When is a visa needed?
Short stay vs. long stay
The need for a visa or work permit depends on the assignment duration, the destination country, and the nature of the activity.
Short stay (< 90 days)
Meetings, conferences, business negotiations. Often covered by a business visa or visa exemption depending on nationality.
Long stay (> 90 days)
Secondment, long-term assignment, expatriation. Generally requires a work permit and long-stay visa.
Business visa vs. work permit
What changes based on duration and assignment
A business visa authorises entry into the territory for short-term business activities. A work permit is required as soon as the employee performs locally remunerated productive work.
Business visa
Authorises meetings, negotiations, training, and events. Does not permit local employment.
Work permit
Required for any productive activity on-site: service delivery, project management, technical assignment.
Secondment & intra-company transfer
International secondment rules
Posting an employee abroad is subject to a specific legal framework, both for the employer and the employee.
Key destinations
Requirements by destination
Each country has its own visa and work permit rules. Here is an overview of the most requested destinations.
United States
B-1 (business), L-1 (intra-company), H-1B (skilled work) — lengthy procedures, employer sponsorship required
United Kingdom
Standard Visitor (business), Skilled Worker Visa — post-Brexit points-based system
China
M-Visa (business), Z-Visa (work) — official invitation required, multi-step process
India
Business Visa, Employment Visa — online application (e-Visa for some nationalities)
United Arab Emirates
Visit Visa, Work Permit — local entity sponsorship, fast processing
Singapore
Employment Pass, EntrePass — transparent online system, 3-5 week processing
Employer obligations
What you must guarantee
As an employer, you bear legal responsibility for the compliance of every international trip.
Verify the right to stay and work in the destination country before departure
Retain copies of permits and authorisations throughout the assignment (+ 5 years)
Complete mandatory prior declarations (secondment, A1, etc.)
Track expiry dates and anticipate renewals