But unless they are prepared for the differences in lifestyle they'll encounter, the challenge may be greater than they anticipated. In fact, according to a recent industry study, half of the 100,000 international executive assignments into the US each year fail because the employees were not prepared to deal with culture shock. Preparation is key, beginning with the employee's entry into the country. Applying for the right visa can alleviate problems later on, particularly if the job assignment turns into a permanent position. If your company does not have a knowledgeable person on staff to handle the details, seek the advice of an immigration attorney.
Mistakes can be expensive and frustrating.
The letter should include the employee's start date, salary, job title, and the anticipated length of the assignment. Foreign national employees should have at least one account at a bank associated with a bank in their home country. Such banks frequently have multilingual tellers who will help employees open a checking account or even obtain a credit card. If the employee does not yet have a Social Security number, the bank will generally accept a form card from the SSA noting the employee has an application on file. The right visa, a Social Security card, a checking account and a credit card can make all the difference in the world.