Global PEOs like Deel and Oyster offer a great way to hire contractors in many countries around the world, but they may not be the best option for companies that want to hire full-time, long-term employees remotely in one country. That’s where local, country-specific PEOs and EORs come in.

Why? Country-specific PEOs have a deep understanding of local labor laws and compliance requirements. They can help you hire and manage full-time employees in that country without having to set up your own legal entity. And this can save you time and money and give you peace of mind knowing that your remote employees are employed in a fully compliant manner. A country-specific PEO will also typically be smaller than a global PEO, which means that you can expect a more personalized service with greater attention to detail. 

If you’re looking to hire and manage full-time employees in Canada, we’re going to discuss when working with a Canadian PEO might be your best option.

Let’s dive in.

What is a PEO, and what do they do?

A PEO acts as a co-employer, handling human resources, payroll, and other administrative tasks, enabling your staff to continue working for your company while based in another country. This offers a legal framework that means you can easily comply with that country’s labor laws without needing any expertise yourself.

The PEO will essentially take over certain responsibilities, typically handling tax, insurance, employee benefits, and compliance. The employee and employer can maintain their working relationship, meaning only the administrative aspects are routed through the PEO. 

Whether you want to work with a global or local PEO can depend on the size of your company and your long-term goals.

When should companies work with a country-specific PEO vs. a global PEO?

Global PEOs and EORs are a good option for larger companies that are managing a global network of employees, often contractors, around the world. Indeed, global PEOs have an international network of experts and resources that can help companies manage that remote staff without needing a large team capable of doing so.

So if your company is planning to or interested in hiring individuals remotely around the world, particularly as contractors, working with a global PEO makes sense. 

But what if you’re interested in hiring someone on a full-time basis, as if they were in the United States, but remotely in their country of origin? Or what if you’re planning to hire an employee in the US but then have to relocate them to a country where you don’t have an entity because of visa issues, family situations, etc.? In those and other similar case, working with a local, country-specific PEO can provide the expertise you need to do this correctly and compliantly.

A country-specific PEO will have a deep understanding of the labor laws, tax laws, immigration laws, HR rules, work culture and more of the country it’s based in, which is crucial for companies that want to hire remote workers and make sure to avoid compliance headaches. A country-specific PEO might also be able to provide its clients with access to a pool of qualified remote candidates since it works in just one country. Finally, country-specific PEOs are often more affordable services than large global PEOs while providing more of a white-glove service.

And for US-based companies that are interested in hiring remote tech workers full-time, Canada is the best place to do that.

Why should US tech companies hire remote tech workers in Canada with a Canadian PEO?

Canada’s overall booming tech sector and quality of life is a major draw for skilled workers worldwide. There’s also the cost savings, primarily due to the lower cost of healthcare, education, and potentially more favorable taxation, depending on your situation.

Canada stands out in the race to attract global tech talent. They recently unveiled a new work permit targeting immigrants in the US holding H-1B work visas which swiftly reached its 10,000-applicant cap. Coupled with programs like the Global Skills Strategy — a fast-track immigration program for skilled workers — Canada is not only welcoming tech workers rapidly but also offering a swift path to permanent residency. 

Working with an expert Canadian PEO — like Syndesus — means you can take advantage of the benefits the country offers without the stress of navigating many of the technical aspects of employment in Canada. 

Syndesus helps US tech companies of all sizes expand to Canada

Syndesus helps US companies that don’t have an office in Canada leverage Canada’s tech talent and favorable immigration laws for tech workers, whether those companies are small US startups or large corporations. 

Hiring workers remotely through Syndesus means that the immigration, payroll, and other administrative processes are taken care of for you while you focus on expanding your talented workforce and moving your company forward.

Our turnkey PEO services also enable US tech companies to move their existing tech workers from the US to Canada or hire new tech workers in Canada, taking care of the visa sponsorship, as well. With Syndesus, Canada can easily become your tech company’s next remote office.

Reach out to us to learn more about how we can help you hire remotely in Canada!