International growth creates exciting opportunities, whether you're launching operations into a new market, deploying technical teams to support operations, or expanding your commercial footprint into a new region.
It also raises an important question:
How do you legally employ someone in a country where you don't have a business presence?
For many aviation employers, the instinctive answer is to establish a local legal entity. While that can be the right approach for organisations making a long-term commitment to a market, it isn't always the most practical, cost-effective or agile solution.
Increasingly, employers are choosing an Employer of Record (EOR) to hire international talent quickly and compliantly without establishing their own entity.
So, which option is right for your business?
Understanding your options
Before making a decision, it's important to understand what each option involves and how it aligns with your growth plans.
Setting up a local entity
A local entity is a registered business in the country where you intend to employ people. Once established, your organisation becomes the legal employer and is responsible for every aspect of employment, including payroll, tax, employment contracts, benefits, compliance and HR administration.
For organisations building a substantial, long-term presence, this level of control can be an advantage.
However, establishing an entity requires significant investment of time, money and internal resources before you can employ your first person.
Using an Employer of Record (EOR)
An Employer of Record legally employs people on your behalf while you retain responsibility for managing their day-to-day work, objectives and performance.
The EOR manages employment contracts, payroll, tax, statutory benefits and compliance with local employment legislation, allowing your business to hire internationally without creating its own legal entity.
For many aviation employers, this removes one of the biggest barriers to international growth.
Local Entity vs Employer of Record: At a Glance
Consideration | Local Entity | Employer of Record (EOR) |
Legal Employer | Your business | EOR |
Speed to Hire | Can take weeks or months | Often significantly faster |
Upfront Investment | Higher | Lower |
Payroll & Compliance | Managed internally | Managed by the EOR |
Administrative Burden | High | Significantly reduced |
Flexibility | Best for established operations | Ideal for expansion and project hiring |
Hiring One or Two People | Often disproportionate | Well suited |
Testing a New Market | Less flexible | Highly effective |
Five situations where an Employer of Record gives aviation employers an advantage
Although every business is different, there are several scenarios where an Employer of Record can support growth more effectively than establishing an entity.
1. You need to hire quickly
Commercial opportunities rarely wait.
Whether you've secured a new client, won a project or need someone in-country to support business development, lengthy entity registration processes can delay recruitment.
An Employer of Record allows you to onboard talent while avoiding the administrative delays associated with establishing a legal entity.
2. Your ideal candidate lives in another country
The best aviation professionals don't always live where you already operate.
If you've found the right person but don't have an entity in their country, an Employer of Record enables you to recruit based on capability rather than geography.
Instead of compromising on talent or restarting your search, you can focus on securing the candidate you want.
3. You're testing a new market
Expanding into a new country often begins with one or two strategic hires rather than a fully established office.
Using an Employer of Record allows you to validate market opportunities, build customer relationships and understand local demand before deciding whether a permanent business presence is justified.
It's a measured approach that reduces upfront commitment while maintaining momentum.
4. You're supporting a project with defined timelines
Many aviation projects require specialist expertise for a fixed period.
If your hiring needs are linked to aircraft maintenance, fleet transitions, mobilisation or regional expansion, establishing a legal entity may not represent the best use of resources.
An Employer of Record provides the flexibility to support project-based hiring without creating unnecessary long-term infrastructure.
5. You want to focus on growth, not administration
International employment brings ongoing responsibilities, from payroll and statutory benefits to changing employment legislation.
By working with an Employer of Record, your team can concentrate on commercial priorities while experienced specialists manage employment administration and compliance.
When does establishing a local entity make sense?
There are many situations where creating your own legal entity is the right strategic decision.
You may benefit from establishing an entity if you:
Plan to build a significant workforce in one country
Intend to open permanent offices or operational facilities
Have dedicated HR, finance and legal resources
Are making a long-term investment in that market
For organisations committed to building an established regional operation, an entity often becomes the natural next step.
In fact, many businesses begin their international journey with an Employer of Record before transitioning employees to their own entity as operations expand.
Rather than competing approaches, they often represent different stages of business growth.
Which option is right for your business?
Ask yourself these five questions:
How quickly do we need people in place?
How many employees are we planning to hire?
Are we testing the market or making a permanent investment?
Do we have the internal expertise to manage employment compliance?
How much flexibility do we want as our plans evolve?
Your answers will often point naturally towards the most appropriate solution.
Why aviation employers choose GOOSE’S Employer of Record service
An Employer of Record plays an important role in your international hiring strategy. Alongside managing employment, payroll and compliance, the right partner should understand your industry, your hiring challenges and the commercial realities of operating in the global aviation sector.
Unlike many global EOR providers, GOOSE combines specialist aviation recruitment expertise with international employment solutions.
That means we can support employers throughout the hiring journey:
Helping you attract specialist aviation talent
Employing people compliantly in countries where you don't have an entity
Managing payroll, contracts and statutory obligations
Supporting international expansion with confidence
Providing industry knowledge alongside employment expertise
For employers expanding internationally, having one trusted partner for both recruitment and employment can simplify the process and reduce risk.
EOR Case Study - Example of EOR and International Payroll Solution for Aviation
Deploying Licensed Aircraft Engineers in the UK · GOOSE Recruitment
An international aircraft operator secured a UK contract to support the operation and maintenance of aircraft, requiring the deployment of licensed engineers and site-based technical leadership.
The client needed a compliant EOR solution to engage and manage them in the UK without establishing a local entity. The nature of the roles — safety-critical, regulated, and site-based — meant that a standard, low-touch EOR model was not sufficient.
GOOSE Recruitment delivered a specialist EOR solution, combined with targeted recruitment, enabling compliant deployment of a highly technical workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Employer of Record better than setting up a local entity?
Neither option is universally better. An Employer of Record is often the preferred choice for businesses hiring a small number of employees, entering a new market or needing to recruit quickly. Establishing a local entity may be more appropriate for organisations creating a permanent presence with a larger workforce.
Can I move employees from an Employer of Record to my own entity later?
Yes. Many businesses use an Employer of Record during the early stages of expansion before transferring employees to their own entity once operations become more established.
Does an Employer of Record manage my employees?
No. You continue to direct the employees' work, responsibilities and performance. The Employer of Record acts as the legal employer and manages employment administration, payroll and compliance.
Is an Employer of Record suitable for aviation businesses?
Yes. Employer of Record services can be particularly valuable in the aviation sector, where employers often recruit internationally, support project-based work and expand into emerging markets before establishing permanent operations.
How quickly can an Employer of Record help me hire internationally?
Timeframes vary depending on the country and individual circumstances, but using an Employer of Record is generally much faster than establishing a local legal entity before hiring.
Related Reading
If you're exploring international hiring, these resources may also help:
8 Signs Your Global Aviation Hiring Model Is Costing More Than You Think
Employer of Record (EOR) – Myths vs Facts for Aviation Businesses
10 Reasons Aviation Businesses Are Turning to Employer of Record (EOR) Services
About GOOSE Recruitment
GOOSE Recruitment is a global aviation and airline recruitment specialist, connecting organisations with exceptional talent across commercial aviation, business aviation, airline, airports, MRO and aviation services.
Our consultants work with employers to recruit professionals across executive leadership, engineering and maintenance, flight operations, commercial, corporate and specialist technical functions. Combining deep industry knowledge with a consultative approach, we help organisations attract, engage and retain the talent they need to achieve their business goals.
Whether you're making a critical leadership appointment, growing your team or planning for future workforce needs, GOOSE Recruitment provides tailored recruitment and executive search solutions designed for the aviation industry.
Looking to strengthen your hiring strategy? Contact the GOOSE Recruitment team to discuss your recruitment requirements or explore our latest insights for aviation employers.
