Background - Applying social learning theory, we propose a relationship of cultural intelligence with the moderation effect of political skills to predict expatriate adjustment. Design/methodology/approach - Three ninety-one participants voluntarily participated in the survey for the data collection from four sectors (banking, telecom, software, and public). Findings - The findings reveal that a direct positive influence of cultural intelligence on expatriate adjustment and political skills positively moderates this relationship.Practical Implications- This study provides guidance to policymakers and practitioners that by using the tools of cultural intelligence and political skills, they can overcome the hurdles faced by the expatriates for adjustment in multi-national firms and culture.Originality/value - This study emphasized the primary domain of political skills, which enables the expatriates to adjust themselves with higher cultural intelligence in the environment of multinational firms.