The visa application fee is $100, and the biometrics fee is $85. However, these costs can vary based on the applicant’s country of origin and the type of permit required. Applicants should also consider additional expenses, such as travel and health insurance.
Comparison with Canada’s Immigration Policy
In 2022, the Trudeau government announced plans to welcome 500,000 new immigrants annually by 2025. This plan aimed to increase the number of immigrants with work skills and experience to address job vacancies in various Canadian industries. Additionally, the plan included welcoming more family reunification immigrants. However, due to worsening housing and affordability crises, public perceptions of immigration have shifted, reflecting the current strain on social services.
In March 2024, eight months after the launch of the digital nomad visa, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced plans to reduce the number of temporary residents entering Canada over the next three years. Temporary residents currently make up roughly 6.2 percent of Canada’s total population.
Government’s Digital Nomad Strategy
The government hopes digital nomads will find jobs in Canada and become permanent residents, which, as reported by The Conversation in September 2023, contradicts the concept of being a digital nomad.
“We expect that some digital nomads who initially enter Canada to work remotely will decide to seek opportunities with Canadian employers,” reads the IRCC strategy backgrounder. “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.”
However, the assumption that digital nomads will secure high-paying tech jobs in Canada is debatable. Canada’s preference for high-tech remote workers may overlook homegrown talent, particularly women, who only represent 26.7 percent of the tech industry, according to The Conversation.
Furthermore, not all digital nomads are tech experts. Many are freelancers working in fields such as marketing, media, writing, tutoring, and accounting, as reported by The Conversation in March 2023.
Concerns Amid Housing Crisis
At a time when Canadians face a housing crisis and struggle to afford groceries, the digital nomad program might exacerbate the situation. The influx of digital nomads could drive up demand for short-term rentals, displacing long-term residents and increasing rental prices, making affordable housing more difficult to find. Additionally, there could be added strain on infrastructure, including public transportation, healthcare, and other public services.
Global Competition for Tech Talent
Canada needs workers to fill the tech sector, and the government hopes the digital nomad visa will attract top global talent. However, Canada faces competition from other countries offering higher wages and more affordable housing, as reported by CBC. The question remains: can Canada afford to attract digital nomads?
Protests in Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island has seen daily protests by foreign workers after the province announced cuts to its immigration policy to ease pressure on housing affordability and healthcare. The protesters, mostly Indian nationals on temporary visas, claim they were falsely led to believe they were on track for permanent residency.