Your international employee onboarding — what to expect

Applies to: international employees (employed outside the US and Canada). US employees see Getting started — your onboarding checklist; Canadian employees see the Canada Employees (T4) articles.

Summary: As an international employee, your onboarding is run by your in-country HR partner, not in the Ascen portal. It starts with an email from them listing your onboarding requirements, with instructions for entering your bank information, providing your tax information for your country, and signing your employment contract. You'll also receive contact details for the Ascen team supporting your country, and if you're ever unsure who to contact, email support@ascen.com.

How your onboarding works

1. Watch for the onboarding email from your in-country HR partner. Once your placement is confirmed, they'll email you with your onboarding requirements and instructions for each step. Check spam/junk if you don't see it around your expected start. You won't get an Ascen portal invite or login for this, and you don't need one: your onboarding, paperwork and pay all run through your in-country HR partner's system. If nothing has arrived a few days before your expected start, email support@ascen.com and we'll chase it.

2. Expect outreach from your in-country HR partner. Because you're employed under your country's laws, your in-country HR partner will reach out to guide the local parts of your onboarding. They may invite you to their own portal to submit the paperwork and information your country requires — this is a normal part of the process; they're working with Ascen on your behalf. Your employment contract is generated to be compliant with your country's employment law, and your salary is paid in your local currency through local payroll.

3. Enter your bank information — the account where your salary will be paid, following the instructions in the email.

4. Provide your tax information — the tax details required in your country of employment (each country's forms and identifiers differ; the instructions cover exactly what's needed for yours).

5. Sign your employment contract — review and sign your in-country employment agreement as instructed. Your employment can't start until it's signed.

After onboarding, expect your payslips and local statutory items (registrations, social contributions) to be handled through the in-country payroll. Questions about those go to your in-country HR partner.

Complete the steps promptly — pay setup and your start date depend on them.

Who to contact

• Your in-country HR partner — your primary contact for onboarding questions, local employment matters, and anything specific to your country. Their contact information is provided as part of your onboarding (and they may contact you first).

• Can't find or don't know your HR specialist? Email support@ascen.com and we'll connect you.

Related articles

• How international employees are paid: payslips and local payroll

• Time off, public holidays, and sick leave (international employees)

• Am I an employee or an independent contractor?

• Which countries does Ascen support (and which are excluded)?

• How to update your personal information (address, name, phone, email)