MigRizo TeamIn this guide8 sections
Working for a US or European startup from India can be one of the best career moves you make: interesting problems, international colleagues and pay set against a global market, all without relocating.
Here is what the arrangement usually looks like, from the contract and how you get paid to the working hours and how to keep growing, so there are no surprises after you say yes.
Contractor or Employee Through an EOR
| Independent contractor | Employee through an EOR | |
|---|---|---|
| Contract | A services agreement with the company or a platform | An Indian employment contract with the Employer of Record |
| Pay | You invoice and receive payment | Monthly salary in rupees |
| Tax | You pay your own advance tax | Tax deducted at source, Form 16 at year end |
| Benefits | Usually none; you arrange your own | Statutory benefits like Provident Fund, plus any extras |
| Leave and notice | As agreed in the contract | Under Indian employment rules and the contract |
Neither is better in every case. Contractors often have more flexibility; employees get stability and benefits. Our guide to tax on USD income in India explains the tax side of each.
How You Get Paid
Currency
Ask whether you are paid in USD or rupees, and at what exchange rate if it is converted.
Schedule
Ask how often and on which date. Monthly, on a fixed day, is the norm.
Fees
Ask who pays conversion and transfer fees. A few percent per payment adds up over a year.
Paperwork
Keep your bank's inward remittance certificate (FIRC) for every foreign payment.
Overlap Hours That Work
India is well placed for European, UAE and Singapore teams. For US teams, most arrangements share a few hours at the start of the US morning, which is the Indian evening.
- 1
Agree a fixed window
Two to four shared hours a day, at the same time every day, works for most teams.
- 2
Protect your off hours
Be clear about when you are not reachable, and stick to it.
- 3
Write things down
Short written updates keep work moving while one side sleeps.
- 4
Use the time difference
Hand over at the end of your day so the team wakes up to progress.
Holidays, Time Off and Being Offline
Two calendars of public holidays can overlap awkwardly. Agree early which holidays you observe, share them with the team, and put them in the shared calendar at the start of the year.
- Give plenty of notice for leave, and hand over open work in writing.
- Set an out-of-office message with who to contact while you are away.
- Agree how urgent issues reach you, if at all, when you are offline.
Benefits and Leave
Ask about paid leave, public holidays (Indian, the company's, or both), health insurance, equipment and any learning budget. As an employee through an Employer of Record, statutory benefits are included. As a contractor, you set your rate to cover them yourself; our guide on landing a remote job that pays in USD shows how to price that in.
What to Check in the Contract
Read these clauses before you sign
- Intellectual property: the work you do for them belongs to them. Make sure your personal projects are protected.
- Notice period on both sides.
- Payment terms, currency and date.
- Confidentiality, and any limits on other work.
- Equipment: who provides it, and what happens to it when you leave.
Your First 30 Days
- 1
Week one: listen
Meet the team, read the docs, and ask how decisions are made and written down.
- 2
Week two: ship something small
A small fix or improvement builds trust faster than a big plan.
- 3
Week three: own a piece
Take clear ownership of a feature or area, and share progress in writing.
- 4
Week four: check in
Ask your manager what is going well and what to change. Agree your goals for the next quarter.
Growing Your Career From India
- Share your work in writing so it is visible across time zones.
- Ask for a regular one-to-one with your manager.
- Keep a simple record of what you shipped and its impact.
- Volunteer for work that crosses teams; it builds trust fastest.
That record of what you shipped is your case for the next promotion, and your best profile for the next role.
Browse Roles at Global StartupsRemote roles open to talent in India, with the salary and shared hours shown on every one.Common questions
Can I work for a US company while living in India?
Yes. Many people in India work for US companies as independent contractors or as employees through an Employer of Record. You pay tax in India on the income as a resident.
How do I get paid by a US company in India?
Contractors usually receive international bank transfers or payments through a payment platform and invoice monthly. Employees through an Employer of Record receive a monthly salary in rupees with tax deducted.
What working hours do US startups expect from India?
Most teams agree a shared window of two to four hours, often the Indian evening overlapping the US morning. Agree the window before accepting an offer.
Key Takeaways
- 1
You will be either an independent contractor or an employee through an Employer of Record. Each has different pay, tax and benefits.
- 2
Ask how you are paid, in which currency, on what date and who pays the transfer fees.
- 3
Agree the overlap hours before you accept. Two to four shared hours a day works well for most teams.
- 4
Read the contract for intellectual property, notice period, leave and equipment terms.
Found this useful? Share it with someone who is hiring or job hunting.
Read next
How to Land a Remote Job That Pays in USD From India
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