1. Tell us where you want to place
Share the country, worker type and assignment details. We’ll help identify the appropriate engagement model and requirements.
Global workforce solutions for recruitment agencies
How we support global recruitment
Choose the right route for each placement, whether you need to employ a worker, engage an independent contractor or establish your own presence in a new market.
Employer of Record (EOR)
We employ workers on your behalf in countries where you have no legal entity, managing payroll, tax and employment obligations so you can place internationally without the setup cost or compliance burden.
Why recruitment agencies use Sapphire for global placements
Enter new markets without establishing a local entity
Use EOR or AOR infrastructure to make placements in markets where your agency doesn’t already have an established presence.
Choose the right model for each placement
Our international specialists help you understand the appropriate engagement structure based on the worker, assignment and country.
Manage international payroll and payments
Coordinate payroll, tax obligations and contractor payments across multiple jurisdictions through one partner.
Get workers onboarded quickly
Our onboarding processes are designed around the speed required of today’s recruitment sector, helping you improve the time to hire for global placements.
Access country-specific expertise
Understand the employment, commercial viability, payroll and compliance requirements that apply in individual markets before making a placement.
Manage multiple markets through one partner
Reduce the need to coordinate separate local suppliers and centralise your supply chain through one partner that can support at a global level.
Getting started is simple
We’ve built the process to get your agency operational globally as quickly as possible.
Whether you need to make a single placement or scale across multiple jurisdictions, our team works with you from day one to make sure the right structures are in place.
2. We present the available solutions
Our specialist will consult on the options available for your requirement, giving in-depth support to ensure the right solution for the right situation.
3. We onboard and pay your worker
Once everything is in place, Sapphire manages the relevant employment or engagement requirements and ongoing payments.
4. Add new countries as your international business grows
As opportunities develop, we can support additional markets and engagement models without you having to start again with a new provider.
12+Years supporting recruitment businesses
500+Agencies across the UK
£700m+Annual turnover
10,000+Contractor payments processed each week
100,000+Contractors supported
102+Countries supported
£1m+Paid in contractor bonuses since 2024
20%Year-on-year contractor growth
Top 5UK Umbrella/CIS market share
Sapphire is a trusted, compliance-first partner. Alex is always on hand, respectful of our preferred ways of working and quick to resolve queries and payment issues. As umbrella legislation changes, their audit-ready approach and clear, timely communication give us and our contractors real confidence.
Sophie Anderson, Associate Director, Venn Group
I have worked with Sapphire for a number of years and have consistently found their service and attention to detail in account management to be exceptional. Marcus, in particular, stands out — he resolves any issues quickly and, no matter how busy he is, always takes the time to personally speak with customers and clients. That level of dedication goes a long way. I would highly recommend Sapphire.
Jim Fleming, Director, Buildforce Solutions
I’ve worked with Sapphire for years and brought the relationship over to my own agency. They register temps quickly, keep us updated throughout and make sure they’re paid reliably each week. Any issues are resolved swiftly, allowing me to focus on placing temps with complete confidence. Jake’s guidance was also invaluable when launching my business, and the whole team consistently goes the extra mile. I see Sapphire as an extension of my accounts department and couldn’t recommend them highly enough.
Luke Lysandrou, Director, LLC Recruitment
We’ve worked with Sapphire for over a year and have found them an excellent company to deal with. The Quartz system is easy to use, but what really stands out is their proactive customer support and willingness to listen, adapt and accommodate the specific requirements of our business. Ray, Shauna and the wider team are responsive, practical and genuinely great people to work with. I’d have no hesitation in recommending them.
Steve Gearing, Managing Director, Gearing Recruitment Solutions
Stay ahead with global recruitment intelligence
Stay ahead of the regulatory and market changes shaping international recruitment. Our team publishes practical guidance, compliance updates and sector insight for agencies operating globally.
Germany’s Temporary Employment Act: What Recruiters Know
Kris Simpson discusses the Dutch labour market
Kris Simpson on France taking steps to reduce abuse of fixed-term contracts
Managing global contractors and payroll with an EOR
What is an Employer of Record, and why do growing businesses need one?
Understanding bogus self-employment in Germany: how contractors and clients can stay compliant
Income illustrations: Knowing what is right
Kris Simpson on Sweden’s Economic Employer Legislation 2021
One partner for everything your agency needs
We combine global workforce services with contractor services, financial intelligence and operational technology under one roof. That means less time coordinating between providers and more time focused on growth.
Contractor services
Fully managed UK and international contractor payroll, with FCSA-accredited compliance built in.
Operational technology
Purpose-built tools that automate timesheet processing, compliance checks and reporting.
Accounting & intelligence
Real-time financial insights and benchmarking to help you make faster, better-informed decisions.
Trusted by agencies
Trusted by 500+ recruitment agencies, with eight years of FCSA accreditation and an Excellent Trustpilot rating from 5,000+ reviews.
Accreditations
Frequently asked questions
How can recruitment agencies place workers internationally?
Recruitment agencies can place workers internationally through two main engagement models: Employer of Record (EOR) and Agent of Record (AOR). The right choice depends on the country, the worker’s employment status and the nature of the assignment.
EOR is typically used when the agency has no registered legal entity in the destination country. The EOR employs the worker on the agency’s behalf, managing payroll, onboarding and local employment law. AOR suits independent contractors, handling payments and compliance without a formal employment relationship. Sapphire can help you identify which model fits each placement before you commit.
What is an Employer of Record?
An EOR is a third-party organisation that employs workers on behalf of a recruitment agency in a foreign country, taking on full legal responsibility for employment, payroll and compliance in that jurisdiction.
For agencies, this means:
- No need to establish a local legal entity in the destination country
- Compliant onboarding and employment from day one
- Payroll processed in line with local tax and labour law
- Reduced exposure to employment misclassification risk
Sapphire provides EOR services across 102+ countries, including markets such as Spain and Albania.
What is an Agent of Record?
An AOR is a third-party provider who manages the engagement, onboarding and payment of independent contractors on behalf of a recruitment agency, without entering into a formal employment relationship.
Unlike EOR, AOR doesn’t make the provider the legal employer. Instead, it handles the administrative and compliance infrastructure around contractor engagement: contracts, payments, tax reporting and local regulatory requirements. Sapphire has automated its AOR onboarding and payment processes, which reduces delays and improves accuracy for both agencies and contractors.
What's the difference between Employer Of Record and Agent Of Record?
EOR and AOR serve different purposes, and choosing the wrong one carries compliance risk.
- The EOR becomes the legal employer of the worker in the destination country, taking on payroll, employment contracts, statutory benefits and local compliance. This applies to employed workers, not independent contractors
- The AOR manages the engagement and payment of independent contractors without employing them. It handles contracts, payments and tax administration, but the contractor remains self-employed
The key distinction is employment status. If the worker is an employee, EOR is the right model. If the worker is an independent contractor, AOR is typically more appropriate. Sapphire’s specialists can help you identify the correct structure for each placement.
How do agencies manage compliance when placing workers overseas?
Compliance in global placements depends on choosing the right engagement model, working with a provider who has in-country expertise and ensuring workers are onboarded correctly from the outset.
The most common compliance risks include:
- Engaging workers without a compliant local employment structure
- Misclassifying employees as independent contractors
- Failing to account for local tax, social security and statutory benefit obligations
- Delays in onboarding that leave workers engaged without proper documentation
Sapphire’s international specialists guide agencies to the right model for each market, drawing on in-house expertise rather than relying solely on third-party providers. That means you get accurate guidance quickly, which reduces the risk of costly mistakes.
Can recruitment agencies enter new markets without establishing a local entity?
Yes. Establishing a legal entity abroad involves significant time, cost and ongoing administrative burden. For agencies making their first placements in a new market, or supporting clients on short-term international projects, that investment rarely makes commercial sense. Sapphire gives you the compliance infrastructure you need without the overhead, supporting international placements across 102+ countries.
How quickly can we onboard contractors internationally?
Onboarding timelines vary by country, but our process is built for speed. We’ll give you a clear timeframe during your initial consultation based on your target markets.
