"Unfortunately, we can only hire candidates based in the United States."
If you've read that line 50 times, you're not alone.
I spent months applying to remote jobs, getting excited about "work from anywhere" listings, only to get the same rejection email over and over. Not because I wasn't qualified — but because I wasn't in the right country.
It's exhausting. You scroll through hundreds of jobs, apply to dozens, and then... nothing. Or worse, an automated "we can't proceed" after you've already spent an hour on the application.
But here's what I learned: there ARE companies hiring internationally in 2026. You just need to know where to look and what to look for.
This guide shares everything that actually worked — the platforms, the companies, the exact phrases to search for, and the mindset shift that finally got me hired.
Want the shortcut?
Our job board now has an eligibility filter so you can see which jobs are open to international applicants before you waste time applying.
Browse International-Friendly Jobs →The Frustrating Reality of "Remote" Jobs
Let's be honest about what's happening out there:
- 1. 80% of "remote" jobs are US-only — they just don't say it until you apply. Tax laws, time zones, or company policy. Doesn't matter why. You're out.
- 2. Job boards don't filter by eligibility — you can filter by salary, location, experience... but not by "will they actually hire me?"
- 3. The rejection comes AFTER you've invested time — completed assessments, written cover letters, done research. Then: "US only. Sorry."
I'm not going to sugarcoat it. This is the reality. But it's not the whole picture.
What Changed Everything for Me
After wasting weeks on dead-end applications, I changed my approach completely:
The 3 Things That Actually Worked:
- 1 I stopped applying to jobs that didn't explicitly mention international hiring. No more guessing. If it doesn't say "worldwide" or "global team," I skip it.
- 2 I targeted companies that use Employer of Record (EOR) services. Companies using Deel, Remote.com, or Oyster can legally hire you anywhere. This is the key.
- 3 I focused on startups and remote-first companies. Traditional corporations have complex legal structures. Startups are more flexible.
Where to Actually Find International-Friendly Remote Jobs
Here are the platforms and search strategies that work in 2026:
1. RemotelyYou (That's Us) — Built for this exact problem
We aggregate jobs from trusted sources and our team manually reviews listings to identify which ones actually hire internationally.
Look for these labels:
- 🌍 Global — Hiring anywhere in the world
- 🌐 International OK — Open to contractors/EOR
- 🌎 Americas Timezone — Flexible on location, specific on hours
2. We Work Remotely — Filter by "Anywhere in the World"
One of the OG remote job boards. Use the location filter — they actually have an "Anywhere" option that works.
Pro tip: Look for jobs that mention specific EOR providers in the description. That's a green flag.
3. Himalayas.app — Timezone-based filtering
Great UX and lets you filter by timezone overlap. Many startups post here and are explicit about global hiring.
4. Remote OK — Search "worldwide" explicitly
Use the search bar and type "worldwide" or "global" along with your role. Cuts through the noise fast.
The "Magic Words" to Search For
These phrases in a job listing usually mean they'll hire you regardless of location:
✅ Green Flags:
- • "Work from anywhere"
- • "Global team"
- • "We use Deel/Remote.com/Oyster"
- • "Distributed company"
- • "Contractor or employee"
- • "Async-first"
- • "Timezone overlap required" (not location)
🚩 Red Flags:
- • "Must be authorized to work in US"
- • "Remote (US only)"
- • "W-2 only"
- • "No visa sponsorship"
- • Silent on location (usually means US)
- • State-specific requirements
Companies That Actually Hire Globally in 2026
These companies have a track record of hiring international remote workers:
Tech & SaaS:
- • GitLab (fully remote, 65+ countries)
- • Automattic (WordPress, global)
- • Zapier (async-first, worldwide)
- • Doist (Todoist, global team)
- • Buffer (transparent, global)
- • Hotjar (Europe-friendly)
Customer Support & Entry-Level:
- • Automattic (Happiness Engineers)
- • ModSquad (global moderators)
- • Time Etc (virtual assistants)
- • TTEC (customer service)
- • Appen (data/AI tasks)
- • Liveops (call center, some regions)
The Contractor Route (Often Easier)
Here's a secret: many companies that can't "hire" you internationally can work with you as a contractor.
The difference:
| Employee | Contractor |
|---|---|
| Company handles taxes | You handle taxes |
| Benefits included | No benefits (but higher pay) |
| Complex legal requirements | Simple invoice payment |
| Location-restricted | Often global |
My advice: If you're starting out, don't be picky about contractor vs. employee. Get the experience first. Many contractors later convert to full employees once the company sets up proper legal structures.
What to Do Right Now
Your Action Plan:
- 1
Update your resume to emphasize remote readiness
Mention your timezone, English proficiency, and any async communication tools you know (Slack, Notion, etc.)
- 2
Browse our job board with the eligibility filter
Stop wasting time on US-only jobs. Filter by international eligibility →
- 3
Apply to 3-5 global-friendly jobs today
Quality over quantity. Only apply where you're actually eligible.
- 4
Sign up for our free 7-day course
Learn exactly how 2,500+ people landed their first remote jobs. Start free →
Ready to Stop Getting Rejected?
Our job board shows you which companies actually hire internationally — before you waste time applying.
Browse International-Friendly Jobs →One More Thing
I know how frustrating this is. I've been there — staring at rejection emails, wondering if I'd ever find a company that would give me a chance.
The truth is: it's harder for us. The system isn't built for international candidates. But that doesn't mean it's impossible.
Focus on the companies that are already set up to hire globally. They exist. They're looking for you. You just need to find them.
Go get 'em. 💪
— Mel
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