Is it possible to work for a Canadian company remotely from another country?

In recent years, remote work has become increasingly popular, and Canadian employers are no exception: many companies offer positions that allow you to work from home or even from anywhere in the world. However, for Ukrainians living outside Canada, there are a number of nuances to consider before starting remote work with a Canadian company.

Legal status of the employee

First, the key point is the legal status of the employee.

  • In Canada, there is a distinction between employees and independent contractors.
  • Employees: are hired on the basis of an employment contract and receive social benefits, paid sick leave, and vacation time. The company must comply with local labor laws, provincial tax regulations, and insurance contributions to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI).
  • If an employee is not physically present in Canada, this creates complications: the employer may be required to register a branch or representative office in the employee's country of residence or withhold taxes in accordance with Ukrainian law.
  • The employee, in turn, must pay taxes in Ukraine and declare income abroad.
  • Independent contractor: works under a civil law contract and is responsible for paying taxes and social contributions in their own country.
  • Canadian companies often prefer this format for international remote cooperation, as they do not have to register in foreign jurisdictions and pay mandatory contributions for the employee.
  • However, the status of “contractor” deprives you of a number of guarantees: you will not have paid sick leave or vacation, nor will you have access to corporate benefits.
  • It is important to draw up the contract correctly, clearly specifying the scope of work, deadlines, and responsibilities of the parties, as well as determining the currency of payment and the exchange rate conversion procedure.

Income taxation

Secondly, income taxation should be taken into account.

  • According to Ukrainian law, residents of Ukraine are required to declare all income, including income received abroad, and pay personal income tax (PIT) at a rate of 18% plus a military tax of 1.5%.
  • Ukraine has a double taxation agreement with Canada:
  • If a Canadian company withholds tax in Canada, you will be entitled to a corresponding credit on your tax return in Ukraine to avoid double payments.
  • If you work as a contractor and Canadian taxes are not withheld, you pay all taxes yourself in Ukraine.
  • It is important to consult with an international tax specialist to ensure that all payments are correctly accounted for and to avoid penalties.

Technical and organizational aspects

Third, technical and organizational aspects.

  • Certain positions — programmers, marketers, designers, project managers — are entirely “transferable” online:
  • access to corporate systems (VPN, cloud services, internal portals),
  • video conferencing,
  • collaboration tools (Trello, Jira, Slack, Google Workspace).
  • It is important to discuss the work schedule with your employer, taking into account time zones:
  • the difference between Ukraine and Canada can range from seven to ten hours depending on the province.
  • It is often necessary to be flexible about starting early or finishing late in order to have overlapping work hours for meetings and synchronous information exchange.

Personal data protection and corporate security

Fourth, there are issues of personal data protection and corporate security.

  • Many Canadian companies, especially those working in financial technology, healthcare, or government projects, are required to adhere to strict information security standards (e.g., PIPEDA — Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act).
  • Remote workers must:
  • use only company-approved devices,
  • regularly update their software,
  • work through encrypted communication channels, and comply with BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) or corporate VPN policies.

Immigration status

  • Another important aspect is immigration status. Formally, you are not in Canada and do not have a Canadian visa or work permit.
  • However, in some cases, your employer may offer you relocation or an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), which is an official permit for a foreigner to work in Canada. This will give you access to a full employment contract with all social guarantees and speed up the process of obtaining a work visa.
  • If your goal is only remote work with no intention of immigrating, you do not need an LMIA, but it is important to maintain a clear distinction between your “online office” and your physical presence.

Advantages and disadvantages

**Advantages:

  • Competitive pay
  • Flexible schedule
  • Ability to stay in Ukraine among friends and family
  • Canadian employers often invest in the professional development of their employees: internal training, participation in conferences, certification courses

**Disadvantages:

  • Time differences
  • Lack of personal contact with the team
  • Lack of social benefits (if you are a contractor)
  • Difficulties with bank transfers, need to open international accounts or use payment services that charge conversion fees

Conclusion

In summary, remote work for a Canadian company from Ukraine is entirely feasible and beneficial, provided that the relationship is properly formalized (contract), tax obligations are met in a timely manner, and corporate security requirements are followed. To avoid misunderstandings, it is recommended to consult with a lawyer and tax advisor who will help you choose the optimal format for cooperation — as an independent contractor or employee through a registered Canadian branch or agency. This approach will allow you to combine the financial advantages of Canadian rates with the legal protection and comfort of remote work.