Canada the land of maple syrup and the Rocky Mountains, it’s a country many of us dream of visiting let alone staying for 6 months, but this is now the reality for digital nomads!
In 2023 the Canadian government announced a new Digital Nomad Scheme to attract international talent to the country, especially in the tech sector. However, don’t let the tech side of things put you off, this new strategy is not only looking to enhance the high- tech industries, it is promoting Canada as a destination for Digital Nomads!
With a chance to immerse yourself in the Canadian culture for 6 months, this is truly an exciting opportunity and an experience not to be missed. Follow our guide to find out everything you need to start planning your Canadian adventure!
Who is Eligible?
Canada’s digital nomad visa is unique in the sense that you don’t actually need to apply for a visa, you just need to be eligible for a visitor status, have a valid passport and be a digital nomad!
So as long as you don’t have a criminal record, you’re not on the run and you have a remote job, then you’re good to go.
What are the Main Requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa?
Canada’s digital nomad visa is unique in the sense that there isn’t a specific digital nomad visa, under the current immigration laws, a digital nomad only needs visitor status to move to Canada for up to 6 months. Some of the key requirements are:
- Valid travel document ( Passport)
- Remote Job
- Foreign Employer
- If you are self-employed, working independently, offering your services to clients located outside of Canada.
- Sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay
- eTA
How to Apply?
To apply for the visa is pretty straight forwards, you can go onto the official Canadian government website and apply for an eTA. Be sure to check out the latest campaign on top talent, it has a digital nomad section and you can follow the visa instructions here.
Applying for an eTA is very simple, you only need a valid email and an acceptable credit or debit card for payment, the cost is $5 USD. Generally most applicants get their eTA approved within minutes, occasionally if you are required to submit supporting documents, it can take several days.
You can double check the requirements and apply for an eTA through this link.
Extending your Stay
The Canadian government has opened their doors to remote workers and have anticipated that people will likely fall in love with the country and want to extend their stay after the 6 months. They have stated that if a digital nomad receives a job offer from a Canadian company, they would have the opportunity to apply for a temporary work permit or even permanent residence.
“We expect that some digital nomads who initially enter Canada to work remotely will decide to seek opportunities with Canadian employers. When they receive a job offer from a Canadian company, they would be able to bring their skills to a Canadian employer by applying for a temporary work permit or even permanent residence.”
If you wanted to extend your stay but not get employed by a Canadian company, you can apply for a visitor record. This allows you to stay in Canada longer as a visitor authorised to work for a foreign employer without a work permit. You must apply for the visitor record before your initial visa expires. To apply you need to create an account on the official Canadian Immigration website. You can use your account to:
- Submit your application
- Pay the fees
- Check the status
Once you submit your application online, you need to schedule an appointment at a biometrics collection centre to provide fingerprints and a photo. After that, you will need to await processing of your application by the Canadian government.
Benefits of Living in Canada
If you’ve ever met a Canadian, you know how incredibly friendly they are, who wouldn’t be happy living in one of the worlds most naturally diverse countries. Canada is home to 10% of the worlds total forest cover, it has over 40 national parks including the world famous Banff National Park in The Rocky Mountains.
In the northernmost regions, the Arctic Tundra dominates the landscape, you can witness the magical Northern Lights in this region. Canada also has numerous glaciers including the Colombia Ice field in The Canadian Rockies.
Along the coast of British Colombia, you’ll find the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest intact temperate rainforests left in the world. Home to rare animals like the white Kermode bear (Spirit bear) and offers spectacular scenery of fjords and enchanting ancient forests.
If all the splendid nature isn’t enough to lure you in, Canada’s cities are some of the best in the world, there’s so many to choose from but here’s the top 3 to give you an idea:
Toronto
Toronto is a multicultural hub, with over half of the city’s population born outside of Canada, people from all over the world have migrated here, perhaps because it’s ranked the 7th best city in the world!
Toronto is heaving with restaurants like over 8,000, it even has its own Little Italy, China town, Greek town and even more cultural delights to be explored. Another highlight is that Toronto is super close to Niagara Falls, we’re talking less than a 2 hour drive and you could be standing in-front of one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world!
Whether it’s the sports scene, the fantastic markets or the cobbled distillery district, the list is endless as to why Toronto is a top pick for Digital Nomads.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Surrounded by mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is a geographical haven, it offers breathtaking natural beauty and a bustling city life. The cities coworking spaces are some of the best in the world, offering high speed internet and a chance to meet like minded people.
The diverse neighbourhoods are brimming with character, the vibrant and trendy streets are waiting for you to explore. Vancouver is one of the safest cities in the world, it has the lowest crime rate in Canada.
It’s a mega culturally diverse city, 42.5 percent of the city’s population is foreign-born residents, making Vancouver the fourth most diverse city in the world.
This city has it all, a vibrant urban life and natures playground on your doorstep!
Montreal, Quebec
The second largest city in Canada and one of the oldest, Montreal is known for its rich history, diverse culture and unique blend of European charm. It’s a city renowned for its cultural scene, especially the arts, music and festivals. It hosts the world famous International Jazz Festival and the Laughs comedy festival.
Montreal is officially bilingual, with French being the predominant language, however English is widely spoken.
The neighbourhoods are unique, they each have their own characteristics, from the hip Plateau-Mont-Royal to the vibrant Mile End, you’ll find plenty of coworking spaces in the city as well as coffee shops and restaurants.
Montreal is also known as one of the cheaper and more affordable cities to live in Canada, making it a top choice to live whilst working remotely!