Relocate Employees to the United States

Relocating employees to and from the United States is a significant step for any organisation. It involves not only the logistics of moving people and their belongings across borders but also navigating complex immigration requirements while ensuring that employees feel supported throughout the transition. At Elliott International, we provide businesses a trusted, premium relocation solution backed by decades of global expertise and international accreditation.

Why Businesses Choose Elliott International to Relocate Employees to the USA

Elliott is the preferred Employee Relocation partner for many JSE-listed companies because of our ability to deliver a seamless, end-to-end service. By working with a single point of contact, corporates avoid the inefficiencies and frustrations that often come with coordinating multiple suppliers. This streamlined approach saves time, reduces risk, and ensures consistent communication throughout the process.

As a brand recognised and accredited globally by FIDI, IAM, and ICEFAT, Elliott brings an additional layer of trust and credibility. These accreditations are not just badges; they reflect our commitment to adhering to the highest international standards in mobility and specialist handling. Whether relocating employees to the United States, repatriating them to South Africa, or facilitating a third country move between two international destinations, our global network and standards remain consistent.

Comprehensive Relocation Services

Employee Relocation is rarely a one-size-fits-all scenario. Elliott offers a suite of specialised services that address the specific needs of corporates and their employees. In addition to moving household belongings, we provide storage facilities in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, vehicle relocation, and pet relocation services, allowing employees and their families to relocate with peace of mind.

Our customers also benefit from in-house financial services, underwritten by Hollard. As an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP: 26423), Elliott offers comprehensive relocation insurance, giving businesses and their employees an additional level of security that other providers often cannot match.

Immigration and Visa Guidance

For corporates relocating employees to the United States, understanding U.S. immigration pathways is often one of the most complex and critical aspects of the process. Approximately 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas are issued each fiscal year, allocated across five preference categories. These visas allow employees, and in many cases their spouses and children, to live and work permanently in the United States.

Employer Sponsorship

For most South African companies relocating staff to the U.S., the process begins with employer sponsorship. In many visa categories, the U.S.-based entity acts as the sponsor, filing an immigrant petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the employee. This sponsorship is not only a legal requirement but also a strategic commitment: it signals to U.S. authorities that the company requires this individual’s skills and expertise in the U.S. market.

Preference Categories Relevant to Employers

EB-1 (First Preference): This category benefits multinational executives and managers, making it especially relevant for South African corporates transferring leadership teams into the U.S. business structure. Unlike other categories, EB-1 often does not require labour certification, making it a faster route for senior appointments.

EB-2 (Second Preference): Designed for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. For companies sending skilled professionals to the U.S., this category is frequently used. In most cases, a job offer and labour certification are required, unless a national interest waiver is granted, which can exempt the employer from the certification process if the individual’s role is deemed to significantly benefit the United States.

EB-3 (Third Preference): Applicable to skilled workers, professionals, and certain other workers, this category is often used when corporates relocate mid-level staff to support U.S. operations. EB-3 petitions almost always require both a permanent job offer and labour certification.

Labour Certification and Schedule A Occupations

For EB-2 and EB-3 petitions, U.S. employers must generally obtain a labour certification from the U.S. Department of Labour before filing with USCIS. This step, completed via the Form ETA-9089 through the Foreign Labour Application Gateway (FLAG) system, verifies two key points:

                  1.             That there are no available, qualified, willing, and able U.S. workers to fill the role at the prevailing wage; and

                  2.             That hiring the foreign employee will not negatively impact the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers in similar roles.

This safeguard is essential in balancing the interests of the U.S. labour market with the employer’s need to secure international talent.

However, for certain Schedule A occupations, the labour certification requirement does not apply. These include professional nurses, physical therapists, and individuals of exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or performing arts. For corporates in healthcare or higher education, this exemption can significantly shorten the relocation timeline.

National Interest Waiver

In some EB-2 cases, corporates may petition for a national interest waiver, removing the need for both a job offer and labour certification. This is typically reserved for roles where the employee’s work is considered to substantially benefit the United States, for example, a specialist in renewable energy research or advanced medical innovation. While less common, this pathway can be valuable for businesses relocating individuals whose expertise directly aligns with U.S. national priorities.

For more information, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Website.

Partnering with Elliott

Relocating employees to the United States is a business-critical decision that impacts both the organisation and the individuals involved. By partnering with Elliott International, corporates gain more than a logistics provider; they gain a partner who understands the commercial and human aspects of relocation.

Our role is to simplify the process, protect corporate interests, and provide employees with the confidence to focus on their new role abroad. Get in touch with an Elliott Corporate Relocation Specialist today for more information, or view the FIDI Import Customs Guide USA.

Resources

Elliott Corporate Relocation Page

How to ship internationally from South Africa

Palletised Storage Solutions