More and more companies are asking how to hire international employees, with 55% citing access to specialized talent as the main reason. Businesses now have access to global talent like never before, allowing them to expand internationally and tap into a wider pool of qualified applicants. But with this opportunity comes responsibility.
In this article, we'll explain exactly what you need to know about global expansion, from legal hiring options and tax rules to payroll and international benefits, so you can confidently and compliantly build a team beyond borders. By the end, you'll have a clear roadmap for hiring internationally, starting with these five expert tips to make the process easier and more effective.
5 Expert Tips to Make International Hiring Easy
Whether building a remote team or entering a new market, these five expert tips on how to hire international employees will help you legally, quickly, and confidently hire internationally.
Tip 1: Know Your Hiring Options
There's more than one way to hire globally. Before jumping into global recruitment, it's essential to understand the three main ways US companies hire abroad:
1. Set up a legal entity
You can open a branch in another country, but it's expensive, slow, and requires deep knowledge of local employment laws. This option is ideal only for companies with long-term plans in that country.
2. Use an Employer of Record (EOR)
This is the easiest, fastest, and safest method for hiring international employees. An Employer of Record like Atlas HXM is the legal employer for your global employees, handling compliance, payroll, benefits, and more, while you manage the day-to-day work.
Learn more about how EORs work and how to pay overseas employees in our Employer of Record explained guide.
3. Engage global contractors
This method offers flexibility, but it comes with misclassification risks. If you treat contractors like employees (e.g., setting their schedules), you could face fines, back pay, and compliance issues.
Tip 2: Understand Local Labor Laws and Tax Requirements
Every country has different rules. When learning how to hire international employees, you must also learn and follow local employment laws, including:
Minimum wage requirements
Paid leave and holidays
Tax withholding rules
Mandatory benefits (e.g., healthcare, pension)
If you're unsure how to stay compliant, working with an experienced global hiring partner can help.
Tip 3: Figure Out How to Pay Foreign Employees
One of the biggest questions we receive after how to hire international employees is how to pay overseas employees. When paying international employees, you'll need to:
Convert currency
Follow the proper payroll schedule.
Deduct the correct taxes.
Contribute to country-specific programs (e.g., retirement or social security)
This is where our EOR payroll solutions make a huge difference. We handle everything from local tax deductions to benefits administration, so you don't have to.
Tip 4: Streamline Your Global Hiring Process
International hiring can be complex without the right systems in place. From sourcing talent to onboarding, having a repeatable, scalable process is key to growing your team across borders.
Here's how to streamline global hiring:
Use global job boards and platforms with international reach
Standardize interview steps while allowing for cultural differences
Prepare localized offer letters that reflect country-specific laws
Automate onboarding with digital tools and EOR support
A streamlined process not only saves time, but it also helps you deliver a professional candidate experience that builds trust from day one. Atlas HXM simplifies this process with local expertise via in-country compliance specialists and end-to-end onboarding support.
To protect your business, it's best to ensure workers are engaged appropriately from the start or work with a trusted EOR like Atlas HXM to avoid misclassification risks.
Tip 5: Offer Competitive Global Benefits
Companies must offer more than a paycheck to attract and retain top international talent. A global hire wants a positive work experience, benefits that support their well-being, and growth opportunities. Some must-have benefits to think about when learning how to hire international employees include:
Health insurance
Life and travel insurance
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Retirement plans
Paid leave
Access to learning and development
At Atlas, we provide world-class employee experiences and premium benefits tailored to local expectations. Learn how international hiring and expansion with Atlas HXM helps companies stay competitive worldwide.
Hire Global & Stay Compliant with Atlas HXM
You're in the right place if you're wondering how to hire international employees without running into compliance issues or payroll confusion. Atlas HXM helps companies worldwide simplify global hiring through our direct Employer of Record (EOR) services. Whether making your first international hire or scaling a global workforce, these five expert tips will help you do it smartly. With the right approach and partner, global hiring can be simple, fast, and compliant.