I looked at SIS International Research, a market research company that pays you to take part in focus groups. It is legit and a focus group usually pays $200 to $300, but you are lucky to be chosen once a month. Below is what I found, and which sites I recommend instead.
Tested by Mikael (EarnWithMike)Founder and lead testerMikael founded PaidFromSurveys in 2016 and has personally tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites since then. He shows his tests and payment proof to 555K+ subscribers on his YouTube channel, EarnWithMike. He tested SIS International Research himself and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Last retested · First published
Legit and well paid, but few focus groups
Focus groups that usually pay $200 to $300 for about an hour. Mostly for the US, UK and Canada.
On this page
The short answer
SIS International Research is legit. Its focus groups really pay you, and they pay well: usually around $200 to $300 for about an hour of your time, with no payout threshold.
But SIS is very particular about who it accepts, so you can consider yourself lucky if you are chosen for a focus group once a month. Most focus groups are for people in the US, UK and Canada. It works best as a secondary site.
- High rewards: usually around $200 to $300 per focus group
- No payout threshold
- Most focus groups are online
- Payment is usually processed soon after the focus group
- Limited earning opportunities
- Most focus groups take at least an hour, and you are not paid if you leave midway
- Hard to get chosen
- The website does not say which payment method it uses
- No FAQ or Help section
My experience with SIS International Research
I looked at how you join SIS International Research, where it posts its focus groups, and how it pays. This is what I did myself, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- April 2025Review first published Apr 29, 2025
- Latest retest
- Checked: focus groups, sign-up, support
- Pay per focus group
- $200 to $300For around an hour
- How often you get chosen
- Once a month, if luckySIS is very particular about who it accepts
- The sign-up form for the panel
- The focus group posts on Facebook and the screener forms
- How SIS contacts you, and how support works
- A payout. My review does not show a payment from SIS International Research.
- An in-person focus group
Watch how SIS International Research works
The video below explains exactly how SIS International Research works.
Screenshots from my test
SIS International Research at a glance
| What it is | Market research company that pays panel members to take part in focus groups |
|---|---|
| Cost to join | Free |
| Ways to earn | Focus groups, mostly online, sometimes in person |
| Pay per focus group | Usually around $200 to $300 |
| Time per focus group | Usually around an hour, at least |
| Minimum cashout | None |
| Payout method | Not stated on the website. In my experience, usually PayPal or a direct bank transfer. |
| Where you can join | Anywhere, but most focus groups are for the US, UK and Canada |
| Support | Contact Us link on the website, or a message on social media. No FAQ or Help section. |
Is SIS International Research legit and safe?
Yes, SIS International Research is legit, because its focus groups really pay you. But that does not mean you can earn from it regularly. Here is what you should know.
- Hard to get chosen
Filling out a screener form does not mean you are included. SIS is very particular about who it accepts, so it takes patience. Apply for every focus group you think you qualify for.
- Stay until the end
Focus groups usually take at least an hour. You won’t get paid if you leave midway through the session.
- Payment method not stated
The website only tells you how much you will earn. It does not say how it pays. In my experience, focus groups like these usually pay through PayPal or a direct bank transfer.
- In-person groups only make sense nearby
Some focus groups ask you to come to a certain location. The pay does not come close to your costs if you have to travel far.
My takeIn my opinion, SIS International Research is not a bad site to earn from. Sure, it pays well, but the opportunities to earn will be quite limited, so it’s not something you can expect to earn regularly from. It can serve as a decent secondary site to earn from.
SIS International Research has few focus groups. These sites in your country let you earn more regularly.
See the best sites in your countryHow you earn on SIS International Research
There is 1 way to earn: focus groups. There are two ways to find them. Tap one to read more.
Focus group invites by email$200 to $300
After you sign up for the panel, SIS sends focus group invites by email, so check your inbox regularly.
For each focus group, you fill out a screener survey. SIS uses your answers to check if you qualify, and lets you know by email or phone call if you are chosen.
Focus groups on Facebook$200 to $300
The more proactive way is to check the SIS Facebook page. SIS also has X and Instagram accounts, but it only posts the opportunities on Facebook.
Most focus groups are online. Topics vary, because SIS works for Fortune 500 companies, startups and government entities.
How much can you make?
Most focus groups pay a significant amount: typically around $200 to $300, for around an hour of your time.
But the overall earning potential is still not that great, because it is quite hard to earn regularly. You can consider yourself lucky if you are chosen for a focus group once a month. Adjust your expectations accordingly.
How you get paid
| Method | Minimum | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Usually PayPal or direct bank transfer, in my experience | None | Usually processed more or less right after the focus group |
The website only tells you how much you earn if you are chosen. For more sites with a convenient payment system, see the top sites that pay via PayPal.
SIS International Research alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| User Interviews | Paid research studies, mostly for US residents | No threshold; paid per study | 3.4 / 5 |
| Respondent | Research projects that pay well, straight to PayPal | None | 3.0 / 5 |
| TestingTime | Paid user research studies | PayPal or bank transfer | 3.6 / 5 |
| Prime Opinion | Surveys only, fast payouts | $5 or $10, by country | 4.6 / 5 |
See also the best online focus groups for money. For primary sites to earn from, see the top survey and GPT sites in your country.
How I scored SIS International Research
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
SIS International Research scores 58 out of 100. If you want to earn more regularly, I recommend these sites instead.
See the best sites in your countrySIS International Research FAQ
Is SIS International Research legit?
Yes. Its focus groups really pay you. But it is hard to get chosen, so you cannot earn from it regularly.
How much does SIS International Research pay?
Usually around $200 to $300 per focus group, which takes around an hour.
How does SIS International Research pay?
The website does not say. In my experience, usually through PayPal or a direct bank transfer, more or less right after the focus group. There is no payout threshold.
Who can join SIS International Research?
Anyone can sign up, but most focus groups are for people in the US, UK and Canada.
Where do I find SIS focus groups?
In the invites SIS sends by email, and on its Facebook page.
How do I contact SIS International Research?
Use the Contact Us link at the lower right of the website, or message SIS on social media. There is no FAQ or Help section.
Who tested SIS International Research for this review
Founder of PaidFromSurveys.com since 2016. Mikael has tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites and shares his tests with 555K+ subscribers on YouTube (October 2026).
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with SIS International Research, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.