Jan 23, 2025
Achieving your career goals means making big decisions — and few decisions are more significant than relocating to a new country.
Moving hundreds, or even thousands, of kilometres away from extended family and friends can initially feel daunting. After all, you may not be familiar with the local culture, climate, and language.
But when you have the support of a dedicated relocation team, the process is smooth — which is why we have a dedicated team at Bolt that takes care of everything the person may need to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Rather than relying on an external agency to handle employee relocation, we have a dedicated Global Mobility team within the company to support employees, their families, and even pets through the relocation process.
Our Global Mobility team has successfully relocated over 1000 people from more than 80 countries to various offices around the globe. From now on, relocation support will be available for moves to Estonia only.
No matter which country you’re relocating from, a dedicated individual from Bolt will be committed to your relocation process, supporting you with everything from:
Once you arrive in your new country, the Global Mobility team will continue to help you feel settled in your new country of residence until you leave the company (should that happen).
It’s important to note that the Bolt Global Mobility team does much more than help with relocation. In fact, relocation accounts for around 50% of their tasks. The other half of their responsibilities include:
All these contribute to a positive working experience for all employees — not limited to anyone who relocates to work at Bolt. They demonstrate that Bolt’s Global Mobility team will do everything (and more) to support employees with the challenges of relocating for work.
To discuss how we handle relocation at Bolt, the Head of Global Mobility, Liis Valdsalu discusses the role of the Global Mobility team and the end-to-end support given to every employee.
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Liis Valdsalu, who leads Bolt’s Global Mobility team, has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s approach to global mobility. Drawing from her extensive experience, she has built a team and processes that go beyond traditional relocation services.
“In-house relocation work allows us to truly understand and address the unique needs of our employees,” Liis explains.
We’re not just moving people; we’re helping them build new lives.
Liis Valdsalu, Head of Global Mobility at Bolt
Liis’ journey into the relocation field started with her passion for solving complex problems and helping people adapt to new environments. This has been pivotal in creating a team that combines flexibility, empathy, and efficiency.
“Every relocation is different,” she adds. “Some employees might need extensive help with family arrangements, while others focus more on understanding local culture or finding pet-friendly housing. Being in-house allows us to cater to these diverse needs immediately.”
Liis also highlights the importance of staying responsive and adaptable. “We often go beyond the typical scope of relocation services. Whether it’s assisting with special requests or providing emotional support, we aim to make the entire journey as smooth as possible.”
Her approach underscores the differences between working in-house and with agencies, the latter of which often focus solely on predefined services. By contrast, Bolt’s team offers a holistic and personalised relocation experience.
“We think of relocation as a continuous journey rather than a one-time event,” Liis explains. “This is why we ensure our employees feel supported even months after they’ve moved.”
“Typically, we step into the process once the offer has been accepted,” Liis explained. “However, if someone has questions they’d like answered before accepting, our team is always happy to arrange a call to address their concerns.”
Liis emphasised the importance of personalised communication. “Everyone has their own communication style and unique concerns. A face-to-face call helps us understand their needs better and tailor the process accordingly. It also allows us to adapt our approach — whether that means providing more detailed explanations or adjusting how we communicate key information.”
The process begins with securing work permits and handling visa arrangements. “We take care of all the bookings and prepare all the necessary documents. Participants only need to print the documents and bring them to their visa appointments,” Liis explains.
Once the paperwork is complete, the team moves on to coordinating flights and accommodations. “We check flight availability, propose dates to the participants, and finalise bookings once they confirm,” Liis adds.
With everything in place, they’re ready to travel!
The team arranges temporary accommodation for the first month to ensure a comfortable start. This gives participants time to adjust, start working, and find permanent housing at their own pace. During this period, they don’t have to worry about where they will be staying, allowing them to settle in and focus on their new roles.
“We also provide comprehensive on-the-ground support,” Liis shared. For example, we accompany participants to the police station to assist with the residence permit process. This is crucial, as the process can be confusing, and crowded environments might add to the stress.” To simplify things, the team prepares and prints all the required documents. Since Estonia’s immigration process relies heavily on paper until a residence permit card is issued, the team ensures everything is ready for submission.
Relocating to a new country with children comes with its own unique set of challenges and considerations, especially when it comes to education. That’s why we strive to make the transition as smooth as possible by providing tailored guidance and valuable connections to local resources.
In Estonia, children have access to public schools where classes are conducted in Estonian. To support newcomers, the government offers language classes that help children adapt quickly and learn the local language. If families prefer options like international schools, our team has strong connections with them and can share helpful information to support parents in making informed decisions. These schools are a great fit for families who have relocated before or prefer English or other language-based curriculums.
For younger children, we can also assist with information about kindergartens. If proximity to our office or the availability of English-speaking teachers is a priority, we can help identify suitable options. However, it’s worth noting that availability can sometimes be limited, particularly if classes are already full. This is why we recommend families share their preferences as early as possible, ideally before the relocation process begins.
“We’ve found that families with school-age children often prefer to move after the school year ends, which allows for a smoother transition. In many cases, the employee relocates first, while their family joins later, giving us time to prepare for their schooling and childcare needs in advance,” says Liis.
It’s important to note that if the family chooses to join later, we provide them with the same comprehensive support throughout the relocation process.
Relocating to a new country is a big step, and for many, it wouldn’t feel complete without bringing along their beloved pets. At Bolt, we understand that pets are family, too, and we’re committed to supporting employees who wish to relocate with them.
“Relocating pets can be challenging, especially depending on the breed or type of animal,” Liis shared. “Over the years, we’ve helped relocate dogs, rabbits, and even some birds. There was even a case where someone wanted to relocate a horse. While that proved too difficult for us to manage at the time, it was still a topic of discussion.”
“One of the challenges we address is helping employees and their families adapt to a new culture and environment,” Liis shares. “For instance, learning Estonian can feel daunting, but it’s a key part of integrating into life here. That’s why we offer language courses and support throughout the process. Usually, employees start learning the language within their first six months in the country, even though the legal requirement to reach an A2 level usually applies after five years.”
Learning Estonian isn’t just about fulfilling legal requirements — it’s about making everyday life more manageable and enjoyable. “Knowing some Estonian makes tasks like grocery shopping, socialising, and adapting to the culture significantly easier,” Liis adds. To support this, Bolt has expanded the number of spots available in its language training programs, ensuring more employees can access these resources.
While it’s possible to navigate Estonia using English, not knowing the local language can create barriers in both professional and personal life. “We aim to remove those barriers,” says Liis, highlighting Bolt’s commitment to helping employees fully integrate into their new community.
At Bolt, creating a sense of community is central to the relocation experience. “We want people to feel at home — not just at work, but in their new environment,” Liis explains. To foster this connection, the Global Mobility team organises quarterly events that allow employees and their families to meet, share stories, and form meaningful bonds. “These events are invaluable in helping people expand their network beyond their immediate teams. For some, these gatherings have even led to lifelong friendships,” Liis adds.
The team also uses technology to enhance this sense of community. “We use Slack to keep employees updated and gather feedback, so everyone stays informed about legal changes or upcoming events,” says Liis. In addition, there’s a WhatsApp group for relocated spouses to form smaller subgroups based on shared interests, such as exploring museums or organising joint activities.
Family-friendly events are another highlight of Bolt’s community-building efforts. From cultural events where employees share dishes from their home countries to English-friendly Easter activities for children, these gatherings celebrate diversity and inclusion. “Last year’s cultural event was particularly memorable, as it allowed everyone to experience different cuisines and learn more about each other’s backgrounds,” says Liis.
When asked about what motivates her team, Liis reflects on the unique advantages of in-house relocation work. “One key difference between working in-house and with an agency is that we get to see people in the office. It’s incredibly rewarding to chat with colleagues, grab a coffee, and connect with them in person. This daily interaction really drives us, even when the job gets stressful.”
What truly motivates the team is seeing relocated employees thrive in their new environment. Liis recalls moments during particularly challenging situations — such as dealing with closed borders — when checking in on employees at the coffee corner brought a sense of immense satisfaction. “It’s so heartwarming to see them laughing and enjoying themselves. Sometimes, it even brings tears to my eyes.”
Liis also shares how Estonia’s safety and high quality of life inspire many employees to put down roots. “It’s a success when someone stays with us for several years, then leaves the company at the right time but chooses to continue living in Estonia. It’s a sign that they had a positive experience and built a life here.”
Relocating to a new country is never simple, but with Bolt’s empathetic and thorough approach, it becomes an opportunity to thrive. If you’re considering a career at Bolt, you can trust that your relocation journey will be supported every step of the way.
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