Deel expands global visa support for digital nomads

Deel has announced an expansion of its immigration support services. It now offers visa assistance to individuals worldwide, including those employed through firms' own entities or as digital nomads.

This development will enable New Zealand technology companies expanding overseas to manage visa support for their employees, consolidating the process into one platform. Deel Immigration supports digital nomads in acquiring visas in nine countries, namely Portugal, Spain, Greece, Canada, Japan, Argentina, Colombia, Italy, and the UAE. It also provides support for those applying for permanent residency, including options such as the EB-1A and EB-2 NIW visas in the United States.

Todd Heine, Founder of Legalpad (now Deel Immigration), commented, "For many people, securing a visa and moving countries is a life-changing experience. It can be complicated, stressful, and even scary. We want to make that process simpler, and to help connect talent with opportunity, no matter where it is."

He added, "Deel is committed to breaking down barriers to global employment. By expanding our immigration support services, we're making it easier for individuals and companies to navigate complex visa processes, fostering a more connected and mobile workforce."

Deel's expanded service includes expert guidance from an in-house immigration team available 24/7, comprehensive documentation support, and real-time updates to track the progress of visa applications. The platform also allows users to centralise all information related to their applications, including form submissions, costs, and timelines. Additionally, approved visas can be securely stored on the platform, providing automated renewal reminders to ensure compliance.

According to a 2023 analysis by TIN100, New Zealand's largest technology companies are anticipated to recruit a significant proportion of their workforce offshore by 2028. The report indicates that more than half of these hires will occur in North America and Australia, with increasing numbers in Asia.

Deel has processed thousands of visas across 50 countries, with recent expansion into India, Argentina, and Uruguay. The firm has now enlarged its offerings to include immigration services for employees hired directly through companies' own entities in 20 countries, thus facilitating a streamlined experience for global workforces. Deel clients using Deel HR or Deel Global Payroll products can manage their team relocations on a single platform.

In the United States, the visa application process has been streamlined through integration with the Legalpad app on the Deel platform. This enhancement includes the addition of more than 10 US visas, making the application process fully digital and comprehensive by managing the entire journey within the platform.

Recognising that immigration journeys extend beyond securing a visa, Deel has entered partnerships with Heart Relocation and The Build Fellowship to assist employees with relocation and obtaining cap-exempt H-1B visas. Heart Relocation takes care of various relocation needs, while The Build Fellowship offers a programme with a 99% approval rate for H-1B visas.

Deel's data shows the most popular roles for New Zealand nationals working overseas are Software Engineer/Developer, Tutor, CEO, Designer, and Project Manager. The preferred countries for employment among New Zealand nationals include Australia, Great Britain, the United States, UAE, Canada, Germany, Brazil, Ireland, Spain, and Sweden.