I was born and raised in Canada. I moved to the US around 4 years ago to work for a software company. I have been thinking I want to move back to Canada to be closer with family & friends, but it’s hard for me to give up a well-paying job. What is the best path forward to continue working for a US company (US salary) but live in Canada? My big problem is that software engineers are paid drastically worse in Canada, especially when factoring the exchange rate so I want to continue to be paid in USD even if it’s an “average” salary by US standards.
I expect to have my Green Card processed within a few months, but to my knowledge it would be considered abandoned after living in Canada for a while which would destroy my work authorization for a US company. I’m not sure if I want to stay another 5 years to get a citizenship which might allow me to work for a US company permanently while living in Canada.
I do contract work that would allow me to live in Canada and work for my own US clients, but I’d prefer to have a permanent employee contract with a US company while living in Canada if that’s possible.
Anyone else have experience with this or guidance?
so I want to continue to be paid in USD even if it’s an “average” salary by US standards.
LOL, don’t we all?
Anyone else have experience with this or guidance?
I requested an internal transfer to a Canadian office. It came with a forty percent pay cut that I’m not complaining about.
I’d say stay a while longer until you get Permanent Residency at the very least. Ideally I’d say wait till you get US citizenship, having dual US Canadian citizenship is very powerful.
Yet again this is coming from someone who’s dream it is to move to America.
Id highly suggest staying 5 more years in the us after getting your greencard so you can get dual citizenship- if you are employed by an American company and posted in canada you can get a two year white passport looking document that allows you to keep your greencard. Also, you can visit the us every six months and declare you intend to move back so you can keep your greencard. But really you will save yourself a ton of headaches if you delay moving back to canada until after you get dual citizenship
Will your employer allow you to live in Canada? If you live there long enough, you become a tax resident and your company will have obligations under Canadian law. Also, they may have cross-border data privacy issues. Always good to check with HR and/or legal as your boss may not be aware of the complexities.