MBA Abroad: Moving Abroad After Completing an MBA

Working abroad after an MBA is a common choice for many. Here, TopMBA.com looks at immigration policies in some of the most popular countries for MBA alumni.

Working overseas is a popular choice with MBA alumni. Of the 780 students in the class of 2001 at Harvard, over 100 came to work in London. Of the 250 overseas students in the same class, over half stayed to work in the US. At London Business School, "almost the entire class choose to work outside their home country, and with 80% non-UK students, London remains the number one destination," according to Julia Tyler, Director of the MBA Program at LBS.

Many MBA recruiting companies are willing to pay for the cost of obtaining a work permit for bright young MBAs to work in overseas offices. Jayne Pellatt, an MBA recruiter from AT Kearney confirms, "We always seem to obtain work permits. We have not had anybody turned down but then we are very stringent in our own selection criteria." However, for many people who do not have an automatic right to work in a particular region, the route to a work permit can be more complex. This is the type of situation in which having an MBA can be a real benefit.

There are extensive MBA networks to which people can turn for advice and contacts to assist with a job search or relocation. For example, TopMBA.com is the membership network of international MBA alumni from 50 Partner Business Schools, representing over 250,000 MBA students and alumni, which provides advice on visa options.

MBAs without a sponsoring employer have two options to obtain a Visa for the UK. Firstly, as we mentioned, a new employer can apply for a work permit, which would last for five years. Secondly an MBA can apply for the "Highly Skilled Migrant Program" permit (HSMP), introduced by the UK Government in 2002. The HSMP is allocated by the Home Office to anyone achieving 75 points on a scale based on qualifications, work experience and specialist skills.

For example, having: 1. An MBA qualification = 25 points 2. Over five years graduate experience = 15 points 3. Additional two years senior management experience = 10 points 4. Previous Salary greater than £40,000 = 25 points 5. Significant achievement in a field = 25 points. The benefit of this work permit is that it is personal and does not need to be sponsored by an employer. Julia Tyler at London Business School says, "this is a big step forward for our international students looking to work in the UK, particularly with small and medium sized enterprises which are not used to applying for work permits on behalf of employees." Laura Devine, Head of the Immigration Team at Eversheds, a leading law firm, says: "today, overseas students can obtain a work permit more easily in the UK than in any other European country or in the US." British Business Schools accept over 4,000 overseas MBA students every year.

By contrast, the US is tightening its Visa policy in the aftermath of September 11. There is evidence already of many applicants from Middle Eastern countries, China and India being rejected for the J1 student visa. MBAs wishing to stay and work in the US beyond their student visa, must find an employing company to sponsor an H1 visa, or obtain a Green Card to stay permanently. Since October 2003, the US Government has reduced the number of H1 visas from 195,000 per annum to only 65,000 per annum. Paradoxically, European citizens interested in studying and working in the US may benefit from this new US visa regime. US Universities remain under pressure to fill MBA places with their target numbers of overseas students. European students are eligible for an F1 visa, which automatically allows them to stay and work in the US for twelve months after their MBA. Rose Martinelli at The Wharton School predicts that, "with fewer candidates being eligible from emerging markets, more places will be offered to European candidates' these applicants are also likely to receive preference when applying for student loans and H1 work visas to stay in the US for longer periods.

Australia and New Zealand are also attractive destinations for many MBAs seeking to move country. Though both countries have extremely strict immigration procedures, they are keen to attract international MBA students. Thomas Shroeder at Melbourne Business School highlights the fact that MBA graduates have the right to stay on and work in Australia for at least twelve months after their MBA. Once regular employment is found, it is unusual for Australian immigration to then turn down an application from an MBA. In New Zealand, Lynette Muter, International Director at the University of Waikato points out that, any MBA with a job offer will automatically be given a visa to stay and work in the country, which will often lead to full citizenship.

Many other countries around the world are also easing their visa requirements for well qualified candidates. Roger McCormack, ex-Director of the Association of MBAs (AMBA) used to say, "An MBA provides a tool-kit of skills, but it's not a passport to success." As governments around the world recognise the importance of postgraduate education and offering "MBA-friendly" visas, perhaps an MBA is becoming a passport to working overseas.

Source: QS TopMBA.com Career Guide