Getting paid by an overseas remote employer
A plain guide for people in the GMT+8 region — Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia and nearby — taking a job with a company that has no local entity. Last reviewed 2026-09.
This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules differ by country and change — confirm the specifics with a local accountant. Some links on this page are referral links. If you sign up through them PlusEight may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list tools we'd recommend regardless.
The three ways it usually works
1. You're a contractor and invoice them
Most common with startups and mid-size companies. You raise a monthly invoice; they pay it into a multi-currency account or your local bank. You are responsible for your own income tax, social contributions, and time off. Higher headline rate, more admin, less protection.
2. They use an employer-of-record (EOR)
The company pays an EOR — Deel, Remote, Multiplier, Oyster — which legally employs you in your country and runs local payroll, tax withholding and statutory benefits. You get an employee experience; the rate is usually a little lower because the employer covers the EOR fee and contributions.
3. They have a local entity
Larger companies may already have a subsidiary in your country and simply add you to that payroll — identical to any local job.
Contractor vs EOR — quick comparison
| Contractor | Employer-of-record | |
|---|---|---|
| Headline pay | Higher | Slightly lower |
| Tax | You file and pay it yourself | Withheld for you |
| Statutory benefits / contributions | Your responsibility | Handled |
| Paid leave, notice, severance | Only what's in the contract | Local legal minimums |
| Admin burden | Higher | Low |
Receiving the money
A direct SWIFT wire into a local bank account is simple but usually the most expensive route: a flat fee, an exchange rate 1–3% worse than mid-market, and sometimes a deduction by an intermediary bank you never see. Compare the amount that actually lands, not the advertised fee.
- Wise — Multi-currency account; hold USD/EUR/SGD and convert at the mid-market rate.
- Payoneer — Widely accepted by agencies and marketplaces; receiving accounts in several currencies.
- Deel — If your employer offers it: contractor agreements, invoicing and withdrawals in one place.
- Remote — Employer-of-record — your foreign company hires you as a local employee with benefits.
A practical setup for contractors: receive in the currency you're paid (usually USD), hold it, and convert to your local currency in chunks when the rate is reasonable rather than automatically on every payment.
Tax, in one paragraph
You almost always owe income tax where you are tax-resident — where you live and work — not where the company is registered. As a contractor, nobody withholds it for you; you declare and pay it locally. Countries treat foreign-sourced income, contributions and registration thresholds very differently (Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Indonesia all have distinct rules), so a one-hour session with a local accountant before your first payment is worth it.
Before you sign
- Confirm whether you're a contractor or an employee, and via which mechanism.
- If you're on a local work visa tied to an employer, check that a foreign remote role doesn't breach it.
- Ask which currency you'll be paid in and how often.
- Get the notice period, IP terms and termination terms in writing.
FAQ
How do people in Asia usually get paid by an overseas remote employer?
Three common setups: (1) you're a contractor and invoice the company, which pays into a multi-currency account like Wise or Payoneer or straight to your local bank by SWIFT; (2) the company uses an employer-of-record (Deel, Remote, Multiplier, Oyster) that employs you locally and runs payroll and statutory contributions; (3) the company has its own local entity in your country and puts you on that payroll. Contractor + multi-currency account is the most common for smaller companies.
Contractor or employee — which is better?
Employee (via an entity or EOR) gives you local benefits, statutory contributions and simpler taxes, but usually a slightly lower headline rate. Contractor gives a higher headline rate and flexibility, but you handle your own taxes, social contributions and paid time off, and you have less protection. Many people in the region start as contractors and move to EOR later.
What does receiving an international payment actually cost?
A direct SWIFT wire to a local bank often costs a flat fee plus an unfavourable exchange rate (frequently 1–3% worse than mid-market), and sometimes an intermediary-bank deduction. Multi-currency accounts like Wise convert at or near the mid-market rate with a small transparent percentage fee. Always compare the total amount that lands in your account, not just the visible fee.
Do I owe tax where I live or where the company is?
In almost all cases you owe income tax where you are tax-resident (where you live and work), not where the company is. The company generally does not withhold your local tax when you're a contractor — you declare and pay it yourself. Rules on foreign-sourced income, contributions and thresholds vary a lot by country, so confirm with a local accountant.
Will taking a foreign remote job affect my visa or residency?
If you're a citizen or permanent resident, usually not. If you're on a work visa tied to a specific local employer, working for a foreign company — even remotely — can breach its conditions. Check before you sign.