We’ve put together a list of countries that are best to work with while staying at home. These options include both freelancing and full-time project-based jobs.
First, let’s understand why this matters for you — and for international companies. For you, it’s clear: rates abroad are much higher for the same work you do locally. But this also benefits international clients. They’ll pay you more than a domestic client would, but still less than what they’d pay someone in their own country. Everyone wins. Especially when it comes to one-off projects.
There are also issues with official hiring and taxes — in some countries, it’s easier to hire someone remotely to bypass quotas and regulations.
On top of that, the very system of freelancing and remote work is efficient. No need to open new offices or branches — all communication is online. And if everything is online, who cares where you’re sitting? Just do the job well, and no one will question your location or nationality.
Another reason is the shortage of specialized professionals in some regions. Silicon Valley has plenty, but other areas don’t. That’s where you come in. Also, check out the online premiere of “How to Earn Big as a Web Designer: Tactics, Tips, Insights”.
Here are eight interesting options — some obvious, some not so much.
USA
The US has long embraced outsourcing and remote work. It’s a goldmine for both American clients and our specialists. A big advantage is that these clients are already experienced and aren’t afraid to work with freelancers.
You can find not only freelance gigs here but also land a full-time position if you’ve got the skills and experience. It’s a massive market with a wide range of tasks — there's room for both seasoned pros and newcomers.
Pay special attention to startups. There are tons of them, with new projects launching daily — often with decent funding.
Canada
A huge country with surprisingly few digital specialists. That’s why Canada is quite open to hiring foreign talent. Pay rates are on par with the US, but the entry threshold is lower. Even without perfect English, you can find solid projects — especially those aimed at the Russian-speaking diaspora. It’s also a great choice for those thinking about relocating — having a work history with Canadian companies helps you fit in.
Germany and Finland
Germany has lots of projects targeting the entire EU market. The biggest bonus — according to freelancer reviews — is that clients aren’t overly picky. You can work calmly without endless revisions.
If you’re drawn to the North, check out gigs from Finland. It has a different market focus — more aligned with Scandinavian countries. It’s also less saturated than the general EU market.
United Kingdom
The UK is eager to hire top developers and designers. The only catch is that most roles require experienced professionals. But that’s not a big issue — even someone at a mid-level (by our standards) can qualify if they do great work and bring creativity.
They often offer full-time roles and even relocation. Just be careful — life in UK cities is way more expensive than in most of Europe. What seems like a great salary here might barely cover basic needs there.
Singapore
Singapore has already earned its title as a city-state of the future. And they only hire the best. Yes, the work isn’t for beginners. But the pay? Definitely serious.
It’s tough to get into Singaporean projects — there are usually multiple interview stages and lots of questions, even for short-term jobs. But if you believe in yourself — it’s worth trying.
For one-time projects, go for it — the reply rate might be low, but if you get lucky, it’ll be a jackpot. Just make sure you know how to present yourself and show a strong portfolio.
Baltic States
Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia — not the most obvious choice, but very promising. European rates, but with relatively simple tasks. Why? Low competition. Local businesses aren’t used to aggressive marketing or bold creative projects. Your regular work might seem groundbreaking here.
You can even find projects without needing a foreign language — a large part of the audience still speaks Russian.
China
The new brain-drain destination. China’s IT market is growing so fast, there’s a huge talent shortage. That’s great news for us — even at the very beginning of your career, you can land one-off gigs or long-term roles. There’s a wide variety of projects in design and development. If you’re a generalist, that’s a huge plus. Narrow specialists are also in demand — but here they want people at mid-level or higher.
Australia
Along with Singapore, Australia has some of the highest rates in the world. It’s not easy to break in — but with experience and talent, it’s totally possible. UX designers are in especially high demand. When it comes to websites, they love clarity and usability. You need to be up to date with modern trends — and ideally, have a Behance-style portfolio to show for it.
Where to find jobs
One of the most popular platforms for finding international gigs is Upwork. We dive deeper into freelance platforms in this article.
To find long-term remote roles, check out sites like StackOverflow Jobs, RemoteOk, We Work Remotely, CareerBuilder, Toughbyte. There are tons of listings, so be sure to filter by your target country and other preferences. But don’t overthink it — apply to as many as possible. Response rates on international platforms are usually lower than what you might be used to.
We go over a lot of valuable and practical tips on landing clients, presenting yourself as a professional, and scaling your income in our online coaching program “Freelancer: The Big Game”. If you want to earn a consistently high income — and keep growing — join the next group!