Month: February 2022

2023 H-1B Registration Details

Post author By John Fernandez | CRP, GMS, SSB
Post date February 15, 2022

US visa and immigration services with American flag — Envelope from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services with the American flag on top/U.S. immigration concept

Get more details on H-1B Cap registration

Looking to file a new H-1B case? With some updated guidelines, employers must complete registrations using the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) online H-1B registration system. This online process is a simple way to complete H-1B registrations, where employers submit details for their desired candidates who they intend to sponsor for a new H-1B in 2022 or 2023. The online form avoids manual paperwork and can cut down on costs for employers. The cost for registration is $10 per sponsored candidate.

New H-1B case registrations are capped at an annual quota of 85,000. From that number, 20,000 are available to candidates who have earned an advanced degree from a U.S. college or university, making the remaining 65,000 available for other qualified candidates.

USCIS introduced the concept of H-1B registration in 2020. There were just over 380,000 registrations filed for FY 2022 and about 275,000 registrations filed for FY 2021.

H-1B Lottery

When USCIS receives more than 85,000 registration cases, a random lottery will be run on the pool of registrations. Once the lottery is finalized, USCIS notifies those chosen. From there, successful selectors then file a full H-1B petition. One for each candidate must be filled out.

Cap-subject petitioners looking to get H-1B, or their representatives, will be able to create accounts starting at noon Eastern on Feb. 21, 2022. Candidate submissions open March 1, 2022, for any company that is set up in the system.

It is highly anticipated that USCIS will receive more than 85,000 registrations by the March 18th, 2022 deadline, from there they will plan to run a lottery then notify successful registrants by March 31, 2022.

H-1B cap-subject petitions include those for beneficiaries eligible for the advanced degree exemption. Only those with a valid registration number selected during the H-1B registration process may petition.

GMS Can Help with Any Visa & Immigration Needs

Global Mobility Solutions is a full-fledged international relocation services company. Our goal is to help companies get their employees to their new destinations as easily as possible. GMS works with the most knowledgeable people in the industry when it comes to visa and immigration needs. We can help your employees get all of their paperwork done and questions answered. Feel free to reach out to us today to get started the process of fulfilling all your global mobility needs.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Visa Program Consultation

Properly managing a visa and immigration program involves meticulous coordination, precise communication, and worldwide interaction with government agencies, corporate personnel, and relocating employees.

At GMS, we provide you with peace of mind in knowing your mobility program is fully compliant and being managed by the best in the industry.

Request a no-pressure, courtesy consultation from a GMS Mobility Pro. We’ll be in touch within 1 business day.

Tags global relocation, Global Relocation Tips, Visa and Immigration Rules

Buy a Home Home Purchase

Real Estate Trends: 5 Challenges Home Sellers Face

Post author By Jules Matz | AHWD, ABR, CNE, CRP, GRI
Post date February 8, 2022

Some of the most common obstacles home sellers have to hurdle

Selling a home to move on to bigger and better opportunities can be an exciting time. But anyone who has bought or sold a home before knows that can be a long and tedious process. When selling a house or property, often the seller is under some sort of time restriction. They could be closing on their new living arrangement, maybe they’re moving for a new job with a strict start date, or need the equity from the old house for their new property. No matter the case, sellers usually don’t have a lot of time to be held up when trying to complete the transaction.

Real estate trends change constantly throughout the year. With that being said, any real estate agent can tell you that no two real estate transactions are the same as so many different challenges can arise. No matter the situation, everyone loses out if the challenge stalls or derails the deal altogether. Here are some of the most common challenges faced when selling a home:

1) Keeping Emotions in Check

Probably the hardest part of selling a home is letting go of the time, money, and effort put into building and maintaining it. It’s not uncommon for sellers to have a hard time letting go of the house that their family has lived in for years and the memories created while living there. Many times, sellers will want to artificially inflate the price of the home due to the time and money they spent on upgrades or repairs over the years. Sellers have to remember that to buyers, this doesn’t mean nearly as much to them from an emotional attachment standpoint. The only way to overcome this is to be 100 percent sure it’s time to sell the family home and move on. Keep reminding yourself that it’s a business transaction at this point, not an emotional decision.

It can also be easy for those selling to be worried about seller’s remorse. The easiest example is the seller may be scared that if they sell the home for X amount, it could be worth Y amount just a few days later. Working with an experienced agent or team who knows the latest real estate trends can help make sure that the final sale price is fair, profitable, and sustainable.

2) Real Estate Market Conditions

When selling a home, obviously the goal for the seller is to make as much profit as possible. But listing price when selling a home can be a crucial step in the process. If listed at too high of a price it could keep potential buyers away. If at too low of a price, the seller might miss out on a chance to capitalize on earnings. It is important to know local market prices and how to effectively market your property in the current housing market.

There are so many factors that determine what each local real estate market looks like. Is it a buyer’s market? A seller’s market? Is the house located in an area where it is better to sell in spring or winter? How many houses are for sale in that area?

Again, each market will be different so it’s hard to generalize supply and demand for an entire area. But if possible, it’s a good idea to study your local market for a few weeks, if not months, leading up to the listing of your home. The best way around this challenge is to work with a mortgage broker and real estate team who know the mark front and back.

3) Finding a Reliable and Certified Real Estate Agent

There are a few different types of specialty real estate agents that can assist with a specific type of home sale. For example, if you are moving for a new job and are utilizing a relocation package, it would probably be in the best interest to use a relocation-specialized real estate agent. These agents generally hold relocation-specific certifications, such as Worldwide ERC’s CRP certification. This certification showcases that the agent is deeply familiar with the nuances surrounding corporate mobility and how it can impact the real estate process. Additionally, these agents will be familiar with specialized home sale programs that are common in the relocation industry, such as the Buyer Value Option or Guaranteed Purchase Offer.

It’s worth noting that if your company is providing you with relocation benefits, you may need to utilize a specific network of vetted real estate agents in order to qualify for your benefits. If you’re unsure, it’s best to check your relocation policy or get in touch with your relocation specialist (GMS Relocation Coach).

4) Prepping the Home for Listing

For anyone selling a home, this challenge could involve some manual labor or some money for repairs. In order to fetch the best possible price for your home, it should be “show ready”. If there are any repairs or upgrades that the house needs, it’s a good idea to get those out of the way before marketing the home for sale. If not, sellers run the risk of having a sale held up due to negotiations about the repairs with the buyers and their agent. However, in a seller’s market, when buyers are more desperate to get a deal done, you may be able to negotiate to leave some minor repairs for buyers to tend to after the sale is complete.

5) Unrealistic Buyer Expectations/Needs

On rare occasions, you may be faced with potential home buyers who simply have unrealistic expectations. This can cause sellers additional stress and potentially derail the deal. The only advice to be given here is to remember this is a business transaction and if the deal isn’t right then walk away and be patient for new buyers.

GMS Stays Up to Date on Real Estate Trends

Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) has been helping individuals and families relocate since 1987. Our expert team stays up to par on real estate trends throughout the US and Canada to ensure that our clients’ employees are successful when trying to buy or sell a home. We want to make sure that moving is as smooth as possible and assign dedicated Relocation Coaches to each employee to guide them during the relocation process. If you have any questions about our industry-specific benchmarking studies or need more info on the relocation process itself, please reach out to us today.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

Tags home selling tips, real estate trends, relocation real estate trends

Choosing a Relocation Company Corporate Relocation Corporate relocation tips Domestic Relocation Domestic Relocation Tips Domestic Relocation Trends

The Most Googled Questions About Relocation Services

Post author By Kimberly Chacon
Post date February 1, 2022

woman doing research on moving — A beautiful young woman planning an overseas trip on the internet

Answering common questions about relocation packages and the global mobility process

Companies that are just starting to research information about relocation services may need to get some of their basic questions answered. Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) has been a leading relocation company for over 34 years. Our team members are all highly qualified for their positions and are experts in their specialty regarding relocation services. As there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to relocating employees, our team put this guide together in hopes of providing some answers to the most Googled questions. Most of these questions are commonly asked when companies with in-house programs (or no program) are considering outsourcing their mobility programs to an experienced relocation management company.

Here are those Q & A’s:

What Are Relocation Services?

Also known as talent mobility or global mobility, corporate relocation services are benefits provided by an employer or agency to an employee who has to move for a new position or promotion. In simple terms, relocation services are “moving perks.” When the employee accepts the position, they are provided with some different options to help them get to their destination smoothly in time for their start date. Depending on what type of benefits are offered, relocation services usually can be applied to individuals and families alike. International relocation and domestic relocation services are slightly different, but the idea remains the same.

In most instances, the hiring company will have already signed on with a relocation management company (RMC) to construct and deliver comprehensive relocation packages in order to ensure their talent acquisition program is as competitive as possible.

What’s Included with Relocation Services?

Relocation packages offered to employees should be tailored to fit the company’s objectives, along with employees’ wants and needs. Relocation services can vary in what is offered to, and utilized by, the employee. Common benefits range from assistance in selling a home to temporary housing assistance, school/area tours, and more.

Often, the most common theme among talent mobility perks is financial help with moving costs and shipping of household goods. Sometimes, the company will even offer to cover the cost of hiring moving services completely. Other companies may offer reimbursement options for relocation costs, meaning the employee foots the bills upfront to get to their new destination and the company repays them usually via check or EFT payment.

Side note: GMS recommends that companies offer employees relocation packages instead of reimbursement options. At GMS, we assign each moving employee a dedicated single point of coordination (a U.S. Domestic Relocation Coach or a Global Assignment Manager). This certified GMS team member is highly experienced in their field and will provide guidance to your employee every step of the way during the relocation process.

How Much Can You Expect to Spend on Relocation Services?

That’s an excellent question. From the hiring company’s standpoint, paying to provide relocation services will depend on a number of variables. How many employees need to be relocated? Are these employees individuals or moving a family with them? Is the company willing to cover the costs of the entire move or just partial support? Are real estate perks offered in the package?

Going back to the idea that relocation benefits should be tailored to fit the company’s objectives and employees’ needs, it’s hard to put a price range on just how much relocation services cost. Relocation costs are typically worth it in the long run because it increases the chances of getting the right candidate in the right seat for the vacant position. These employees arrive stress-free and ready to work, and are shown to stick around longer. Without global mobility benefits, your company runs the risk of having to hire and train multiple people over because only local talent is applying for the job.

What’s the Average Timeline for Relocating?

When helping companies create their relocation benefits, GMS usually recommends that there be a designated timeframe in which the policies can be utilized. This timeline will vary from company to company, or position to position. In many cases, a 90-day window for employees to start their relocation process does the trick. Employers need to keep in mind that these new-hire employees may have families, and trying to move a family with children is something that cannot always be done within a few weeks. Additional factors should be taken into account as well, such as the time it takes to sell the employees home, or the availability of transportation services for their household goods.

In extreme cases, the company might give the employee a start date within a month of the offer. But the downfall with this approach might be the employee may decline the offer, or the company’s relocation costs will increase if services are needed ASAP and not planned out.

What if an Employee Doesn’t Use/Need Every Relocation Benefit Offered?

GMS prides itself in our proactive relocation coaching. By having a Relocation Coach or Global Assignment Manager assigned to each employee, GMS helps to ensure the relocator is using the right mix of benefits for their unique situations. This can help them to get the most out of their available and applicable benefits, whether it be helping with moving costs, spousal support, or language training. GMS’ relocation experts help to pinpoint why employees may or may not utilize certain benefits to make sure the employee is getting the support they need without contributing to inflated mobility program costs due to the use of unnecessary services.

What Is Corporate Housing?

When thinking about accepting a job out of state, one of the most sought-after relocation benefits is corporate housing. Also known as short-term housing, this benefit is recommended for employers to provide as it might seal the deal for the new hire to sign on.

Corporate housing is usually a 30, 60, or 90-day stay in a furnished apartment or townhome that is covered by the employer. The reason this is such a draw for relocating employees is because it gives the employee and their family a transitional period to get their feet wet and learn a little bit about the lifestyle of their new destination. This period of time is also valuable as it provides the employee a place to live during the period of time it takes for them to secure a new place to live and await the delivery of their household goods. It also can be used for a situation where the employee has to go ahead of their family for the job, while their family finishes up any loose ends before the relocation completely takes place such as kids finishing the school semester.

How Often Should We Review Relocation Benefits?

GMS urges companies who are offering relocation packages to look into reviewing or updating those benefits every 12 to 18 months. The reason being, industries become more competitive and employee needs can evolve. If a competing company in your industry is offering more money or benefits to new hires, it could make it harder for your company to attract the top talent you need.

GMS Is Here to Answer All of Your Relocation Questions

When it comes to your talent mobility strategy, there are thousands of questions about where to begin or how to improve. The relocation experts at GMS have been helping companies move their employees for over three decades. If you have any questions about creating, reviewing, or improving your mobility program or relocation services, please reach out today. Our team can answer any questions you may have while offering insight into alternatives and enhancements to already existing relocation packages.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Tags corporate relocation, Corporate Relocation Services, relocation, relocation services

Get more details on H-1B Cap registration

H-1B Lottery

GMS Can Help with Any Visa & Immigration Needs

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Visa Program Consultation

Some of the most common obstacles home sellers have to hurdle

1) Keeping Emotions in Check

2) Real Estate Market Conditions

3) Finding a Reliable and Certified Real Estate Agent

4) Prepping the Home for Listing

5) Unrealistic Buyer Expectations/Needs

GMS Stays Up to Date on Real Estate Trends

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Answering common questions about relocation packages and the global mobility process

What Are Relocation Services?

What’s Included with Relocation Services?

How Much Can You Expect to Spend on Relocation Services?

What’s the Average Timeline for Relocating?

What if an Employee Doesn’t Use/Need Every Relocation Benefit Offered?

What Is Corporate Housing?

How Often Should We Review Relocation Benefits?

GMS Is Here to Answer All of Your Relocation Questions

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

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