If you don't want to go the contracting route then usually the country you're thinking of hiring in will have a government-funded organisation designed to help

If you don't want to go the contracting route then usually the country you're thinking of hiring in will have a government-funded organisation designed to help with the process of setting up a local wholly-owned subsidiary. Where I'm from they're called InvestNI and they've helped multiple US companies set up locally. It's an expensive undertaking but worthwhile if you're looking to hire multiple people. The hassle is offset by support and funding to help subsidise the cost of providing jobs.