Remote working and freelancing have started to become quite popular among people around the world. Associated with the fact that many companies enable their employees to work from home, a new term has emerged for a while now, that of digital nomads.
Canada is one of the countries that attracts many foreign citizens who want to work from here for companies in other states (including their home countries). For this purpose, they can apply for digital nomad visas enabled by more and more countries.
If you want to apply for a digital nomad visa in Canada, you should know that the country does not have a specific program for this type of worker, however, there are other schemes accommodating remote workers. Below, our immigration lawyer in Canada explains how to move here and work as a digital worker.
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The Canada digital nomad visa – what it entails
A digital nomad visa enables a person to work from any corner of the world, as long the employer allows it. However, remote work is also available for entrepreneurs and self-employed people who can organize their schedules and carry out their activities while moving from one to another.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Availability of a specific digital nomad visa (YES/NO) | No, there is no special digital nomad visa available in Canada at the moment. |
|
Possibility to work remotely from Canada (YES/NO) |
Yes, remote workers are welcome in Canada. |
|
Alternatives to a digital nomad visa (if any) |
– the Self-Employed Scheme, – the Startup Visa Scheme, – Provincial Nominee Programs. |
| Types of residence permits obtained | Foreign citizens will be issued temporary and permanent residence permits, depending on the chosen program. |
| Activities permitted |
All activities are permitted as long as they are legitimate. |
| Eligibility conditions for applicants |
Each program has its own requirements, however, speaking French or English is common to all of them. |
| Documents |
– valid passport, – application form, – proof of qualifying for the Comprehensive Ranking System, – proof of self-sustenance/investment. |
| Minimum income requirements (if any) |
No. |
| Special conditions |
When filing for the Self-Employed Scheme a minimum of 2 years of experience is required. |
| Possibility of the introduction of a specific digital nomad visa (YES/NO) | Yes, through the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada Authority. |
| Details about the future visa (if any) |
The visa is expected to have a 6-month validity period. |
| Minimum income requirements (if any) |
None. |
| Possibility to move with the family (YES/NO) |
Yes, the program would enable applicants to move with the family. |
| Support in moving to Canada as a remote worker (YES/NO) |
Yes, you can rely on our Canadian immigration lawyers for support. |
Canada has several schemes under which foreign citizens can work remotely, which is why it does not have a specific type of visa yet.
If you are interested in applying for a Canada digital nomad visa, you can enter one of the programs available. These can be explained by our immigration lawyers who can also provide support in relocation.
There are several requirements to meet for getting Canadian residency. These depend on the program chosen and their conditions. It is worth noting that in order to qualify for any of them, you must also pass a test through which you are awarded a minimum number of points that will lead to your admission for immigration.
Get in touch with us if you plan to immigrate to Canada from the USA. You can get assistance from our immigration attorney from the very beginning of the process all the way through receiving your residence visa. Before getting to that stage, there are a few tasks to finish, and they can take some time.
Schemes for digital nomads in Canada
Any of the following programs below can be seen as the equivalent of a digital nomad visa in Canada:
- the Self-Employed Scheme;
- the Startup Visa Scheme;
- Provincial Nominee Programs available across the country.
As a matter of fact, the Startup Visa was the program to determine many governments around the world to consider launching digital nomad visas. Canada has had this scheme for a few years.
However, when considering moving to Canada as a remote worker under any of these programs, one should note that there are specific requirements to comply with.
If you want to immigrate to Canada and need support, our specialists can guide you in applying for a suitable visa.
You can apply for citizenship in Canada with the assistance of our immigration attorneys. We are available to you in numerous places across the nation if you require assistance so that you won’t have to travel too far. If you do fit the criteria, we can confirm and complete the necessary documentation so you can pick up your new ID card.
How to obtain a digital nomad visa in Canada under the Self-Employed Scheme
The Self-Employed program is one of the most suitable schemes under which a Canada digital nomad visa can be explored.
This scheme has the following conditions:
- the applicants must have a minimum experience of 2 years in the field they are working;
- they must have good command of French or English;
- age is not a requirement, however, candidates with ages between 18 and 35 can obtain higher scores;
- applicants must obtain at least 67 points under the selection scoring system.
If you are interested in relocating to Canada and working as a digital nomad under this program, you can request the services of our immigration lawyers.
The startup visa – a precursor for digital nomad visas
Foreign citizens who want to obtain a digital nomad visa in Canada can also enroll in the Startup Visa program.
Just like other types of residence permits, this type of visa also has specific requirements as it targets entrepreneurs. These are:
- applicants must start a business in an innovative field and must also provide employment;
- they must have superior knowledge of English or French;
- they must also obtain the support of an angel investor, business incubator, or investment fund willing to invest in the business;
- applicants must also be able to support themselves when moving to Canada.
This program targets entrepreneurs, which is why those who can offer their services while working remotely can successfully apply for this visa.
If you want to move to Canada and obtain a digital nomad visa, you can consider this option.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Alberta and Quebec are only two of the major provinces in which foreign citizens can move through a digital nomad visa for Canada. Each program has its own requirements and specific procedure, which is why it is recommended to use specialized immigration services when choosing any of them. We also invite you to watch our video below:
The advantages of working remotely from Canada
The main benefit of the program that enables foreign citizens to relocate and work from Canada is that they can move here with their families (this advantage is not available for digital nomads in other countries).
According to this news:
- digital jobs are expected to grow to more than 2.2 million by 2025;
- they are expected to grow by 2.2% every year;
- the IT sector alone is predicted to create 250,000 jobs in the following years.
If you want to apply for a digital nomad visa for Canada, please contact our immigration law firm.
