Canadian Digital Nomads: Thinking of Working Remotely from the U.S.? Read This First

As a Canadian, you're probably used to crossing the U.S. border with ease—for shopping, family visits, or a quick getaway. But if you're thinking about working remotely while spending time in the U.S., be very careful. Even as a Canadian, you could be violating U.S. immigration law—often without realizing it.

Many people believe that working online for a foreign employer (including Canadian clients or companies) is fine as long as you’re not “taking a job away from an American.” Unfortunately, that’s not how U.S. law sees it.

🧳 What Is a Digital Nomad?

If you:

  • Work online while travelling or living in another country
  • Earn income through remote employment, freelancing, or running a business
  • Deliver services or products over the internet

…you’re considered a digital nomad. Even if you’re self-employed or working for a Canadian company, U.S. immigration is primarily concerned with where the work is being performed—not where your clients or employer are based.

If you're physically doing the work in the U.S., that can be considered unauthorized employment—even if you're only there for a few weeks.

❌ The U.S. Doesn’t Have a Digital Nomad Visa

Several countries now offer special visas for digital nomads, allowing remote workers to stay legally for months or even years.

The United States does not.

There’s currently no visa specifically designed for remote workers, freelancers, or entrepreneurs who want to live temporarily in the U.S. while working online—even if all of your income is coming from Canada.

🛂 “But I’m Canadian—Don’t I Have Special Entry Privileges?”

Yes—Canadians enjoy visa-exempt travel for tourism and certain business activities. You can generally stay in the U.S. for up to 6 months without a visa. But this does not mean you can work while you're there—even remotely.

Whether you're entering under a visitor status (comparable to the B-1/B-2 visa) or under the Visa Waiver Program, U.S. immigration rules are very clear: you cannot perform work—paid or unpaid—while in the U.S.

This includes:

  • Logging into work systems from your laptop

  • Responding to client messages or emails

  • Delivering digital services or projects

  • Participating in virtual meetings

Even occasional or part-time tasks done while physically in the U.S. may be considered work.

🧾 What Is Allowed for Canadian Visitors?

Under visitor status, Canadians are permitted to:

  • Visit family or friends

  • Travel for tourism

  • Attend meetings or negotiate contracts (as long as no hands-on work is performed)

  • Receive short-term medical care

But you cannot:

  • Perform your regular job duties while inside the U.S.

  • Offer services, even to a Canadian company or client

  • Earn income through work while physically present in the country

⚠️ What Are the Risks?

Trying to work remotely while in the U.S. on visitor status may lead to:

  • Being denied entry at the border

  • Visa ineligibility or cancellation in the future

  • Being deemed inadmissible which can affect your ability to enter the U.S. later

Even a simple comment like, “I work online” can raise red flags with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Officers are trained to watch for signs that a person is planning to work, and they have the discretion to deny entry if they’re not satisfied with your explanation.

🤔 Is There Any Way to Legally Work Remotely from the U.S.?

At this time, the U.S. does not offer any remote work visa for Canadians or others. However, there may be options in limited situations:

  • Work visas (such as the TN or H-1B) require U.S. employer sponsorship and a specific job offer.

  • Investment visas (like the E-2) require significant financial investment in a U.S. business.

  • O-1 visas exist for people with exceptional talent or recognition in their field.

But these are complex, expensive, and not designed for casual remote work or freelance gigs.

✅ Final Thoughts for Canadians

Even though crossing into the U.S. might feel routine for many Canadians, working remotely from within the U.S. can put your future travel at risk—even if you're just answering emails or doing light freelance work.

Bottom line: If you're physically in the U.S., any form of online work—even for a Canadian company—may be considered unauthorized.

Before planning your next trip, speak to a licensed U.S. immigration professional to understand your options and risks.

Got questions about remote work, cross-border travel, or immigration options?
📩 Contact us at info@immisight.com — we're here to help Canadians navigate the rules with clarity and confidence.

Back to blog