In a policy announcement published on January 30, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has clarified some details for foreign nationals seeking to work in Canada as digital nomads.

According to the IRCC, a digital nomad is someone “who can perform their job from anywhere in the world.”

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IRCC also notes that digital nomads are people who “only require visitor status to relocate to Canada for up to 6 months while they perform their jobs remotely” and that digital nomads may either be “working for a foreign employer… [be] Self-employed, working for themselves or providing services to clients outside of Canada.”

Can digital nomads apply for a work permit?

IRCC says foreign nationals can come to Canada to work remotely as digital nomads initially with a visitor visa, but are allowed to obtain a work permit “if they find a Canadian employer after entry.”

IRCC also notes that “if a [digital nomad declares their] If they intend to find a Canadian employer, they should be advised that a work permit will be required before they can begin working for such employer.”

Finally, as indicated in the policy announcement, “if the digital nomad finds a Canadian employer willing to hire them, they must apply for a work permit.”

Will I need any additional documents to enter Canada as a digital nomad?

Foreign nationals entering Canada with visitor status as digital nomads do not need any additional documentation, “although they must still satisfy the officer that they will leave at the end of their authorised stay.”

Can family members of a digital nomad work or study in Canada?

According to IRCC’s January 30 policy announcement, family members of digital nomads who intend to work or study in Canada can do so and should apply for a work permit or study permit.

Canadian Tech Talent Strategy

On June 27 last year, IRCC announced a Tech Talent Strategy aimed at “attracting global tech talent to Canada.” This is because attracting such talent to Canada is vital given the importance of the tech sector to the Canadian economy.

In addition to positioning Canada as an attractive destination for digital nomads, the strategy included a number of measures such as a new innovation stream under the International Mobility Program (IMP). This stream was expected to launch in late 2023 but has not yet been announced.

IRCC said the Innovation Stream will be exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. It aims to assist employers and workers to support Canada’s priorities for the tech industry.

In addition, IRCC introduced a streamlined work permit for H1-B Specialty Occupation visa holders. The limit of 10,000 permits for the year was reached on July 16, 2023.

The department also said it would improve existing technology programs such as the Global Skills Strategy. Through the Global Skills Strategy, Canadian employers who hire foreign workers in specific information technology roles are eligible for accelerated processing of their LMIA.

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