Why a “Remote Job” Doesn’t Always Mean “Work Anywhere”

The Surprising Reasons “Remote” Doesn’t Always Mean “Work Anywhere”

Imagine landing a remote job, excited by the idea of working from anywhere with Wi-Fi. But soon, you find out there’s a catch: the role requires you to be in a specific state or even within commuting distance of the office. If you’re new to remote work, this can be confusing. Here’s why some remote jobs come with these unexpected restrictions, and how you can find a remote role that truly fits your lifestyle.

Understanding Remote Job Flexibility: Levels of Location Freedom

Before diving into the reasons for location restrictions, it helps to understand the main types of “remote” jobs out there:

1. Work-from-Anywhere: Fully remote roles that allow you to work from any location worldwide.
2. Remote in Country: Roles that allow remote work but require you to reside in a specific country.
3. Remote in State: Roles requiring you to be within a certain state or region, often due to regulatory or client needs.
4. Hybrid Remote: Jobs that blend remote work with in-office days, requiring proximity to the company’s office.

With this in mind, let’s look at why many “remote” jobs require a specific location.

Why Remote Jobs Have Location Requirements

While it may seem that any remote role should let you work from anywhere, location can matter for various reasons:

1. Client and Market Needs
   Jobs that involve client interactions or sales may require employees to be nearby or familiar with the local culture. Sales roles, project management, or consulting can benefit from face-to-face client meetings or a strong understanding of regional customs, particularly when dealing with international clients.
2. Time Zone Overlap
   Some roles demand real-time communication (e.g., customer service or software development). If team members are in drastically different time zones, it can cause delays or disrupt the flow of collaboration. Many companies aim to streamline communication by having employees in similar time zones or regional clusters. For instance, a New York-based team may want remote workers in the Eastern Time Zone to ensure effective collaboration.
3. Legal and Tax Compliance
   To simplify employment and tax compliance, companies often prefer hiring remote workers within specific states or countries. This helps them navigate legal landscapes they’re already familiar with, reducing risk and complexity.
4. Licensing and Certifications
   Many roles—like teaching, law, or telemedicine—require professionals to have state-specific certifications or licenses. For instance, a remote teacher might need a specific state license, or a telemedicine doctor might need certification in both their home and patient states.
5. Periodic In-Person Meetings
   Even in remote roles, some companies prefer occasional face-to-face meetings. Employees may be expected to attend team-building events, training sessions, or other gatherings, requiring them to live within a certain distance of company offices.

Employer Benefits of Location-Based Remote Roles

Employers often set these location requirements to ensure smoother collaboration, compliance, and client service. Hiring within specific states or regions helps companies avoid tax complications, meet client expectations for cultural knowledge, and maintain team efficiency. For example, synchronous communication is much easier when everyone shares similar working hours.

How to Find Remote Jobs That Match Your Location Goals

If you’re looking for a role with true location flexibility, here are some tips to guide your search:

• Work-from-Anywhere Roles: Look for job postings explicitly labeled “work from anywhere” or “global remote,” as these typically have no location requirements.
• U.S. National Remote Jobs: These roles allow work from anywhere within the United States and are ideal for those who prefer staying in the country.
• State-Specific Remote Jobs: Search by state if the role needs to be performed within a particular state (e.g., “remote in California”).
• Advanced Filters: Use job boards like Remote Gig, which have filters by country, allowing you to focus your search on roles that align with your location needs.

FAQs on Remote Job Location Requirements

1. Can an Employer Specify Where You Work Remotely?
Yes, employers can set location requirements due to state laws, company policy, or client needs. Many states have specific employment laws that impact where companies can hire remote employees, and taxes or regulatory compliance often play a big role.

Additionally, employers might need remote workers near key clients or within certain time zones to enhance collaboration and customer support.

To avoid surprises, always check the job description for location specifics, and if anything is unclear, ask the hiring manager or recruiter to clarify before accepting a position.

2. Can You Work Remotely from Another State?
The ability to work from another state depends on the employer’s policies and the specifics of the role. Some companies allow employees to work out-of-state temporarily (for instance, while traveling or dealing with personal matters), typically within a set time limit like two weeks or a month. However, long-term out-of-state work may be restricted due to tax implications, state employment laws, or licensing requirements.

If you’re considering working from a different state, especially for an extended period, confirm with HR. Some companies even have formal policies about the maximum length of time employees can work outside their home state.

3. Can You Work Remotely from Another Country?
Working remotely from another country is usually more complex, involving both company policies and the host country’s visa and work regulations.

While many companies may allow brief international work trips, longer stays often require compliance with foreign employment laws.

Countries like Portugal, Spain, and Estonia have introduced “digital nomad” visas, allowing remote workers to stay for extended periods, sometimes up to a year. However, these visas typically have specific income, tax, and health insurance requirements. Confirm with your employer before planning an extended international work arrangement and research visa requirements for your intended destination.

4. Can You Live Anywhere with a Remote Job?
Total location freedom isn’t guaranteed with every remote job. While some roles labeled “work from anywhere” offer global flexibility, others may require you to reside within certain countries, states, or regions.

These restrictions often stem from time zone needs, legal or tax issues, or client-based requirements.

If you want complete freedom in where you live and work, search for roles labeled specifically as “work from anywhere” and verify this with recruiters during the application process. Some industries, such as tech and digital marketing, tend to offer more globally flexible remote roles.

5. What Does “Remote in State” Mean?
“Remote in state” means you can work from home or any location within a particular state but can’t live outside of it.

This restriction is typically due to state licensing requirements (common in regulated industries like insurance or healthcare), employment tax implications, or specific business needs within that state. Employers may also prefer local hires to facilitate in-state travel or occasional in-person meetings.

When you see “remote in state” in a job listing, it usually means you won’t need to commute daily, but you’ll need to be close enough to satisfy occasional travel needs if required.

Start Your Remote Job Search Strategically

With a better understanding of why some remote jobs come with location requirements, you can target your job search more effectively.

Knowing where you want to live while working remotely is key to finding a role that aligns with both your lifestyle and career goals.

Platforms like Remote Gig can provide you with a steady stream of high-quality remote job listings, helping you discover a role that fits your location needs.