How do I hire an employee in another country?
- Apply for certification from the United States Department of Labor.
- Interview prospective foreign workers.
- Apply for a work visa from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Verify the tax laws applicable to your company and the foreign worker.
How do I pay a foreign employee?
For employees working in foreign countries, you can use remote payment options such as TransferWise, international wire transfers, international money orders, or online payment software like PayPal. Foreign employees working in the U.S. can be paid just like U.S. citizens.
Can U.S. companies hire foreign workers?
Yes. You will just have to prove to the Department of Labor that there is a lack of sufficient U.S. workers who will do the job at the prevailing wage.
Why do companies hire foreign workers?
- Skilled foreign nationals can fill roles for which there is a shortage of skilled U.S. workers.
- Their language abilities and foreign knowledge can help companies reach a global market.
- Companies can improve their creativity and innovation by hiring foreign workers with different skills and ideas.
- Hiring foreign workers can improve the company's workplace culture and lead to better employee morale.
- Foreign workers are often hired to fill job vacancies.
Do foreign employees pay U.S. taxes?
Yes. All foreign employees working in the U.S. will need to apply for a social security number and submit a Form W-2 with the ICE.
Can you hire someone without a work visa?
Yes, but you will then need to sponsor the foreign national for a work visa or otherwise help him or her to obtain one before the work start date.
Can an employer sponsor an immigrant?
Yes. You will need to apply for certification from the Department of Labor and prove that you have sufficient funds, including bringing the immigrant to the United States and helping them to stay there legally.
What is foreign labor certification?
Foreign Labor Certifications assure that the hiring of foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages, job opportunities, and working conditions of U.S. citizens. There are different types of foreign labor certificates, and which one you apply for will depend on the requirements of your job vacancy.
What are the four main categories of visas for foreign workers?
- L visas for specialized workers.
- E visas to transfer qualified workers.
- H visas for temporary, skilled foreign workers or foreign workers to fill agricultural or nonagricultural (hotels, resorts, amusem*nt parks, truck drivers, etc.) positions.
- P visas for artists or athletes fulfilling temporary engagements in the U.S.
What is the H-1B program?
The H-1B program allows the employment of temporary, specialized foreign workers in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant basis for specialized positions requiring the theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or equivalent, or as fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.
How can I sponsor an immigrant?
To sponsor your foreign worker to become a permanent resident for a permanent job opportunity, you will need to submit an Application for Permanent Labor Certification to the Department of Labor. After receiving approval, you will need to submit Form I-140 on behalf of the worker to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Can a U.S. company hire a foreign independent contractor?
Yes, but you will need to ensure that your foreign independent contractor is not legally defined as an employee under foreign labor laws, in order to avoid any litigations. You should also have your foreign independent contractor complete Form W-8 BEN to establish their status as a foreign person.
What are the best job boards to post vacancies for foreign workers?
What jobs can you hire foreign workers for?
You can hire either temporary or permanent foreign workers for a variety of positions ranging from agricultural work to positions that require specialized training or even a bachelor's degree.
Where can I find foreign workers?
See our guide that includes a list of great job boards for finding foreign workers.
