UK and European employers are increasingly hiring professionals based in the United States, as demand grows for specialist skills in sectors facing labour shortages. New data from HR platform Deel shows a notable rise in US-to-Europe recruitment in early 2025, particularly in fields such as information technology and financial services.
Between January and April 2025, the number of US professionals hired by UK employers rose by 11.5 percent. This is a significant increase from the 2.8 percent growth recorded during the same period in 2024. The broader European market has followed a similar trend, with a 16.4 percent rise in US hires compared to just 3 percent the year before.
Interest from jobseekers mirrors this shift. According to jobs platform Indeed, clicks on UK-based job postings by US candidates reached their highest level in nearly two years during the first quarter of 2025. This increase suggests a growing willingness among US professionals to explore roles abroad, particularly in countries where remote work infrastructure is well established.
The trend reflects ongoing efforts by European employers to address persistent gaps in the local talent pipeline. With shortages in disciplines such as AI, data science and accounting, companies are turning to international candidates to fill roles critical to business operations and innovation.
Demand for US Mid-Level and Senior Professionals
European employers are targeting experienced professionals, with Deel reporting that 53.36 percent of US hires are at the mid-level. A further 16.18 percent are being recruited into senior or management-level roles. These figures highlight a demand for ready-to-contribute employees who can support strategic projects and lead technical teams.
In addition to the UK, countries such as Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Canada are seeing increased interest from US-based candidates. The hiring trend is contributing to a shift in workforce structure, with many organisations adopting remote or hybrid models to integrate internationally sourced talent.
Nick Catino, Head of Global Policy at Deel, said: “We’re seeing a clear surge in demand for US talent across the UK and Europe, particularly in sectors like AI and financial services where local skill gaps are well known. With today’s global tools, it’s never been easier for businesses to hire internationally and for workers to access meaningful opportunities across borders. Companies that embrace this shift will be better positioned to fill critical roles and stay competitive.”
The trend is not limited to Europe. Deel reports that US hires in Latin America increased by 5.4 percent in early 2025, following no growth in 2024. In the Asia-Pacific region, growth in US hiring reached 6.5 percent, more than double the 2.6 percent rate recorded the previous year. These patterns suggest that cross-border hiring is gaining traction in multiple regions, supported by remote work adoption and digital hiring platforms.
Remote Work Infrastructure and International Talent Acquisition
The growing ability to hire, onboard and manage workers across time zones is reshaping how organisations address talent shortages. Remote working technologies and global payroll systems have become key enablers, removing logistical barriers that previously limited international recruitment.
For HR professionals, the shift presents operational challenges including compliance with local employment laws, cultural integration and time zone coordination. However, it also opens access to wider talent pools, particularly in competitive markets where domestic hiring options are limited.
The data suggests that cross-border hiring will continue to rise as companies seek qualified professionals and competitive advantage through global workforce strategies. The ability to build distributed teams is becoming a central feature of the modern employment landscape, particularly in high-demand fields such as finance, technology and professional services.
