You run a busy company in the GCC and need skilled workers from other countries to keep things moving forward. But without a registered entity in those workers' home countries, the whole process feels stuck.
You face delays in getting the right people, higher costs from unexpected rules, and even risks of breaking local laws.
This can hold back your projects, make it hard to compete, and leave your team short-handed when demand picks up.
The good news is there are smart ways to handle this without setting up a full entity right away. By working with trusted recruitment companies, you can find and hire talent smoothly.
This guide breaks it down step by step to help you get started.
Why Bring in Workers from Abroad?
Hiring people from other countries gives your GCC company fresh skills and ideas. Here are key reasons to consider it:
- Many GCC industries like construction, oil, and tech need experts that are hard to find locally.
- Workers from places like Pakistan or India often cost less than hiring from within the GCC.
- Adding international talent lets you take on bigger projects without waiting for local hires.
- A mix of backgrounds brings new ways to solve problems and boosts team creativity.

Roadblocks When Hiring Without a Local Setup
Without registering an entity in the worker's country, you hit several issues. These can slow you down or add extra hassle:
- You can't sponsor visas directly, which means delays in bringing workers over.
- Handling payroll across borders gets tricky without a local base, leading to fines if not done right.
- Agreements might not hold up under local laws, putting your company at risk.
- Searching for talent on your own takes time and might miss qualified candidates.
These challenges can add months to your timeline and increase your budget by up to 20-30% due to fixes and lost chances.
How Recruitment Firms Make It Easier
Recruitment companies act as your bridge to international talent. They handle the heavy lifting so you don't need an entity right away. Here's what they do:
- They search databases and networks to find workers that match your needs.
- From visas to contracts, they sort out the details under their own setup.
- They know local rules in source countries, keeping everything legal.
- What might take you months, they can do in weeks.
For GCC companies, partnering with a firm like The Best Overseas Recruitment Agency in Pakistan with 2 Million+ Candidates Database with major GCC Industries offers a reliable solution. This kind of agency connects you to a huge pool of ready workers in fields like engineering, healthcare, and hospitality, all without you needing to register locally.
Steps to Hire Talent Through Agencies
Follow these clear steps to get international employees on board without an entity:
- List the skills, experience, and number of workers you want.
- Look for ones with strong track records in your industry and source countries.
- Give them your requirements so they can start searching.
- Go through profiles and interviews they set up.
- Let the agency manage contracts, visas, and travel.
- Once workers arrive, integrate them into your team.
This table shows how the process splits up, making it quicker overall.
Key Perks of This Approach
Using recruitment companies for international hires brings real advantages:
- Skip the setup of a new entity and jump straight to hiring.
- Agencies handle legal stuff, reducing your chance of errors.
- Tap into large databases without building your own network.
- Hire for short-term projects or long-term roles as needed.
- Avoid entity registration fees, which can run into thousands of dollars.
In short, this method lets GCC companies grow without the usual headaches.
Common Questions Answered
Here are answers to frequent questions about hiring international employees without an entity:
What countries are best for sourcing talent?
Places like Pakistan, India, Philippines, and Bangladesh have strong pools for GCC needs in construction, IT, and services.
How much does it cost to use a recruitment agency?
Fees vary but often range from 10-20% of the worker's first-year salary. Always ask for a clear breakdown upfront.
Can I hire for any industry?
Yes, agencies cover most fields, but check if they specialize in yours, like oil or healthcare.
What if a worker doesn't work out?
Most agencies offer replacement guarantees for a set period, like 3-6 months.
Do I still need to follow GCC labor laws?
Absolutely. The agency helps with source country rules, but you handle GCC side compliance.
This setup keeps things simple and effective for your company.