Canada offers visa
Canada is actively wooing remote workers in the technology sector through a digital nomad program. In this program, Canada will grant visitors the opportunity to stay in the country for up to six months without the need for a work permit.
This initiative also opens the door to the possibility of a permanent move.
Nicole Cieslicki, Senior Director of International Services at MBO Partners, praised the announcement. He said it would reduce the bureaucratic hurdles associated with normal Canadian immigration procedures.
Canada has announced visa and indefinite stay for Digital Nomads who do not need to get work permit.
The country is facing a tech labor shortage, and in response, they have introduced the Tech Talent Strategy to build a talent pool of individuals committed to staying in Canada long-term.
The strategy specifically targets candidates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including data scientists, software developers, programmers, mathematicians, statisticians, actuaries, and electrical and electronics engineers.
Julie Lafortune, a spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, explained that the strategy aims to cater to the needs of high-skilled tech workers who have the flexibility to work remotely.
This, along with other measures, is designed to attract tech talent and maintain Canada’s competitiveness in the global talent market.
During the Collision Conference in Toronto, Sean Fraser, the Canadian immigration minister, announced the new digital nomad program, emphasizing that it allows people with foreign employers to live in Canada for up to six months.
During their stay, they can spend money in local communities, and if they receive a job offer, they can continue working in Canada without the usual Labor Market Impact Assessment process.
While prominent U.S. tech giants such as Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta — have been bringing employees back to the office, Cieslicki notes that many U.S. companies still embrace fully remote work.
“Companies of all sizes in all industries are trying to find a way to balance being an employer of choice,” she says.
