Let’s be honest: nearshoring can feel like a buzzword.
But when you’re up against rising local salaries, lengthy hiring cycles, and unexpected hurdles like new visa tariffs, it becomes a very real—and very timely—solution.
If you’re asking, “Should you nearshore now?” the answer depends on a few key shifts we’re seeing in today’s hiring landscape.
What’s Changed in 2025
- Visa costs are rising.
The U.S. recently implemented a $110 reciprocity fee on TN visas for Mexican nationals, raising total application costs to over $500 per hire (U.S. State Department).
- Senior talent is getting scarce.
According to the 2025 LinkedIn Workforce Report, demand for senior software engineers in the U.S. has outpaced supply for the 12th consecutive quarter.
- Hiring cycles are dragging.
Crossbridge’s 2025 internal data shows the average U.S.-based dev role takes 51 days to fill, while nearshore roles take under 20 days.
If your team can’t afford to wait or overpay, nearshoring isn’t just smart. It’s strategic.
4 Signs It’s Time to Nearshore
1. Your current hiring pipeline is too slow
Every week a critical role goes unfilled, your roadmap stalls. If you’re relying on local recruiters or outdated job boards, you’re moving too slow for today’s product cycles.
✅ What to do:
Start by testing a nearshore partner for a single role. It lets you move faster while validating fit.
2. You’re building for speed, not just headcount
In Work 2.0, it’s not about how many people you have—it’s about how fast they can ship, adapt, and collaborate. If agility is part of your product DNA, your hiring strategy should reflect that.
✅ What to do:
Hire where collaboration happens in real-time. Nearshore talent in LATAM operates on U.S.-friendly time zones and gets up to speed faster.
3. You’ve hit a budget ceiling for senior hires
When senior engineers start demanding $180k+ and equity, but you need delivery now, not next quarter, nearshoring gives you flexibility.
✅ What to do:
Use cost savings (up to 60%) to invest in onboarding, culture integration, or hiring a second role instead of just one.
4. Visa and relocation options have become a bottleneck
The new visa tariffs are a symptom of a larger truth: the rules are shifting. Relocating talent is no longer the most efficient path.
✅ What to do:
Shift from relocation to remote-first hiring with embedded nearshore teams. It’s faster, cheaper, and more sustainable.
“Nearshoring isn’t a replacement for quality, it’s a better path to it.”
— Henry Praw, Co-founder of Crossbridge
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🧠 FAQ: Should You Nearshore Now?
Q: What industries is nearshoring best for?
A: While tech is the frontrunner, industries like fintech, healthtech, SaaS, and logistics are using nearshore devs for everything from app builds to AI pipelines.
Q: How fast can I hire a nearshore developer?
A: Crossbridge clients typically go from role request to hire in under 3 weeks.
Q: Is this only for cost savings?
A: No. While cost is a factor, the top reasons CTOs nearshore include time zone alignment, senior talent access, and team scalability.
Final Thought
If your 2026 goals include scaling faster, operating leaner, or building more resilient teams, now might be the best time to nearshore.
It’s not a workaround. It’s your next strategic move.