Hire from Pakistan
Hire remote developers from Pakistan: a guide for US companies (2026)
US companies usually hire developers in Pakistan as independent contractors (paid in USD, with a Form W-8BEN on file) or through an employer-of-record service for full-time employment. Pakistan is 9–10 hours ahead of US Eastern time, so most teams agree a 2–4 hour daily overlap in the US morning. Find candidates through talent networks, freelance marketplaces, LinkedIn, or matching platforms such as Kif.
Why US teams hire in Pakistan.
- A large pool of English-speaking engineers, many from software houses that already work for US and UK clients.
- Lower total cost than US hiring for the same level of experience (see the cost guide).
- Strong web, mobile, backend, data and AI skills, with growing experience in AI application work.
- A time difference that lets work progress overnight, with a planned overlap for meetings.
Contractor or employer of record?
| Model | When it fits | What you handle |
|---|---|---|
| Independent contractor | Most startups; project or ongoing work | A contract, a Form W-8BEN on file, and USD payments |
| Employer of record (EOR) | Full-time employees with local benefits | A monthly fee; the EOR runs local payroll and compliance |
| Agency or software house | A managed team with a project lead | Higher rates; less direct control over who works on it |
A hiring process that works across borders.
- Write the role around outcomes: what the person must deliver in 90 days, not a list of every tool.
- State the working hours you need to overlap in US time, and the pay range in USD.
- Judge candidates on projects they owned and their results; company names abroad are often unfamiliar.
- Use a short paid work sample or a structured technical interview instead of trivia.
- Start with a trial period on a contractor agreement, then move to a longer term or an EOR.
Where to find developers in Pakistan.
Freelance marketplaces such as Upwork have the most volume; vetted networks such as Toptal and Turing pre-screen at a premium; LinkedIn reaches experienced engineers directly. Kif lets you describe the role once, confirm the requirements, and get candidates matched in both directions, with contact shared only when both sides agree.
Common questions
Is it legal for a US company to hire developers in Pakistan?
Yes. US companies commonly engage Pakistani developers as independent contractors, or employ them through an employer-of-record service that handles local employment law and payroll.
What time difference should I plan for?
Pakistan Standard Time is UTC+5 with no daylight saving: 9 hours ahead of US Eastern in summer and 10 hours in winter. Most teams overlap in the US morning, which is the Pakistani evening.
Do I need to issue a 1099 to a contractor in Pakistan?
Generally not, if the contractor is not a US person and does the work outside the US; instead keep a completed Form W-8BEN on file. Confirm your situation with a tax adviser.
Your next step
Make the role worth matching.
Describe the work, confirm the requirements, and review the fit.