Need to Hire Internationally? Here’s How Global Staffing Agencies Can Help

What Do Global Staffing Agencies Do?

Global staffing agencies help businesses find and hire talent from around the world. They bridge the gap between companies and international job seekers by managing the complex logistics of recruitment, payroll, and legal compliance. 

From handling visas and sponsorships (if you are relocating employees) to navigating local employment laws (for remote workers), these agencies make international hiring much simpler.

There are different types of global staffing agencies to consider:

• General offshore staffing agencies: These source talent from multiple regions, giving you access to a broad pool of candidates. For example, a US tech startup could find skilled developers in Eastern Europe or Latin America at competitive rates.
• Region-specific agencies: These focus on a particular area. For instance, nearshore staffing companies specialize in talent from neighboring countries for better time zone alignment. A US company needing bilingual customer support might hire from Latin America for cultural compatibility and overlapping work hours.
• Niche or industry-specific agencies: These specialize in certain fields, like IT staffing agencies that focus on tech roles. A US energy company needing expertise in oil and gas could find specialized talent from Norway or the Middle East through these staffing agencies.

Of the 100 largest global staffing firms, nearly half are based in the US, showing that American companies are leading the way in international hiring. 

This trend reflects the growing demand for efficient global staffing solutions as businesses expand their reach.

Why Use a Global Staffing Agency? 

Global staffing agencies provide many of the same services as an Employer of Record (EoR), including managing international payroll, benefits, and tax compliance. This lets you hire from abroad without the hassle of setting up a legal entity in another country.

By handling these complex logistics, they simplify recruitment, reduce costs, and make the entire hiring process more efficient.

Here’s how they make it happen:

• Access to top talent worldwide: These agencies have a global presence, so they can tap into vast networks of candidates, giving you access to specialized skills that might be hard to find locally. Whether you need AI developers from India or marketing experts from Europe, they leverage global reach to find the right fit.
• Cost efficiency and time savings: Global staffing agencies help you cut overhead costs by managing recruitment, onboarding, and training. They also save time by pre-screening candidates, meaning only top-qualified professionals make it to your shortlist. 
• Legal and compliance assistance: Dealing with international payroll and compliance with local employment laws is complicated. These agencies handle these challenges by dedicating entire teams to staying updated on local regulations, maintaining compliance, and minimizing legal risks. 
• Scalable workforce solutions: Whether you’re scaling up for a project or downsizing after completion, global staffing agencies provide flexible workforce solutions, letting you adjust team sizes without long-term commitments.
• Streamlined payroll and benefits administration: Managing international payments is a legal and economic minefield without the right infrastructure in place. These agencies simplify payroll, benefits administration, and international payments, maintaining compliance with local laws.

Global staffing is a growing industry. Adecco, one of the largest agencies, recorded $25.56 billion in revenue last year, highlighting the rising demand for international talent and the strategic value of using global staffing agencies.

Choosing the Right Global Staffing Agency: What to Consider

Choosing the right global staffing agency can make a big difference in your hiring success.

Here’s what to consider to find the best fit:

• Identify your business needs: Start by defining the roles you need to fill, whether in tech, finance, sales, or other areas. Think about how many hires you need and whether you require global reach or regional expertise. 
• Geographic reach and talent sourcing: Not every business needs a global reach. Sometimes, focusing on a specific region makes more sense. Consider if nearshoring is better for your needs, especially if you want time zone overlap.
• Candidate screening and hiring process: Look at how agencies source, vet, and shortlist candidates. Do they conduct background checks, skill tests, and structured interviews? A thorough screening process makes sure that you get top-quality talent.
• Pricing models and transparency: Compare pricing structures, like fixed, hourly, and success-based models. Transparent pricing is crucial for understanding where your budget goes.
• Placement and retention rates: A good agency doesn’t just fill positions—they focus on long-term success. Check their placement and retention rates to gauge the quality and stability of their hires.
• Reputation and client reviews: Look at testimonials, case studies, and third-party reviews on platforms like Clutch or Good Firms. This gives you a realistic view of the agency’s performance and reliability.

7 Top Global Staffing Agencies for Hiring Outside the US in 2025

Here are the top staffing companies US businesses can use to scale, expand, and grow their teams with remote workers from around the world. 

They’re not listed in any ranked order, but they all bring unique strengths to international hiring. 

Whether you need specialized talent, regional expertise, or full-service workforce solutions, these agencies can help you find the right people, no matter where they are.

1. Near

Near specializes in one area of the globe: Latin America.

We focus exclusively on connecting US companies with top LatAm talent rather than trying to source from everywhere. This regional specialization means we’ve built deep networks in countries like Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia, where there’s an incredible pool of professionals who understand US business culture and work during your business hours.

We take a personalized approach to talent matching. We spend time understanding exactly what you need—both skills and company culture fit—then carefully select professionals who truly match your requirements. Most clients see qualified candidates within 3–5 days, compared to the weeks or months it typically takes with traditional recruitment methods.

Whether you’re looking to build a nearshore team, hire executives, or scale rapidly, we’ve got you covered.

Key features:

• Industry specialization: If a role can be done remotely, we can source for it—from VAs and customer support reps to full-stack engineers and CFOs. 
• Pre-vetted candidates with US business experience: Our 35K+ LatAm talent pool includes professionals who have already worked with US companies and understand American workplace norms.
• Transparent pricing: Interview candidates for free and pay only a percentage of your hire’s monthly rate once you’ve found your match. We also offer a replacement guarantee in case of compatibility issues. Most clients save 30–60% compared to equivalent US salaries while still offering competitive compensation for LatAm professionals.

2. Adecco

Adecco is one of the world’s largest global staffing agencies, providing workforce solutions in over 62 countries through 3,800 branches, and offering work to 660,000+ people daily. 

Headquartered in Switzerland, Adecco has a robust presence in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific regions. 

Key features:

• Global talent reach: Access to candidates in major markets, including the US, Canada, Brazil, Australia, India, and China.
• Industry specialization: Covers a wide range of industries, such as automotive, hospitality, energy, healthcare, and technology.
• Flexible engagement models: Offers onsite, Managed Service Provider (MSP), and Managed Vendor Program (MVP) models to fit different business needs.

3. Insight Global

Insight Global is a US-based staffing agency with offices in over 35 states. In addition to staffing and direct hire placements, it offers managed services and culture consulting to help businesses build high-performing teams. 

The agency is known for its high-touch relationships with clients and consultants, as well as its personalized staffing solutions.

Key features:

• Talent sourcing locations: Sources talent from Canada, the UK, India, and the Philippines.
• Industry specialization: Focuses on IT and finance staffing while also covering healthcare, government, and engineering sectors.
• Comprehensive service offering: Provides recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), executive recruiting, and culture consulting for workforce development.

4. SGF Global

SGF Global is a US-based staffing agency with a strong focus on LatAm talent sourcing, including candidates from Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela. 

With over 30 years in the industry, it operates in 35+ countries. 

SGF Global is known for its expertise in matching skilled talent to roles in tech, telecommunications, logistics, energy, and manufacturing sectors.

Key features:

• Talent sourcing locations: Specializes in LatAm talent, with additional reach in Morocco, the UK, Portugal, Spain, and Israel.
• Industry specialization: Focuses on tech, telecommunications, logistics, energy (oil and gas), and manufacturing sectors.
• Training services: Offers comprehensive training programs to help businesses upskill their workforce and enhance employee performance.

5. Manpower Group

ManpowerGroup is a US-based global staffing agency operating in over 75 countries, making it one of the most extensive workforce solutions providers worldwide. 

ManpowerGroup also powers digital transformation through its Experis division, which specializes in IT professional resourcing, project solutions, and managed services.

Key features:

• Talent sourcing locations: Extensive global presence in 75+ countries, including major markets in North America, South America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and emerging regions.
• Industry specialization: Covers diverse sectors, including engineering, finance, life sciences, and supply chain.
• Comprehensive service offering: Provides direct hire, flexible staffing, onsite management, and IT solutions through Experis.

6. Cornerstone Group

Cornerstone International Group is a global executive search agency specializing exclusively in C-suite and senior-level placements. 

With a presence in 40 countries, it caters to leadership needs across industries such as board directors, finance, HR, sales and marketing, and supply chain. 

Cornerstone is known for its rigorous executive search process and commitment to high ethical standards, aiming for the best leadership talent for its clients.

Key features:

• LatAm focus: Sources executive talent globally with offices worldwide.
• Executive search: Specializes in C-suite, board directors, senior-level placements, and high-caliber leadership talent.
• Specialized search process: Offers project and interim executive search, diversity search, and board of directors search to address complex leadership needs.

7. Aquent

Aquent is a global staffing agency specializing in marketing, creative, and design talent. It operates in multiple countries around the world, connecting businesses with skilled professionals to drive innovation and success. 

In addition to recruitment, Aquent offers project management solutions, Employer of Record (EoR) services, and sustainability consulting. 

Key features:

• Talent sourcing locations: Sources talent from Australia, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA.
• Aquent Plus: Rapid recruiting solution for health care, engineering, and finance, leveraging AI tools and a marketplace of specialty recruiters to fill high-volume roles efficiently.
• Training and development: Offers free online courses through Aquent Gymnasium to upskill talent.

Final Thoughts

Global staffing agencies offer unmatched benefits for international hiring, from accessing top talent worldwide to managing complex compliance issues. 

But while global staffing giants offer extensive reach, we’ve found that most US companies don’t actually need worldwide coverage—they need quality talent that can collaborate effectively during their business hours, understand their company culture, and deliver excellent work at reasonable rates.

When evaluating global staffing options, consider what you’re really looking for. Do you need talent from across the world, or would you benefit more from focusing on regions that offer specific advantages like time zone alignment and cultural compatibility? For many US companies, the answer isn’t having access to talent from dozens of countries—it’s finding the right talent in the right region.

That’s where Near comes in. We specialize in nearshore staffing for US companies. Our approach is personal, transparent, and designed to get you the talent you need—fast.

Ready to solve your hiring challenges with top LatAm talent? Book a free consultation with us today to discuss how Near can help you build a high-performing team that fits your budget and business needs.