Canada has become an attractive destination for tech workers seeking a higher quality of life. With an excellent work-life balance and a rich cultural heritage, Canada offers a compelling opportunity for skilled tech professionals.
The Canada Engineering Launchpad program is designed to facilitate the relocation of tech professionals to Canada while allowing them to retain their current jobs with their employers.
BorderlessHR facilitates the move through our Employer of Record (EOR) services. We handle the relocation process under our Canadian entity, ensuring a smooth transition for you. In this guide, we’ll briefly explain the program and how it can benefit you.
Understanding the Canada Engineering Launchpad Program
The Canada Engineering Launchpad program operates under Canada’s Global Talent Stream (GTS). As an engineering or tech talent, it allows your employer to relocate you to Canada.
Through this program, you can relocate to Canada with your family on a work visa valid for 12 months and renewable every year until you or your employer decides to terminate the work contract. The visa granted under this program is a closed work permit, meaning that you can only work while in Canada.
Eligibility Criteria
If you work remotely from outside Canada as a Software engineer, data scientist, QA engineer, Product manager, or UI/UX designer, you are eligible. You are required to earn a minimum salary of 60,000 USD annually (Gross) from a single employer to be eligible for this visa.
Your Responsibilities
The fees and costs of the work permit application vary depending on your family size. Here is a breakdown of the fees involved:
Visa Application Costs
Biometric fees
Single CAD 85
Family CAD 170
Permit fees
CAD 155 main application
CAD 255 spouse permit
$150 study permit (for kids over 5 years old)
Child visitor visa $ 100 (for kids below 5 years old)
If you’re traveling with a pet, there’s going to be requirements such as vaccinations and other costs.
Relocation Costs
Other relocation costs, such as housing, flight tickets, and so on, are your responsibility, and if you need support from your employer, you can discuss it with them directly.
The Responsibilities of Your Employer
As part of the program, employers are required to fulfill specific requirements for their employees by providing required documents and paying the necessary fees as broken down below:
Financial Requirements of Your Employer
These are 3 financial requirements you need to fulfill as an employer.
- Visa Processing Fee: This is a one-time visa processing fee of $1000 that covers the processing of work permits for the employee being relocated to Canada under the program.
- Refundable Salary Advance: A one-month refundable salary advance to the employee is required as part of the application process. This advance ensures that employees have financial support upon their arrival in Canada and can cover initial expenses before receiving their regular salary. For whatever reason, this advance payment will be refunded once the contract ends.
- Monthly Payroll Administration Costs: A monthly 1.8% fee of the employee’s gross annual pay is required to cover payroll, admin, unemployment insurance as well as other government costs and employee benefits.
Documents You Need to Have
- Proof of Eligibility: You must provide documentation demonstrating your unique and specialized skills that align with the position being requested by the employer.
- Employment Contract: A detailed employment contract outlining the terms of the position, salary, benefits, and responsibilities is typically required for the application process.
- Educational Qualifications: Copies of educational certificates, degrees, or diplomas to verify your qualifications for the specialized position.
- Identification Documents: Valid identification documents such as a passport or other government-issued ID for verification purposes.
What Changes for You As An Employee
You will continue working with your employer as you already do and there will be no changes to your responsibilities. However, a few things will change.
Here are some changes to expect:
- You will be hired as a BorderlessHR employee in Canada (only on paper) as you will still work for your employer.
- Your monthly salaries will be paid to BorderlessHR – we will then pay them to you.
- The 1.8% monthly fee your employer pays us will be used to pay taxes, benefits, unemployment insurance, and other government fees.
The Program Duration and Extensions
Your work visa under this program will be valid for 12 months and can be extended indefinitely. You can also apply for permanent residency after one year of participation in the program.
Your employer and you should be prepared for a relocation period of 3-5 months, depending on your location. You can continue working remotely with your employer during this transition period as we will handle most of the processes involved.
Benefits of The Canada Engineering Launchpad Program
- Seamless Relocation: You can relocate to Canada without disrupting your current job, as BorderlessHR hires you into our Canadian entity and handles the work visa process on your behalf.
- Work Permit and Visa Assistance: The program provides work permits for you and visas for your family. The visa is valid for two years, allowing you to work in Canada while being based in the country.
- Professional Development: By participating in the program, you can continue working on your current projects, maintaining your professional flow, and focusing on delivering exceptional work without interruptions.
- Financial Support: While there are financial considerations such as a visa application fee and a monthly payroll administration fee, you’ll benefit from administrative support and unemployment insurance coverage in Canada.
Wrapping Up
The Canada Engineering Launchpad program allows you to be closer to your employer.
While officially a BorderlessHR employee in Canada, the program ensures you remain working on your current company projects, with the extra satisfaction of being in a country you love and being closer to your colleagues.
Contact us here to learn more about getting started.
