The rise of cross-border hiring between the US and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region continues to evolve as more US businesses tap into the talent pool across APAC countries. A report from Native Teams reveals that 25% of US-based companies are currently hiring remote talent from the APAC region, with India, the Philippines, and Indonesia leading the way.
This surge in hiring is driven by a combination of cost-efficiency, the growing availability of specialised skills, and the rising use of digital collaboration tools. Key roles being hired include software developers, project managers, and customer success professionals, with software development making up 33% of remote hires in the region.
The report highlights that larger companies are at the forefront of this trend, with 38% of firms with 5,000+ employees planning to increase their headcount in APAC. In contrast, only 11% of micro-businesses have similar expansion plans.
The growing reliance on Employee of Record (EOR) services—projected to reach US$12 billion by 2030—is also contributing to this shift, allowing US companies to navigate complex local laws and payroll systems across APAC markets.
The adoption of hybrid work models is gaining traction in APAC, even as the number of fully remote job postings slightly declines. In markets like India and Singapore, companies are seeing a rise in hybrid job postings, with demand for flexible roles outpacing supply.
One of the biggest factors driving US companies to APAC is the region’s ability to offer high-quality talent at lower operational costs. APAC cities also feature some of the world’s lowest office occupancy costs, further boosting the appeal for businesses seeking to expand their remote teams.
The future of hiring is becoming increasingly borderless, with APAC emerging as a key region for US companies. However, challenges around labour laws, salary transparency, and tax systems remain. Despite these hurdles, the demand for global flexibility and the potential to optimise operational costs makes APAC an attractive choice for US businesses looking to scale.
As US companies continue to expand their remote teams in APAC, the importance of EOR solutions and hybrid work strategies will be essential to ensure compliant and scalable growth.
