FreelanXThe first day is the latest of three dates.
Onboarding has its own clock
With FreelanX EOR, onboarding takes from 2 to 30 days after the signed contract, depending on the country. That covers the documents the law requires, registration with the authorities and payroll set-up.
Notice and visas often decide
The person may still owe notice to their current employer, and may need a visa or work permit. Either one can end later than onboarding. The first day comes after the last of the three.
Some steps must come before day one
In several countries the law fixes what happens before work starts: a right to work check in the UK, a hiring declaration in France, Social Security registration in Spain, a written record of the main terms in Germany.
Ten steps, from decision to first payday.
Some steps happen once, some run at the same time. The order below is the usual one; steps 4 to 8 often overlap.
Before the contract01–03
Step 1. Choose the model
Who: the company.A defined piece of work with an end can fit a contractor. A role where you set the hours, the method and the place is a job: in most countries it must be employment. If the person is to be an employee and you have no entity in the country, an employer of record employs them for you.
Step 2. Ask for a quote
Who: the company, then FreelanX EOR.Four answers are enough for a first proposal: the country, the gross salary, the start date, and the role and contract type. FreelanX EOR answers within 24 working hours with a quote and an onboarding date.
Within 24 working hoursStep 3. Agree the proposal and sign
Who: the company, the person, FreelanX EOR.The proposal sets the monthly cost, the deposit and the start date. The person signs the local employment contract online. The deposit, one month of salary, is paid before the first day.
From the contract to day one04–10
2 to 30 days by countryStep 4. Collect the person’s documents
Who: the person, checked by FreelanX EOR.Usually: an identity document, tax and social security numbers, bank details for the salary, and proof of the right to work, or the documents for the visa or permit. The exact list depends on the country, and the exact onboarding time depends on how fast the documents arrive.
Step 5. Put the local contract in order
Who: FreelanX EOR, under the law of the country.The contract follows local rules on form, language and content. In France, a written employment contract is drafted in French, and a foreign employee can ask for a translation in their own language 10. In Germany, the main terms must be given in writing, part of them at the latest on the first day of work 9. In the UK, the principal written statement is due on the first day 3.
Step 6. Background checks, where the law allows them
Only where neededWho: the company decides what the role needs; the check follows local law.Checks are not universal and not always allowed. In the EU, criminal record data can only be processed under official authority or when Union or national law authorises it 14. In France, an employer may only ask to see the n°3 extract when the job needs it, without keeping or copying it 13. In the US, a background report from a consumer reporting agency needs a stand-alone written disclosure and the person’s written permission first 26. Plan the time a check takes: in the UK, a basic DBS check takes up to 14 days 5.
Step 7. Visa or work permit, if needed
Only where neededWho: FreelanX EOR sponsors it where the person needs one, in the 50+ countries it covers.This is usually the longest step. Each country has its own route and its own processing time (see the country panels below). Until the permit is granted, the start date is a plan, not a promise.
Step 8. Enrol in mandatory benefits
Who: FreelanX EOR.Health, pension or insurance schemes, where the law of the country requires them.
Step 9. Set up payroll and meet the first cut-off
Who: FreelanX EOR.Registration with the authorities, then the person is added to the monthly payroll. Each payroll run has a cut-off date for changes: a start that falls after it can move the first salary to the next run. Local law sets when pay is due, for example within 7 days after the end of the salary period in Singapore 32, or by the fifth day of the following month in Brazil 38.
Step 10. Equipment, access and day one
Who: the company.You direct the work, so you prepare it: laptop, accounts, tools, a contact person and the first week. Ship equipment early when it has to cross a border.
After day one
FreelanX EOR runs payroll, pays the salary and issues the payslip. From then on: monthly payroll and one monthly invoice.
Six things set the start date.
Onboarding is rarely the only clock. These six decide when the first day can really be.
The country
Each country has its own registrations, documents and rules. FreelanX EOR onboarding runs 2–10 days in Europe and North America, 3–20 days in Asia-Pacific, 5–20 days in Latin America and the GCC, and 10–30 days in the Maghreb and Africa, after the signed contract.
The notice at the current employer
A person who is employed today must usually serve notice before they can start. In Germany the statutory period is four weeks, to the 15th or to the end of a calendar month 8; in the Netherlands, one month 19; in the UAE, between 30 and 90 days as agreed 34. A contract can set more. Ask the person for their real notice date before you fix yours.
Visa needs
If the person needs a permit, its processing time comes on top. Official times range from about two weeks (Canada’s Global Talent Stream 27, the Netherlands' target for highly skilled migrants 22) to 90 days (the Netherlands' legal decision period 21), and some routes open on fixed dates only: H-1B employment in the US can begin no earlier than 1 October 23.
Payroll cut-off dates
Payroll with FreelanX EOR runs monthly. A start after the cut-off can move the first salary to the next run, and the legal pay date differs by country 6323840.
Background checks
Where a check is used, it takes its own time, and it needs a legal basis and the right formalities before it starts 131426.
Public holidays
A first day that falls on a rest day or a public holiday moves to the next working day. Some dates are not known in advance: in the UAE, Islamic holiday dates depend on the sighting of the crescent moon 35. The simulator moves the first day past rest days and national public holidays, for the countries in its data.
Germany. Contract signed on Monday 2 November 2026. The person resigns the same day.
Two days later changes the answer: signed and resigned on Wednesday 4 November, four weeks end on 2 December, so notice runs to 15 December and the first day moves to 16 December. Here notice decides, not onboarding.
Example for illustration, with the statutory period only. The person’s own contract can set a longer notice. Your proposal gives the onboarding date.
Eleven countries, eleven timelines.
What sets the date in each country: FreelanX EOR onboarding, the notice a person owes when resigning, the visa route, the paperwork at the start, and when pay is due. General information, checked October 2026. Where we found no official source, the cell says so.
Germany
The person’s notice, four weeks to the 15th or to the end of a calendar month; two weeks during an agreed probation of up to six months 8. For a non-EU hire, the fast-track procedure for skilled workers: the Federal Employment Agency’s approval is deemed given if it raises no objection within one week, the mission abroad schedules the visa appointment within three weeks and decides as a rule within three weeks of receiving all documents 7.
The main terms in writing. Names, pay, working time and breaks at the latest on the first day of work; start date, place of work, job description and probation by the seventh calendar day; the rest within one month. Text form is allowed, with an acknowledgment of receipt 9.
United Kingdom
The person’s notice, at least one week after more than a month in the job, or what their contract says 4. For a Skilled Worker visa, the application can go in up to three months before the start; a decision usually comes within three weeks from outside the UK and eight weeks from inside 1.
Each payroll is reported to HMRC on or before payday 6.
France
The person’s resignation notice. The Labour Code sets no general duration: it comes from the collective agreement, local and professional custom, or local law in Alsace-Moselle; a contract can only be more favourable 11.
The DPAE, sent before the person starts and at the earliest eight days before hiring 12. A written contract is drafted in French; a foreign employee can ask for a translation in their language, and both versions count in court 10. Criminal record: the employer may only ask to see the n°3 extract when the job needs it, without keeping or copying it 13.
Spain
Netherlands
United States
For an H-1B worker subject to the cap, the calendar. For fiscal year 2027, selection was weighted by wage level, petitions could be filed from 1 April to 30 June 2026, and employment in H-1B status can begin no earlier than 1 October 2026 23.
Form I-9, Section 1 no later than the first day of work for pay and Section 2 within three days of the start 24. New hires are reported to the State Directory of New Hires within 20 days 25. A background report from a consumer reporting agency needs a stand-alone written disclosure and written permission first; before a negative decision, the person gets a copy of the report and a summary of their rights 26.
Canada
In Ontario, the Employment Standards Act sets no general notice rule for employees who resign, but common law can require reasonable notice 28. Under the Global Talent Stream, the LMIA is processed in 10 days 80% of the time, and eligible highly skilled workers can have their work permits processed in two weeks 27.
In Quebec, the employer first presents a French version of a written individual employment contract; an English version is possible when the employee expressly asks for it 29.
Singapore
The person’s notice, as in their contract; if the contract is silent, from one day (under 26 weeks of service) to four weeks (five years or more), the same for employer and employee 31. For an Employment Pass, the job is advertised on MyCareersFuture first; online applications are processed or given an update within 10 days 30.
At least once a month, within seven days after the end of the salary period; overtime within 14 days 32.
United Arab Emirates
Islamic holiday dates depend on the sighting of the crescent moon and can change 35.
Brazil
The person’s notice, 30 days for workers paid by the month or fortnight 37.
The employer records the work card (CTPS) within five days 36.
A monthly salary is paid at the latest by the fifth day of the following month 38.
India
The four Labour Codes took effect on 21 November 2025; appointment letters are mandatory for all workers 39.
Monthly wages within seven days of the next month (Code on Wages, section 17) 40.
Eleven countries side by side
| Country | FreelanX EOR onboarding | Notice when resigning (law) | Visa route and official time | Paperwork at the start | When pay is due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEGermany | 2–10 days | 4 weeks, to the 15th or month-end; 2 weeks in an agreed probation of up to 6 months 8 | Fast-track for skilled workers: Federal Employment Agency approval deemed given after 1 week without objection; visa appointment within 3 weeks; decision as a rule within 3 weeks of complete documents 7 | Written record of the main terms: part on the first day of work, part by the 7th calendar day, the rest within one month 9 | Not covered here |
| GBUnited Kingdom | 2–10 days | At least 1 week after more than a month in the job; the contract may require more 4 | Skilled Worker: apply up to 3 months before the start; decision usually within 3 weeks from outside the UK, 8 weeks from inside 1 | Right to work check before employment 2; principal written statement on the first day 3 | Report pay to HMRC on or before each payday 6 |
| FRFrance | 2–10 days | No general rule in the Labour Code: set by collective agreement, local and professional custom, or Alsace-Moselle local law 11 | Not covered here | Hiring declaration (DPAE) before the person starts, at the earliest 8 days before 12; written contract in French 10 | Not covered here |
| ESSpain | 2–10 days | The notice set by the collective agreement or local custom 15 | Highly qualified professionals: fastest resolution 20 days 18 | Social Security registration (alta) before work starts; a late alta is out of time 16; it can be filed up to 60 days ahead 17 | Not covered here |
| NLNetherlands | 2–10 days | 1 month 19 | Highly skilled migrant: only a recognised sponsor can apply 20; IND aims to decide within 2 weeks 22; legal decision period 90 days 21 | Not covered here | Not covered here |
| USUnited States | 2–10 days | Not covered here | H-1B (cap): weighted, wage-based selection; petitions from 1 April; employment no earlier than 1 October 23 | Form I-9: Section 1 by the first day of work for pay, Section 2 within 3 days 24; new hire report within 20 days 25 | Not covered here |
| CACanada | 2–10 days | Ontario: no general statutory rule for employees; common law can require reasonable notice 28 | Global Talent Stream: LMIA in 10 days, 80% of the time; work permits for eligible highly skilled workers in 2 weeks 27 | Quebec: a French version of a written employment contract first; English only at the employee’s express wish 29 | Not covered here |
| SGSingapore | 3–20 days | As in the contract; if silent, 1 day to 4 weeks by length of service, same for both sides 31 | Employment Pass: advertise on MyCareersFuture first; online applications processed or updated within 10 days 30 | Not covered here | At least monthly, within 7 days after the end of the salary period; overtime within 14 days 32 |
| AEUnited Arab Emirates | 5–20 days | 30 to 90 days, equal for both sides unless in the worker’s interest 34 | Signed job offer, then work permit; the contract is submitted to MoHRE within 14 days of arrival 33 | Signed offer and contract registered with MoHRE 33 | Not covered here |
| BRBrazil | 5–20 days | 30 days for workers paid by the month or fortnight 37 | Not covered here | Work card (CTPS) recorded within 5 days 36 | Monthly salary by the 5th day of the following month 38 |
| INIndia | 3–20 days | Not covered here | Not covered here | Appointment letter mandatory for all workers since the Labour Codes took effect on 21 November 2025 39 | Monthly wages within 7 days of the next month 40 |
Statutory minimums and official processing times, checked October 2026. Contracts and collective agreements can set different periods within the law. Official processing times are targets, not guarantees. FreelanX EOR onboarding is counted from the signed contract to the first day.
Two lists, one first day.
Tick as you go. Ticks are kept in this browser only.
For the company (10)
0 of 10 doneFor the new hire (8)
0 of 8 doneThree mistakes that move the first day.
Starting work before the contract
A “quick start” on a laptop before the paperwork is employment without the formalities. In the UK the right to work check comes before employment 2; in France the DPAE comes before the person starts 12; in Spain an alta filed after the start is out of time 16; in the US Section 1 of Form I-9 is due by the first day of work for pay 24. Wait for the signed contract and the confirmed first day.
Misclassification while you wait
Paying the person as a contractor “until the EOR is ready” when they work like an employee is the classic misclassification. Courts look at how the work is really done, not at the label. If the work cannot wait and really is a defined deliverable with an end, a mission can fit; otherwise, wait for the first day.
Promising a start date before the visa
A start date set before the permit is granted is a hope. Official times are targets, some routes open on fixed dates (H-1B employment no earlier than 1 October 23), and some steps come only after arrival (in the UAE, the contract is submitted to MoHRE within 14 days of arrival 33). Say “planned”, and confirm it when the permit is granted.
The steps, carried for you.
You choose the person and direct the work. FreelanX EOR is the legal employer in the country: local contract, payroll, taxes and mandatory benefits, in 50+ countries.
From 2 days, up to 30
Onboarding by country, from the signed contract to the first day: 2–10 days in Europe and North America, 3–20 in Asia-Pacific, 5–20 in Latin America and the GCC, 10–30 in the Maghreb and Africa.
Visas and work permits
Sponsored by FreelanX EOR where the person needs one, in the 50+ countries it covers. The country’s rules and processing times apply.
Intellectual property
The FreelanX EOR contract transfers the intellectual property in the work to your company.
Deposit
One month of salary for each employee, held while the person is employed and returned within 15 days of the end of the contract.
Price
$499 per employee per month billed yearly, with a 12-month commitment, or $549 billed monthly, with no commitment. Salary and employer contributions at cost.
Questions people ask first.
How long does it take to onboard an employee abroad with FreelanX EOR?
Can the person start working before the contract is signed?
Can FreelanX EOR sponsor a visa or work permit?
When is the first salary paid?
Is there anything to pay before day one?
Who owns the work from day one?
Related pages.
Checked, dated, sourced.
- 1Skilled Worker visa · GOV.UK (UK Visas and Immigration) · consulted October 2026
- 2Checking a job applicant’s right to work · GOV.UK · consulted October 2026
- 3Employment contracts: written statement of employment particulars · GOV.UK · consulted October 2026
- 4Handing in your notice: giving notice · GOV.UK · consulted October 2026
- 5Get a basic DBS check for an employee or volunteer · GOV.UK (Disclosure and Barring Service) · last updated 2 December 2024
- 6Running payroll · HMRC, GOV.UK · consulted October 2026
- 7Fast-track procedure for skilled workers · Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal) · as of January 2024
- 8Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch, § 622 (notice periods in employment) · text on gesetze.legal · consulted October 2026
- 9Nachweisgesetz, § 2 · text on lexmea.de · consolidated text of 4 January 2025
- 10Code du travail, article L1221-3 · Ministère du Travail, code.travail.gouv.fr · consulted October 2026
- 11Préavis de démission : quelle est sa durée ? (art. L1237-1) · Ministère du Travail, code.travail.gouv.fr · updated 5 March 2024
- 12Les formalités d’embauche d’un salarié · Bpifrance Création · March 2026
- 13Traitement des données des candidats : la CNIL publie un guide sur le recrutement · CMS Francis Lefebvre · 12 May 2023
- 14General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, Article 10 · text on gdpr-text.com · consulted October 2026
- 15Estatuto de los Trabajadores, artículo 49.1.d · text on papelea.com · consulted October 2026
- 16Afiliación y altas: folleto informativo · Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social · consulted October 2026
- 17Alta en la Seguridad Social · PayFit España · updated 11 May 2025
- 18Residency application for highly qualified professionals · Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (one.gob.es) · consulted October 2026
- 19Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 7, artikel 672 · text on wetboekplus.nl · consulted October 2026
- 20Highly skilled migrant · IND · last update 11 September 2026
- 21Decision periods · IND · last updated 1 October 2026
- 22Residence permit for highly skilled migrant · Business.gov.nl (Netherlands Enterprise Agency) · consulted October 2026
- 23USCIS Completes Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B Lottery · Ogletree Deakins · 1 April 2026
- 24I-9 Training & Instructions (citing USCIS I-9 Central) · Utah State University Human Resources · consulted October 2026
- 25New Hire Reporting (Social Security Act, sec. 453A) · Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Support Services · FY 2024 edition
- 26Using Consumer Reports: What Employers Need to Know · Federal Trade Commission · October 2016
- 27Hire a top foreign talent through the Global Talent Stream · Employment and Social Development Canada · modified 5 October 2026
- 28Notice of resignation in Ontario · Samfiru Tumarkin LLP · consulted October 2026
- 29Adoption of Bill 96 modifying the Charter of the French language: impacts on employers · BLG · updated 9 June 2022
- 30Employment Pass: apply for a pass · Ministry of Manpower · last updated 15 June 2026
- 31Termination with notice · Ministry of Manpower · last updated 22 April 2026
- 32Paying salary · Ministry of Manpower · last updated 30 January 2026
- 33Expatriates' employment in the private sector · UAE Government portal u.ae · last updated 6 October 2025
- 34New UAE Labour Law: how long should the notice period be? (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, art. 43) · Gulf News · 19 December 2021
- 35UAE public holidays 2027 · Gulf News · 12 August 2026, updated 10 September 2026
- 36Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho, art. 29 · Presidência da República (planalto.gov.br) · consulted October 2026
- 37Regras para concessão do aviso prévio (CLT, art. 487) · Jornal Contábil · updated 2 April 2025
- 38Dia do pagamento (CLT, art. 459, § 1º) · Trilhante · consulted October 2026
- 39Government announces implementation of the four Labour Codes · Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment · 21 November 2025
- 40Code on Wages, 2019 · Press Information Bureau · 23 November 2025
FreelanX facts (onboarding times by country and region, the 24-working-hour answer, deposit, visas, intellectual property, prices): FreelanX EOR pages /eor, /eor/request, /eor/pricing and /eor/simulator, October 2026.