Navigating the complex world of corporate immigration can be daunting, especially when faced with a myriad of technical terms and legal jargon. Whether you’re an HR professional managing international assignments, a business leader expanding into new markets, or an expatriate trying to understand your visa options, having a clear understanding of immigration terms is key.
This comprehensive glossary is designed to simplify corporate immigration for you, breaking down essential terms and concepts into easy-to-understand language.

Term  -  Definition
Adjudicating Authority  -  The Adjudicating Authority refers to the official body or government agency responsible for reviewing and making final decisions on visa applications.

Application  -  This is another term for “Submission” of your application, including all required documents and forms.

Apostille  -  A certification that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another country.

Assignee  -  An employee who is assigned to work in a different location for a temporary period.

Assignee Management  -  The process of managing employees who are assigned to work in a different location.

Business Permit  -  Authorisation granted by a government to conduct business activities in a specific location.

Business Traveler  -  An individual who travels for business purposes.

Business Visa  -  A visa that allows the holder to engage in business activities in a foreign country.

Compliance: Employment  -  Adherence to laws, regulations, and standards related to employment practices.

Consulate  -  A diplomatic office of a country in a foreign city that provides services to citizens of the home country.

Corporate Assignees  -  Employees who are assigned to work in a different location for a company.

Corporate Housing  -  Furnished accommodation provided by companies for their employees on temporary assignments.

Corporate Housing  -  Furnished accommodation provided by companies for their employees on temporary assignments.

Corporate Immigration  -  The process of managing immigration matters for employees moving to a foreign country for work.

Corporate Immigration Program  -  A program designed to manage immigration matters for a company’s employees.

Corporate Visa  -  A visa issued to individuals traveling for business purposes on behalf of a company.

Critical Skills  -  Skills that are considered essential for a particular industry or sector, often identified by governments as being in high demand and necessary for economic growth.

Cultural Training  -  Training that helps individuals understand and adapt to different cultures, often provided to employees relocating to a new country.

Data Compliance    Adherence to laws and regulations related to data protection and privacy.

Dependant Visa    A visa granted to dependents of a primary visa holder, allowing them to accompany the primary visa holder to a new country.

Destination Services  -  Services provided to individuals or families relocating to a new location, including orientation, housing, and schooling assistance.

Document Authentication  -  The process of verifying the authenticity of documents for immigration purposes.

Document Legalisation  -  The process of certifying a document for international use.

Document Procurement  -  The process of obtaining necessary documents for immigration purposes.

Embassy  -  The diplomatic mission of one country in another country.

Embassy Appointment  -  An appointment made to visit an embassy for visa or other consular services.

Employee Experience  -  The overall experience an employee has within an organisation, including their interactions, satisfaction, and engagement.

Enterprise Mobility  -  The use of mobile technology to improve business processes and employee productivity.

EuRA  -  European Relocation Association, an organisation representing relocation service providers.

Expatriate  -  An employee who is sent to live abroad for a defined period while remaining employed by their home company.

Expatriate Management  -  The process of managing employees on international assignments.

Foreign Labour Law  -  Laws and regulations governing the employment of foreign workers.

Foreign Talent  -  Individuals with skills or expertise sought by companies in a foreign country.

Fully Managed Move  -  A relocation service where all aspects of the move are managed by a third-party provider.

Future Work  -  The concept of how work will be performed in the future, often including remote and flexible work arrangements.

Global Mobility  -  The process of relocating employees for international assignments.

Global Workforce  -  A workforce that is spread across multiple countries, often requiring international mobility and management.

Highly Skilled Immigration  -  Immigration programs that target individuals with high levels of skill, often in fields experiencing shortages.

Highly Skilled Visa  -  A visa category that is designed for individuals with high levels of skill or expertise, often targeting professions that are in demand in the destination country.

Home Leave Trip  -  A trip back to one’s home country during an international assignment.

HR Director  -  The head of the human resources department in an organisation.

Immigration Consultant  -  An individual or company that provides advice and assistance on immigration matters.

Immigration Costs  -  Costs associated with immigration processes, including visa fees and legal fees.

Immigration Costs  -  The costs associated with immigration processes, including visa fees, legal fees, and relocation expenses.

Immigration Fines  -  Fines imposed for violations of immigration laws and regulations.

Immigration Lawyer  -  A legal professional specialising in immigration law, providing advice and assistance on immigration matters.

Immigration Lawyer  -  A legal professional who specialises in immigration law and provides advice and representation to individuals and companies navigating the immigration process.

Immigration Practitioners  -  Professionals who provide legal advice and services related to immigration.

Immigration Risks  -  Potential risks and challenges associated with immigration, including legal, financial, and logistical issues.

Immigration Stamps  -  Stamps placed in a passport to indicate entry or exit from a country.

Immigration Supplier  -  A company that provides immigration services to individuals or companies.

International Employee Relocation  -  The process of moving employees to a foreign country for work.

International Movers  -  Companies that specialise in moving goods internationally, providing relocation services for individuals or companies.

International Recruitment  -  The process of recruiting employees from foreign countries to work for an organisation.

International Transfer  -  The transfer of an employee to a foreign location for work.

Intra-Company Transfer  -  The transfer of employees within the same company to a different location, often involving the relocation of employees to a branch or subsidiary in another country.

ISO Compliance  -  Adherence to the standards set by the International Organisation for Standardisation.

Labor Market Testing  -  A process to determine if there are suitable local candidates available before hiring foreign workers.

Legal Compliance  -  Adherence to laws and regulations related to legal matters.

Legalisation  -  The process of certifying a document for international use.

Long Stay Visa  -  A visa that allows the holder to stay in a country for an extended period.

Long-Term Assignment (LTA)  -  An international assignment lasting more than a year.

Mobility Costs  -  Costs associated with employee mobility, including relocation and immigration.

Mobility Manager  -  The person responsible for managing employee mobility, including relocation and immigration.

Mobility Project Manager  -  The person responsible for managing mobility projects, including relocation and immigration.

Mobility Reporting  -  Reporting on mobility activities, including relocation and immigration.

Mobility Team  -  A team responsible for managing employee mobility, including relocation and immigration.

Partner Visa  -  A visa granted to the partner or spouse of a primary visa holder, allowing them to accompany the primary visa holder to a new country.

Passport  -  A travel document issued by a government that certifies the identity and nationality of the holder.

Permanent Leave to Remain  -  Permission to stay in a country indefinitely.

Permanent Residence Permit  -  A permit that allows the holder to reside in a country indefinitely.

Permit Check  -  A check to verify the validity of a work permit.

Points Based Immigration  -  An immigration system where individuals are awarded points based on specific criteria such as education, work experience, language proficiency, and age. Applicants must reach a minimum points threshold to qualify for immigration.

Power of Attorney  -  A legal document that gives one part, the power to act on behalf of another person.

Premium Lounge (VFS)  -  The VFS Global Premium Lounge includes: Separate lounge with personalised service by dedicated staff, refreshments, and faster submission of applications.

Professional Employer Organisation (PEO)  -  A company that provides comprehensive HR solutions for other businesses, including employment and compliance services.

Relocation Management Company (RMC)  -  A company that provides services to help individuals or families relocate to a new location.

Receiving Entity  -  A receiving entity is the local organisation or company that will be employing the individual who is applying for a work visa.

Relocation Package  -  A package of benefits provided to employees relocating for work, which may include housing, transportation, and other allowances.

Relocation Services  -  Services that assist individuals or companies in relocating to a new location, often including housing, transportation, and other logistical support.

Remote Work  -  Work performed outside of a traditional office setting, often from home or another remote location.

Remote Work Visa  -  A visa that allows individuals to work remotely from a foreign country.

Residence Check  -  A check to verify the validity of a residence permit.

Residence Permit  -  Permission granted by a government to reside in a country for a specified period.

Right to Work  -  Permission granted by a government to work in a specific location.

Scarce Skills  -  Skills that are in high demand and low supply, often targeted by governments to attract skilled workers to address workforce shortages.

Sending Entity  -  A “sending entity” is the organization or company based outside of the country of applciation, that is sponsoring or employing an individual applying for an ICT visa.

Serviced Apartments  -  Fully furnished apartments with amenities and services similar to hotels, typically used for temporary stays.

Short-Term Assignment (STA)  -  An international assignment lasting less than a year.

Social Integration  -  The process of becoming integrated into a new society or community, including adapting to social norms and building relationships.

Sponsor Licence  -  A license granted by a government that allows a company to sponsor foreign workers.

Spousal Assistance  -  Support provided to the spouse of an employee on an international assignment, including job search assistance and cultural integration.

Spousal Visa  -  A visa granted to the spouse of a foreign national to accompany them to another country.

Streamlined Immigration Process  -  An immigration process that has been simplified or made more efficient, often through the use of technology or improved procedures.

Submission  -  This is another term for “Application” where the applicant submits all required documents and forms.

Submission  -  The act of submitting documents or applications for immigration purposes.

Talent Acquisition  -  The process of identifying, attracting, and hiring skilled individuals to fulfill organisational needs.

Talent Acquisition (TA)  -  The process of identifying and recruiting skilled employees.

Talent Retention  -  Strategies and practices aimed at retaining talented employees within an organisation.

Visa  -  A document issued by a country’s government that allows the holder to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in that country.

Visa Appeal  -  The process of appealing a visa decision.

Visa Application  -  The process of applying for a visa.

Visa Check  -  A check to verify the validity of a visa.

Visa Exemption  -  An exemption from the requirement to obtain a visa for entry into a country.

Visa Extension  -  The process of extending the validity of a visa.

Visa Forms  -  Forms required to apply for a visa.

Visa Interview  -  An interview conducted as part of the visa application process.

Visa Management  -  The process of managing visas for employees traveling to foreign countries for work.

Visa Outcome  -  This is the outcome or ressult of a Visa Application. It can either be a successful application with the visa, or a rejection letter with reasoning.

Visa Parameters  -  The conditions and restrictions associated with a visa.

Visa Rejection  -  The refusal of a visa application.

Visa Renewal  -  The process of renewing a visa.

Visa Sponsor  -  A company or organisation that sponsors a foreign national for a visa.

Work Authorisation  -  Permission granted by a government to a foreign national to work in that country.

Work Endorsement  -  Authorisation to work in a specific job or occupation.

Work From Anywhere (WFA)  -  A work arrangement that allows employees to work from any location.

Work Permit  -  An official document that allows a foreign national to work in a specific country for a specified period.

Work Visa  -  A visa that allows the holder to work in a foreign country.

With this glossary, you’ll have the foundational knowledge needed to make informed decisions and ensure smooth transitions in your global mobility efforts.