Are you tired of the same crappy commute, sitting in the same dull cube, in the same office, with the same people? Try being a digital nomad. They are independent workers who embrace an independent technology-enabled lifestyle. They travel and work remotely from anywhere in the world. Research from MBO Partners reports shows that in 2022, 16.9 million Americans identified themselves digital nomads. They also project that over the next 2-3 years 72 million Americans aspire to join their ranks.
Competing for digital nomads
Governments around the world are competing to attract digital nomads. They recognize that digital nomads spend more money than tourists, don’t put much strain on public services, create jobs for locals – and even start local businesses. Because of these benefits, over 45 countries have created digital nomad visas and other programs making it easier to for digital nomads to locate in their communities.
Canada is the latest country offering digital nomad visas to attract remote workers for temporary stays. Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced program additions and improvements. These focus on bringing in digital nomad workers in the tech industry. Minister Fraser said. “With Canada’s first-ever immigration Tech Talent Strategy, we’re targeting newcomers that can help enshrine Canada as a world leader in a variety of emerging technologies.”
Immigration Canada statement
The Government of Canada is embracing Canada’s emerging role as a leader in global tech talent recruitment and attraction to ensure Canada is not only filling in-demand jobs today but also attracting the skills and business talent to create the jobs of tomorrow,” a statement from the Immigration ministry states.
Canada’s plan
According to the Thrillist, the initial digital nomad visa will support stays up to six months long, though there will be options to extend permits if workers are hired by a Canadian company. There is a focus on bringing in tech employees from the U.S., but the Canadian government is also encouraging workers from all over the world to apply. Canada has also targeted healthcare workers and STEM industry professionals to come work.
Mr. Fraser told the Thrillist, the new digital nomad visa “will allow people who have a foreign employer to come live in Canada for up to six months, live and spend money in communities in this country and, should they receive a job offer while they’re here, we’re going to allow them to continue to stay and work in Canada.”
For tech workers, an open work permit program will launch on July 16. This permit stream will be “for H-1B specialty occupation visa holders in the U.S.,” and will allow those workers to apply for a Canadian work permit, with resident as well as study or work permit options for their accompanying immediate family members as well. This visa measure will remain in effect for one year, or until the Canadian government receives 10,000 applications.
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Canada has been ranked as the best country for digital nomads. Canada is followed by the UK and Romania as the top 3 countries for digital nomads. The U.S. ranked 52nd, only one place better than China in the ranking.
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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.
