How Immigration Trends and the Global Contingent Workforce Can Drive Business Growth

The shift to remote work, labor shortages, and globalization are reshaping immigration policy and the global contingent workforce. This has led to the rise of digital nomad visas, a growing emphasis on skills-based immigration, and a focus on talent retention and return migration, to name a few trends.

Organizations that are perceptive to these trends can leverage them to stay ahead of the competition and drive business growth.

In this article, we examine key immigration trends and the evolution of the global contingent workforce in greater depth to help organizations understand how they can capitalize on them to drive global growth.

1. Proliferation of digital nomad and remote work visas

The rise of digital nomads and remote work visas creates interesting opportunities for companies hiring a global contingent workforce. Countries like Portugal and Estonia have introduced specialized visas to attract remote workers who wish to live in their country while working for foreign employers. These visas are typically obtained and paid for by the workers themselves, allowing them to legally reside and work remotely without the need for employer-sponsored visas or the establishment of a local entity by the employer.

Here are a few ways global businesses can take advantage of that trend:

• Access global talent without establishing local entities: Companies can hire remote workers who hold digital nomad visas without the need to set up a subsidiary or branch office in the worker's country. This reduces overhead costs and legal complexities associated with establishing a physical presence abroad.
• Reduce administrative and compliance burdens: Since the digital nomad visa is obtained and maintained by the worker, the company is relieved from visa sponsorship responsibilities and immigration compliance in the host country. This streamlines the hiring process and minimizes legal risks.
• Expand talent pool and attract top talent: By embracing remote work facilitated by digital nomad visas, companies can tap into a global talent pool, attracting skilled professionals who prefer the flexibility of working from different locations worldwide.
• Cost savings on relocation and sponsorship: Employers save on costs associated with traditional expatriate assignments, such as relocation expenses, visa sponsorship fees, and ongoing immigration compliance costs.
• Enhance diversity and cultural competency: Hiring remote workers from various countries enriches the company's cultural diversity, fostering innovation and a broader understanding of global markets.

Read more about How Digital Nomads Can Contribute To Enterprise Growth

2. Shift toward skills-based immigration

Many countries are shifting toward skills-based immigration policies to address labor shortages in critical industries. Programs like Canada's Global Talent Stream, the UK's Skilled Worker Visa, and Australia's Global Talent Visa prioritize applicants with specialized skills in sectors such as technology, engineering, healthcare, and finance. These programs often feature expedited processing times and more straightforward application procedures.

How can companies leverage this trend?

• Fill critical skill gaps quickly: Companies can hire international contingent workers with specialized expertise that may be scarce in their home country, accelerating project timelines and enhancing competitiveness.
• Benefit from expedited visa processing: Skills-based immigration programs often offer faster visa processing times, reducing delays in onboarding key talent and allowing companies to respond swiftly to market demands.
• Enhance innovation and competitiveness: Access to a global pool of highly skilled professionals fosters innovation, bringing fresh perspectives and advanced knowledge to the company.
• Flexible workforce planning: Engaging skilled workers on a contingent basis allows companies to scale their workforce according to project needs without long-term employment commitments.
• Strengthen global presence and networks: International professionals can provide valuable insights into global markets, helping companies expand their networks and identify new business opportunities.

See also: Bridging the Talent Gap in AI Industry: Hiring and Managing Global Contractors

3. Return migration policies

Return migration policies are government-initiated programs aimed at attracting skilled workers back to their home countries. These policies often include incentives such as tax breaks, financial assistance, and streamlined bureaucratic processes. Companies can leverage these policies by supporting their contingent workforce’s desire to operate from their preferred locations, thereby retaining valuable talent who might otherwise leave the organization.

Here’s how global businesses can benefit from this trend:

• Support workers' relocation preferences: Allowing contingent workers to return to their home country while continuing their role remotely can help retain talent who might otherwise resign to pursue opportunities locally.
• Maintain access to skilled professionals: Supporting return migration enables companies to retain experienced workers with institutional knowledge and specialized skills critical to ongoing projects.
• Enhance global network and market insights: Workers returning to their home countries can provide valuable insights into local markets, customer behaviors, and cultural nuances, benefiting the company's international strategies.
• Demonstrate corporate social responsibility: By supporting return migration, companies show respect for workers' personal choices and contribute positively to global workforce mobility trends, enhancing their reputation as socially responsible employers.
• Reduced employment costs: By facilitating return migration, companies may benefit indirectly from government incentives offered to returning workers, such as reduced taxation or subsidies that can lower employment costs.

Case study: How Quantium retained top talent with Deel Immigration

4. Rise of global people platforms

Global people platforms like Deel are transforming how companies manage international contingent workers, especially as immigration trends shift towards digital nomad visas, skills-based immigration, and return migration policies. By offering comprehensive tools for global hiring, compliance, payroll, and immigration support, these platforms make it easier for businesses to attract, manage, and retain a global workforce.

Here’s a range of solutions offered by global talent platforms, and how they benefit companies’ bottom line.

Employer of Record (EOR)

EOR services allow companies to hire workers in countries where they don’t have an established presence by acting as the legal employer and managing compliance with local employment laws, taxes, and benefits. For companies looking to access international talent quickly and legally, EOR services offer:

• Fast access to skilled talent through alignment with skills-based immigration programs
• Localized compliance covering employment laws, taxes, and benefits
• Reduced administrative burden by eliminating the need to set up local entities

Contractor of Record (COR)

Contractor of Record, also known as Agent of Record (AOR) services streamline the compliant onboarding of international contractors, ensuring proper classification and avoiding misclassification risks. This solution is especially valuable for companies tapping into the global remote workforce through digital nomad visas. Benefits for companies include:

• Compliant contractor onboarding across multiple regions with local legal compliance
• Risk mitigation through accurate contractor classification, avoiding misclassification penalties
• Workforce scalability by hiring independent contractors without long-term commitments

Visa and immigration support

Visa and immigration support helps companies manage the complexities of work permits, residency requirements, and local immigration compliance. This is ideal for businesses needing access to international talent without delays. Key advantages include:

• Comprehensive guidance on work permits and visas aligned with skills-based immigration trends
• Assistance with immigration compliance for smooth hiring and relocation of specialized talent
• Support for relocating contingent workers where needed to fill critical skill gaps

Global payroll

Global payroll solutions simplify payments for international employees and contractors, managing multi-currency transactions, tax withholdings, and invoicing. This feature ensures timely, compliant payments for global teams. Benefits for companies include:

• Multi-currency payment capabilities to handle diverse international teams
• Automated tax compliance and invoicing for accuracy and efficiency
• Improved contractor and employee satisfaction with seamless, on-time payments

**See also: **Paying Your Contingent Workforce: Optimizing Payroll and Payment Methods

Global IT management and device support

Managing IT equipment for remote and contingent teams across borders can be complex. Solutions like Deel IT streamline device procurement, setup, and tracking, ensuring new hires are ready to work from day one. Key advantages for companies include:

• Device procurement and deployment in over 130 countries to support a global workforce
• Automated device tracking and management to maintain visibility and control over IT assets
• Secure, pre-configured devices with MDM (Mobile Device Management) for secure onboarding
• Fast setup for new hires, enabling productivity immediately upon onboarding

See also: How Deel IT Saves Time & Money at Every Stage of the Device Lifecycle

Support your contingent workforce and drive global growth with Deel

Deel goes beyond simplifying cross-border hiring—we provide seamless management of compliance, payroll, and visa processes to ensure your contingent workforce is supported wherever they are.

With built-in tools for document verification, localized contracts, and real-time compliance updates, Deel makes global mobility effortless. Whether you're scaling operations, filling skill gaps, or expanding into new markets, Deel has the solutions you need to stay agile and compliant.

Ready to scale globally? Book a demo to see how Deel can help your business grow.