International Professional Mobility: Recruit or Second Talent Abroad Without Administrative Complexity
Recruiting a foreign professional in France or seconding an employee abroad involves a considerable administrative burden: visas, HR compliance, social security coverage, housing arrangements, and more. Managing these complex procedures requires significant time and expertise, while leaving room for costly errors and compliance risks.
2iCS is your trusted partner for legally bringing foreign talent to France or seconding an employee abroad, with complete simplicity and peace of mind.
Recruiting Foreign Talent in France: A Process Fully Managed by 2iCS from A to Z
Bringing a foreign professional to work in France requires selecting the appropriate legal framework, preparing a complete application file, and complying with strict administrative deadlines. The Talent Passport is the preferred route for highly qualified professionals, enabling them to obtain a residence permit tailored to the nature and duration of their assignment.
Key Steps to Obtain an Immigration Visa and Recruit Foreign Talent in France
2iCS coordinates every stage of the process:
- Case assessment: analysis of the candidate’s profile and selection of the most appropriate visa category
- Application preparation: collection and preparation of all required documents, management of certified translations, and coordination with our International Professional Mobility team
- Consular submission: appointment scheduling and application filing in the talent’s country of origin
- Visa approval: average processing time of 4 weeks following the submission of a complete application
- Arrival in France: start of the assignment and activation of Social Security entitlements
- Residence permit: ongoing support through to the collection of the residence card from the local prefecture
Where required by the assignment, 2i Portage, another subsidiary of 2i Group, hires the talent on a permanent employment contract through its French EOR complete solution and manages the entire payroll and employment administration process.
Additional services are also available through 2iCS, including bank account opening, mobile plan subscription, housing search assistance, and Social Security registration (Carte Vitale).
This ensures that your international recruitment process is fully compliant and that your new team member is operational from day one in France.
The services 2iCS handles your international recruitment process
- Identification of the most suitable visa for the foreign talent
- Preparation and submission of the application for the talent and their family, if required
- Employment on a permanent contract via 2i Portage for the assignment (if the French EOR complete solution option is selected)
- Complete payroll and employment administration (if the French EOR complete solution option is selected)
- Opening a bank account (optional)
- Subscription to a mobile phone plan (optional)
- Registration with the French Social Security system and obtaining a Carte Vitale (optional)
- Assistance with finding accommodation (optional)
- Support with the residence permit process
Pricing available upon request from Angie HUGHES, International Professional Mobility Manager, on +33 6 77 08 21 17.
Discover Our Solution for Seconding Your Employees Abroad
Seconding an employee abroad is subject to strict regulations that vary from one destination country to another. Failing to properly assess local requirements can jeopardise your employee’s assignment and expose your company to compliance and operational challenges.
Seconding an Employee Abroad: Visa Procedures Managed by 2iCS
2iCS handles all visa-related formalities to support the secondment of your employees abroad:
- Case assessment: analysis of the employee’s profile and identification of the most appropriate work visa for the destination country
- Application preparation: collection of supporting documents, certified translations, and coordination with our International Professional Mobility team
- Consular submission: appointment scheduling and submission of the visa application
- Visa approval: average processing time of 4 weeks following the submission of a complete application
Each application undergoes a detailed assessment of the risks specific to the destination country. Your employee is seconded within a secure legal framework, without requiring your HR teams to manage the administrative complexity associated with visa applications.
In Brief: How 2iCS Simplifies Employee Secondment Abroad
- Verification of visa eligibility
- Preparation and submission of the visa application
- Appointment scheduling and follow-up through to visa issuance
Pricing available upon request.
Why Entrust Your International Mobility Management to 2iCS?
Managing the administrative aspects of international talent mobility requires expertise in immigration law, international employment law, and social protection systems. Few HR teams have this level of knowledge in-house. 2iCS is your dedicated partner, taking on this complexity so you can focus on your core business.
The Benefits of 2iCS Support:
- Fully outsourced management: you provide the case file, and 2iCS manages the entire process through to the talent’s operational start in France or the departure of the seconded employee abroad
- Legal compliance: every case is handled in accordance with French regulations and the legal requirements of the countries involved
- Multilingual support: our teams communicate in French, English, Spanish, and Arabic to facilitate smooth interactions throughout the process
- Integrated French EOR complete solution: if required, 2i Portage, another subsidiary of 2i Group, can employ the Consultant on a permanent contract and manage the entire payroll and employment administration process
- 360° support services: beyond visa management, 2iCS assists talent with every aspect of their relocation, including accommodation, banking, Social Security registration, and telecommunications
- A high-value client experience: a dedicated mobility expert, a people-focused approach, and personalised support at every stage of the journey
- Simplified processes: comprehensive, centralised, and operational management for both your HR teams and your employees
- Optimised timelines: greater efficiency in case management and increased peace of mind for your employees and their families
As a result, your HR teams can focus on strategic priorities rather than administrative procedures.
International mobility becomes a driver of business growth, not a source of administrative burden.
Who Is This International Professional Mobility Administration Solution For?
This solution is designed for any organisation facing international mobility needs, regardless of its size.
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) benefit from outsourced expertise that would be difficult and costly to maintain in-house. Large organisations gain a reliable operational partner capable of managing multiple cases simultaneously through a single point of contact.
The most common use cases include:
- Recruiting foreign talent for an assignment in France
- Seconding an employee to an international project abroad
- Supporting foreign talent and their family throughout their relocation and settlement in France
- Managing multiple international talent profiles on an ongoing basis for fast-growing companies
How an Energy Company Successfully Recruited Miguel for His Assignment in France with the Support of 2iCS
A French company in the energy sector needed to bring Miguel, a Philippine national holding a Norwegian residence permit, to France to take part in a strategic project.
To ensure his arrival and integration in full compliance with French regulations, the company relied on 2iCS's expertise in international professional mobility. After analysing Miguel's situation, our teams identified the most suitable immigration pathway and took charge of the entire administrative process: eligibility assessment, application preparation, supporting documentation, coordination between all stakeholders, and organisation of the consular appointment.
Despite submitting a complete application, an unexpected challenge arose: the visa application was refused during the initial consular appointment. This decision threatened to delay the start of the assignment and jeopardise the project's timeline.
To secure the Consultant's relocation to France, 2iCS quickly mobilised its network of partner immigration lawyers. A detailed review of the case made it possible to provide the necessary clarifications and obtain a new consular appointment within an exceptionally short timeframe.
The result: Miguel was granted a Talent Passport - EU Blue Card visa and was able to relocate to France and begin his assignment within the planned schedule. Thanks to 2iCS's support, the company successfully secured its international recruitment process and delivered its project on time, despite a major administrative setback.
Do You Have Any Other Questions?
Angie HUGHES, International Mobility Manager,
is available to assist you on +33 6 77 08 21 17 or by email at angie.hughes@2igroup.fr.
Angie
FAQ: Your Questions About Our International Professional Mobility Solution
As a general guideline, you should allow approximately 4 to 6 weeks from the submission of a complete application at the consulate. Processing times may vary depending on the type of visa requested and the prefecture responsible for issuing the residence permit.
2iCS anticipates these timelines from the initial case assessment stage, helping to prevent delays and ensure your assignment or project starts on schedule.
Employee secondment refers to a temporary assignment abroad during which the employee remains employed by and affiliated with the French company.
Expatriation generally applies to longer-term international assignments, where the employee becomes affiliated with the local employment and social security system of the host country.
A French EOR complete solution enables a foreign Consultant to carry out an assignment in France through an intermediary employment provider, without the client company having to hire them directly.
Yes. The application process can also include immigration procedures for the talent’s spouse and children, depending on the type of visa being requested.
This family support service is a key factor in ensuring a smooth relocation and successful integration of foreign talent in France, while helping them become fully operational as quickly as possible.
Yes. This solution is specifically designed for companies that do not have dedicated resources or in-house expertise in international mobility.
A single point of contact manages the entire process on your behalf, providing guidance and updates at every key stage. This enables your organisation to handle international recruitment and employee mobility efficiently, without the need for specialised HR or immigration knowledge.
Want to Learn More About International Professional Mobility?
Explore our articles on the 2iCS website.
Discover Our Complementary Solutions for Businesses and Independent Professionals
Business Development Services
Do you work with external Consultants or freelancers as part of your projects? With our Business Development Services, 2iCS takes care of the administrative and contractual management of your subcontractors. Benefit from a single point of contact, streamlined supplier management, and a secure legal framework to collaborate with independent professionals with complete peace of mind.
Micro-Enterprise Management
Looking to set up a micro-business or outsource its administrative management? 2iCS supports you at every stage of your activity, from business registration and administrative follow-up to regulatory filings and declarations. A solution designed to help you grow your business with greater simplicity and peace of mind.