What Is a Work-From-Anywhere (WFA) Job?

A work-from-anywhere (WFA) job is a flexible arrangement that allows employees to conduct their work from any global location while maintaining their employment status and benefits.

WFA extends beyond traditional remote work by removing geographic restrictions entirely. Employees have complete autonomy to work from their home, a café, a coworking space, or even another country, as long as they can fulfill their professional responsibilities.

WFA differs from standard remote work policies, which often require employees to stay within specific regions or time zones. Under a WFA model, employees receive complete control over their geography and never need to regularly appear at a physical office.

This freedom allows organizations to access global talent pools while providing employees with enhanced work-life balance. However, the viability of such arrangements requires clear policies. Organizations must establish guidelines for communication protocols, working hours, performance metrics, and compliance with international tax, employment, and immigration regulations.

For employees, success in WFA positions depends on strong self-management skills, cultural adaptability, and the ability to remain productive and accountable across changing environments. With WFA jobs shaping the future of work, there’s a lot to unpack.

Benefits of work-from-anywhere jobs

WFA jobs represent the next evolution in workplace flexibility, empowering organizations and their teams with complete location independence. Below are notable benefits of adopting such workplace dynamics.

Global talent access. WFA allows organizations to recruit from a worldwide talent pool without geographic restrictions.
Increased productivity. A study published in Nature found hybrid/work-from-home professionals saw a 13% increase in productivity.
Improved retention. That same study in Nature revealed 50% lower attrition rates with such flexible work arrangements.
Expanded skill acquisition. WFA enables businesses to attract specialized skills without incurring relocation costs.
Better mental health. Forty-three percent of professionals cited lower stress and improved mental health as the leading benefit of WFA-like dynamics, according to a workplace flexibility survey by Deloitte.
Reduced overhead. WFA can significantly decrease office space requirements and associated costs.
Time zone coverage. Teams with WFA arrangements can provide round-the-clock service across different time zones.
Cultural diversity. WFA promotes a more diverse workforce, bringing varied perspectives to the organization.
Environmental impact. By eliminating daily commutes, WFA contributes to reduced carbon emissions.

As organizations continue to embrace WFA policies, they position themselves at the forefront of workplace innovation while gaining significant competitive advantages in talent acquisition and retention.

WFA roles, job sectors, and work styles

Depending on the company, WFA roles are designed for a mix of full-time or part-time employees or independent contractors. However, companies typically will create a remote work policy to dictate the style of remote work allowed, ranging from:

Hybrid remote. Employees work certain days in the office and certain days at home
Work-from-home. Employees spend all scheduled workdays at home
Location dependent. Employees work remotely from a certain city, state, country, etc.
Work-from-anywhere. Employees may work from anywhere they please

With a work-from-anywhere mindset, a number of roles in primary job sectors are now fulfilled from across the world. These roles and job sectors include the following:

Information technology leads the revolution for remote jobs with roles in software development, cloud architecture, and cybersecurity. These positions consistently rank among the most common WFA opportunities due to their inherently digital nature and established virtual collaboration practices.
Healthcare shows significant growth through telemedicine platforms, health information management, and medical billing roles. The industry continues to expand its remote capabilities, particularly in administrative functions and virtual patient consultations.
Marketing and communications demonstrate strong remote adoption across digital marketing, content strategy, and brand management. These roles thrive in virtual environments due to the digital-first nature of modern marketing campaigns.
Business and finance embrace remote work through positions in accounting, financial analysis, and business operations. Virtual tools and cloud-based platforms have made financial services increasingly location-independent.
Creative and design offers extensive WFA opportunities in content creation, UX/UI design, and multimedia production. The creative industry has adapted well to remote collaboration tools and digital asset management systems.
Sales roles continue to evolve, with virtual selling becoming mainstream. Remote sales roles range from inside sales representatives to enterprise account managers, and they are supported by advanced CRM systems and virtual meeting platforms.
Legal services adapt to remote work through roles in legal research, contract management, and compliance. Virtual legal consultations and digital documentation have made many legal services location-independent.

Now that work-from-anywhere adoption is omnipresent, more and more roles in primary job sectors are fulfilled worldwide.

Country-specific WFA considerations

Organizations and employees must wade through varying regulations, tax implications, and global compliance requirements that vary significantly across borders. Understanding these regional nuances is crucial for successful WFA arrangements.

Germany

Remote work in Germany requires specific permits and authorizations for international employees. Non-EU nationals must obtain both a residence title and a work permit before beginning employment. The country allows remote work for citizens from select nations, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Japan, while other nationalities typically need a local German employer.

Australia

The Australian system emphasizes clear employment structures for remote arrangements. Foreign employees must obtain appropriate work authorization and visas. The country maintains double tax agreements with numerous nations, including the U.S., U.K., Japan, and Germany, which affects how remote work arrangements are managed.

Spain

Spain has positioned itself as a remote work-friendly destination through progressive policies. The country’s Digital Nomad Visa program allows remote professionals to live and work legally for up to 12 months with renewal options. The country’s time zone and lifestyle make it particularly attractive for U.S.-based companies seeking international talent.

United States

The U.S. lacks specific federal remote work legislation, making compliance primarily dependent on existing labor laws and state regulations. Remote professionals are protected by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which governs minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping requirements. Employers must also comply with labor laws in the state where the remote employee physically works.

Additional tax considerations

Employers must navigate complex tax implications when managing international remote talent. Many states and countries have specific tax withholding requirements, and creating a permanent establishment in foreign jurisdictions can trigger additional tax obligations.

Organizations should establish clear governance frameworks and conduct thorough risk assessments of both home and host country regulations.

Compliance framework

Success in WFA arrangements requires careful attention to:

Employment contracts that clearly specify applicable governing laws
Tax treaty considerations between home and host countries
Social Security obligations in multiple jurisdictions
Corporate presence and permanent establishment risks

To simplify these complex international employment requirements, many organizations partner with an employer of record (EOR). An EOR manages local compliance, payroll, benefits, immigration requirements, and tax obligations while allowing companies to hire talent in countries where they lack legal entities.

Top work-from-anywhere companies

Countless companies have made the switch to WFA and aren’t looking back. Some of the best and brightest businesses are role models for WFA and flexible work arrangements, including:

Atlassian. Atlassian’s “Team Anywhere” policy allows employees to work from anywhere, providing flexibility and location independence. Employees can choose their work location daily, whether in an office or remotely, and can work outside their designated location for a set period each year.
Zapier. Zapier’s work-from-anywhere policy allows employees to work from any location globally, promoting flexibility in hours and asynchronous communication. The company supports a diverse workforce and encourages autonomy, with no fixed office locations since its founding.
Automattic. Automattic allows employees to work from any location they choose, emphasizing autonomy and flexibility in scheduling. Its open vacation policy, with no set number of vacation days, encourages employees to take the time they need for personal well-being.
Veeva Systems. Veeva Systems has adopted a “Work Anywhere” policy, allowing employees the flexibility to work from home or the office as best suits their needs. This policy emphasizes productivity and innovation by trusting employees to choose their optimal work environment while maintaining predictable core hours for collaboration.
GitLab. GitLab’s work-from-anywhere policy allows employees to work from anywhere globally. The company emphasizes flexible hours, asynchronous communication, and focusing on results rather than activity. It provides extensive resources and support for remote work and fosters a culture of transparency and collaboration.
Shopify. Shopify has embraced a “digital by design” work model, allowing employees to work remotely with flexibility and no requirement to return to the office. Their Destination90 program enables employees to work from home or any location, with the option to work abroad for up to 90 days per year.
Brightside Health. A remote-first telehealth company offering online therapy and psychiatry services with flexible schedules and unlimited PTO.
Adobe. Adobe offers a hybrid work model where employees can work remotely up to 50% of the time. This model provides flexibility and location independence while fostering a balance between in-person and virtual interactions.
Zoom. Zoom has adopted a “structured hybrid approach” that requires employees living within 50 miles of an office to work onsite at least two days a week. This marks a shift from its previous remote work model during the pandemic.
Coursera. A remote-first educational technology company offering comprehensive health benefits, parental leave, and flexible PTO while partnering with top universities.

WFA job search tips and tools

The search for work-from-anywhere opportunities requires a strategic approach and the right combination of tools. A well-organized job search can significantly increase success in landing WFA roles.

Remote-specific job boards. FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, and Remote.co specialize in location-independent positions. These platforms pre-screen listings to ensure the legitimacy and quality of opportunities.
Application tracking. Use a detailed spreadsheet to monitor applications, follow-ups, and company contacts. This simple system helps maintain professional communication and prevents missed opportunities.
LinkedIn optimization. Job seekers should update their profile to highlight remote work experience and set job preferences to “remote only.” Engage with target companies’ content and join remote work-focused groups.
Digital portfolio. Create an online portfolio or personal website showcasing your remote work capabilities. Include examples of virtual collaboration and digital project management experience.
Automated job alerts. Customized alerts on platforms like Career Vault and JustRemote should be set up for immediate notifications of new WFA positions. Configure keywords specific to your industry and desired role.
Global time zone management. Job seekers should demonstrate their ability to work across time zones by clearly stating their flexibility in their profile. Include experience with asynchronous communication and global team collaboration.
Remote work certifications. Consider obtaining relevant certifications in virtual team management or digital collaboration tools. These credentials can set job seekers apart from other candidates.

Staying compliant while implementing a WFA policy

Both companies and employees know that the benefits of working anywhere outweigh the business risks. Still, there are some factors for employers to consider. Organizations that employ workers abroad or allow their employees to work from anywhere must comply with the employment, immigration, and tax regulations of the location where their employees work.

Fortunately, this golden age of work-from-anywhere for businesses is becoming much more manageable thanks to global talent solutions like EORs that solve the complexities of hiring overseas talent and handling local HR, payroll, and work visa requirements.

Embrace a WFA policy with Velocity Global

Hiring and managing a global workforce comes with several HR, legal, and financial challenges. Organizations that want to embrace a WFA policy can partner with Velocity Global to easily hire, pay, and manage their global workforce across 185+ countries without setting up local entities or navigating complex labor laws. Learn more about our global workforce solutions.