Expanding into the Philippines gives you access to a large, English-fluent, highly educated talent pool. But before you hire, there's a structural decision to make: set up your own legal entity, or hire through an Employer of Record (EOR).
Setting up an entity means incorporation, local directors, tax registration, ongoing statutory filing, and the time and cost that come with all of it. It can make sense at significant scale — but for most teams starting out, it's a heavy commitment.
An EOR lets you hire compliantly from day one without any of that. The EOR becomes the legal employer, handling contracts, payroll, benefits and compliance, while your team works exclusively for you. You get speed, lower risk, and the option to establish your own entity later if the numbers change.
The rule of thumb: if you're building your first team, testing a market, or want to move quickly, an EOR is almost always the faster, lower-risk path. You can always transition to your own entity down the line — and a good EOR partner will help you do it.