Working remotely from different province with work permit

[hanifiatilgan]

Hi All I hope everyone is ok.

My question is, I recently came to Vancouver with my work permit and because of the rent prices I thinking to move Montreal. So for this case can I work remotely from Montreal to my current company? I already talked with my boss and he says ok but I have to be sure about before I pull the trigger. Also is there any possible problems can be happening for health insurence etc please inform me, thank you.

My work permit contains:

Employer/Employeur: XXXXXXXXXXXX

Employment Location/Emplacement de l'emploi: SURREY, BC

Occupation/Profession: INFORMATION SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS

In Force From/En vigueur le: 2023/10/12 (yyy/mmjdd - aaaa/mmj)


Conditions:

1. MUST LEAVE CANADA BY 2026/10/11

2. UNLESS AUTHORIZED, PROHIBITED FROM ATTENDING ANY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, OR TAKING ANY ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSE.

3. NOT AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN ANY OCCUPATION OTHER THAN STATED.

4. NOT AUTHORIZED TO WORK FOR ANY EMPLOYER OTHER THAN STATED.

5. NOT AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN ANY LOCATION OTHER THAN STATED.

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi All I hope everyone is ok.

My question is, I recently came to Vancouver with my work permit and because of the rent prices I thinking to move Montreal. So for this case can I work remotely from Montreal to my current company? I already talked with my boss and he says ok but I have to be sure about before I pull the trigger. Also is there any possible problems can be happening for health insurence etc please inform me, thank you.

My work permit contains:

Employer/Employeur: XXXXXXXXXXXX

Employment Location/Emplacement de l'emploi: SURREY, BC

Occupation/Profession: INFORMATION SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS

In Force From/En vigueur le: 2023/10/12 (yyy/mmjdd - aaaa/mmj)


Conditions:

1. MUST LEAVE CANADA BY 2026/10/11

2. UNLESS AUTHORIZED, PROHIBITED FROM ATTENDING ANY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, OR TAKING ANY ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSE.

3. NOT AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN ANY OCCUPATION OTHER THAN STATED.

4. NOT AUTHORIZED TO WORK FOR ANY EMPLOYER OTHER THAN STATED.

5. NOT AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN ANY LOCATION OTHER THAN STATED.

Canada has provinces, not states. Your work permit states you must work in the location stated so BC. So no you cannot move to Montreal. You would have issues getting health care, driver’s license because it states you must work in BC. IRCC would know you are living in Montreal because you have to file taxes, pay taxes for both provinces and show residency.

 

[scylla]

Hi All I hope everyone is ok.

My question is, I recently came to Vancouver with my work permit and because of the rent prices I thinking to move Montreal. So for this case can I work remotely from Montreal to my current company? I already talked with my boss and he says ok but I have to be sure about before I pull the trigger. Also is there any possible problems can be happening for health insurence etc please inform me, thank you.

My work permit contains:

Employer/Employeur: XXXXXXXXXXXX

Employment Location/Emplacement de l'emploi: SURREY, BC

Occupation/Profession: INFORMATION SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS

In Force From/En vigueur le: 2023/10/12 (yyy/mmjdd - aaaa/mmj)


Conditions:

1. MUST LEAVE CANADA BY 2026/10/11

2. UNLESS AUTHORIZED, PROHIBITED FROM ATTENDING ANY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, OR TAKING ANY ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSE.

3. NOT AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN ANY OCCUPATION OTHER THAN STATED.

4. NOT AUTHORIZED TO WORK FOR ANY EMPLOYER OTHER THAN STATED.

5. NOT AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN ANY LOCATION OTHER THAN STATED.

I believe that getting RAMQ will be a problem if you do this. Hopefully others will comment.

 

[hanifiatilgan]

Canada has provinces, not states. Your work permit states you must work in the location stated so BC. So no you cannot move to Montreal. You would have issues getting health care, driver’s license because it states you must work in BC. IRCC would know you are living in Montreal because you have to file taxes, pay taxes for both provinces and show residency.

Thank you for the information.

 

[hanifiatilgan]

I believe that getting RAMQ will be a problem if you do this. Hopefully others will comment.

Could you please explain more, What is RAMQ?

 

[Naturgrl]

Could you please explain more, What is RAMQ?

RAMQ is Quebec healthcare - Reggie de l’assurance maladie du Quebec.

 

[hanifiatilgan]

I got a response from our company's immigration lawyer. I am putting here so maybe in future it can help somebody.

"After checking your work permit, I am afraid to inform you (and confirm what I initially outlined to you on the message of (xx date) that, based on the LMIA previously submitted and on the information on the work permit issued, you can only work in Surrey, BC. Therefore, I do not advise you to live outside Surrey, BC.

If you move, all your personal information in Canada will be associated with a different address (home address, driver’s licence, utilities, bank account, etc.), which would be problematic for you in subsequent applications, such as an application for permanent residence. You may even face difficulties to obtain health insurance in a province other than BC because Company has no physical location outside BC.

Company might be ok with you working remotely, but we applied for an LMIA for you to work in BC, and report at Company’s address in Surrey. If your presence is not required in Surrey, BC, then we might have a problem with the work permit issued to you, as the information based on which it was issued could be perceived as containing misrepresentations. In other words, it could impact Company’s credibility before ESDC in the sense of “why Company would go through a somewhat difficult process to get you in Canada, indicating that you will report in Surrey, and allow you to work remotely? The company could have continued to employ you remotely.”

Please note that this is my legal advice and the legal advice of most immigration lawyers I know. You may find a very few other immigration lawyers (and even consultants) who might have a different opinion. I stand by my legal advice and do not assess other ways to go around the results of an LMIA and conditions on a work permit."

 

[Naturgrl]

I got a response from our company's immigration lawyer. I am putting here so maybe in future it can help somebody.

"After checking your work permit, I am afraid to inform you (and confirm what I initially outlined to you on the message of (xx date) that, based on the LMIA previously submitted and on the information on the work permit issued, you can only work in Surrey, BC. Therefore, I do not advise you to live outside Surrey, BC.

If you move, all your personal information in Canada will be associated with a different address (home address, driver’s licence, utilities, bank account, etc.), which would be problematic for you in subsequent applications, such as an application for permanent residence. You may even face difficulties to obtain health insurance in a province other than BC because Company has no physical location outside BC.

Company might be ok with you working remotely, but we applied for an LMIA for you to work in BC, and report at Company’s address in Surrey. If your presence is not required in Surrey, BC, then we might have a problem with the work permit issued to you, as the information based on which it was issued could be perceived as containing misrepresentations. In other words, it could impact Company’s credibility before ESDC in the sense of “why Company would go through a somewhat difficult process to get you in Canada, indicating that you will report in Surrey, and allow you to work remotely? The company could have continued to employ you remotely.”

Please note that this is my legal advice and the legal advice of most immigration lawyers I know. You may find a very few other immigration lawyers (and even consultants) who might have a different opinion. I stand by my legal advice and do not assess other ways to go around the results of an LMIA and conditions on a work permit."

Good advice.

 

[canuck78]

I got a response from our company's immigration lawyer. I am putting here so maybe in future it can help somebody.

"After checking your work permit, I am afraid to inform you (and confirm what I initially outlined to you on the message of (xx date) that, based on the

I got a response from our company's immigration lawyer. I am putting here so maybe in future it can help somebody.

"After checking your work permit, I am afraid to inform you (and confirm what I initially outlined to you on the message of (xx date) that, based on the LMIA previously submitted and on the information on the work permit issued, you can only work in Surrey, BC. Therefore, I do not advise you to live outside Surrey, BC.

If you move, all your personal information in Canada will be associated with a different address (home address, driver’s licence, utilities, bank account, etc.), which would be problematic for you in subsequent applications, such as an application for permanent residence. You may even face difficulties to obtain health insurance in a province other than BC because Company has no physical location outside BC.

Company might be ok with you working remotely, but we applied for an LMIA for you to work in BC, and report at Company’s address in Surrey. If your presence is not required in Surrey, BC, then we might have a problem with the work permit issued to you, as the information based on which it was issued could be perceived as containing misrepresentations. In other words, it could impact Company’s credibility before ESDC in the sense of “why Company would go through a somewhat difficult process to get you in Canada, indicating that you will report in Surrey, and allow you to work remotely? The company could have continued to employ you remotely.”

Please note that this is my legal advice and the legal advice of most immigration lawyers I know. You may find a very few other immigration lawyers (and even consultants) who might have a different opinion. I stand by my legal advice and do not assess other ways to go around the results of an LMIA and conditions on a work permit."

LMIA previously submitted and on the information on the work permit issued, you can only work in Surrey, BC. Therefore, I do not advise you to live outside Surrey, BC.

If you move, all your personal information in Canada will be associated with a different address (home address, driver’s licence, utilities, bank account, etc.), which would be problematic for you in subsequent applications, such as an application for permanent residence. You may even face difficulties to obtain health insurance in a province other than BC because Company has no physical location outside BC.

Company might be ok with you working remotely, but we applied for an LMIA for you to work in BC, and report at Company’s address in Surrey. If your presence is not required in Surrey, BC, then we might have a problem with the work permit issued to you, as the information based on which it was issued could be perceived as containing misrepresentations. In other words, it could impact Company’s credibility before ESDC in the sense of “why Company would go through a somewhat difficult process to get you in Canada, indicating that you will report in Surrey, and allow you to work remotely? The company could have continued to employ you remotely.”

Please note that this is my legal advice and the legal advice of most immigration lawyers I know. You may find a very few other immigration lawyers (and even consultants) who might have a different opinion. I stand by my legal advice and do not assess other ways to go around the results of an LMIA and conditions on a work permit."

The visa itself specifies that it is location dependent. As the lawyer pointed out, if you could work remotely from Montreal you could have worked remotely from your home country.