Complete guide to Canada digital nomad visa for remote work

As work becomes increasingly globalized, Canada is one of the latest countries to welcome the world's remote workers with its new digital nomad visa. Digital nomads are workers who leverage technology to work remotely, often from various global locations rather than a fixed office setting. This lifestyle, embraced by a growing community, thrives on flexibility, autonomy, and the pursuit of work-life balance.

Canada's digital nomad visa allows more people to explore its vast landscapes and vibrant cities while contributing to its digital economy. This not only highlights Canada's commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive workforce but also aligns with the global shift toward remote work. Your next office could be a cozy cafe in Montreal, a lake house outside Toronto, an oceanside escape in Vancouver, or anywhere in between. Read on to learn how to take advantage of Canada’s digital nomad visa to explore the Great White North—without missing a beat at work.

What is Canada’s Tech Talent Strategy?

Canada’s digital nomad visa program is part of the Canadian government’s Tech Talent Strategy. This initiative, created under Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and former Canada Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, seeks to bolster Canada’s economy by welcoming skilled tech workers into the country temporarily and then allowing them to seek paths to permanent residency if they choose to do so.

“We’re actually creating a pool of talent of people who will be able to stay in Canada in the long term,” Fraser said when describing the immigration program at the Collision Conference in Toronto in June of 2023. “When I think about the 10, 20, and even 30-year horizon, rather than the next few months or even the next election cycle, there’s no question in my mind that having more talent for tech entrepreneurs and professionals in this country is going to be a very good thing half a generation from now.”

Fraser added that the digital nomad visa program would “allow people who have a foreign employer to come live in Canada for up to six months, live and spend money in communities in this country and, should they receive a job offer while they’re here, we’re going to allow them to continue to stay and work in Canada.”

Essentially, the digital nomad program invites skilled workers in the tech sector from around the world to enter Canada temporarily. Their initial stay doesn’t require a work permit since they’re considered foreign workers with non-Canadian employers. But they have the option of staying in Canada long-term if they receive a job offer from a Canadian employer.

Who is eligible for Canada’s digital nomad visa?

Canada’s digital nomad “work visa” is a bit of a misnomer because digital nomads don’t actually need a work visa to take advantage of the program. To qualify, you simply need to be eligible for visitor status in Canada, have a valid passport (or other acceptable travel documents), and be a digital nomad. Under the program, that means:

• You can perform your job remotely from anywhere in the world.
• You can relocate to Canada for up to six months at a time while working remotely for a foreign employer or, if you are self-employed, working for yourself or providing services to clients outside of Canada.

Canada doesn’t require additional documentation to prove eligibility, funds, or any other requirements for digital nomads, though you might be required to show proof of booked travel out of Canada before your six months of eligibility expires.

How to apply for Canada’s digital nomad visa

Because digital nomads don’t need a work visa in Canada, there’s no application process. You only need to be able to obtain a visitor visa, which, in most cases, is granted on arrival at the border. You can use the “Digital Nomads” tool on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website to see if you qualify and need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or other documents to travel to Canada.

Living and working in Canada as a digital nomad

Since Canada’s digital nomad visa is really a visitor visa, it doesn’t allow you to assimilate the way some other countries’ digital nomad visas do. Additionally, there are a few things to consider before deciding to live and work in Canada.

Like much of North America, Canada is a large and diverse country, so your experience may be very different depending on which part of the country you choose to live in. Everything from the culture to the food, opportunities, cost of living, and even the language will vary. Major cities like Toronto and Vancouver are global economic and cultural hubs, while smaller cities and rural areas can be extremely isolated, especially in the winter when travel becomes difficult.

Keep in mind that in some regions, like Quebec, many Canadians primarily speak French, not English. Speaking both languages can be helpful when navigating the region, and if you want to settle there, the government requires you to be fluent in both.

Before heading to Canada as a digital nomad, do your research. Take into account your budget, the type of environment you’re looking for, and what you can afford for rent, utilities, and the local cost of groceries and entertainment. This will help you narrow down your options and find the part of Canada that feels right for you.

Tax implications for digital nomads living in Canada

Since most digital nomads only stay in Canada for six months on a visitor visa, their tax residency remains the same: their home country. Generally, they aren’t obligated to pay any income taxes in Canada. However, you should always consult a tax professional about your unique situation since tax laws vary by country and are even more complex once international borders come into play.

Renewing or extending your Canada digital nomad visa

If you want to stay in Canada as a digital nomad for longer than six months, you can apply for a visitor record. This is not a visa, but it allows you to stay in Canada longer as a visitor authorized to work for a foreign employer without a work permit, and it gives you a new expiration date by which you must leave Canada. You must apply for your visitor record before your initial visitor visa expires, preferably at least 30 days in advance.

To apply, you must create an account on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website. Then, you can use your account to:

• Submit your online application
• Pay your application fees
• Check your status

After you apply online, you must make an appointment at a biometrics collection center to submit fingerprints and a photo. Then, wait for the Canadian government to process your application.

Other visa options

If you don’t want to use Canada’s digital nomad visa program, there are other visa programs you may qualify for:

• Express Entry:  This is based on a points system to create a fast track to permanent residency for individuals with high-skill work experience and high proficiency in English or French.
• Startup visa: With this visa, entrepreneurs can seek permanent residency if they want to start a business in Canada. Visa holders can also pitch business ideas to Canadian investors and business groups.
• Global Skills Strategy: This visa fast-tracks temporary work permits for employees and their family members if they receive a job offer in Canada.

You can find more information and visa application forms on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website.

Canada digital nomad visa FAQs

How long does Canada’s digital nomad visa last?

Foreign remote workers can live and work in Canada for up to six months on a visitor visa under the country’s new digital nomad program.

How much does Canada’s digital nomad visa cost?

There is no cost associated with obtaining a visa to live and work in Canada as a digital nomad.

Who is eligible for Canada’s digital nomad visa?

According to the Canadian government, you must be eligible for visitor status in Canada, have a valid passport (or other acceptable travel documents), and be a digital nomad. Under the program, that means:

• You must be able to perform your job remotely from anywhere in the world.
• You can relocate to Canada for up to six months at a time while performing your job remotely for a foreign employer or, if you’re self-employed, working for yourself or providing services to clients outside of Canada.
• When entering Canada, you must be able to satisfy border officers that you’ll leave at the end of your authorization. This may require showing proof of booked travel out of the country within six months of arrival.

How long does it take to get a Canadian digital nomad visa?

This depends on your home country, but for most people, a visitor visa to Canada can be obtained on arrival with no processing time.

What other countries offer digital nomad visas?

As of 2024, there are 65 countries with digital nomad visas other than Canada:

• Albania
• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Aruba
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Bali
• Barbados
• Belize
• Bermuda
• Brazil
• Cabo Verde
• Cayman Islands
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Curacao
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Dominica
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• El Salvador
• Estonia
• France
• Georgia
• Germany
• Greece
• Grenada
• Hungary
• Iceland
• India
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Latvia
• Mauritius
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Mexico
• Montenegro
• Montserrat
• Namibia
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Panama
• Peru
• Portugal
• Romania
• Saint Lucia
• Serbia
• Seychelles
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• Vietnam

Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.