Graduate Programmes: preparing talent for international careers in full compliance

Graduate Programmes: an international career within reach

Participating in a Graduate Programme is not just about securing a first job: it means entering a unique career path where every experience matters. These programmes allow young graduates to develop their skills, discover several business functions and sometimes work internationally.

A Graduate Programme is a structured pathway designed to train the company’s future leaders.

• Duration: generally between 12 and 36 months
• Mobility: frequent rotations between departments and sometimes countries
• Objective: skills development and preparation for leadership positions

However, to fully benefit from these international opportunities, it is essential to anticipate administrative formalities, immigration procedures and Social Protection matters — issues that are too often underestimated.

Why is immigration essential when a rotation takes place abroad?

Chaque rotation internationale nécessiteEach international rotation requires compliance with local regulations to remain fully compliant.

• Type of visa: depending on the country and the Graduate’s status
• Work permit: required for non-European nationals or for assignments outside the EU
• Processing times and procedures: these can delay departure if not anticipated
• Specific cases: Graduates with third-country nationality often require particular attention

A visa is your entry ticket to a new country — it is best to obtain it before arriving.

Failing to plan these procedures can quickly turn an international opportunity into an administrative challenge. une opportunité internationale en casse-tête administratif.

Which countries offer a specific visa for Graduates?

For Graduates, obtaining a standard work permit can sometimes be a real challenge. These profiles are in an intermediate situation: they are no longer students, but they are not yet experienced employees. In addition, not all countries offer dedicated schemes for international young graduates.

The good news is that some countries provide specific visas or programmes to facilitate their immigration, for example:

• Germany: visa for young professionals or researchers
• Netherlands: programmes dedicated to international graduates
• Ireland: schemes for young graduates
• United Kingdom: Graduate Trainee Visa for certain categories
• United States: J-1 Visa
• Brazil: RN19 Trainee
• Australia: Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
  

Some destinations, such as Argentina or China, have requirements that vary depending on the candidate’s profile. It is therefore crucial to plan rotations in advance and consult an expert to avoid any delays.

Social Protection: essential coverage for completing a Graduate Programme with peace of mind

International mobility is not limited to visas. Social Protection and healthcare coverage are equally essential to protect both the Graduate and the employer.

To ensure optimal protection, several elements must be considered:

• Verification of local affiliation and social rights to ensure the Graduate benefits from the necessary coverage
• Verification of agreements between countries to coordinate systems and avoid any interruption in healthcare or Social Protection coverage
• Support from experts: personalised advice, administrative management and comprehensive coverage

It is also important to note that European and non-European Graduates face different obligations regarding Social Protection and healthcare, which requires particular attention from the earliest stages of mobility planning.

Immigration procedures and Graduate Programmes: what steps should be taken depending on the situation?

To support Graduates in their international mobility, the following overview highlights the essential immigration and posting of workers procedures, visas, permits and specific obligations depending on the destination country. It allows organisations to plan rotations efficiently while ensuring full legal and administrative compliance.

→ Assignment from France to Europe for European nationals: 

Europeans	Less than 3 months	More than 3 months	Comments
Visa	❌	❌
Residence permit	❌	❌
Posting of workers declaration	✅	✅	Must be completed before the start of the assignment in the host country
A1 form	✅	✅	Issued from the country of origin
Compliance with labour law	✅	✅	Working conditions, health and safety, rest periods
Document retention	✅	✅	During the assignment and up to five years afterwards
Local registration	❌	✅	In the municipality of residence. Note that AirBnB accommodation is often not accepted

→ Assignment from France to Europe for third-country nationals legally residing in France: 

Non-Europeans in the EU & Switzerland	Less than 3 months	More than 3 months	Comments
Visa	❌	✅	A residence permit only allows travel for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Beyond 3 months, a Van der Elst visa or a full immigration procedure is required
Residence permit	❌	✅	According to the rules of the host country
Posting of workers declaration	✅	✅	Must be completed before the start of the assignment in the host country
A1 form issued from the country of origin	✅	✅	From the country of origin
Compliance with labour law	✅	✅	Working conditions, health and safety, rest periods
Document retention	✅	✅	During the assignment and up to five years afterwards
Local registration	❌	✅	In the municipality of residence

→ Assignment from France to non-European countries (regardless of nationality):

Europeans or non-Europeans	Less than 3 months	More than 3 months	Comments
Full immigration procedure required	✅	✅	Visa and work permit according to the rules of the host country
Residence permit		✅	According to the rules of the host country
Social Protection	✅	✅	Application for a CoC or A1 for countries with agreements with France. For countries without agreements, the procedure depends on local regulations
Compliance with labour law	✅	✅	Working conditions, health and safety, rest periods
Document retention	✅	✅	During the assignment and up to two years afterwards
Permit cancellation	✅	✅	According to the legislation of the host country

Additional documents may be required depending on the rules of each host country. For example, in Brazil, the CPF is mandatory for any administrative process related to international mobility and Graduate Programmes.

Our practical advice for successful international mobility within a Graduate Programme

A Graduate Programme often involves an intra-group transfer to a country where the group already operates. To ensure a smooth mobility experience, the following key points should be anticipated:

• Understand the procedures and timelines specific to each country for obtaining visas and work permits
• Anticipate immigration procedures for third-country nationals to avoid delays
• Plan international mobility towards the end of the programme to allow sufficient time to complete administrative formalities
• Ensure Social Protection coverage from the beginning of the rotation to protect both the Graduate and the employer
• Consult an expert for complex situations to guarantee compliance and secure all procedures
  

These simple best practices can transform international mobility into a genuine career accelerator.

What are the risks of non-compliance?

In the event of non-compliance during mobility within a Graduate Programme, the employer, the host company and the Graduate may be held jointly responsible for the following legal and administrative risks.

Company	Employee
• Reputational risk (loss of market share, loss of tenders, etc.) • Financial risk: fines • Criminal risk: imprisonment for legal representatives • Prohibition on hiring new foreign workers • Risk of a general audit covering all employees	• Financial risk: fines • Prohibition on working in the country until the situation is regularised • Risk of expulsion or even entry bans

International mobility: a strategic lever within a Graduate Programme

With proper preparation, a Graduate Programme becomes a powerful opportunity to accelerate careers and discover new cultures. Planning, compliance and Social Protection are the key elements to ensuring that each rotation runs smoothly.

By relying on the expertise of France Immigration, companies and graduates can fully benefit from these international experiences with complete peace of mind.