First, employers must seek certification through the U.S. Department of Labor. Below you will find a link to documents and forms. Once the application is certified/approved, the employer must petition the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services for a visa.
Yes, a non-U.S. citizen can be an independent contractor for a U.S. company. This is a key point in understanding how can a US company hire a foreign independent contractor.
Foreign remote contract workers don't require visas because they are based outside of the US. While these workers may have to come into the country occasionally to fulfill their contractual obligations, they shouldn't have any issues entering as long as they can provide proof that their stay will be temporary.
The state does not require or issue business licenses. A TPT license is required if a person is engaging in a taxable activity and is used to report the taxes due.
However, the IRS doesn't require a company to withhold taxes or report any income from an international contractor if the contractor is not a U.S. citizen and the services provided are outside the U.S. filing forms 1099 is required if: The contractor is located internationally but is a U.S. citizen.
Foreign independent contractors must submit IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E to certify their foreign status and claim any applicable tax treaty benefits. The US company may also need to file Form 1099-NEC if certain conditions are met, though this is more common for domestic contractors.
Foreign vendors do not complete the Substitute Form W-9; foreign persons or entities must submit one of five available forms. The vendor must determine the one most appropriate to their United States tax status for reportable transactions.
Payments made to corporations, except those made for medical or health care services and attorney fees, are not required to be reported on Form 1099 MISC. Non-Employee payments – Non-employee payments are reported in Box 7 of Form 1099 MISC.
Foreign persons who provide Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E, Form W-8ECI, or Form W-8EXP or applicable documentary evidence are exempt from backup withholding and Form 1099 reporting.