immigration trends: what do employers think about the immigration process?

IMMIGRATIONTRENDS 2016

Mapping trends in employment-based immigration

Employers value foreign nationals

...and they’re turning to foreign nationals for a variety of reasons:

Yet hiring foreign nationals is becoming more di�cult.

employers say they’re working in a system

riddled with problems

Despite increased investment in and reliance on foreign nationals,

The immigration process is known for being di�cult, and the burden often falls on employers

as they seek out international talent to fill the skills gap at their companies. The result is a

paradox: Immigration is the problem and the solution at the same time. VISANOW Immigration

Trends 2016 reflects the insights of more than 400 employers — and although U.S.

companies find value in recruiting from abroad, the immigration process remains a headache.

but are divided on

which presidential candidate would be best to reform immigration.

Instead, almost half (49%) of employers believe that

in the next five years

technology-powered platforms and services will be the most important source for making the application process easier.

Technology powered immigration

49%51%

48%

Internal legal team

40%42%

39%

External law firm

35%37%

34%

Desktop software application

34%

45%

27%

87%of employers say they

expect their company’s foreign national

headcount to stay the same or increase during

the next year.1 in 10say his or her

company’s foreign national headcount

will decrease.

6 in 10say their company has sponsored a

foreign national for a green card.

7% 37%29% 26% 11% 41%27% 21%

13% 32%32% 23%

8% 40%23% 29% 9% 38%26% 27%

10% 40%25% 25%

Global competitivenessFill skills gap

Because it can be difficult for work-visa employees to change jobs, foreign nationals

are less likely to quit unexpectedly

Foreign nationals have knowledge of markets, business practices and cultures

outside the United States

Foreign nationals make it easier for us to attract and retain a diverse workforce

Foreign nationals bring valuable new perspectives to the way our company does business

Not at all important Somewhat important Very important Extremely important

Trump Sanders Rubio Carson BushClinton

27% 24% 16% 10% 5% 4%

...

4 in 10 employers say their company’s visa process has

become more difficult.

4 in 10 employers attribute that difficulty to increased Requests for

Evidence notices.

broken.

say

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63%

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© 2016, VISANOW.com Inc., All Rights Reserved.

Nearly 7 in 10 employers cite filling a skills gap as very/extremely important in

the decision to hire a foreign national.

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