Canada is a dream destination for many travellers, and when it comes to digital nomads and remote workers, even more so! This is not just due to its breathtaking natural scenery, but also for its great job opportunities and infrastructure.
In fact, its main cities seem to be designed for these types of workers, providing all the necessary facilities and services you could think of. So, we simply had to make a post about the Canada digital nomad visa!
Today, I’ll be explaining everything you need to know about the Canada digital nomad visa, covering all the most important aspects. But before we start, here’s a brief summary:
- The visa application is processed 100% online and is based on a set of point-based criteria.
- There are no activity or nationality restrictions, as long as you have at least 2 years of experience in your field.
- The waiting time to obtain the visa is 4 months, but can be extended by several months.
- The visa allows you to bring your children and partner with you to Canada.
How to apply for the Canada digital nomad visa?
One of the advantages of the Canada digital nomad visa is that you can apply online. This means greater convenience and the possibility of obtaining your visa from anywhere – ideal for digital nomads!
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply:
- Create an account or log in to the e-Headquarters of the Immigration Canada website.
- Fill in the following forms (if applicable):
- Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
- Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
- Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
- Supplementary Information – Your travels (IMM 5562)
- Document Checklist (IMM 5784)
- Economic Classes – Declaration of Intent to Reside in Quebec (IMM 0008)
- Business Immigrants – Self-employed persons (IMM 0008)
- Sign the documents and upload them during the application process.
- Provide biometric data for applicants between 17 and 79 years of age, both fingerprints and a photo.
- Pay the application fees:
- Processing fees for both the applicant and accompanying persons.
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF).
- Biometric fee.
- Other fees such as medical examinations, a language test or police certificate.
Then, submit the online application!
Remember to upload all documents and pay the fees! Any incomplete application will be rejected and will have to be rectified, lengthening the process.
Visa delivery time
The visa delivery time is estimated to be a minimum of 4 weeks, although applications are usually delayed and these deadlines are often extended.
In addition, the time will also depend on the type of application made by the applicant or the number of applications.
How does the Canada digital nomad visa work?
Although Canada already has a programme focused on digital nomads ready to launch at the end of 2023, for the moment, we have to make do with its programme for self-employed workers.
This option is still ideal because it allows you to live and work in Canada for 5 years independently and apply for permanent residency in the future. However, there are a number of requirements to be met! I will cover these in detail later in this piece.
The way it works is that it is based on a points system, based on a set of selection criteria. The maximum score is 100 points, but to be selected and obtain a visa, you only need to score 67 points.
✅ Pros of the Canada digital nomad visa
- There are no nationality or activity restrictions.
- You can bring your partner and children with you.
- You can obtain permanent residence in Canada with this visa.
- The visa has a duration of 5 years.
❌ Cons of the Canada digital nomad visa
- The application process is lengthy and involves a lot of documents to fill in.
- The waiting time to obtain the visa can take up to 1 month, and in some cases, significantly longer.
- The fees are high, compared with many other visas.
- You need to have a minimum of 2 years experience in your field of work.
Requirements to apply for a Canada digital nomad visa
The requirements to apply for the Canada digital nomad visa are simple, but it is important to understand them well in order to gauge your chances to be able to live and work in Canada as a freelancer. Take note!
You must:
- Be fluent in English or French.
- Have sufficient funds to support yourself upon arrival in the country.
- Be self-employed and have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the sector you are working in.
- Meet the selection criteria and score a minimum of 67 points.
- Undergo appropriate medical examinations.
- Obtain a police certificate.
What activities are allowed and forbidden?
Regarding work activities, there are no specific restrictions for working in the country on a self-employed basis.
However, whatever the sector, you should know that the more experience you have, the more points you will get and, therefore, the higher chance you will have to obtain a visa!
What nationalities are allowed and forbidden?
The Canada digital nomad visa does not have any nationality restrictions. As long as the requirements are met, anyone can apply for this visa!
Remember that you need to have at least 2 years of experience in your sector, be fluent in English or French, and score at least 67/100 on the criteria test.
Can you apply for the digital nomad visa if you are in Canada?
If you are already in the country, you can still apply for the digital nomad visa for Canada, as all the procedures are done online, one of the biggest benefits without a doubt!
Can you bring a partner or children with you on the Canada digital nomad visa?
The Canada digital nomad visa allows you to bring your partner and children without any problems. You will only have to take this into account when attaching documents and forms, and of course pay the corresponding fees!
In addition, the proof of income to subsist in the country will have to increase proportionally according to the extra family members.
Is travel insurance for Canada mandatory?
Having travel insurance for Canada is not a mandatory requirement of the digital nomad visa for Canada, but it is highly recommended.
In fact, the Canadian Tourism Board strongly advises all travellers to enter the country with an insurance policy.
This is mainly due to the high costs of health care in the country, which is particularly crucial if you plan to stay in the country for an extended period of time. This way, you will be able to live without worries and stay protected against any unforeseen events.
Best travel insurance for Canada
To help you find the best travel insurance for Canada, I have carried out extensive research into the different options currently available, checking off a series of specific criteria that any policy for digital nomads must have.
Through my research, and through testing and trying various policies, I would say that without a doubt, the best policy to insure your trip to Canada is this one, being offered at a discount for a limited time only.
Get a 5% discount on Heymondo until 05/12/2024. Get in quick!
Activate Discount Here
- Fill in your trip info
- Click on “Calculate Price”.
- All done! The discount will be applied automatically.
Some of the most useful benefits of Hey Mondo travel insurance for digital nomads include:
- 24/7 assistance platform.
- Repatriation and early return.
- Travel expenses for a family member if you are hospitalised for over a week.
Comparison of insurance to Canada
Want to learn more about the best travel insurance policies for Canada?
In the table below, I have selected more policy options designed for digital nomads, so you can compare the various options and find the one that best suits your travel plans.
🏆 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Digital Nomad Insurance | 
| 
| 
| 
|
Price 3 months | 174€ | 338€ | 210€ | 126€ |
Discount valid until 05/12/2024 | ACTIVATE DISCOUNT | ACTIVATE DISCOUNT | ACTIVATE DISCOUNT | GET A QUOTE |
– 15% for families | – 5% | – 5% | ❌ | |
info | info | info | info | |
Legal assistance | 13.000€ | 3.000€ | 12.000€ | ❌ |
Covid-19 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Medical expenses | 1.000.000€ | 200.000€ | 500.000 € | 222.600€ |
Hospitalization | Actual costs | 250.000€ | 500.000€ | 200.000€ |
Theft or loss of luggage | 2.000€ | Optional | 2.500€ | 2.670€ |
Repatriation | Actual costs | Actual costs | Actual costs | 17.800€ |
Sports activities | ✅ | ✅ | Optional | ❌ |
Recommended for | All types of stays | All types of stays | All types of stays | Digital nomad |
Review | Chapka insurance | IATI travel insurance | HeyMondo insurance | SafetyWing insurance |
Discount > | Promo Code Chapka | Promo Code IATI | Promo Code HeyMondo |
How to travel to Canada at the best price?
Now that you have everything you need to know about the Canada digital nomad visa, all you need to know now is how to travel and live in the country at the best price!
It should come as no surprise that Canada is an expensive country. Luckily, I’ve made it easy for you with a series of tips and tricks that I apply to each of my trips to reduce the cost of my travels.
Here they are!
How to fly cheap to Canada
Flights are usually the most expensive aspect of a trip, so I spent some time looking for a way to fly cheap, and I’ve found it!
When booking flights, I always use a VPN, which locates my device on different servers around the world to find the best prices.
You know, flights don’t cost the same from all countries! To pay for my cheapest flights, I use NordVPN.
Basically, it’s a private network that allows you to access Internet sites from locations other than your own, and this can have some serious benefits:
In December 2024, enjoy a 59% discount on NordVPN.
Click here: Activate Discount
Flights from Barcelona to Buenos Aires don’t cost the same if you buy them from Spain as from India, for example. So, once you’ve installed NordVPN, simply access websites like Skyscanner and compare prices by entering as if you were browsing from different countries.
The 8 countries from which it is cheapest to buy flights are: Malaysia, Bulgaria, India, Turkey, Romania, Indonesia, Portugal, and Thailand. Once you have NordVPN, head over to Skyscanner and start paying reduced prices for flights all over the world!
How to stay cheap in Canada
Accommodation is probably the most important element of a trip, and saving on it when you’re living on the digital nomad visa for Canada is essential – as you’re obviously going to be spending long periods of time at your destination!
Booking knows this, and has launched great discounts through its Genius programme.
Access Booking.com now and get discounts of up to 15% in December 2024 by becoming a Genius user.
There are also ways to save money when booking your accommodation with Booking. The first of which is becoming a Genius user, something you get from making 2 bookings (Genius level 1), and 5 bookings (Genius level 2).
As a Genius user in Booking.com, you can enjoy:
- Discounts on room rates.
- Free breakfast.
- Upgrades to superior room categories.
- Free parking.
- Late check-out.
- Welcome gifts.
In addition, there are hotels in Booking.com that directly offer you a 10 to 15% discount on your rate for being a Genius user.
Access to get discounts of up to 15% by becoming a Genius user.
Finally, Booking.com has a Minimum Price Guarantee program, so if you find a cheaper price for your hotel on any other website, they’ll match it!
How to book activities in Canada at the best price
Booking activities is another travel essential because it’s not all work and no play!
There are countless exciting excursions and experiences you can do in Canada, and I’m sure you’ll want to try as many as you can.
My trick is to take advantage of the great discounts at GetYourGuide.
GetYourGuide is an indispensable tool for organising any trip to any destination. It’s a platform that helps you book tourism and leisure activities for your trip.
With GetYourGuide, you can book your activities online to avoid queues, and take advantage of a discount for online bookings. This way, you save time and money, so you can enjoy more activities during your trip!
Which card to use in Canada
When it comes to your bank card, make sure you opt for one with low fees and the flexibility to work in the regions that you plan to travel to. The ultimate ally? After trying many, here’s travel card that worked best for me.
If you travel frequently, the Revolut Metal Card is another great way to save money. For starters, they offer you unlimited currency exchanges without paying any fees!
This Card allows you to make unlimited domestic transfers free of charge, and withdraw up to £800 a month from international ATMs.
If you spent £650 abroad in a month using a standard card, and withdrew £350 at ATMs, you would have paid around £44 in fees.
With the Revolut Metal card, you would have paid £0 in fees.
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Countries with digital nomad visas in December 2024
In addition to the Canada digital nomad visa, there are many other countries that have been added to the list of destinations for digital nomads.
I’ve created a comparative table of all of them for you so you can see if there are any destinations that spark your fancy!
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
41 / 195 | Trend in | Duration | Tax | Travel insurance | Proof |
COUNTRIES | December 2024 | in months | to pay | See recommended | of income |
Anguila | 12 | $2000 | Yes | Yes | |
Antigua Barbuda | 24 | $1500 | Yes | Yes | |
Aruba | 3 | $75 | Yes | No | |
Barbados | 12 | $2000 | Yes | Yes | |
Bermuda | 12 | $260 | Yes | Yes | |
Brazil | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Cape Verde | 6 | $60 | Yes | Yes | |
Colombia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Costa Rica | 24 | $550 | Yes | Yes | |
Croatia | 12 | $155 | Yes | Yes | |
Curaçao | 6 | $300 | Yes | No | |
Cyprus | 12 | $65 | Yes | Yes | |
Dominica | 18 | $900 | Yes | Yes | |
Ecuador | 24 | $450 | Yes | Yes | |
United Arab Emirates | 12 | $610 | Yes | Yes | |
Estonia | 12 | $100 | Yes | Yes | |
Georgia | 12 | $35 | Yes | Yes | |
Germany | 36 | $100 | Yes | Yes | |
Grenada | 12 | $1500 | Yes | Yes | |
Greece | 12 | $90 | Yes | Yes | |
Hungria | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Iceland | 6 | $60 | Yes | Yes | |
Indonesia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Italy | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Latvia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Cayman Islands | 24 | $1470 | Yes | Yes | |
Seychelles Islands | 12 | $50 | Yes | Yes | |
Malta | 6 | $315 | Yes | Yes | |
Malaysia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Mauritius | 12 | $0 | Yes | Yes | |
Mexico | 12 | $45 | Yes | Yes | |
Montserrat | 12 | $500 | Yes | Yes | |
Norway | 48 | $630 | Yes | Yes | |
Panama | 9 | $300 | Yes | Yes | |
Portugal | 12 | $165 | Yes | Yes | |
Czech Republic | 12 | $165 | Yes | Yes | |
Romania | 12 | $125 | Yes | Yes | |
Saint Lucia | 12 | $70 | Yes | Yes | |
Spain | 12 | $85 | Travel insurance | Yes | |
Health insurance | |||||
Sri Lanka | 12 | $500 | Yes | Yes | |
Thailand | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes |
Do you want to know more?
By following the link to our guide of countries with visas for digital nomads, you can find out everything you need to know about each of them.
From its stunning national parks to its bustling modern metropolises, Canada has something for every type of traveller, and you’re bound to have an unforgettable experience on the digital nomad visa for Canada.
With that said, I wish you good luck and safe travels!
