Ask HN: The remote jobs illusion

[throwaway0071]

I've been looking for remote jobs and everything I find is "US-only" (or maybe US/Canada-only). Truly remote jobs are a rarity that this seems to be a US phenomenon only.

Any advice for finding really globally remote jobs?

Disclaimer: Not an US citizen.

[anovikov]

Essentially if you want an official full time work, you have to have a right to work in the U.S. It doesn't matter if you are remote.

If you want to be a contractor there is no such requirement and you may work for a U.S. customer from anywhere and don't need a right to work in U.S.

And yes, almost everything in software is 'U.S. phenomenon only'. I for example, just skip European customers because they are too difficult to work with and pay too little, they don't worth the worry, and their projects are hopeless anyway.

[willcate]

That's just where the most jobs are. There are ppl all over the world doing freelance work for US companies; it's a huge need.