The direct route and its challenges

Hiring directly means navigating Indian employment law, setting up payroll and compliance, providing equipment and a workspace, and managing HR across borders — a significant undertaking, especially for one or two hires. It's viable at scale but heavy for most SMEs.

The managed-provider route

A managed provider employs the person on your behalf, handles all the compliance, payroll, office and HR, and gives you a dedicated team member for one monthly fee. You direct the work; they handle the employment complexity. For most UK businesses this is far simpler and lower-risk than going direct.

What stays the same

Either way, the person works in your systems on your hours under your direction. The difference is purely in who handles the employment burden — you, or the provider. For one to a handful of hires, the provider route almost always makes more sense.

The practical answer: hiring in India directly is complex; a managed provider handles the employment, compliance and HR so you get a dedicated hire without the burden. For most SMEs, managed wins.

Direct versus managed, decided

For one to a handful of hires, the managed route almost always wins: the provider navigates Indian employment law, payroll and compliance, houses the person securely, and supplies equipment and HR — you simply direct the work. Going direct only makes sense at real scale, when you're prepared to run cross-border employment yourself. For most UK SMEs, managed is faster, lower-risk and far less complex.

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to hire staff in India?

Yes. UK businesses can lawfully engage staff in India, either directly or through a managed provider who employs the person compliantly on your behalf.

Should I hire directly or use a provider?

For a small number of hires, a managed provider is far simpler — they handle employment law, payroll, office and HR. Direct hiring only makes sense at significant scale.

What does the provider handle?

Recruitment, compliant employment, a secure managed office, equipment, payroll, HR and ongoing support — for one monthly fee. You interview, approve and direct the work.