Where to Hire a Virtual Assistant: A Recruiter’s Guide to the Top Global Talent Hubs

Key Takeaways

• The Global Talent Pool is Exploding: The technology powering virtual assistants is projected to become a nearly $50 billion market by 2029, giving businesses unprecedented access to skilled professionals worldwide. [1]

• Latin America for Real-Time Collaboration: Ideal for US-based businesses, this region offers overlapping time zones and strong cultural alignment, making it a top choice for VAs who need to work in lockstep with your team.

• Southeast Asia for Maximum Cost-Effectiveness: Led by the Philippines, this region provides significant cost savings and a massive, highly-skilled talent pool, making it the most budget-friendly option if you can manage asynchronous work or overnight shifts.

• South Africa for Specialized Skills & Cultural Fit: A powerful, often-overlooked hub offering native English fluency, excellent cultural fit for US/UK companies, and a strong pool of finance and customer support talent.

• Make a Strategic Choice: Choosing the right region is a strategic business decision. You must balance cost with the specific skills, time zone, and cultural compatibility your role requires. Our in-depth Regions Guide is the perfect place to start your research.

The decision to hire a virtual assistant is a powerful first step. The next, more critical question is: where do you find them? The internet has erased borders, creating a global talent pool filled with skilled, ambitious professionals. But not all talent hubs are created equal. The region you choose to hire from will have a direct impact on your budget, your workflow, and your company culture.

With the virtual assistant technology market projected to skyrocket to nearly $50 billion by 2029, knowing where to look is more important than ever. As a recruiter who has built international teams for over 15 years, I’ve learned that the most successful hires come from a strategic, location-aware approach. This guide will break down the top three regions for hiring virtual assistants so you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals.

Region 1: Latin America - The Time Zone Advantage

For businesses in the United States, Latin America has become a powerhouse for remote talent. The primary driver is simple: time zone alignment. When your VA is working the same hours you are, collaboration becomes seamless. You can hop on a quick call, get immediate feedback, and integrate them into your daily operations without the logistical headaches of a 12-hour time difference.

But the benefits go far beyond the clock. Countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina boast a large and growing pool of professionals with strong English proficiency and deep cultural alignment with the U.S. market.

Pros of Hiring in Latin America:

• Same or Overlapping U.S. Time Zones: Enables real-time communication and collaboration.

• Strong English Proficiency: A large percentage of the professional workforce is bilingual.

• Cultural Alignment: A strong understanding of U.S. business culture and consumer behavior.

• Large Talent Pool: Access to a wide range of professional and technical skills.

• Competitive Wages: Significant payroll savings compared to hiring domestically.

Cons of Hiring in Latin America:

• Higher Costs than Southeast Asia: While still cost-effective, average rates are higher than in other regions.

• Varying Economic Stability: Political and economic conditions can fluctuate by country.

• High Demand: Increased competition for top-tier talent in major markets like Mexico and Colombia.

Pro-Tip: When hiring in Latin America, look for candidates who have experience working with U.S. companies. This often indicates a higher level of professionalism and a better understanding of your expectations. For a country-by-country breakdown, explore our Guide to Hiring in Latin America.

Region 2: Southeast Asia - The Cost-Effective Leader

For decades, Southeast Asia, and particularly the Philippines, has been the epicenter of the outsourcing world. This region has built a world-class infrastructure around the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, creating a massive, highly-trained workforce adept at remote work.

The number one advantage of hiring in Southeast Asia is cost-effectiveness. Hourly rates are significantly lower than in any other major talent hub, allowing startups and small businesses to access top talent on a bootstrap budget. The workforce is known for its strong work ethic, loyalty, and exceptional customer service skills.

Pros of Hiring in Southeast Asia:

• Extremely Cost-Effective: The most budget-friendly hourly rates available globally.

• High English Fluency: The Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore have very high rates of English proficiency.

• Strong Outsourcing Background: A deep talent pool with experience in BPO, IT, design, and customer service.

• Large Supply of Candidates: A massive and diverse supply of talent across nearly every industry.

• Flexible Availability: Many professionals are accustomed to working overnight to align with U.S. time zones.

Cons of Hiring in Southeast Asia:

• Significant Time-Zone Differences: Requires careful scheduling and often involves asynchronous communication.

• Varying English Proficiency: Outside of the Philippines, English levels can be inconsistent.

• Infrastructure Variability: Internet and power reliability can be a concern in some rural locations.

Pro-Tip: The time difference can be a feature, not a bug. A VA in Southeast Asia can handle tasks overnight—clearing your inbox, preparing reports, scheduling social media—so you wake up to a completed to-do list. Learn more about the nuances in our Guide to Hiring in Southeast Asia.

Region 3: South Africa - The Hidden Gem

South Africa is one of the most exciting and often-overlooked hubs for virtual talent. It offers a unique blend of benefits that make it a powerful choice, especially for businesses in the UK, Europe, and the U.S. East Coast.

The most compelling advantage is the combination of native English fluency and minimal time difference. With only a one-hour difference from the UK and a manageable gap with the U.S. East Coast, South Africa provides the time zone benefits of Latin America with the language proficiency of a native-speaking country. The talent pool is rich with professionals in finance, accounting, IT, and high-level customer support.

Pros of Hiring in South Africa:

• Native English Fluency: Eliminates language barriers for clear, nuanced communication.

• Excellent Cultural Fit: Strong alignment with U.S., UK, and European business practices.

• Ideal Time Zone for UK/Europe: Near-perfect time zone overlap for seamless integration.

• Strong Specialized Talent: A deep pool of professionals in finance, IT, and customer support.

• Accustomed to Remote Work: A workforce that is experienced in global and remote collaboration.

Cons of Hiring in South Africa:

• Slightly Higher Costs: Rates are generally higher than in Southeast Asia.

• Smaller Hiring Pool: The overall talent pool is not as large as in Latin America or Asia.

Pro-Tip: South Africa is an excellent source for more senior or specialized roles where perfect English and cultural understanding are non-negotiable. If you're hiring for a client-facing or complex financial role, this region should be at the top of your list. Discover more in our Guide to Hiring in South Africa.

Making the Right Choice

There is no single "best" place to hire a virtual assistant. The right choice depends entirely on your specific needs.

• If you need real-time collaboration and have a moderate budget, look to Latin America.

• If your primary driver is cost savings and you can manage asynchronous work, Southeast Asia is your best bet.

• If you need specialized skills and flawless, native English, South Africa is a powerful contender.

By thinking strategically about location, you move beyond simply filling a seat and start building a true international team. Ready to explore these regions further? Start with our complete Regions Guide to dive deeper into the data and find the perfect fit for your business.

References

[1] Statista. (2025, December 17). Virtual Assistant Technology in the U.S. - statistics & facts. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/topics/7022/virtual-assistants-in-the-us/