Before a Princeton employee or visiting rank is permitted to start working for Princeton outside of the U.S., they must request approval. The Global Work and Services Policy and following resources outline the approval request and notification process.

• How-to guides for:
  • Princeton employees and visiting ranks
  • Princeton students
  • Engaging non-Princeton individuals outside of the U.S.
• PEO (Professional Employer Organization) Requirements and Procedures
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)

Teaching and research abroad may involve collaborating with colleagues from other universities or organizations, or engaging local staff to assist with your program or project. As such, you may need to hire individuals as employees in the country where you are working.

This process is complex and requires advance planning to ensure that Princeton can legally hire these individuals overseas. Requirements vary across countries, and we have to consider the local tax and labor laws. Hiring abroad can require months of planning and collaboration with Global Financial Services and other offices at Princeton, as well as in-country legal counsel. If you are planning a project for which you may need to hire local individuals, please refer to the Global Work and Services policy, or contact Global Financial Services for additional guidance

When studying, teaching, or doing research abroad, you may need to engage local contractors to assist with your work, most commonly referred to as “independent contractors.” Every country has its own rules about independent contractors, including how and when they can be used. Many countries restrict the use of independent contractors, and it is important to know the in-country rules before paying someone locally for services. 

Before engaging local personnel or paying individuals for services, please reach out to our office.

Please note: Independent contractors should not be used if hiring an employee is more appropriate to the work being performed.

There are several options when making in-country payments for goods and services. When possible, Princeton’s Travel & Expense Card is the preferred method for making purchases while traveling overseas. However, not all locations accept credit cards, and there are alternative options in lieu of using cash abroad. Please contact our office well in advance of your travel if you are operating in a location that does not accept credit cards. We will meet with you and determine payment options for your program or project based on your location and activities in-country. 

In some circumstances, it may be necessary to establish a bank account to support a program, center, or project overseas. For any foreign banking questions or needs, please contact Kristy Holmes in Global Financial Services.