Seamless Secondment: Powering Cross-Border Projects Through People

Brunel Empowers Regional Project Success Through Expert Workforce Mobility Solutions

In today's interconnected business landscape, the ability to deploy talent across borders efficiently has become a critical competitive advantage.

For engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies undertaking projects in Singapore without a local entity, operational barriers are instant showstoppers. Without local registration, companies are unable to sponsor work passes, process payroll, facilitate employment verification for banking and housing, or manage compulsory tax requirements.

This creates a critical business dilemma: how to deploy specialized talent for time-sensitive projects when the basic legal infrastructure for their presence simply doesn't exist. So daunting was the challenge that our client, with promising projects in Singapore, needed nearly 100 technical experts but lacked the local entity necessary to bring them on board.

This case study explores how Brunel International effectively assisted a large Japanese EPC firm's projects in Singapore, illustrating the practical value of professional global mobility services.

The client had a clear objective: to efficiently mobilize specialized engineering talent for two major projects while maintaining full compliance with local regulations and ensuring a seamless consultant experience. The client had several key deployment priorities:

• Secure the right technical experts to drive project success for their two projects
• Retain financial control over workforce compensation through a direct payroll arrangement.
• Ensure full immigration, tax, and regulatory compliance without establishing a local entity.
• Provide comprehensive relocation and accommodation support to consultants, enabling them to stay focused on project delivery.

With 99 placement contracts across both projects spanning two years, the scale and complexity of the initiative demanded a strategic, well-coordinated mobility solution.

Strategic Partnership Model Immigration and Compliance Support 

Navigating immigration regulations in Singapore requires specialized knowledge and experience. Brunel's expertise in this area proved invaluable as our team processed Employment Pass applications and renewals, maintained valid work authorization, monitored regulatory updates, and advised on foreign worker compliance. 

Taxation Management 

Tax compliance is one of the most complex elements of international assignments. Brunel offered extensive support by handling local tax obligations, ensuring accurate filings and payments, guiding consultants on cross-border tax matters, and mitigating compliance risks with local tax authorities. 

Accommodation and Logistics Support 

Perhaps the most visible aspect of Brunel's support involved comprehensive accommodation and logistics services that included securing housing, managing lease processes, coordinating move-ins and move-outs, and arranging transportation and logistical support.

It requires: 

• Deep understanding of immigration systems across multiple jurisdictions 
• In-depth knowledge of international tax laws 
• Strong local connections for logistics and accommodation 
• Ability to anticipate and address cultural adjustment challenges 
• Capacity to scale services to match project demands 

For HR professionals and business leaders handling global talent, partnering with experienced mobility experts transforms potential roadblocks into strategic advantages. 

The success of the partnership between Brunel and this EPC client highlights how the right global mobility partner can directly impact project success. By managing immigration, compliance, and logistics with precision, Brunel enables clients to concentrate entirely on the delivery of high-value engineering projects without administrative delays. 

With expert support, global talent deployment is more than just a compliance exercise—it is a driver of operational excellence, project continuity, and sustainable business growth. 

For businesses dealing with global workforce challenges, partnering with an experienced mobility provider like Brunel turns complexity into an opportunity.