Governments of different nationalities offer various opportunities for obtaining visas or work permits, with MBA graduates receiving many benefits. For example, Monisha Saldanha, a US national, successfully secured a job in Europe after studying for her MBA at Harvard Business School. She chose a top strategy consulting firm that could help her achieve her dream of working in England, and after graduation, she landed a job there. Working overseas is a popular choice among MBA graduates, with over 100 of the 780 students in the 2001 Harvard class coming to work in London, and more than half of the 250 overseas students choosing to work in the US.
Many MBA recruiting companies are often willing to pay for the cost of obtaining work permits for MBA graduates to work in overseas offices. For instance, AT Kearney confirmed that they’ve never had anyone turned down for a work permit. Although plans can go awry, having an MBA can be beneficial in such situations. Extensive MBA networks offer advice and contacts to assist with job searches or relocation. The Global Workplace Community of the World’s Top Business Schools is an excellent network that provides advice, and it’s used well by international MBA alumni from 32 partner business schools, including the London Business School, Manchester, Cranfield, Cambridge, Oxford, Chicago, Darden, and Stanford. With over 600 companies registering executive jobs worldwide, the service matches relevant candidates.
MBA graduates have two routes to obtain a new work permit: either by finding a new employer or applying to the ‘Highly Skilled Migrant Programme’ that gives a full work permit to anyone who qualifies with 75 points. The Home Office allocates points based on qualifications, work experience, and specialist skills in a chosen field. MBA graduates automatically earn 25 points for having an MBA, and though a significant achievement in a chosen field gets one 25 points too. The programme is personal, not attached to any one employer, and does not require sponsorship. The UK is moving towards an immigration model that would attract the best and brightest talent from around the world. With this, UK Business Schools will attract more high-quality overseas students and graduates.
The MBA degree has become one of the most prestigious and rapidly growing postgraduate qualifications in the UK. Over 4000 overseas students come to British Business Schools every year to earn their MBA degree. This trend is not unique to the UK; other countries also recognize the significance of the MBA. Universities across the world consider the degree as a contribution towards their reputation in the education system and acknowledge the potential of talented immigrant students the degree can provide.
Australia has also embraced this policy and introduced a work permit specifically for MBA graduates. These work permit regulations require Australian employers to hire MBA graduates from Australian Business Schools who are highly likely to obtain a two-year work permit in the country. Australia used to have one of the strictest and most challenging policies when it came to offering work permits, but the introduction of the MBA degree has eased restrictions and encouraged enrolment from overseas students. Over 2000 overseas students come to Australian Business Schools to earn their MBA degree each year.
The US has been famously known for providing open visa environments for international MBA graduates. The country used to offer J1 visas to graduate students from developing countries, which allowed them to work in the US during their studies. On the other hand, overseas students from the UK would receive an F1 visa, enabling them to work in the US for twelve months after graduation. However, after the September 11 terror attacks, the US has become stringent with their policies. Though J1 and F1 visas are still available, it has become harder to obtain a visa to work in the US, especially for applicants originating from the Middle East.
With China joining the World Trade Organization, the potential influx of Chinese students in the US has been limited due to a strict rationing of visas. However, the pressure from US Universities to fill their MBA places with their target number of overseas students resulted in more places being available for European candidates. Currently, there are over 15,000 foreign MBA students studying in the US.
Governments worldwide acknowledge the importance of postgraduate education and are now offering "MBA-friendly" visas. It is no longer just merely a tool kit of skills; it is now the gateway to international success. Global Workplace is one of the many companies helping MBAs from the world’s top business schools network and achieve their international career goals.
