EY Survey Finds 80% of Global Workers Stay After Mobility Assignments, Trust and Speed Key

Why It Matters

The EY survey signals a paradigm shift for the management‑consulting industry: mobility is no longer a transactional service but a strategic differentiator. As firms compete for scarce, high‑skill talent, the ability to move people quickly while maintaining trust directly impacts revenue growth and market expansion. Consulting practices that can help clients redesign mobility governance, embed AI‑driven compliance, and measure trust metrics will capture new advisory revenue streams. Moreover, the data highlight a growing risk—more than half of surveyed employers have missed business opportunities due to immigration challenges. Consultants who can mitigate this risk through scenario planning, policy advocacy and technology integration will become indispensable partners for multinational CEOs seeking resilience in an increasingly protectionist world.

Key Takeaways

• 80% of employees say a recent overseas assignment makes them more likely to stay, up 32 points from 2025.
• Only 19% of mobility functions are classified as high‑trust, yet they move talent >2× faster.
• 88% of respondents value flexibility in mobility policies, up from 70% a year earlier.
• 51% of employers walked away from a deal in the past two years due to immigration issues.
• 26% of firms view mobility as a key driver of attraction and retention; 24% use it to deploy critical skills.

Pulse Analysis

EY’s 2026 Mobility Reimagined Survey arrives at a moment when the consulting market is re‑evaluating the value proposition of its talent‑mobility services. Historically, mobility was treated as a cost center, but the data now force a re‑classification to a revenue‑protecting capability. The trust‑speed nexus identified by EY mirrors broader trends in digital transformation, where data‑driven assurance and rapid execution are the twin pillars of competitive advantage.

Consultancies that have already invested in AI‑enabled visa platforms, real‑time compliance dashboards and predictive talent analytics are poised to capture the high‑trust segment. Firms lagging behind risk being sidelined as clients demand end‑to‑end mobility solutions that can adapt to shifting regulatory regimes. The 32‑point jump in employee retention after assignments underscores the ROI of well‑orchestrated mobility programs, offering a quantifiable metric that consultants can embed into their value‑based pricing models.

Looking forward, the upcoming EY report on generative AI’s role in mobility will likely accelerate the shift toward automated, trust‑centric processes. Early adopters who integrate AI for scenario planning, risk scoring and personalized policy communication will set a new industry benchmark, compelling the rest of the consulting ecosystem to follow suit or risk obsolescence.