However, with the advent of certain technological tools, the process is becoming easier and streamlined for these employers. Now, there’s less paperwork, the ability to stay compliant with immigration laws, and faster processing.
Also known as the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa or Domestic Helper Visa, the domestic worker visa allows foreign workers to be hired by private households as domestic staff to work for them in the UK for up to 6 months.
Although the visa holders cannot get a permanent residency or work in different job types through this visa, they can work, travel abroad and return, and change employers within the same role.
After reading this article, you will understand better the traditional challenges of the domestic worker visa process, how technology is revolutionizing the process, and the benefits of a technology-driven process for employers.
The Traditional Challenge of the Domestic Worker Visa Process
When a visa is processed without the help of technology, it will involve lots of manual paperwork and documentation. Every application and document will have to be filled out and presented manually.
Also, trying to keep up with the immigration laws of the country by only having manual access to their constitution can cause delays and lots of errors.
Filling out forms and keeping up with immigration laws will consume so much time, and when added to the lengthy processing times, in-person appointments, and potential delays by the embassy, it could discourage employers from going on with the process.
Continuously, without the help of technology, consistent communication with parties involved - employer to employee and employer to government agencies - will be very difficult. In between the correspondence, important information can be lost or delayed.
These compounded delays and the possibility of errors increase the chances of the visa application being rejected or delayed.
How Technology is Revolutionizing the Visa Process
Seeing the challenges of traditional means of processing the domestic worker visa, government agencies and other specialized platforms are now embracing technology to simplify the process.
Firstly, most visa application, processing, and verification is now done online. It is now more accessible and convenient for applicants. Furthermore, during application, applicants can now easily erase errors and correct them with the built-in error checks, and also save progress.
Continuously, most documents needed to support the applicant’s application can now be uploaded and stored digitally. This not only makes it easier for applicants, but it also makes it easier for the embassies.
They can now easily track the immigration history and application of all applicants through data that has been uploaded to their portal. For the employers, this modified process prevents the risk of losing important documentation and makes it easier to share the documents with the relevant authorities.
Websites that are secured with SSL help to keep the information of applicants safe and secure.
There are software and platforms that can guide employers as they fill out the application. Some of this software acts as prompts to suggest what they could fill in or what they had filled in before.
The uncertainty that came with traditional means of visa application usually filled employers with dread. However, with the help of technology, employers can now track the progress or status of their visa applications online.
This helps the accountability and transparency of employers to employees, and the immigration authorities to the employers. Through emails and SMS notifications, employers can now receive important information that helps them to anticipate timelines.
With technology, employers can stay updated with recent immigration trends and regulations through news outlets online or email subscription to receive updates on policy changes, so that they don’t break immigration laws. Employers can receive email reminders to renew payments or update their application at specific times.
While searching for employees, employers can simply post job vacancies on various job boards online, and can easily conduct interviews through video conferencing with candidates located overseas.
This saves so much time and cost as compared to in-person interviews.
Benefits of Technology-Driven Process for Employers
The revolution of technology brought relief to the challenges that employers faced with traditional means of visa application. Now, the amount of paperwork and manual tasks has reduced so drastically, which has in turn reduced the administrative burden.
Visa processing times are now faster, and applicants can easily predict timelines. With the help of automation and various digital tools, employers can now make more accurate and error-free applications online.
Employers can now save so much time and money that they would have spent on administrative overhead, conducting interviews, courier fees, and travel expenses. Having access to more global talent is no longer stressful, as employers can find qualified international candidates on online platforms.
How to Choose the Right Technology Partner
Technology partners now partner with employers to connect APIs, share data, create new workflows within the company, and enjoy co-marketing efforts, co-selling opportunities, and joint development of new solutions.
Nevertheless, employers need to do their due diligence by conducting proper research of different platforms and service providers. The aim is to find a service provider whose services align with their business requirements and provide much-needed solutions.
Because of constant applications, employers need service providers that can provide very secure platforms that can protect applicants’ information. They also need a platform that is user-friendly and can handle customer support, HR, or payroll systems.
What next?
From this article, you will understand that technology is transforming the domestic worker visa process. Now, employers can efficiently provide documentation and support without much stress.
