and legalities. You can concentrate on completing the project in Kuwait while we take care of the deployment needs for you.
Guide to International PEO Services
Growth-minded businesses look at the rest of the world as their oyster. Seeing international expansion by establishing the business in new geographical territories across borders is a time-tested way of being successful. The opportunities are plenty. The demand is high. Supply of quality services and resources low.
Different companies have different kinds of needs. While some are looking for a simple introduction into new territory, some are looking for connections that help them establish fruitful relationships. Entering into a business partnership with a new country and creating a market for yourselves there can be easier than it looks provided you have all the prerequisites for it.
PEO
The first and most important of them all is the right partner to take you beyond your comfort zone. That partner, staffing partner, is your PEO. Professional employer organization. This entity helps a company place its employee in a different country or location where the company may not have its presence or cannot directly deploy its employees. Also known as Secondment, it has a broad range of services including visa processing, relocation logistics, HR / Payroll processing, amongst others to choose from. The company can select one or more Secondment services depending on its need.
WHAT DOES A PEO DO
The utilization of a PEO is a popular and practical option for companies that operate/wish to operate on different lands. The vast difference between the state laws on the corporate registration, payroll and employment can be mind-boggling. A PEO can help identify and execute deployment of employees without the company feeling the related hassle.
The services are also used in different foreign countries for simply employment and payroll support. The client-company creates a position of a co-employer in the PEO.
Fundamentally, the hired PEO does not involve in management issues with respect to the position of the employee at work. The company, you, will retain all rights relating to the agreement with the employee, position duties, compensation and termination.
In charge of the paperwork (visa, work permit, etc.) for the employees.
In charge of compliance with the laws of the land, local contracts and protection of the rights of the employee
In charge of ensuring that the laws and regulations are broken by the employee during their stay in the country. Includes advising the client company on rules of termination, severance payments, etc.
In charge of ensuring that the stay of the employee in the country is smooth and that all the needs are met such that the project execution does not get affected.
WHY HIRE A PEO
Every country has its own unique rules and regulations related to employment, payroll conditions and work permit. Complying with the various legal proceedings has a significant impact on the future of the company. The challenge of keeping up with the laws of various lands is a major hurdle to the smooth expansion of the business across borders.
The priority of a business is to take care of the internal proceedings. It makes sense to accept what we are good at and to outsource what could be beyond our expertise. This is especially applicable to smaller businesses that have limited HR resources. The PEO is in charge of the execution of the legal and regulatory prerequisites of immigration, employment and payroll.
ADVANTAGES OF HIRING A PEO
Many companies make the assumption that they would not require a PEO. How hard can it be to book a couple of plane tickets and hotel rooms, would be the question. There is more to a PEO than what meets the eye. The benefits are immense.
An External HR support infrastructure provides the company with expertise and experience not only in the logistics but also by ensuring the right connections with the new country
The in-house key employees can be utilized for projects at home. Liaising with new countries with no personal contacts can be more than a hassle.
The risk on non-compliance of the laws of the country is reduced with an international PEO. The exposure that exists with a professional staffing company cannot be replaced by the local HR team.
A team dedicated to the activities that take place beyond the boundaries of your country leaves you with more bandwidth in your company. The HR team can work with recruitment and retention of your skilled employees. Administration work can be outsourced.
PEO does not mean you lose control over your employees. You still have the upper hand over all crucial decisions to be made.
International hurdles such as understanding the law of the land, culture and networking with the key persons are taken care of by the PEO. The employee is in safe hands overseas.
There are cost savings on hiring, employee benefits, health coverage and insurance, etc.
HOW TO PICK A PEO
Yes, the crucial decisions are still in your hands. You still need to know the PEO very well before you hire them for your overseas assignments. Here are some of the questions you can ask.
The organization of the PEO, their license, owner and controller of the PEO
The activities that they undertake
The other clients of the PEO / other contracts
The countries that they are familiar with
Litigation status
Hire a PEO. Everyone will be thankful. There are advantages in different platforms – financial, logistics and business-wise. They improve business operations and handle issues that are beyond your control. Make a financially sound decision that will not only keep your business afloat but also expand the reach beyond your comfort zone.
Create a new future by bringing a PEO onboard. Give us a call, and we can tell you a lot more. We give you various personalized packages that are as unique as your needs. Let your business thrive and reach long-term goals
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The Ultimate Guide to Help You Run Your Business in Oman
Starting a business in the GCC, especially in a country like Oman is one of the most lucrative prospects that one can come up with. Countries like these are fast and stable markets that can be ideal to launch a successful business career. With flexible and transparent procedures, the state makes for a conducive environment for business.
Top 8 tips to have a successful business overseas
1) Good knowledge of the region
One must have a good understanding of the area before venturing into business there. An extensive and thorough research must take place before finalising the location. This is vital because you must be prepared for what you could face out there. A prospective business plan cannot be made viable without taking into consideration all the factors that could affect it. This includes a thorough study of the conditions of the market and the competition you could face.
2) Right Information
Engage a partner to implement innovative ways of staffing. Questions such as how to increase resources, catering to specific requirement with respect to the job profile, employee costs regarding salary, living expenses etc. have to be answered. Get your facts correct. That is the key to a successful business anywhere.
3) Investment money
Once you have registered the business, you will be required to show that you have enough capital to go through with the investment. Have sufficient backup along with a guarantee to ensure that you can satisfy the needs and requirements of the Ministry of Commerce.
4) Local guide
A local guide with the right background can provide you with useful insights to take the business off the ground. A domestic partner will be the guide who can help you navigate. This includes the support of the local people and the government as well.
5) Local Partner
This partner will hold the majority interest and will control the business. This is a current requirement by the law and is under review in a few states. It is not necessary for him to invest in the start-up. He also has the option not to participate financially. His presence is vital though.
6) Experienced lawyer
There are no two ways about this. A lawyer is a must. He will take you through registration complexities and can protect your interests in the business. It does not matter whether the company is a small shop or a large enterprise. Setting up in specific zones like the free trade zone can have merits you can take advantage of. If anything goes wrong, you need to know the legal recourse to solving the issue. Get a professional from the outset.
7) Connect with the right authorities
The government supports the export and manufacturing industries. The local chambers of commerce can provide the right advice regarding start-ups and businesses. They are the ones to approach before you embark on your journey. Guidance and local legal advice regarding the registration formalities can be sought from the DTI, Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, the Middle East Association or your Embassy’s commercial section.
8) The Right Attitude
Attitude matters. Conducting business with the Arabs is not a piece of cake. They are firm yet polite. They are professionals who will give you the right deal. You need to be thorough in your transaction with them and transparent and with clear communication. A polite and patient attitude will help you build a good trusting relationship with them, and you will go a long way.
A point to be noted is that all of the above requires the right path to take. You can choose the help of different sources to begin the journey of a new business, or you can decide to avail the professional services of a partner who has experience and expertise in the matter. Partner with secondment providers such as Future Focus Infotech which give you smooth and convenient solutions for all your secondment related activities. Overcome the hurdles that you could possibly face while expanding your business in Oman, all in one place. Future Focus Infotech
How to Save Cost on Bench Resources?
Utilizing Bench Talent Pool of key skills is essential. Future Focus Infotech will ensure that you can have a bench and at the same time avoid cost to maintain them through a short term loaning.
That means that you can keep your resources engaged in project activities until your larger awaited contract starts through a short term loaning.
Now, why do companies have this bench?
Bench workforce is critical for a growing company. It helps your company to staff a new project quickly without waiting for recruitment. This bench plays a crucial role in landing new projects by providing Human Resource Solutions. More often than not, the projects commence immediately, and clients are not happy about waiting for you to populate your solutions.
Without a bench, the company would not be able to provide resources to the project. What you as a company should also appreciate is the fact that there are resources, both time and money that goes into maintaining this bench. This cost is not a small amount as we are talking about trained and specialized skill waiting idle, to be pulled into a project.
This is where we come in.
We at Future Focus Infotech are here to tell you how to save this cost that you spend on your bench resources. Just because your bench is not occupied, it does not mean that they should be idle. True that your company does not have a project suitable for them at the moment. What if we tell you that it is not the only solution.
We can provide you with various other projects that your resource could find extremely beneficial. The amount of exposure is incredible. Get connected with global visionaries and entrepreneurs. And the best benefit of them all, you are earning money from your bench.
The talent and skill that is wasted waiting for a project is not only being put to use but is nourished and groomed in the process. You do not have to feel bad about the number of your precious resources on your bench. Ensure that you have enough talent to receive potential projects. Put this talent to good use and bring in experience and fame to your company.
Accelerate your business by ensuring a strong bench utilization. Save costs by loaning this bench to other companies. It is a win-win situation.
The Journey of Employee Overseas Deployment
As a company, our success is defined not just by the number of projects we have managed to win but also how successfully we have accomplished it with a maximum margin of profit. End of the day, we are all profit-oriented entities. While customer satisfaction is one of the primary goals, the balance sheet is what we need to look at to see where we stand in the bigger scheme of things.
On the journey to complete a project overseas, various factors need to be considered. Overseeing of even one aspect could prove catastrophic not just to the project but the reputation of the concerned employee and the future of the company as well. We realised this early in the game.
One of our first projects was in Dubai. We were very excited to have landed a good deal in what we believe is the land of opportunities. Ignorance is a word more appropriate in this scenario than error. As a professional IT startup, we knew all that was required concerning the necessary software and the number of resources needed to complete the project. Where we did make a mistake was in the budget. We grossly underestimated the expenses that could occur during the three-month stay of our staff in the UAE.
What resulted was that we could not go back to the client with an increased cost. We bore the extra expenses, but we learnt a big lesson. As an IT expert, we knew what we had to do. Concerning other aspects of deployment, we happily accepted that we were in new territory and handed over the reins to a professional expert who took care of all the details.
We are now truly aware of the ongoings of deployment. Where we did need much help was acclimatising the employee to the new environment. Since he needs to concentrate on the project at hand, the other activities that become part of his stay must be taken care of in a smooth manner. He cannot afford to run around with bank documents and proving himself to customs. The project cannot get completed with perfection with a sword hanging over his head.
We were introduced to Future Focus Infotech, and we had a thorough talk with them about what will be taken care of at their end concerning the deployment of our employee overseas. We were very impressed with the level of intricacy that they paid attention to and to what extent they go to, to avoid inconvenience to the employee.
The first step is the induction. They speak to the employee on every activity that he has to complete not just after crossing borders but while on the homeland. This includes documentation, relevant medical tests and attestations required on the travel papers. They also noted down details such as emergency contacts that one would easily overlook. Background services of the staff to be deployed is also performed on request.
Different countries have different kinds of visas for separate occasions. Future Focus Infotech offers special consultation services that help the company and the employee procure the right visa the right way.
Documentation is another significant process. It is more than a passport and a visa. It includes papers to prove that you have completed the necessary medical tests and have the right bank balance. The induction process with Future Focus Infotech enlightened us with everything that we need to do before we even apply for the visa.
It is vital for the employee to know that even though he has completed all the relevant processes and had all the documents, he must have the important ones in his possession at all times. At any point, he must not be caught unawares leading to uncomfortable situations.
Informing the employee with all the data concerning his remuneration, payroll details, etc. creates a sense of transparency and a feeling of trust between the employee and the onsite employer.
After reaching the new country, the employee is received at the airport and informed of everything that he needs to know to live comfortably. He is shown the possible residential places and nearby locations such as banks and hospitals. Living alone in a foreign land can be hard for an employee. This act is vital to his convenience.
In case of emergencies or inability of the employee to complete his project, GOLHS offers replacement services so that the project is not affected. This, from a company’s point of view, comes as a significant relief.
LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST, the employee is introduced to the partner in the local region. He knows that where there are no friends and family, there is one particular face that he can resort to in case of emergency. That is the beauty of enlisting the services of a professional staffing partner. With every other non-project activity taken care of, the employee can concentrate on what truly matters – the very purpose of his trip onsite.
A staffing partner takes care of more than just paperwork. It is an end-to-end service provided by the expert to ensure that the deployment is a smooth and hassle-free journey. Get the right staffing partner and complete your project successfully.
Work permit and Visa in Saudi Arabia
You have decided to cross borders and relocate in foreign lands. You have applied for a job and have received the offer letter. You must commence preparations to move lock, stock and barrel.
You must be aware of all the documents you need to be filed and formalities you need completing.
If the title confuses you, then you definitely need to read this. The paperwork involved when you want to enter another country is mind-boggling, yes but there are some basic requirements for every nation. And they are not likely to be the same. Every country would want different things. The needs of each country would also change in time. No one said it’s easy, but the rewards are multi-fold.
In this blog, we are going to talk about two particular requirements in one specific nation: Work permits and Visa in Saudi Arabia.
And just so that you know, there is a world of difference between a work permit and a work visa.
The difference between the two is that the visa is a document acquired when you enter a specific country. A work permit is an employment letter issued by an employer to the employee needed for entering the country. The immigrant visa allows the immigrant to procure residence and work.
Work permits and Visa in Saudi Arabia
All foreign employees must have the proper work permits and visa in Saudi Arabia, as established by the immigration laws. Work permits are secured for employees and sponsored by an entity that is licensed and incorporated locally. Countries new to the territory would find it harder to establish connections and get the documents filed in time. It is prudent to get on board with an entity who is familiar with the nuances of the legalities. It helps being prepared for what is expected not just on a generic level but with specific countries as well.
Work Permits
A work permit is a legal document that is issued by the national or international company that outsources professionals, technical staff, etc. from other countries. A job can only be changed only when the employee leaves the country and returns with another work permit.
Visa
Visa is a legal document that is issued by the immigration authorities who are present at the immigration office. The immigration officials reserve the right to allow the person or deny entry to the country.
Points to be noted
– A Visa: Travel document to enter into the country
– A work permit: Job authorization letter from the company.
– Different countries apply different rules and regulations on the visa and work permit documents.
– Depending on the law of the country, the employee carrying a work permit or visa document is allowed to move anywhere in the country without any restrictions. Countries like Saudi Arabia grant limited access to the holders of the visa.
– Visa and work permit have an expiry date. Keep an eye on its renewal at all times.
– Work permits are usually distributed for free. Some companies would even pay all the expenses for their qualified employees.
– The Immigrant visa holder is eligible for citizenship and must comply with the law of the country.
It is critical to note that each country has a workflow. The same applies to Saudi Arabia as well. It also varies from which country you are from, where you are going, your job description and your length of stay.
Application of work permit and visa requires competence and expertise . Future Focus Infotech, a complete global employment organization brings to you:
1.Candidate screening
2.Customer documentations
3.Local travel partners choice for immigration
4.Post visa preparation
5.Payroll and legal deductions
As deployment agency, we go through the above workflow and handle the intricacies involved for each country.
Payroll is an integral part of all organizations. If your company does not meet the standards of various acts and legislation, you are bound to run into a mountain of problems.
There are 2 critical points with respect to payroll that you should keep an eye on
Knowledge : Understanding current law and being aware of the latest updates, changes in the renewal and additional documents Payroll deductions: Government-mandated payroll deductions such as health insurance that could be revised at any time
Non compliance to above will result in legal suits and we at Future Focus Infotech can prevent it.
We at Future Focus Infotech are a Global Employment Organization that provides you with deep expertise concerning all areas of migration to Saudi Arabia. Our investment in the best talent brings to you various customized solutions that cater to all your business needs. Contact us now to receive clear and practical Human Resource Solutions in Saudi Arabia.
Got an RFP to Quote for in the GCC Heres all the Additional Detail You Will Need
Mobilising the right resources globally has become the norm of the day for successful execution of projects. The practice is not only accepted, but it is also appreciated and welcomed. When employees cross borders to work in foreign territories, it is a win-win situation for all the parties concerned – the employee, the current employer and the client. Bringing together intelligent minds from across the world can only lead to a profitable venture. When a response is created to an RFP, it is essential to take into consideration all the factors that play a role in the successful completion of the project. This includes the technical solution and the deployment of the appropriate resources for its execution across the required locations. While the company takes care of the technical aspects of the project, it is only correct that the resource deployment be handled by an expert.
A technical company would not be aware of all the nuances regarding the ongoings of travel and relocation of an employee in a different geography, say the GCC. The consequences of an error in this regard is catastrophic. There would be issues in terms of resource deployment time, budget and thereby impacting the customer satisfaction and overall profitability of the project. It could also lead to not only suspension of the project, but the employee could find himself deported, or worse arrested.
While submitting the RFP, all the costs that are involved in the execution of the project are included. This means the exact costs that would be incurred by the employee during his relocation and stay in the new region must be made aware of. Creating a precise budget is vital to the success of the project. When the expenses are increased, especially due to unawareness, it leads to lower profitability or loss on the project and can create stress on the company as a whole. Ignorance is no longer an excuse today.
Specialist Staffing Partners today provide Pre-sales / RFP support as a value added service to their customers. These partners bring to bear all their experience in the geography with regards to staffing to help technology companies calculate the correct cost for execution and also provide guarantees to execute the same when the project is awarded. This allows technology companies to focus on what they do best – technology solution and not worry about understanding the staff deployment, payroll and compliance in the concerned geography.
Let us take an example of a technology company bidding for transformation of an ordering system in Oman. The company has built an ordering system several times in the past and knows all the intricate details of what needs to be done and how it should be approached. They understand how the project should be planned and the requirements collected. They have experienced people who have done this and who can do this project seamlessly. They also understand how many people should travel and stay at Oman for successful execution All of this, is a piece of cake.
What about the deployment process? That is unchartered territory for them, isn’t it? How would they know to make those arrangements? It would be a significant risk on their part to rely simply on information available on the internet and use this to plan visa, travel, deployment time and cost. Assigning people to serve onsite involves preparing him for the travel and the stay. Knowledge about the local region needs to be extensive. Logistics and necessary requirements such as accommodation, travel within the city and bank account has to be taken care of, none of which comes easy. These may not be required for the RFP response but unless this is thoroughly understood and explained, the employee travelling will not be at ease. The employee will also end up spending significant time post relocation to adjust to the country and its culture.
It takes a professional staffing partner with the right knowledge, connections and well established processes in locations such as Oman to give you the right advice and explain what is required to successfully execute the project
For instance, the visa. Several visas will suit your needs of the company responding to the RFP. The question is – which Oman/GCC Visa is right for you? When you visit the country on work, you need to ensure that you have checked all the right boxes. You need to know everything that there is to know about visas. It is not possible to keep track of all the changes made by the concerned authorities. That is why you need to reach out to an expert who will guide you through all the formalities.
If you think you are prepared for everything that can go wrong, you would be surprised. Take a look at the pain points below.
1) Information
You must have all the data at your fingertips before you sign the contract. A miss does not lead to just a waste of time, but it will cost you extra. The wrong information can result in deportation as well. A lack of clarity in the set-up process is one of the most significant hurdles you can find in a foreign country.
2) Expense
The initial budget set is more than likely to be underestimated or exaggerated if you do not have the right information. Additional expenses could also be the result of an underestimated budget. The actual costs could be much higher than expected especially if you have never been to UAE and don’t know what to expect.
3) Cultural values
Living in a land whose value system is very different can be a little difficult for someone new. The availability of resources such as specific food can prove to be tricky, causing an increase in the costs. A culturally sensitive city such as Dubai frowns upon various practices that could send the employee behind bars. What not to do is very important to know. All this could be overlooked by someone who does not have the necessary background information in the UAE.
4) Local Laws
Countries have stringent laws with regard to foreigners residence – It is critical to follow all these rules to the dot. For example, Oman rules stipulate that the foreigner must report himself to a competent authority before and up to 7 days of arrival for visitors and 30 days for residents. Failing to do so, can be serious. Now, unless you know how long will this process take, who is the competent authority, where should the employee meet him and do they speak English at this center are important questions – Without sufficient guidance, the employee who has just landed in the country will be clueless and will be swamped trying to solve this in the first week. This would mean, he will miss making his best impression with the client in the first week.
5) Importance of travel
Transport and commute in the GCC are not as easy as it sounds. These costs are likely to go up as well in time and would not have been taken into account in the initial budget. These are the costs that could break your back in the end.
Why Future Focus Infotech
Future Focus Infotech is a professional staffing partner that tends to the requirements of a company during deployment of its employees overseas. There is a lot of red tape and bureaucracy involved. While documents and paperwork play a significant role, there is a process that has to be followed without which everything could fall apart. The project would fail even before it can take off.
Immigration rules can hang over the Indian IT companies like a sword. With fee hikes and last minute additional red tape and bureaucracy, you cannot afford to be caught unawares. Don’t let the costs stop you from making your dream come true. Be prepared because that is whom the chance favours
Legal Requirements for Payroll in UAE
A rapidly growing economy has made regions such as the UAE to realise the importance of welcoming foreign nationals. Global companies have also been exploring various opportunities here by pursuing projects and establishing franchises. Destination Middle East is the call for the day. There are six Gulf Cooperation Council states Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The benefits are immense.
Tax-free salaries
High Quality of life
Multi-cultural workforce
Plenty of work opportunities
Work packages with benefits such as insurance and 30 days of vacation per annum
Strategic location geographically
Trade free zones
Legal Requirements for payroll in UAE
UAE is a federation comprising of seven regions and more than nine million people. The free market economy welcomes foreign investments and creates employment opportunities thereby enabling the growth in the countries. Doing business here has become more comfortable with infrastructure and 100% foreign ownership possibilities.
What we as expats need to know are the legal requirements for payroll here. Navigation through the regulations is incredibly labour intensive. Regular amendments in the conditions can cause quite a hassle to the companies, non-compliance of which can cause serious consequences. Incorporating UAE regulations into global payroll strategy is key to organizational success.
There are specific rules concerning payroll and taxation in the UAE. This depends on whether your company employs foreign nationals or locals. UAE pays additional attention to the locals, and this is an excellent way to ensure that there is a balance the employment ratio.
There are little corporate tax concerns in the UAE with no social security for expats, no payroll tax, and no statutory pension contributions for expats.
The incorporation
Incorporation of business will involve various processes, the approval timelines of which will depend on the type of entity. While a body in the free-zone can ordinarily be incorporated within two to three weeks, registration outside a free-zone can take up to three months. A formal entity is established to process the UAE payroll. All formalities are ideally completed during the establishment of the body.
Employment law
UAE Employment law applies to both foreign and national workers. The newly hired have to sign off on a Federal Labour Contract that is registered with the Ministry of Labour. This must be done in time for the application of the visa for the foreign employees.
Working Hours
The domain of the organization ideally dictates the standard work week and the working hours. It also depends on the education and title of the employee. The public sector, for instance, works from Sunday to Thursday. Private businesses set their schedules based on the shifts. An 8-hour working day with a 48 hour maximum per week is the ordinary work week.
Compensation
While education dictates the minimum wage, the payment transfer must be processed through UAE’s electronic salary transfer system known as the Wages Protection System (WPS). Probation period stands at a maximum of 6 months.
Compensation is paid for overtime (when working hours exceed 48 hours per week). Working on Friday ( day of rest) entitles the employee to a substitute day of rest or an overtime pay of time and a half. Women are not required to work night shifts.
Termination
Termination warrants for mandatory pay. Exceptions include quitting without adequate notice and termination for a cause such as violation of company policy. Completion of one year or more entitles the employee to twenty-one days of severance pay towards each of the first five years in service along with thirty days of payment for every additional year.
To enter the UAE, it makes good sense to be aware of the legal compliances in the region. Ignorance is not an excuse. Hiring a Global Employment Organization will enhance your ability to achieve success and stay updated on all the critical guidelines with respect to the payroll.