Your Questions Answered

Everything you need to know about partnering with 33 North Group.Don’t see your question? Call (919) 208-8700 or email sales@33northgroup.com — we’re happy to help.

How does the fee structure work?

Our rate structure preserves your full client markup. You pay us the agreed hourly rate, we pay the worker their rate, and we keep our EOR service fee. Your margin stays exactly the same as if you handled employment directly. We float all payroll costs and invoice you on Net 30 terms, so there's no out-of-pocket expense.

Will you compete with me for my clients?

Absolutely not. We operate exclusively behind the scenes as your EOR partner. Your clients never interact with us directly—they work with you as they always have. You maintain all client relationships, contracts, and fees while we handle the employment logistics invisibly.

Do you work with small agencies or just enterprise clients?

We partner with agencies of all sizes, from solo recruiters placing their first TN visa candidate to established firms with hundreds of contractors. Our services scale with your business—no minimums required. Many clients start with a single placement to test our service.

What's the minimum commitment?

No minimum commitment required. Start with one placement and scale as needed. There's no long-term contract holding you back. If our service doesn't work for your business, you can stop anytime.

How do you make money if you're not competing with us?

We earn our fee from the EOR services—payroll, compliance, benefits, and risk management. Our success depends on your success, so we're invested in making every placement work perfectly. We have no incentive to interfere with your client relationships.

Can I try this with just one placement?

Yes. There's no minimum commitment. Many agencies start with a single TN visa placement or one EOR assignment to test our service. If it works well, you can scale up. If not, there's no contract binding you.

What happens if a TN visa application gets denied?

While our approval rate exceeds 95%, if a visa is denied due to our error in the application process, we refund your setup fees and help you find an alternative solution. We pre-screen candidates to minimize this risk and have backup strategies for most scenarios.

How quickly can I place a Canadian or Mexican professional?

For straightforward TN visa cases, we can typically have someone working within 2-3 weeks from application submission. Rush processing is available for urgent placements. We'll give you a realistic timeline upfront based on the specific role and candidate background.

Can Canadian or Mexican professionals work in the U.S. under B-1 business visitor visas instead?

No, and this is a critical compliance issue. B-1 visas are for temporary business activities like meetings, conferences, or negotiations—not for employment or performing services for U.S. companies. Using B-1 visas for work that requires TN status is visa fraud and can result in serious immigration consequences including permanent bars from entering the U.S.

We only sponsor proper TN visas because we do this the right way. TN visas are specifically designed for Canadian and Mexican professionals to work in the U.S., providing legal work authorization and proper employment status. This protects both the worker and your client from immigration violations that could jeopardize future business opportunities.

What professions qualify for TN visas?

Over 60 professional categories qualify, including software engineers, developers, systems analysts, engineering professionals, accountants, management consultants, and scientific technicians. Send us any job description—we'll confirm TN visa eligibility within 24 hours at no cost.

Do I need to understand immigration law to work with you?

Not at all. We handle all immigration complexity. You just need to identify qualified candidates and we manage the entire visa process. We'll guide you through what information we need and keep you updated throughout.

What if the worker's visa expires?

We manage all renewal requirements and timeline tracking. TN visas can be renewed indefinitely as long as the worker continues in qualified employment. We handle the entire renewal process well before expiration.

Can TN visa workers eventually get green cards?

TN visas don't lead directly to green cards, but workers can pursue other immigration options while maintaining TN status. We can refer them to immigration attorneys for permanent residence options if requested.

How do you ensure quality control with nearshore talent?

Rigorous screening process including technical skills assessment, English proficiency testing, cultural fit evaluation, reference verification, and background checks. We also provide ongoing performance monitoring and replacement guarantees for quality issues.

What if my client wants to expand the nearshore team?

Easy scaling. We can add team members quickly while maintaining quality and consistency standards. We have deep talent pools across technical and back-office functions in Mexico and Latin America.

How do you handle time zone differences?

Most of our talent works U.S. time zones (EST/CST/PST) to ensure seamless collaboration with your clients. We specifically recruit professionals who can work during North American business hours.

Can clients interact directly with the nearshore workers?

Yes. Daily communication, video calls, and project management happen directly between your client and the professionals. We handle employment and HR behind the scenes while they work as integrated team members.

What happens if a nearshore worker doesn't work out?

We provide replacement guarantees for quality issues. If a placement doesn't meet expectations within the first 90 days, we'll find a replacement at no additional cost and cover any transition expenses.

How is this different from other nearshore providers?

We operate as your white-label partner, not a competing service provider. Your clients see this as your service and your talent. We never interact with your clients directly or compete for the relationship.

What compliance risks do you actually cover?

We assume full liability for payroll tax compliance, workers' compensation, unemployment claims, wage and hour violations, and employment law compliance across all states. You're protected from audits and penalties related to employment law.

How quickly can you onboard a new worker?

Typically 1-2 business days for standard placements. Rush onboarding available for urgent assignments. We handle all employment paperwork, tax forms, and benefits enrollment efficiently.

What if there's a performance issue with the worker?

Since you maintain the client relationship, you handle performance management as you normally would. We provide the employment law framework and can assist with documentation if needed, but day-to-day management stays with you and your client.

What states do you cover?

All 50 states. We handle multi-state compliance for traveling workers and remote assignments. No matter where your client or worker is located, we can support the placement.

Can workers be converted to my client's payroll?

Yes—but most clients prefer to keep the arrangement as-is. They get the talent they need without the headache of setting up payroll systems, managing compliance, or handling employment law across multiple states. You look like the hero who solved their talent problem without creating an administrative burden. When clients do want to hire directly, we facilitate smooth transitions, but many discover our arrangement works better for their business long-term.

How does this integrate with my current processes?

Minimal changes required. You'll need to send us candidate information and employment details, but we integrate with most ATS systems and can work with your existing workflows. Most agencies are fully operational within a week.

What information do you need from me to get started?

For placements: job description, candidate details, pay rate, client information, and start date. For partnership setup: basic company information and preferred communication methods. We keep requirements minimal to reduce your administrative burden.

How do you handle payroll and invoicing?

We float all payroll costs and handle bi-weekly or monthly payroll processing for workers. We then invoice you monthly on Net 30 terms. This eliminates any cash flow impact on your business while ensuring workers are paid on time.

What happens if I need to end a placement suddenly?

We handle all termination requirements including final payroll, benefits continuation options (COBRA), unemployment claims processing, and compliance documentation. We make ending placements as smooth as starting them.

Do you provide benefits to the workers?

Yes, we offer competitive benefits packages including health insurance options, workers' compensation coverage, unemployment insurance, and 401(k) plan access. This helps you attract better candidates without managing benefit plans yourself.

How do you handle workers' compensation claims?

We carry comprehensive workers' compensation insurance and handle all claims processing, medical management, and regulatory reporting. You're completely protected from workers' comp liability and administrative burden.

Do you have a client portal or dashboard?

Currently, we provide information through regular reports and direct communication. We're developing a client portal for 24/7 access to worker information and reports, but we adapt to your preferred communication methods in the meantime.

How often will I hear from you?

Monthly reports with payroll summaries, compliance updates, and key metrics. Quarterly business reviews for strategic planning. Plus immediate communication for any issues or urgent matters. We adapt our communication frequency to your preferences.

Can you integrate with our ATS or CRM?

We can integrate with most major ATS and CRM platforms for seamless data flow. We're experienced with systems like Bullhorn, JobDiva, Salesforce, and others. Integration reduces duplicate data entry and streamlines your workflow.

What if I have an urgent issue after hours?

We provide after-hours support for urgent employment issues. Call (919) 208-8700 anytime for active employment situations. For general questions, we respond within 24 hours during business days.

Are there setup fees or hidden costs?

No hidden fees or surprise charges. Our transparent rate structure covers all services including payroll, benefits, compliance, and support. Setup is typically included in our standard service fee.

How does this compare to hiring internal staff?

Often costs significantly less than hiring dedicated payroll and compliance staff, especially when you factor in software costs, training, and liability exposure. Plus, you get immediate expertise rather than spending months building internal capabilities.

What if my placement volume fluctuates?

Our services scale with your business. Busy months or slow periods don't affect your service quality. You only pay for active placements, so costs align directly with your revenue.

Do you require personal guarantees?

No personal guarantees required. We evaluate partnerships based on business fundamentals and work with agencies of all sizes. Our goal is to enable your growth, not create additional financial pressure.

How long does it take to get operational?

From initial conversation to first placement capability: typically one week. TN visa processing adds 2-3 weeks for visa approval, but general EOR services can begin immediately after setup.

What should I prepare for our consultation call?

Bring examples of placements you've had to turn down, your typical client industries and placement types, current operational challenges, and questions about our process or pricing. The more we understand your business, the better we can design a solution.

Can I speak with other agencies who use your services?

While we maintain strict confidentiality for all partners, we can arrange conversations with agencies who've agreed to serve as references. They can share their experience with our services and partnership approach.

What if our businesses aren't a good fit?

Not every partnership makes sense, and we'll be honest about fit during our consultation. If we're not the right solution for your needs, we'll tell you upfront and potentially recommend alternatives.

What happens if something goes wrong?

We carry comprehensive E&O insurance and provide full indemnification for employment-related claims. Our legal team handles any issues, and you have direct access to our compliance experts. We've never had a client face penalties for employment law violations under our watch.

How do you stay current with changing employment laws?

We maintain dedicated compliance staff who monitor federal and state employment law changes continuously. We update our processes proactively and communicate any changes that might affect your placements.

What if a worker files an unemployment claim?

We handle all unemployment claims processing, documentation, and hearings if necessary. Since we're the employer of record, unemployment costs and administrative burden are our responsibility, not yours.

Are you insured and bonded?

Yes, we carry comprehensive general liability, employment practices liability, professional liability, and errors & omissions coverage. We can provide certificates of insurance for your records or client requirements.

Still Have Questions?

Contact Us Directly

Phone: (919) 208-8700

Email: sales@33northgroup.com

Schedule a Call: [Calendar Link]

Business Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST

Emergency support available 24/7 for active employment issues

What to Expect

  • Immediate response during business hours
  • Honest assessment of partnership fit
  • Custom solution designed for your business
  • No pressure, just professional guidance