GLOBALmobility
IMMIGRATION &logistics
“We are thrilled to receive recognition for our USA, China and Singapore offices through the AI awards. We have worked countless hours and facilitated thousands of employee transfers abroad. It is truly an honor to be recognized by these awards.� - Andrea Elliott, Pro-Link GLOBAL
Law Offices of James A. Bach
www.acquisition-intl.com/2015-global-mobility-immigration-logistics-awards
GLOBALmobility
IMMIGRATION &logistics
foreword Welcome to AI Magazine’s 2015 Global Mobility, Immigration & Logistics Awards. As the world’s economy continues to prosper and companies flourish at a phenomenal pace, key to driving this success is the ability to move highly skilled workers to all four corners of the globe. Recent economic growth has not only maintained but reinforced expansion and improvement across the entire mobility, immigration and logistics arena, and in turn, healthier economies have helped businesses to thrive, with both personal and employee migration levels soaring. The prestigious Global Mobility Immigration and Logistics Awards shine the spotlight on the firms and individuals that allow businesses to transcend traditional boundaries, open the doors to newfound heights and progress beyond expectations. Honouring professionals operating across the entire corporate spectrum, these awards are a result of months of research by our dedicated awards team who endeavour to ensure that all awards are based 100% on merit and are distributed to only the most deserving professionals in this exciting sector. So to find out who are the leading lights in this industry are, please read on…
contents AutoSource
BENCHMARK
Law Offices of James A. Bach
LRG LAWYERS
Award for Excellence in Auto Transportation Solutions - USA / Page 4
Best for Warehousing - India / Page 6
Most Trusted Employment Law Attorney - California / Page 8
Award for Excellence in Business Sponsorship Visas - Australia / Page 10
Pro-Link Global
Bird & Bird
DDK Law
Int. School Augsburg GmbH
Best-in-Class Global Immigration - USA / Page 12
Business Immigration Law Firm of the Year - UK / Page 14
Award for Excellence in Investment Immigration - California / Page 16
Best Global Mobility Education Institution - Germany / Page 18
Katsaros and Associates
Lexicon Relocation
Markony
Matthews
Most Trusted Employer Sponsored Visas Specialist - Australia / Page 20
Best Global Mobility Service Provider - Hong Kong / Page 22
Best Business Immigration Firm - Bulgaria / Page 24
Best for US Immigration Matters - Canada / Page 26
Nossa Law Office
Orgain Bell & Tucker, LLP
Paragon Relocation - USA
Parker Rhodes Hickmotts
Best Temporary Work Visa Specialists - Texas / Page 28
Best Immigration Law Firm - Texas / Page 30
Best for Global Mobility Consulting Services - Texas / Page 32
Best Regional Immigration Law Firm - UK / Page 34
Residency Bond Program Ltd.
Scarborough Law, L.L.C
Sustained Excellence in Investment Immigration - Hungary / Page 36
Best Immigration Compliance Specialists - USA / Page 38
Global Mobility, Immigration & Logistics Awards 2015 / 3
GLOBALmobility www.acquisition-intl.com/2015-global-mobility-immigration-logistics-awards
IMMIGRATION &logistics
Award for Excellence in Auto Transportation Solutions – USA Best-in-Class Personal Transportation Services - USA
International AutoSource International AutoSource is an industry leader providing the expatriate/foreign national, executive and global assigned community with personal transportation solutions. Their programs offer value-added solutions with award-winning customer service. We spoke to them to find out more.
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IMMIGRATION &logistics
Name: James Krulder Email: Jkrulder@intlauto.com Web Address: www.intlauto.com Address: 175 Crossways Park Drive West Woodbury, NY 11797 Telephone: +1 516.496.1810
We provide the global community with personal vehicle financing and leasing solutions with no local credit history. The car financing and leasing solutions are available to Expats/foreign nationals relocating to the United States, UK, Canada or Japan. Alternatively, if you are relocating on a shorter-term assignment, our all-inclusive, full-service rental car program is available in 13 countries. The strongest part of our business is service, service, service! While we always offer a competitive price and value to our customers, clients and partners, our service and commitment to our customers’ satisfaction is what will always put us above the competition. Our team members all have an in-depth understanding to the challenges that our expatriate customers face. There is also a great deal of empathy, which helps them, help our customer, through the many details associated with obtaining transportation in a new country. It is an exciting time to be in the global mobility and relocation industry. Globalization has opened the world to new opportunities, greater resources, and mobile talent. The relocation and global mobility industry is not an overnight business of customers you see once. You are building lifelong relationships that require understanding and communication. The entire IAS team has committed ourselves to be the #1 choice for personal transportation in the global community. In our experience, the global mobility industry is continually changing. With global relocation on the rise, the world is both getting smaller and larger at the same time. New advances in technology have allowed people to have more information at their fingertips instantly. To ensure we are continually to exceed the expectations of our clients and customers we always look for new ways to improve and expand our programs to provide the best possible solutions to the expat community. Each country is unique, and in the United States, each state is unique. As an expat driving in a new country it is about much more than just buying a car. There are so many aspects to consider, and what holds true in one country, may not in another. We take on the challenge of specializing in navigating all the details of getting on the road, so we can alleviate these challenges for our customers. It feels wonderful to win these awards! We are truly excited that we have been selected for not only one, but two Awards. This year we are celebrating our 20th Anniversary, and now we have so much more to celebrate! The awards are appreciated, but to be recognized by the experts that encompass so many aspects of global mobility, it is a motivator, it makes us push harder and want to exceed the expectations of the industry. It becomes the standard for our performance, and should for all other organizations. To use phrase, “it sets the bar.” We have been given this award because of the variety of our programs and detailed processes. We ensure all our customers understand the landscape and offer them choices to select which program best fits their needs. Customer excellence is embedded in our company’s culture. We owe our success to our outstanding and dedicated team of professionals who continuously strive to add value to our customers, as well as our organization. We owe this award to our partners. We have aligned ourselves with organizations that are like-minded and committed to providing solutions for the global mobility industry. We are an agile organization, which lends itself to seeing challenges and creating solutions. We have been able to provide programs and services that are a direct response to the needs of those relocating worldwide. Looking towards the future, our continued growth is, of course, our mission. It is our goal to be a provider for life to these assignees. As the industry changes, we change as well. Our social media is stronger than ever. We are also adapting to meet the changing technological advances and trends of the globally mobile. We will continue to exceed expectations!
Global Mobility, Immigration & Logistics Awards 2015 / 5
GLOBALmobility www.acquisition-intl.com/2015-global-mobility-immigration-logistics-awards
IMMIGRATION &logistics
Best for Warehousing - India
BENCHMARK SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD. BENCHMARK SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS are a 3 PL company with key focus on warehousing, transportation-distribution, international freight forwarding, custom clearance , supply chain consulting and project logistics. We spoke to them about their company, as well as the many challenges facing them in the logistics industry.
OPIS Zagreb / Shutterstock.com
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IMMIGRATION &logistics
Company: Benchmark Supply Chain Solutions Pvt Ltd Name: Mr Alok TRipathi Email: info@benchmark-supplychain.com; alok@benchmark-supplychain.com Web Address: www.benchmark-supplychain.com Address: C-398 J K Plaza Sector 7 Ramphal Chowk, Dwarka, New Delhi, India
We are a 3 PL company offering global and cost effective freight solutions with a key focus on warehousing, transportation-distribution, international freight forwarding, custom clearance, supply chain consulting, project logistics with specialised industrial cargo solutions and benchmark learning center. We provide excellent services to our global customers, meeting and exceeding their global supply chain needs through unparalleled commitment on quality in our systems and people. Powered with cutting-edge technology, we ensure that your transport and storage requirements and inventory management needs are met while providing real-time visibility at all levels to help you control your logistics costs, stock levels, streamline purchases and improve your order cycle time. Along with the growth of global trade, the logistics industry has also evolved over the years. The industry has become truly global in the sense that most of the companies have now grown from single point location to companies with multiple locations with both national and overseas presence. A multinational freight forwarder can involve more in the supply chain of enterprises and offer more value-added services. Over the years industry has attracted more educated professionals leading to higher standards of professionalism. Also there is increased awareness amongst the corporate players that a forwarder can beat the cost when compared to them doing and managingall internally. At one time, it was enough for freight forwarders to move cargo on time from one destination to another. Whilst the major responsibility of the forwarder still remains the same, the globalisation and expansion of larger firms means that most companies today have to be self-reliant to provide a complete spectrum of all logistics needs across the world. The increase in international shipping, furthered by global mobility (categorised by the employment of factories abroad as a cost cutting technique), new technology tools, enhanced security regulations, demanding consumers required the necessity of a development of a sophisticated handling system. In a global scenario customers benchmark our services in India against the best players in the world. Today the customer expects reduced delivery timings .They demand a state of art warehousing and distribution. They also demand IT enabled real time information systems about the movement of goods. Freight forwarders have to match the best global standards to retain their business. The introduction of Pallet network enabled the industry to adapt to the fluidity of e-commerce, providing greater customer service, as the customer could now track and watch shipments online. The adoption of best logistics practices has meant better control over delivery times, reductions in freight forwarding costs and move towards better customer service. Benchmark has emerged as a recognized national leader in supply chain consulting, analytics, and market intelligence. Our mission is extremely simple: To enable companies in capturing the maximum value from their supply chain. Equipped with end-to-end supply chain expertise, we facilitate supply chain transformation at every planning horizon of our clients – strategic, tactical, and operational – and across multiple domains. The spectrum of our specialties include Supply Chain Design, Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), Logistics Operations, Transportation, Service Supply Chain, and Packaging Optimization. With locations across India and overseas we serve companies across the world in a borderless fashion. We believe in innovative services and we are one of the very few companies in our region that provides an integrated solution encompassing Logistics, re-engineering of business processes and floor plans, automation through material handling equipment and IT. We take great pride in the capabilities generated by the firm in designing and operationalising complete supply chain structures of our clients from the ground up. Our core differentiation from our competitors happens to be our unique Decision Making approach — employing specialized knowledge, well researched content and powerful technologies to support decision-makers with objective insight. The logistics cost in India is rated amongst the highest compared to other developed countries. The poorly developed infrastructure in the country is the root cause of delays, bottlenecks, increased transactions costs and overall escalation of logistics costs. The new Government in India has targeted the cause headstrong and has initiated many schemes to boost the investments in infrastructure. Another major road block faced by the industry is the fragmented and disintegrated structure of the logistic industry. There is need for an integral approach of all players and this integral approach will benefit all logistic players. The increased global competition is forcing the companies to align, consolidate and match the global standards. All these are positive signs and Indian companies are fast adopting to compete globally. We are working in an industry that is in a constant state of flux and it is growing more competitive with each passing day. Since its inception, our company has witnessed substantial growth. All this growth and success have contributed towards the company’s increased confidence and has enabled us to enhance our activities towards progressively developing a wide network of customers on a global scale. In the current economic scenario, increased market awareness through consistent media exposure is the best way to let your potential customers know what you can do for them and how well you can do it. A globally recognised award like this will definitely bring more credibility to our statements and commitments. In this highly competitive world the award brings a recognition both domestic and internationally and gives a cutting edge to the company like ours which is aiming to be a globally recognised brand. For a sunrise industry like logistics more of such rewards and recognition are required to generate the awareness and grant support to growing companies. It is definitely a moment of great pride to achieve this coveted and prestigious award. It also reinforces our commitment to work with increased zeal to achieve higher benchmarks year on year.
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GLOBALmobility www.acquisition-intl.com/2015-global-mobility-immigration-logistics-awards
IMMIGRATION &logistics
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Most Trusted Employment Law Attorney - California
Law Offices of James A. Bach Located in the heart of the San Francisco Financial District, the A/V rated immigration Law Offices of James A. Bach has decades of experience providing trusted legal services such as H-1B visas, labor certifications, EB-1 petitions, investor visas, and the entire range of employment- and family-based immigration solutions. We spoke to them about their company, and the thriving US technology sector.
Company: Law Offices of James A. Bach Name: James A. Bach, Esq. Email: info@immilaw.com Web Address: www.immilaw.com Address: The Shell Building, 100 Bush Street, 19th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA Telephone: (001) 415-248-3100
Our law practice is based on employment-based immigration to the United States of America. Currently there is a booming economy in the US technology sector, and employers are scouring the globe for talented engineers and scientists. Mobility to the US was previously determined by the economy, by supply and demand. Skilled workers migrated to the US because of job availability, or did not migrate when there was a tight US economy. Now, the mobility of professional workers to is limited by arbitrary quotas for both H-1B visas and immigrant visas. As a result, demand for skilled workers in the US remains high. The US is at the cutting edge of science and technology, and is where the world’s top engineers, software developers, and scientists want to be. We are a boutique firm that provides a very high level of service to our clients, as well as expertise developed over decades. Our practice is to return emails and phone calls within hours, and we are very accessible to our clients. Because of our attention to details and superior work product, we enjoy a high level of success. Over the decades, we have grown our reputation for skill, integrity and success. In just the past year, we have litigated a precedent-setting case with the Department of Labor, released a new edition of a book on US immigration law for employers, and presented seminars and lectures on immigration law and legal ethics. In our experience, there are many incompetent, inexperienced, or uncaring businesses that claim to offer immigration expertise, and the Global Mobility vetting process can give some assurance to potential clients that they are in good hands. Our goal is to scale our law practice to continue to provide exceptional service to our existing and new clients, while resisting the temptation to grow to the point where it compromises efficiency and expertise. We offer an alternative to large firms that may not be as flexible and service-oriented, and to firms that hire inexperienced attorneys and paralegals, who learn on the job by making mistakes with their clients’ cases. As for the Gobal Mobility award, we appreciate the recognition, and will continue to strive to deserve the trust of our clients and the government agencies we work with.
Global Mobility, Immigration & Logistics Awards 2015 / 9
GLOBALmobility www.acquisition-intl.com/2015-global-mobility-immigration-logistics-awards
IMMIGRATION &logistics
Award for Excellence in Business Sponsorship Visas – Australia
We spoke to the firm’s Director and Principal Lawyer Louisa Ryan, to find out more about her and her successful law firm and, specifically, what has led to this most recent award win which award has recognised the outstanding success of LRG Lawyers on both a national and international level.
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IMMIGRATION &logistics
First of all, how does it feel for LRG Lawyers to receive this Award for Excellence? We are very proud to achieve this award and it is testament to the excellent work and results we achieve each and every day. Tell us about the work that your law firm does We provide premier business, corporate and individual immigration legal advice. We represent corporate clients across a diverse range of industries, as well as individual clients from all across the world. We are sensitive to cultural issues and varying business needs and counsel our clients on expert and tailored legal, business and visa solutions that best align with their respective corporate and personal goals. Whether it be providing immigration legal advisory work to businesses or individuals, preparing visa applications or representing clients on review or appeal of unfavorable immigration decisions, our team at LRG Lawyers works tirelessly with hundreds of businesses and individuals to ensure that the best possible outcome is achieved.
Company: LRG Lawyers Name: Mark Ryan Email: info@lrglawyers.com.au Web Address: www.lrglawyers.com.au Address: Suite 219, Level 2, 111 Harrington Street, Sydney 2000 NSW Telephone: 02 8084 2142
What separates LRG Lawyers from other law firms and competitors? We understand that every business has its own ethos; what separates us is that we stay true to, and firmly believe in, our core values of integrity, transparency and accountability. Importantly, we add value to businesses and individual clients by taking away the cumbersome legal work load inherent in the complex and ever changing Australian immigration law processes. Essentially, our goal is to align corporate and individual immigration goals together as seamlessly as possible, with a constructive win/ win approach for all. LRG Lawyers is more than just an immigration legal practise - we consider ourselves partners in helping corporate and individual clients achieve their business and migration needs. We take the time to assess cases carefully, no matter how big or small. We explore all options that will help our clients to maximise opportunities and costs savings. Does Immigration law throw up any specific challenges/opportunities that may not apply to other areas of law? Australia’s immigration policy is largely politically and economically dictated. Because of this, we are at the mercy of an ever-changing immigration legal system with frequently revised policy and legislative amendments. This can create a maze of legislative and regulatory compliance hurdles for clients. Fortunately, LRG Lawyers has the skills and expertise necessary to navigate these complexities. Also, in any one day we can be dealing with both onshore and offshore clients across a multitude of countries with different time zones and visa deadlines. We are able to meet client expectations in these scenarios through our meticulous planning and proven time management strategies. In our particular area of law, trust is key. We have an opportunity to change people’s lives and the lives of their families, and to shape corporate culture for the better. It also allows for healthy long term corporate and individual relationships to be built. With this in mind, we are very conscious that our clients come from various backgrounds and walks of life. We also speak various languages to try to overcome language barriers and, language barriers aside, our firm always strive to maintain cultural awareness in all our client dealings. Our approach to Immigration Law is holistic. We firmly believe that to be able to provide the excellent immigration legal advice that our clients demand, you cannot look at the Australian immigration legal system on its own. You do of course need a thorough understanding of the legal complexities, but alongside this, you also need a sound economic and political understanding on both a national and international level. This allows a better appreciation of Australian immigration policy and legislative shifts and their respective drivers, and is instrumental in providing the most strategic legal advice to clients. Why, specifically, do you think LRG Lawyers has been given this Award for Excellence? When it comes to providing dedicated immigration legal solutions, our approach and legal advice is very unique in that it is straightforward, matter of fact and always solutions orientated. We work relentlessly and tirelessly for our clients. We simplify the immigration legal complexities for our clients, rather than complicate it with fanciful legal jargon and legal abstracts. We are goal-orientated and results driven, ensuring transparency and honesty of all outcomes and adversities of a case. Immigration law is an area of law that requires a certain compassion and a humanitarian touch, whilst at the same time staying focused on meeting commercial and individual immigration needs in an ever changing and complex regulatory environment. Our track record and successful results have proven we have this balance right.
Global Mobility, Immigration & Logistics Awards 2015 / 11
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IMMIGRATION &logistics
Best-in-Class Global Immigration – USA Most Distinguished Corporate Immigration Firm – China Immigration Service Provider of the Year - Singapore
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IMMIGRATION &logistics
Over ten years ago Pro-Link GLOBAL started their journey to become the award-winning global immigration management consulting group that they are today. They began with the vision of creating a work space for every employee that is inspirational, which in turn would provide their clients with a unique Immigration Experience. We spoke to them about how they have implemented this vision and continue to improve upon their services and expertise.
As we built our team we thought about how we may creatively approach our desire to employ the best and the brightest talent from all over the world – people who share our passion and empathy for transferring employees. While we acknowledge many organizations have similar visions, we were the first firm of our kind to embrace a virtual model with flexible work practices in which employees are able to work from home or remotely. This modern approach abolishes the constrictions of a traditional work environment and allows us to reduce our carbon footprint and costs, while attracting and retaining top talent, across the globe (a goal many of our clients share). We are, to a large extent, the clients we serve. Whether it is the talent we look to retain or the corporate and personal responsibility we look to promote. As we developed our infrastructure, we employed innovative techniques that combine traditional brick and mortar locations and virtual specialists while also leveraging the resources of in-country immigration experts.
Company: Pro-Link GLOBAL Name: Andrea Elliott Email: sandi.seaman@pro-linkglobal.com Web Address: pro-linkglobal.com Address: 1813 Manatee Ave West Bradenton, FL USA 34205 Telephone: +1 941 794 6461
We did so with the goal of providing a truly 24/7 operation that works at the very highest level of ethical and professional standards. There is an intangible quality in knowing that the firm who services your talent relocating abroad is made of qualified professionals who come from a diverse global pool of talent themselves, have gone through a similar process themselves and can relate to a wide range of individuals/interests just like you/ your company or your employees. The strongest part of our business is our employees. We foster an environment of health and positivity and it shows in our extraordinary customer service we provide to our clients. We have a passion for immigration and it is reflective in our day-to-day interactions with our clients and their employees. We have empathy for everyone involved in the process. Innovation drives our company. It started with challenging the status quo a decade ago, and continues to do so. When you’re prepared to start asking simple questions of everyday things, the world is suddenly full of possibilities. Staying at the cutting edge of our industry, we believe that leveraging technology means working smarter. Time is not a luxury an international traveler has. They need instant answers to questions like “do I need a visa?”; “how do I track all those business trips?”; and “how long will it take to move and start working?”. The flip side of that challenge is how multinational organizations manage a mobile workforce and remain in compliance with the myriad of regulations. The result of our efforts - a passionate team of innovative, responsive professionals who collaborate as one to provide our clients with a best in class global immigration experience. This is not just our vision, but a reality that we work diligently to achieve each day, with each case that we process. In a global market dominated by large corporations, Pro-Link GLOBAL now stands head and shoulders above its peers in the field of global corporate immigration because they defy borders by embracing a “one team” approach to their services with over 1,600 immigration specialists working in over 140 countries. We are truly a global company with a global standard of work and ethics since day one. Whether you work from Hungary, China, US or Brazil, we all share the same technology, resources and passion for the clients we serve. Just like our clients, we strive to maintain a balanced and culturally sensitive team approach. We harnessed the power of technology to access the best talent in the regions we operated in from the beginning, no barriers – it cannot get better than that. In terms of the mobility industry, we are fortunate to be part of young industry that was born very much as a result of the shifts in the global economy we started experiencing about a decade or so ago with the rise of the emerging markets. I consider the year 2005 to be the birth year of the global mobility industry, the same year the “idea” of Pro-Link as a virtual business model was being developed, which also coincides with the birth of a new era – the flat era - as famously described in Thomas’s Friedman’s 2005 book “The World is Flat.” Ever since, the global mobility industry has become the barometer of a world constantly on the move in search of cheaper, faster, smarter – everything. As a result, the challenges we face in our business are not much different than the challenges that any of our multinational clients face, really – how to remain relevant in a very competitive marketplace, how to retain the best talent and control costs in an era of huge technological advances and shift in the global economic power. We are thrilled to receive recognition for our US, China and Singapore offices through the Global Mobility, Immigration & Logistics awards. We have worked countless hours and facilitated thousands of employee transfers abroad. It is truly an honour to be recognized by these awards. With an unmatched ability to create win-win strategic partnerships, Pro-Link GLOBAL has set itself apart as the premier corporate global immigration provider.
Global Mobility, Immigration & Logistics Awards 2015 / 13
GLOBALmobility www.acquisition-intl.com/2015-global-mobility-immigration-logistics-awards
IMMIGRATION &logistics
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IMMIGRATION &logistics
Business Immigration Law Firm of the Year - UK
Bird & Bird is one of the few firms with an end-to-end global mobility offering, focusing on mobility as a concept rather than a particular component(s) of a move and regularly pooling knowledge and expertise from a number of practice groups – immigration, employment, incentives, tax etc. – to ensure that all aspects of international relocations are handled efficiently and with an exceptional level of client service. They also continue to work with clients on ex patriate management issues throughout the migrant’s time in another jurisdiction rather than seeing a project as concluded with the issuing of the visa. We spoke to them to find out more.
Firm: Bird & Bird Web Address: www.twobirds.com
At Bird & Bird we offer a truly integrated approach to global mobility services. This will usually start with the immigration process, assessing which immigration category is most appropriate taking account of both the individual’s and the company’s objectives and balancing these against current (and projected) Home Office policy. Often the ability to settle in the UK and obtain a British passport – with the key associated benefit of an unrestricted right to travel and work throughout the EEA - is a key driver in a business’ decision to relocate an individual and of the individual agreeing to the move, requiring us to navigate through the Home Office’s commitment to reducing net migration and the removal or redefining of a number of immigration categories that had previously led to settlement. Our firm is headquartered in the UK, and immigration continues to be a hot topic in this region. It has formed a central policy in each of the main political parties’ manifestoes and with the Home Office changing the Immigration Rules (and related policy) to continue to restrict the ability of non-EEA nationals to enter the UK whilst seeking to ensure that the UK remains a desirable and competitive market for global talent. However, whilst immigration forms a key (and, in many cases, central) part of a global mobility mandate, we often see through our work that companies require a much broader range of services when considering an international relocation - including employment law support, dealing with employee incentives and benefits issues and taxation arrangements – to, essentially, enable an individual to be “lifted and shifted” from one country to another. A key element of a global mobility project is also the ancillary services that make a relocation truly “work” and we have proven relationships with a number of business critical third parties including accountants, property agents, investment managers and payroll providers. As an international firm – with 27 offices in 18 countries and tried and tested co-operation relationships throughout the World – Bird & Bird has a dedicated team of International HR Services solicitors who are able to advise on these global mobility and employment law issues on cross-border projects and across multiple jurisdictions. For more information about Bird & Bird please visit www.twobirds.com and for more information about the firm’s global mobility services please contact Jonathan Goldsworthy on jonathan.goldsworthy@twobirds.com or 00 44 (0)20 7905 6389.
Global Mobility, Immigration & Logistics Awards 2015 / 15
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IMMIGRATION &logistics
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IMMIGRATION &logistics
Award for Excellence in Investment Immigration - California
DDK Law DDK Law represents the new generation of American lawyers who have accepted the guiding principle that no problem is difficult enough. By following the values of the leading world law firms we strive towards becoming the best legal representatives you can entrust your affairs in the United States. We spoke to them to find out more.
Company: DDK LAW Name: Daniel Kim Email: FrontDesk@ddklaw.com Web Address: ddklaw.com Address: 500 South Grand Avenue Suite 2300, Los Angeles, California 90071, USA
We are a client centric law firm and we specialize in four core client groups: For global entrepreneurs who view the United States as an integral part of their overall business strategy, we are here to assist them in every step of the way to turn barriers into pathways. For investors looking for opportunities in the United States, we can be your guide. For established companies who want to create the foothold in North America and acquire key personnel, we have the experience and track record for ensure that everyone will be in place where they are most needed. For international talent in entertainment and the arts who want the freedom to do work for companies based in the US, who value their work, we can make it happen. Whenever possible, we take personal face to face meetings with prospective clients – even if it means flying across a few time zones. We believe that the effort we make to actually meet people before doing business with them has rewarded us tenfold. In our industry, one of the major challenges we are facing is that The United States government has only increased the level regulatory complexity for non-US entities attempting to enter our market. It is a challenge when global clients are ambushed by this intense level of bureaucracy and have to be educated on how to navigate around them by our firm. However, those who persist do very well.
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IMMIGRATION &logistics
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IMMIGRATION &logistics
Best Global Mobility Education Institution - Germany
The International School Augsburg, situated close to Munich is dedicated to providing its students with the very best in international education. The educational programme is designed to allow students to experience the joys of learning, while providing them with the skills, understandings and attitudes, which will enable them to be successful in school and in life. We spoke to them to find out more. Company: International School Augsburg –ISA- gGmbH Name: Marcus Wagner Email: Marcus.wagner@isa-augsburg.com Web Address: www.isa-augsburg.com Address: Wernher-von-Braun-Str. 1a, 86368 Gersthofen / Augsburg, Germany Telephone: +49-821-455560-0
The steady globalisation of industry has led to increasing reliance on experts from all over the world. In order to keep the pace, employers must seriously consider recruiting from the worldwide market. Internationally mobile parents need to know that their children’s education will not be disadvantaged by the move to a new country. As a result, international schools have become a vital amenity in cities around the world. International Schools are those whose expressed mission is to educate the children of ex-pats (those working outside of their country of nationality). These schools must be able to cater for children of all school-going ages (generally ages 3 to 18) and to accommodate a wide range of individual needs. Apart from the range of language and learning needs to be catered for, international schools also have the challenge of supporting these children emotionally and socially. Third-Culture-Kids (those who spend their childhood in more than one country) also need to be able to easily settle into their new schools, to make friends and to learn new routines. They need a ‘home from home’. International schools are microcosms of the world. In classrooms and corridors many languages are spoken by both adults and children. Generally, English is the language of instruction or the ‘shared language’, as it is at ISA. Students have the chance to continue learning in their mother tongue and learn the host country language as well, as this may be an essential survival skill. At ISA, for example 12 mother tongue languages are offered. A range of cultural and religious festivals are recognised and children are encouraged to learn that there are many perspectives to everything. At ISA, we are committed to open-mindedness and to raising internationally-minded students who can work in a team and inspire and lead others. It is a great honour to be named ‘Best Global Mobility Education Institution-Germany’ by a respected publication such as AI Global Media. We feel we deserve this award! We have worked very hard since we opened our doors in 2005, not only to create the best possible education experience for all students from Pre-School to Grade 12, but to ensure that all children feel supported and cared for. Visitors consistently comment on the exceptionally friendly atmosphere, the confident yet respectful attitudes of the students and the calm, focused learning environment. Although only in its ninth year, the school is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools/New England Association of Schools and Colleges. It is has been an authorised IB World school since 2009. We believe that the key to our success has been relationship-building and collaboration. The school is located in the greater Augsburg-Munich area which is highly competitive for both businesses and schools. Augsburg itself is home to companies which are world leaders, for example in robotics (KUKA) and 3-D Printing (voxeljet, eXone). The aerospace and automobile industries are well established there. The proximity to Munich and the location in Augsburg, with its exciting business developments leaves me with no doubt that the school will continue to grow and flourish, hopefully bringing the opportunity to purpose build a new state of the art school campus. I applaud the initiative to publically recognise those who enhance global mobility. For us this award is welcome stamp of approval from the very community we aim to serve (the globally mobile one). On behalf of the ISA school community, I would like to express my gratitude and thanks.
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Most Trusted Employer Sponsored Visas Specialist - Australia
Katsaros & Associates currently work exclusively in providing migration advice for businesses and preparing ‘decision-ready’ visa applications for clients. They offer their clients a streamlined service ensuring their expectations are met in record times. They specialise in employer sponsored visas, partner visas, student visas and have a growing branch focused on business visas. We spoke to them to find out more.
Our firm is focused on maintaining its high standards whilst providing our clients with speedy services. Despite the many challenges we have encountered, we continue to thrive in the migration industry and are determined to continue to grow and become one of the most recognized firms within our industry. From our experience, the global mobility industry is definitely organic in that it changes continuously, adapting and responding to external forces. Whether it is the Government Departments, industry bodies, regulatory organisations or practitioners and clients, all parties are contributing to the evolving nature of the industry. This specifically poses an enormous challenge for existing and new firms in that it necessitates openness and innovation as a core element of each firm’s business model. For those firms set in archaic and traditionalist mindsets, failure is inevitable. With our service, there is a unique demographic seeking our service which is linked to the nationalities of those migrating to our part of the world, their settlement processes, the ethnic enclaves they form and the communities and sub-communities they establish. All these create a very unique type of ‘Client’ who seeks a specific service; in a specific way and within a specific timeframe. Company: Katsaros & Associates Name: Dimitrios Katsaros Email: dimitrios@katsaros.com.au Web Address: www.katsaros.com.au Address: Level 1, 488 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Telephone: +61 3 9670 3663
What sets us apart from other firms is our ability to continuously evolve and develop within the industry; adopting technological advances as they surface. I believe that by embracing technology, we are at the forefront in providing our clients with the best, most accurate and efficient service akin to none other currently available in our industry. Of course, communication goes hand in hand with technology and we have been able to utilise technology to provide our clients with unparalleled levels of communication; through traditional forms, email and telephone; through to social media tools, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram; through to new messaging tools, Whatsapp, WeChat, Viber, etc. As for the award, it is a fantastic feeling to receive recognition for our hard work. Since our establishment, we have been battling to form a practice that prides itself on providing sound and accurate advice in a clear and efficient manner. We have formed a team of dedicated and hard-working professionals focused on ensuring our clients secure their goals. The award feels like the friendly pat on the back that gives you the momentum to re-invest yourself and put more into your work! What lies ahead for the company is the intention to further innovate and market ourselves. We really want to become a known practice where clients will recognise our brand. We will continue to push the boundaries and innovate to ensure that we grow and develop. Our biggest fear is remaining stagnate and we are determined to work hard and steer clear of this.
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Best Global Mobility Service Provider - Hong Kong
Lexicon Relocation Regardless of the number of employees their clients relocate, Lexicon builds relocation programs and solutions that fit their culture, budget and needs. Which is why their tag line says, we believe in – Your People. Your Way. Worldwide. We spoke to them to find out more.
Growing your global workforce is complicated. From evolving tax structures in emerging markets to cultural issues for trailing families to home sale management, there are hundreds of potential hazards ready to derail your company’s global mobility program and frustrate relocating employees. Lexicon takes those touch points needed to make employee relocations a success and funnels them into a personalized approach specific to each and every customer. Many of the world’s leading companies have turned to us to uncover policy inefficiencies and tailor programs to their specific challenges. We aren’t a big box company that will force you into a one-size-fits-all program; we dive deep into your challenges and develop solutions that work. Among these qualities, it is our passion to perform that separates Lexicon from our competitors. This passion is encapsulated in our overall goal to “Take Care of the Customer” – the Lexicon team strives to deliver this day in and day out. Our customers choose Lexicon because they want to be heard, they want a relocation program designed for their unique challenges and they want a company that looks beyond the status quo to deliver innovative solutions. Company: Lexicon Relocation Name: Avrom Goldberg, Senior Vice President, Managing Director APAC & EMEA Email: agoldberg@lexiconrelocation.com Web Address: www.lexiconrelocation.com Telephone: +852.3602.3138
From our experience, the global mobility industry has undergone significant evolution as globalization and talent management challenges move to the forefront. As a result, companies must have the right people in the right place at the right time, which is a complex matrix to manage internally. There has also been an increasing diversification of the move types in global mobility. Companies today face the need to not only move people on long-term assignment, but also on short-term assignment, permanent one way move or localized basis, or on project or rotational basis or to hire third country nationals on hybrid terms. As for the award, Lexicon is delighted to be recognized again as a performance leader in our industry and this time in a very significant market in global mobility. Since opening our Hong Kong office in 2012, we have worked hard to raise brand awareness of Lexicon by providing exceptional service and custom solutions to our APAC customers. That strategy seems to be working because we recently opened another location in Shanghai. Looking towards the future, Lexicon will continue to grow in every respect, aligned with and in support of the needs of our clients worldwide. The recent significant expansion to our footprint in the U.K. through the acquisition of Connells Relocation, a leading established provider of mobility services, is a good example in this regard.
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Best Business Immigration Firm - Bulgaria Markony Immigration Services, LLP offers comprehensive legal services, specializing in Bulgarian Immigration Law and Corporate Law. Our client list includes foreign business persons and companies from around the world that aim to promote and expand their business activities in the Republic of Bulgaria. We got in touch with them about how they make the immigration process easy. The mission of Markony Immigration Services, LLP is to make the process of immigrating to Bulgaria as hassle-free as possible by providing its clients with accurate, personalized service. We provide legal services for all issues related to immigrating to Bulgaria including visas, residence permits, Bulgarian citizenship and passport, company formations, and employment. Led by a talented and experienced team of immigration lawyers who intimately understand Bulgarian immigration law, Markony Immigration Services, LLP is the only immigration law firm in Bulgaria that is recommended by the prestigious online legal guide, Global Law Experts in 2014. A year later, Advocate Vasil Markov, the managing partner of Markony Immigration Services LLP is selected Immigration Lawyer of 2015 for his profound expertise in the Bulgarian Immigration Law. Markony Immigration Services LLP is also selected Best Immigration Firm for Bulgaria by the prestigious Acquisition International association.
Company: Markony Immigration Services LLP Address: 3, Stefan Verkovich Str., fl. 1, office 2, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria Phone: +359876874449 E-mail: office@Immigration2Bulgaria.com
Furthermore, Markony Immigration Services LLP is a proud member of the internationally-recognized International Lawyers Network AEA. As the world’s largest network of legal professionals, the International Lawyers Network provides clients access to comprehensive legal services around the world. As a member of the AEA, Markony Immigration Services LLP routinely collaborates with law firms in Great Britain, India, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Jordan, Egypt and Ukraine. In collaboration with its partners in the International Lawyers Network AEA, Markony Immigration Services, LLP is represented in more than 16 cities, across 7 countries. Markony Immigration Services LLP may assist non-EU nationals to obtain permission for long stay in Bulgaria through the following most popular options (ref.: Foreigners of the Republic of Bulgaria Act): Art. 24, (1), para. 2: Non-EU nationals who carry out commercial activity in the country according to the legally established order, and as a result of this activity at least 10 positions have been opened for Bulgarian citizens. Applicants have to note that the 10 positions should be fulfilled for the time when renewing their residence permit in Bulgaria. If they cannot keep employed the ten Bulgarian citizens the residence permit can be cancelled. Art. 24, (1), para. 6: Non-EU nationals who are representatives of foreign commercial companies registered at the Bulgarian Commercial Chamber and Industry; the trade representative office (TRO) is simple and straight forward option to obtain a Type D visa and Bulgarian residence permit. This option is recommended for foreign nationals who would like to research the local market or promote their foreign business in Bulgaria before open a separate branch or commercial company in Bulgaria. The (TRO) does not allow you to be involved in any economic activities in Bulgaria. The below options allow non-EU nationals to obtain a permanent residence permit and Bulgarian citizenship: Art. 25, (1), para. 6: Non-EU nationals who invested in the country over 512, 000 EUR by the lawful order can obtain a permanent residence permit valid for five years. Interesting investment option is the government’s bonds. If the applicant invests the amount of 512,000 EUR, he/ she will be granted a Bulgarian permanent residence permit within 3-6 months. If the investment is repeated in Year 2, the non-EU national can obtain a Bulgarian citizenship. Alternative option is the bank deposit of 512, 000 EUR at a chosen bank facility for five years. If the applicant is not interested to double the invested amount in the second year, he/ she can apply for a Bulgarian citizenship by holding the permanent residence for 5 years. Financed Investment: The investor pays the reduced amount of 180,000 EUR. The reduced amount is used to finance a 512, 000 EUR (1,000,000 BGN) closed five-year term loan from a Bulgarian chartered bank. This loan is initiated and repaid at no further cost to the Investor. By financing the investment in Government bonds the investor is not exposed to the Government’s ability to refund the investment at the end of the five year term. It should be noted that the applicants have to prove the source of their income and must present police clearance certificate from the country of their citizenship or the country of their residence.
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Glass skyscraper in London, Ontario
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Best for US Immigration Matters – Canada
Matthews – Global Immigration Law As the name implies, Matthews – Global Immigration Law handles immigration matters for clients around the globe. We spoke with them about their company and the dedicated services they provide for their clients.
Name: Glenn Matthews Company: Matthews – Global Immigration Law Email: glenn.matthews@matthewsimmlaw.com Web Address: www.matthewsimmlaw.com Address: London: 650 Colborne St., Suite 200 London, Ontario N6A 5A1 Phone: 226-289-0944 Toll Free: 866-290-9005 info@matthewsimmlaw.com
Our business specializes in Canada and U.S. cross-border matters for corporations and individuals. But as our clients have grown and become multinational in nature, so too has our practice evolved to include visa assistance to all continents. As trade barriers fall and technology improves I have witnessed a complete evolution of the way the world works together. We help our clients navigate the immigration systems of many countries as people have become more mobile and corporations have expanded to new markets. Clients expect governments to deal with their immigration cases quickly. Finding the best path through the complex immigration regimes of many nations is our strength. The strongest part of our business is our service. Personal, prompt and professional service is how we have built our practice over 21 years. Clients never leave us once they experience the high level of service and professionalism we are so very proud of. The Canada –U.S. border is our greatest challenge. After 9/11 we witnessed an overhaul tightening of the border between Canada and the U.S. This has impeded the movement of people across the border and enforcement of regulations is stricter than ever. Delays at the borders in North America are bad for business, and it is our job to try to make the border crossing as smooth and seamless as possible for our clients. Looking ahead, our office is expanding in downtown Toronto and we are adding an office in Michigan as well. Eastern Canada and the American Midwest are where the majority of our clients are based. We will grow in their home markets to ensure that we continue to provide the level of personal service that has resulted in this award. I am proud that our firm has been recognized as the Best Firm in Canada for U.S. Immigration matters. I have been practicing U.S. immigration from our base in Canada for 21 years. We handle hundreds of complex U.S. cases for companies and individuals each and every year. This volume of cases requires a dedicated, intelligent and well organized team which I am proud to have built over the years. It is nice to be recognized for the high quality of work we provide to our clients. Recognition by industry leaders and peers is very important. It validates the decisions we have taken as a firm and motivates us to continue to strive to be the best at what we do on a daily basis. I think many businesses and individuals in our region are aware of our service and reputation in the industry. We receive many referrals from lawyers and accountants in North America who trust that we will provide quality and effective service to their clients which in the end, reflects well on the referring professional.
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Best Temporary Work Visa Specialists - Texas
Nossa Law Office
The Nossa Law Office is an immigration law firm based in Houston Texas. We got in touch with founder Pablo Nossa, about the history of the firm and his experience and expertise.
Company: Nossa Law Office Email: info@nossalaw.com Web: www.nossalaw.com Address: 1415 North Loop West Suite 905 Houston, TX 77008 Telephone: 713-599-1633, 1-800-590-1844
The firm was established in 2009 by attorney Pablo Nossa, who practices exclusively in the area of immigration and nationality law. He has worked extensively in the field assisting clients with family, employment and investment-based immigration, handling some of the most complex cases in immigration law. He has successfully represented clients before the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, as well as through filings with Consular Posts and Embassies overseas. Pablo has successfully represented his clients in cases ranging from TN Visas, H-1B’s, I-751 Removal of Conditions, Asylum, K-1 Visas for Fiancé’s of US Citizens, Naturalizations, including cases filed under 319(b), Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, and numerous other filings. He has represented clients from around the world with commitment, integrity and fervor. He is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, the Hispanic National Bar Association, and the National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project, as well as the State Bar of Texas Immigration and Nationality Law Section. Pablo is a devoted husband and father and he firmly believes that family unity is the pillar of every community. With his family, Pablo spends his free time exploring the cultural diversity that the city of Houston has to offer including its wealth of museums, concerts, and symphonies. He is an ardent believer that the greatness of this country stems not from its material wealth but from the wealth of cultures, ideas, and principles that have been brought to its shores from the diverse peoples who call America home. Pablo attended the University of Texas at Austin for his undergraduate work where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies and Government. He later went on to study under some of the top legal scholars in the country at the University of Texas School of Law, where he received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence. During his legal studies, Pablo took advantage of the exemplary clinical education at UT Law, working with the Transnational Worker Rights Clinic representing low-income transnational migrant workers in cases to recover unpaid wages, and the Community Development Clinic where he represented nonprofit organizations and individuals involved in community development. Pablo also clerked for the in-house counsel to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe where he worked on cases dealing with sovereign immunity, land and distribution rights, which culminated nearly a decade of work addressing social issues and needs of the tribal community. Education J.D., University of Texas School of Law B.A., Latin American Studies and Government, University of Texas at Austin Admissions State Bar of Texas United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
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Best Immigration Law Firm – Texas
Orgain Bell & Tucker, LLP Orgain Bell & Tucker, LLP is a full service law firm with an international practice focusing on immigration and international arbitration. We spoke to them about their company and how they continue to adapt to the challenges facing them in their industry.
The global mobility industry in Texas hinges and substantially relates to a large driver in Texas’ economy--oil and gas. This oil and gas industry is cyclical, and we assist our clients in the ups and downs of expansion and continuation of their operations by immigrating talented and experienced employees, executives, specialized workers, and skilled workers. Texas is a dynamic hub for our international practice. Our central location in the U.S. as well as the Texas economy afford our clients diverse business options and potential for growth. We have a passion for the law and a passion for positive results for our clients. Our immigration practice group takes pride in learning our client’s business and operational needs. Simply put, we get to know our clients and build a true client relationship. Because we have been in practice in Texas since 1907, we are a strong full service law firm with a true team approach. Our firm, Texas, the U.S., and the globe are moving toward a time of expansion for multi-national companies. We appreciate the opportunity to serve on our clients’ teams to facilitate their immigration of talented individuals from abroad to strengthen the clients’ businesses. CONTACT DETAILS Company: Orgain Bell and Tucker, LLP Name: Ronda Butler Harkey Email: rbh@obt.com Web Address: www.obt.com Address: Orgain Bell & Tucker, LLP 1415 Louisiana Street, Ste. 4150 Houston, Texas 77002
Moving forward, we will continue to focus on our firm’s depth and full spectrum practice. Our firm services clients in oil and gas, medical, retail, professional services, insurance, trucking, sports, and many other industries across the globe. We adapt to meet our clients’ needs. It is a privilege our clients and others in the industry have honored Orgain Bell & Tucker in this way.
Orgain Bell & Tucker, LLP 470 Orleans Street Beaumont, Texas 77701 Telephone: 713-333-6700 (Houston) 409-838-6412 (Beaumont)
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Best for Global Mobility Consulting Services – Texas
Paragon Relocation Paragon Relocation helps corporate clients around the world to put superior global mobility programs in place to help them achieve their talent management goals of attracting and retaining the top talent in their industry. We spoke to them to find out more.
Company: Paragon Relocation Name: Craig Selders Email: info@paragonrelocation.com Web Address: www.paragonrelocation.com Address: 633 E. State Highway 121 South, Suite 520, Coppell, TX 75019 USA Telephone: +1.972.819.5100
Paragon is a valued partner in helping clients achieve their goals by helping them build an industry leading program and to facilitate the movement of their employees to mission critical locations around the globe. This objective is critical now more than ever as companies are broadening their reach and expanding into unchartered territories. Paragon takes full responsibility for the mobility program providing: • Exceptional Global Relocation Services • Consulting Services Support • Global Cash Management • IT Applications that put information at your fingertips • Supply Chain Management to maximize service and cost control The main changes in the global mobility industry have been a shift in the types of assignments and the demographics of the employees relocating. At one time, relocation or global assignments were only for middle to upper level management type employees, who were established in their career. Now assignment types and the people taking them vary tremendously requiring companies to adapt their policies and resulting in the rise of tiered plans and cafeteria style programs. One size definitely does not fit all in the world of relocation today. One other major change is the changing stakeholders across the mobility program. At one time, relocation was the sole responsibility of the HR department. Now, relocation touches many more departments across an organization including finance, IT, procurement and others. What separates Paragon from our competitors is that we have experienced Consultants and efficient money management practices that most consistently set us apart in delivering an extraordinary customer experience. Paragon has been a stable force within the global mobility industry for more than 28 years. During that time, we’ve worked with countless companies, employees and suppliers across the world. As such, Paragon would hope that this award has been recognition from the industry for our dedication to providing extraordinary service and developing true partnerships with our clients, customers and suppliers. We are so honoured to have been recognised for our Global Mobility Consulting Services. Our company was founded as a consulting services firm and grew into a full-service relocation company so we understand the true value of beginning each partnership with a strong consulting engagement to help our clients build an effective and cost efficient mobility program. The AI awards are significant to individual businesses and to the industry as a whole as a way to spotlight companies that are performing at a high level of proficiency and whose influence is paving the way for innovation in their respective field. Looking toward the future, there will always be change and opportunity in this industry. As one of the few remaining independent relocation management companies, Paragon is well-positioned to listen and adapt.
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Best Regional Immigration Law Firm - UK
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Parker Rhodes Hickmotts is a long-established firm that has four offices across Yorkshire and a total team of around 70 employees. We got in touch with them about their experience and expertise in the UK and beyond.
Our firm has been undertaking immigration work for a number of years. There are currently ten fee-earners and six support staff in the Immigration Department which deals with private immigration work and also legally-aided asylum work. We provide the whole range of immigration advice to individuals and also offer a dedicated service to local and regional SMEs needing assistance with immigration matters (from obtaining Sponsor Licences and visas for Tier 2 workers to advice on how to avoid penalties for employing illegal workers and challenging any such penalties imposed). We have an exceptionally talented and experienced team which includes seven solicitors, as well as experienced caseworkers and support staff. Together, the team has a very broad range of experience and knowledge. A number of our solicitors are expert advocates and often represent clients before the Tribunal. Furthermore, we have a particular expertise in Judicial Review.
Company: Parker Rhodes Hickmotts Solicitors Name: Christopher Cole, Partner & Head of Immigration Email: chriscole@prhsolicitors.co.uk Web Address: www.prhsolicitors.co.uk Address: The Point, Bradmarsh Business Park, Rotherham, S60 1BP Telephone: 01709 511100
In terms of our clients, we represent people from across the UK and beyond, but obviously our focus is Yorkshire. We pride ourselves on our local and regional connections through our four offices. We believe that, particularly when representing SMEs from Yorkshire, our local knowledge and expertise can ensure that we can achieve results appropriate to our Yorkshire clients. With the constant changes to immigration law and practice, we find that we always have to be ready for change and to ensure that we continually adapt our services to meet the needs of our clients. As a result, we are looking to recruit in order to further expand our team to offer an even better service. We are relocating our Leeds office to more suitable premises that will improve the environment for clients and staff. Additionally, we continue to invest significantly in technology to improve efficiency, accessibility and the client experience. We find that immigration is a very challenging area of law with constant changes being imposed by a politically driven agenda. The rules and regulations imposed by the Home Office are always changing and it is such a complex area that competent legal advice is essential to be able to navigate successfully through it all. At Parker Rhodes Hickmotts, we pride ourselves on being totally up-to-date on all of the law and the rules and being able to offer practical solutions to ensure successful outcomes for our clients. In the United Kingdom, the introduction of the Points Based System seemed to offer those seeking to move to the United Kingdom for work, business or to study the ideal opportunity to be able to assess whether they met the clear objective criteria and to make straight-forward informed choices. Unfortunately, over the years the Home Office has added more levels of complexity and far more subjectivity to the Points Based System so that it is no almost unrecognisable from the simple, objective system that it was intended to be. The introduction of ‘genuineness’ tests to the entrepreneur and student categories has made these categories much less accessible, yet these are areas that are so important for the UK economy. When this is coupled with the very recent removal of appeal rights in all PBS categories, it highlights the current difficulties for people wishing to move to the UK. It is a constant challenge for us to keep ahead of the game and to ensure that we are able to achieve the outcomes that our clients desire. It is a great honour to receive this award which is recognition of the service we offer our clients and the expertise of our team. We are always striving to provide the highest quality advice to all of our clients and this award demonstrates that we are being successful in that aim. We would like to think that we have been given this award as recognition of the excellent service we offer our clients. We have very high-standards of client care and commitment and we offer legal advice of the highest quality in a practical and easy-to-understand manner. This allows us to have excellent success rates for our clients. It is hoped that these are the qualities that our clients are recognising when recommending us for this award. The vast majority of our work is obtained through recommendation (both from our clients and our peers) and we would like to think that this award is an extension of that recommendation process – recognising the great service we offer.
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Sustained Excellence in Investment Immigration - Hungary
Residency Bond Program Ltd focuses on business and investment immigration in Hungary and Europe. As pioneers, they have been concerned with the new Hungarian Residency Bond Program from the first moment, since its very inception. This program offers Hungarian permanent residency under preferential conditions for non-EU nationals willing to invest in government residency bonds. We spoke to them about their company and the best residency and citizenship programs in Europe.
We find that many people are looking to enhance their lifestyle by living in Europe. The lifestyle advantages includes better access to essential services such as health and education, as well as the natural environment, well-developed infrastructure, cultural facilities and the like. Safety and security aspects are also factors in lifestyle decisions. Citizenship-by-investment programs offer a route to legally acquire a new citizenship and a second passport, relatively quickly and simply, without significant disruption to a clients’ life. We have carefully studied all the citizenship programs and finally selected the three best citizenship by investment programs. Two of them are European, and one is Caribbean. We seek to help our clients find a citizenship opportunity that best suits their needs. The best offer is Cyprus’ citizenship by investment. This program offers European citizenship within three months and visa-free travel to 157 countries in return for a safe investment in real estate.
Company: Residency Bond Program Ltd Name: Laszlo Gaal Email: contact@residency-bond.eu Web Address: http://www.residency-bond.eu Address: Alvinci u 17, 1022 Budapest, Hungary Telephone: +36 1 700 4330
We work together with a leading and internationally recognized law firm as our strategic partner. This means that experienced immigration lawyers will advise international clients and handle their applications. Our expert team is highly motivated to meet clients’ needs and expectations to the very highest standards. We are well aware that every case is different; clients have their unique concerns, needs and expectations. We provide them with a full scope and all-inclusive personal assistance. We work with the best immigration lawyers, who know the tiny details and can answer all the possible questions. As a result, we are a leading Hungarian immigration service provider. Awards like the Global Mobility, Immigration and Logistics Awards are important milestones. These awards allow us to stop and rethink our activity and have time catch our breath. Receiving the “Sustained Excellence in Investment Immigration” award is a great honour for us. We were also named, “Best Investment Immigration Team in 2014”, and this year’s award is the recognition of our continuous efforts that we have made to meet all of our clients’ requirements. We are pleased to see that our value-based work has bore fruit.
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Best Immigration Compliance Specialists - USA
Scarborough Law, L.L.C Scarborough Law LLC represents multinational manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, and engineering companies for whom global migration and immigration is critical to their workforce management. We got in touch with them about their company and their views on the global mobility and immigration industry.
Company: SCARBOROUGH LAW LLC Name: STEPHANIE SCARBOROUGH Email: scarborough@ssimmigration.pro Web Address: www.ssimmigration.pro Address: 6622 Southpoint Drive S, Suite 330, Jacksonville, Florida, USA 32216 Telephone: 904-389-0055
Our client-focused culture separates us from the field of competitors. We do not simply represent our clients. Rather, we consider ourselves partners in their growth. By understanding and caring about the needs of our clients we are better able to identify ways to aid them in their global mobility and immigration needs. Furthermore, this client-focused culture combined with efficient processes ensures that clients get both the attention they deserve and the efficiency they desire. It is an exciting time for global mobility and immigration as more and more companies invest in global growth. The ability to efficiently contribute to that growth through strategic immigration planning and respond to compliance challenges is critical. Over the past few years, we have seen an increased focus on global mobility. Companies who were conservatively growing during the global economic crisis are now significantly investing in other regions. With this investment comes the need to more effectively manage global mobility and immigration. The pace of business growth has surpassed the ability of governments to react with immigration laws and policies aimed at fostering growth. Rather, current immigration policies, in the U.S. in particular, do not go far enough to encourage investors and entrepreneurs as immigration processes are burdensome and discourage efficient global mobility and immigration. Our challenge is to identify more efficient strategies and processes to support global mobility and immigration for our clients. Currently, the U.S. is greatly increasing compliance efforts against multinational companies using the H-1B, specialty occupation, and L-1, intracompany transfer, programs. This creates a significant challenge for companies who are already compliant but who must endure excess scrutiny associated with politically motivated attacks on the H-1B and L-1 programs. The opportunity, however, also exists for companies to emphasize immigration compliance and rise above competitors who are the scrutiny of, or who have failed to establish effective immigration compliance protocols. Moreover, compliance is emerging as a very important part of strategic immigration planning. In the U.S. in particular, the Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security are already conducting investigations and regular compliance audits which could greatly impact global mobility and immigration. The opportunity, therefore, is to educate clients on the importance of prioritizing compliance to ensure their continued ability to meet their workforce needs. Scarborough Law LLC has been focusing on global mobility and immigration since our inception. We have spent countless hours focusing on global mobility and strategic immigration initiatives for our clients. We are honoured to be recognized as an industry leader.
Global Mobility, Immigration & Logistics Awards 2015 / 39