🇺🇸 United States visa for Canada citizens

The US is a tough nut to crack for remote workers. You'll likely need a visa, and even then, working on a tourist stamp is a gamble few can afford.

Who Walks In Visa-Free (and Who Doesn't)

Most people asking about the US get a quick answer: yes, you probably need a visa. Your passport is king here. Citizens of Canada, Australia, and most EU countries (think Germany, France, Italy) can enter visa-free for tourism or business for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). You'll need an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before you fly, which costs $21 and is valid for two years. Don't confuse this with a visa.

Citizens of the UK, Japan, South Korea, and a few others also get the 90-day VWP treatment with an approved ESTA. That's about it for the easy wins. Anyone else, or anyone planning to stay longer than 90 days, is looking at a formal visa application. This means a trip to the US embassy or consulate, filling out forms like the DS-160, and an interview. The most common visa for short-term visits is the B-1/B-2 tourist or business visa, which typically allows stays of up to 6 months, though the CBP officer at the border makes the final call.

Overstaying Your Welcome: The Penalties

That 90-day VWP limit is strict. Overstaying even by a day can land you in serious trouble. If you overstay by more than 180 days but less than a year, you'll be banned from re-entering the US for 3 years. Overstay a year or more, and the ban stretches to 10 years. These aren't suggestions. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) takes overstays very seriously. Even if you manage to leave on time, if your passport doesn't have an exit stamp showing your departure date (less common now with electronic tracking, but still possible), or if your electronic record shows you stayed past your authorized period, future visa applications or even VWP entries can be denied. The B-1/B-2 visa offers more flexibility, typically allowing stays up to 6 months, but again, the CBP officer at entry determines your exact departure date.

Working Remotely on a Tourist Stamp: A Risky Game

Here's the big question for digital nomads: can you work remotely on a tourist visa or a VWP entry? Officially, no. The VWP and B-1/B-2 visas are for tourism and business meetings, not for employment, even if that employment is with a foreign company and you're not earning US-based income. The US government doesn't want you taking jobs away from American citizens or becoming a burden on public resources.

However, enforcement is the grey area. CBP officers at the border are trained to spot people who look like they intend to work. If they suspect you're planning to work remotely, they can deny you entry. Once inside, if you're found to be working (e.g., attending video calls with your foreign employer, using a US co-working space regularly), you could face deportation, fines, and a ban from future entry. Most remote workers who enter on a VWP or tourist visa do so without officially declaring their remote work, hoping to fly under the radar. It's a gamble. Many get away with it for short stays, but the risk of being caught and facing severe consequences is very real. There is no specific digital nomad visa for the US.

Recent Changes: What's New in the US?

The US has been slow to roll out a formal digital nomad visa, unlike many other countries. However, there have been some shifts. The ESTA fee increased to $21 in 2023. Some countries have been added to the VWP over the years, but no major expansions have occurred in the last 12-18 months. The US has also been pushing for more digital entry and exit tracking, making it harder to "disappear" after an overstay. While some countries are piloting or expanding eVisas for specific purposes, this isn't a broad programme for remote workers entering the US. The core rules for remote work on tourist visas remain unchanged, and the advice is still to proceed with extreme caution.