The digital age has brought many technological improvements, allowing individuals all over the world to stay connected and in conversation. Workers are increasingly working remotely from home or from anywhere they have internet connection. While many companies allow employees to work from home, some companies allow employees to work remotely from anyplace.

Furthermore, many freelancers, entrepreneurs, and business owners aspire to be digital nomads and operate from anywhere. The flexibility and autonomy are unparalleled, allowing you to be present for all of life’s key moments while still working.

Because technology allows many people to work almost anywhere with an internet connection, many digital nomads have moved to different nations in search of excitement and adventure while maintaining their career and income source. In Canada alone, the growth rate for freelancers is expected to be 65% by 2023. While Canada does not yet have a digital nomad visa, as many other nations did during the global pandemic to attract remote workers, there are various chances in Canada to work as a digital nomad.

The sort of remote worker visa visitors require to live and work in Canada depends on whether they intend to stay for a short amount of time, a longer period of time, or even permanently.

Foreigners who work remotely from their home, a coffee shop or a co-working space in Canada are known as digital nomads. They can work from any corner of the world as long as they can keep up with the time difference and responsibilities of their job. While many digital nomads think all you need is a passport, there are other considerations since a tourist visa is only valid for a six-month stay in Canada and does not technically allow you to work remotely.

Although nearly 50 countries worldwide have implemented a digital nomad visa since the start of the pandemic, a Canadian digital nomad visa does not currently exist. But, there are many digital nomad visa alternatives and immigration programs in Canada that allow digital nomads to live and work in Canada as a remote worker.

Living in Canada as a digital nomad is popular for:

• spouses of foreign workers in Canada on a temporary work permit
• remote workers who want to experience living in Canada for an extended amount of time
• freelancers and entrepreneurs who enjoy traveling the globe and experiencing different cultures

Using a Self-Employment Visa

The self-employment visa program may be a good route to becoming a remote worker in Canada if you want to stay in Canada for over 6 months. If you want to permanently move to Canada with a remote job, there are programs that don’t require a Canadian job offer under the Express Entry system and are known as the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trade Program. A Canadian immigration lawyer can help you determine if you meet the requirements to get accepted into the program, such as a minimum of two years of experience in your current field and be fluent in English and/or French.

Read Also: What Jobs Can You do as a Digital Nomad?

While age is not a requirement, those between 18 and 35 have a higher chance of getting a self-employment visa. If you are moving with your family, you will all undergo a medical examination, biometrics tests and police certificates.

Temporary Work Permit

If you are hired by a Canadian business with a temporary work permit but are also a remote worker, you can move to Canada with a remote job. The fact that your job is remote should not have a negative impact on your visa or immigration application, provided you have a valid job offer form a Canadian employer and meet all the other requirements for your visa.

A Startup Visa

Another program digital nomads may qualify to use to become a remote worker in Canada is the startup visa program. The program is meant for entrepreneurs who are immigrating from another country. The requirements for the program are different from the self-employment visa, but some do overlap. You will need superior English and/or French language skills, which are a requirement that slightly overlaps with many of these programs.

As a remote worker in Canada on a Startup Visa, you also need an angel investor or other entity willing to invest in your business. Since it is a means for startup businesses who want to permanently live in Canada, you will also need to have the intention to start a business and provide employment to others.

Additionally, you must be able to support yourself when moving and living in Canada financially. There is no assistance for your moving or living expenses. Depending on your business, you may need to invest $200,000 or more into your startup.

Entrepreneur Provincial Nomination Programs

Many Canadian provinces have entrepreneur programs similar to the startup visa program, based on local labour needs and the local economy. Depending on the Entrepreneur Provinicial Nominee Program (PNP), there may be investing, hiring and other requirements. The net worth requirement is also another complication. Few digital nomads are willing to apply for this program, but it is available for qualifying circumstances.

To apply for a Canadian digital nomad visa, you must submit several documents, including a valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay, proof of sufficient funds to support yourself in Canada, a clean criminal record, a medical examination certificate, and educational and work experience certificates, if applicable.

It is critical to select a suitable remote worker visa that fulfills your demands and eligibility requirements, and receiving advice from a Canadian immigration lawyer can help guarantee you meet all of the necessary criteria. Once you have all of the necessary paperwork, you may submit your application online through the Canadian government’s website, and the processing period will be approximately four weeks.

Renewing your digital nomad visa is comparable to the first application process. The ticket’s validity period ranges from six months to five years, depending on the programme you apply for. The application price for self-employed or new business access is $CAN 2140, interim tickets range from $CAN100 to $CAN500, and an Electronic Travel Authorization is $CAN7.

As a digital nomad in Canada, you will be subject to the country’s tax laws, with the amount of taxes you must pay depending on your income and length of stay. Non-residents on temporary visas will not be taxed on income generated outside of Canada. Tax residents with permanent residency status, on the other hand, will be required to pay taxes on their worldwide income, including remote job income.