PR Newswire·Jul 16, 2026, 9:22 AM ET

Global Hiring is Now Essential for 87% of U.S. SMBs, According to a New Report from Multiplier

A shortage of AI-skilled talent & tightening U.S. immigration policies are forcing SMBs to rethink hiring strategies.
87% of U.S.-based SMBs now view global hiring as a necessity rather than a strategic advantage.
60% of respondents state that AI demand is accelerating the need for expertise not currently available in-house.
76% of SMBs report that H-1B visa restrictions are directly impacting workforce planning & driving a shift to remote-first hiring.
Only 21% of SMBs proactively manage cross-border compliance, while nearly 25% frequently struggle to meet regulatory requirements.
82% of SMBs say they have failed or expect to fail at onboarding global hires due to compliance, tax, or regulatory hurdles.
Record-high H-1B costs & growing backlogs have made traditional domestic sponsorship unviable for over three-quarters of SMBs.
Multiplier's platform usage by U.S. businesses has grown 16.4% since April 2024 as companies opt to hire internationally instead of relocating workers.
The report highlights that SMBs lack the infrastructure to manage the complexity of global employment laws despite the need to access international talent pools.