Global Mobility is evolving rapidly, shifting from a purely administrative function to a core component of business growth and workforce strategy. As companies navigate the complexities of hybrid work, geopolitical uncertainty, and economic pressures, their Global Mobility programs are playing a crucial role in enabling talent movement, maintaining compliance, and ensuring long-term business success.
Based on insights from industry experts and survey data, all from our report The State of Global Mobility 2025, this blog explores how companies are really managing their Global Mobility strategies this year.
1. Global Mobility is Evolving Beyond Talent Acquisition
Traditionally, Global Mobility was viewed as a function that supported talent acquisition and relocation. However, today, it plays a much broader role in workforce strategy, from enabling internal mobility to supporting return-to-office policies.
When asked which team manages Global Mobility within their organization, respondents shared:
- 46% place it under People Operations.
- 30% place it under Rewards & Benefits.
This shift reflects how Global Mobility is now closely linked to broader workforce planning, employee experience, and business growth. Companies are recognizing that mobility isn’t just about moving employees across borders—it’s a critical tool for talent retention, employee engagement, and global expansion.
Donald Jurries, Global Benefits & Mobility Lead at SumUp, explains:
“For growth-oriented firms, Global Mobility can help ensure a level of internal mobility is available for filling key positions in markets that are ripe for expansion. In other cases, I see it supporting a Return-to-Office strategy, requiring teams, currently spread out around the globe, to be co-located.”
2. Visa & Permit Renewals are a Top Priority
Despite changing trends in workforce mobility, visa and permit renewals continue to be a major priority for Global Mobility teams. Over 54% of respondents confirmed they relocate talent to existing hubs, reinforcing the importance of immigration management in today’s workforce strategies.
This is particularly relevant in countries experiencing shifting immigration policies:
- Germany: New naturalization laws impact how companies manage international hires.
- United Kingdom: Post-Brexit work permits and changing visa regulations require ongoing adjustments.
Staying on top of regulatory updates and compliance is critical for companies that depend on international talent. The increasing complexity of visa requirements means that Global Mobility teams must work closely with legal and compliance departments to ensure smooth relocations.
3. Short-term Travel & Workations are gaining Importance
While long-term relocations remain essential to business strategy, short-term mobility cases are resurging:
- 64% of respondents said business trips are back on the agenda.
- 50% noted that international transfers are an important focus.
And, workations (where employees work from a different international location to their usual one) are re-gaining popularity, with 57% of companies reporting high demand from employees. The trend is especially strong in the Netherlands, where workations ranked as the top Global Mobility priority.
Companies are now exploring ways to integrate workations into their policies while mitigating compliance risks with tax, social security, and visa regulations.
4. Hybrid Work and Return-to-Office Mandates are Reshaping Mobility
As companies continue adjusting their workplace policies, hybrid work models are influencing Global Mobility programs at a larger scale:
- 61% of respondents confirmed they operate under a hybrid model.
- 12% have implemented a full return-to-office mandate.
These trends highlight how workforce mobility is becoming more dynamic and flexible, requiring Global Mobility teams to adapt their processes accordingly. Companies with a return-to-office mandate must consider how to support employees who have been working remotely from different locations, while hybrid models require clear policies on remote work eligibility across different jurisdictions.
For some businesses, Global Mobility plays a role in physically relocating employees closer to company hubs, ensuring smoother operations and collaboration across global teams.
5. Biggest Challenges: Geopolitical & Economic Uncertainty
Despite the growing importance of Global Mobility, companies face significant external challenges that impact their ability to move talent effectively. The top concerns cited by respondents include:
- Geopolitical instability (e.g., visa restrictions, policy changes).
- Economic uncertainty, making long-term planning more difficult.
While Global Mobility teams cannot control these factors, they must stay agile and be prepared to adapt to changing conditions. For companies based in locations facing geopolitical uncertainty and who rely on international talent, they may need contingency plans for visa delays, business travel restrictions and in some instances, rethinking their entity set up.
We explored this topic in our latest webinar Navigating the New US Immigration Landscape: What Global Mobility Experts Need to Know.
6. Budget Cuts Impact Mobility Support
Even as Global Mobility programs expand, budget constraints remain a challenge. While only 25% of respondents reported budget cuts, their impact is significant:
- Reducing post-visa support: Nearly half of affected companies no longer assist employees with housing or relocation logistics.
- Limiting Global Mobility benefits to specific employee groups: 42% of companies restrict mobility support instead of offering it as a broad benefit.
This trend could have long-term consequences. When companies reduce relocation support, talent may choose employers that offer better mobility benefits, making it harder to attract and retain key employees.
Companies must find a balance between managing costs and maintaining an attractive Global Mobility program.
7. Global Mobility Provides Strong Business ROI
Investing in Global Mobility isn’t just about moving employees—it’s about driving business success. Our research shows that companies see a strong return on their relocation investments:
- Near 2X return on relocation costs in the short term.
- Up to 4X return for long-term retained employees.
In addition to financial gains, effective Global Mobility programs contribute to:
- Innovation by fostering diverse teams.
- Business development by opening new market opportunities.
- Stronger international partnerships, essential for global expansion.
Importantly, this value is recognized at the highest levels of leadership:
- 90%+ of C-suite executives confirm Global Mobility’s positive impact on business success.
With this level of recognition, Global Mobility teams have an opportunity to advocate for greater investment in their programs, ensuring they have the resources needed to manage increasing complexities.
8. Future Outlook: Compliance & Adaptability are Critical
As companies expand across borders, mitigating compliance risks with international regulations is increasingly more complex. From tax implications to evolving immigration and visa regulations, Global Mobility experts must be proactive and stay up to date.
Looking ahead, the most successful Global Mobility teams will focus on:
- Building strong compliance frameworks to navigate international laws.
- Leveraging technology to streamline mobility processes and stay informed of changes.
- Developing flexible policies that can adapt to shifting workforce trends.
By staying ahead of these challenges, companies can continue to attract top talent, support business growth, and drive long-term success through strategic Global Mobility programs.
Compliance, Flexibility, and Experience are Key to Global Mobility's Future
Despite uncertainties, Global Mobility remains a powerful driver of business success. Companies that invest in mobility programs see higher employee satisfaction, stronger global partnerships, and significant financial returns.
As mobility continues to evolve, experts are focusing on compliance, flexibility, and employee experience to ensure their programs remain effective. With the right strategies in place, Global Mobility can continue shaping the future of work in a globally connected world.
If you want to learn more, get in touch.