Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has unfolded new details related to its Digital Nomad Visa Program.
Last year, IRCC introduced a Tech Talent Strategy consisting of four key pillars to attract skills and business talent to Canada. Through a recent statement, IRCC has clarified the requirements that could affect digital nomads from the Tech Talent Strategy, VisaGuide.World reports.
Digital nomads are persons eligible to work remotely from anywhere in the world, according to the IRCC.
The government department notes that digital nomads are persons who only need visitor status to relocate to this country for up to six months at a time while they work remotely. Digital nomads may be either performing work for an international employer, being self-employed, working for themselves, or providing services to clients outside Canada.
As clarified by the IRCC, internationals are eligible to reach Canada in order to work remotely as digital nomads holding a visitor visa. However, they are permitted to seek a work permit if they find a Canadian employer entry.
If a digital nomad expresses interest in finding a Canadian employer, they should be counseled that a work permit will be needed before starting work for such an employer.
If an intention to find a Canadian employer is declared, they should be counseled that a work permit will be needed before starting work for such an employer.
Those entering Canada to be digital nomads are not required to hold additional documents.
Through a statement, the IRCC has also emphasized that family members of digital nomads who plan to work or study in Canada should apply for a work permit or study permit.
In June last year, IRCC introduced Canada’s Tech Talent Strategy, which included four key pillars related to additions and improvements to programs offered by the Government department responsible for matters related to immigration, refugees, and citizenship in this country.
Part of Canada’s Tech Talent Strategy was also the promotion of Canada as a destination for digital nomads.
Back then, the IRCC announced that it would cooperate with public and private partners to determine if additional policies to attract digital nomads to Canada would be desirable.
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.
By introducing the digital nomad visa program, Canada joined the increasing number of countries that already offer such programs for remote work lovers, including Spain and Portugal.