Move to Canada for Permanent Residency as a Software Engineer

Oct 26, 2021 26 Comments

Currently working at Microsoft L61 (TOC 170k 3YOE)in the Washington area on H1B. My visa expires in October 2022.

I have a Permanent Residency from Canada that will be void if I do not move there before December 2022.

What would be the best move here financially?
1) Move to Canada right now staying at Microsoft

2) Move to Canada in August of next year. Microsoft would apply for my H1B extension in March 2022. Since I would be in US for more than 6 months, I shouldn’t be facing any tax issues (my knowledge is limited here)

3) Switch to a new company in Aug 2022 in Washington area. Move to Canada working preferably remote with the extended H1b(tax issues? Visa issues? Microsoft’s yearly bonus?)

Are there other scenarios that I can look into?

#workvisa #h1b

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TOP 26 Comments
  • Google
    SherlockV2

    Go to company page Google

    SherlockV2
    Get a job at Amazon (yes, I know) in Seattle*. For TC negotiation, maximize RSU component. When you move to Vancouver in 2022, those RSUs come with you. Since most of Amazon TC is RSU, you would see minimal impact for the next 3 years or so.
    No need to thank me.

    * Try very hard to not get dev listed or pipped while in Seattle
    Oct 26, 2021 0
  • I am contemplating the same. Been in Seattle for 6 years. PD is in 2018. Not hopeful of getting GC anytime soon. I can move to Canada and continue with my current job at FB remotely. But the TC hit makes me have second thoughts. Damn, wish TC (post tax) wasn't so low in CN.
    Oct 26, 2021 14
    • @Go09 Every answer of google is may or may not and guessing that they are correct than most of others. Although I agree to consult attorney before doing this and I personally know many people who regularly used to commute Seattle-Vancouver, Detroit-Windsor route.

      Work at the US firm and live in Canada on PR is pretty common. DM me OP for more details.
      Oct 29, 2021
    • Canadian residents have to pay taxes on worldwide income.
      Dec 20, 2021
  • Google
    Go09

    Go to company page Google

    Go09
    Where do you want to live?

    You'll take a tax hit moving to Canada (esp bc) which will grow with your career to about 50%.

    If you can stay in WA you'll save 20% eventually.
    Oct 26, 2021 3
    • Google
      Go09

      Go to company page Google

      Go09
      If citizenship is your priority Canada. If financial is your priority, USA.
      Oct 26, 2021
    • New
      EuNE44

      New

      EuNE44
      Microsoft the thing is green card is depends on not citizenship but country you born so why to go and came back to us just for get into TN visa? Why? Unless there's other reasons?
      Oct 30, 2021
  • Why not move your role 🇨🇦 and stay with Msft. You will see a cut in TC but you get to fulfill your residency staying with same employer. Msft does this and its mostly dependent on your direct manager. Work remote for same team visit as you needed on B1/B2 and get the citizenship done while you stay in Canada. This also gives you an option to get back to Msft on L1 probably a chance on EB1 in long shot.

    Or

    Stick to H1 live close to border and keep adding residency days by commuting across the border. Any min you stay in Canada counts as full day with in Canada even if you travel back to WA. Apply for Nexus card if you have stayed in US for over 5 years and it will ease the border crossing and if you are worried about having stamped visa to get back to US, you don’t need as long as you have a valid I-797 and if you travel back from Canada to US in less than 30 days (and you don’t visit to a thrid country from Canada)

    I personally have seen people doing both. Whatever works best for you I guess.
    Oct 30, 2021 2
    • Would be difficult now with the need for covid test to get back into Canada.
      Oct 30, 2021
    • Naah, if your purpose of travel is work you are exempt from taking test on both sides (you might need it the first time when you enter Canada but you should be good from the subsequent). Give a call to border agencies on boths sides if you want to confirm. Just carry a letter from manager that your work needs to be done from WA and you are golden. Thats the least they ask. Once you start doing frequent travel that already pops up your history on their system and they don’t seem to bother much!

      (This is assuming your primary residency is Canada)
      Oct 30, 2021
  • Best move financially is to stay in WA no matter what
    Oct 26, 2021 0