Working remotely in Canada for a US employer

[Nonie_90]

Hello forum members,

I am working for a US employer(Seattle area) on a H1B visa. I also got a Canadian PR, landed early 2019.

I am thinking of moving to Canada (probably near Vancouver area) next month while keeping my current US employment.
Since it is work from home with COVID, my US employer is okay with me working remotely (within US as they said)

Confusions:

1. Since company says remote work is fine - If I just move to Canada and keep working for the same employer there (while US employer retains the H1B) - Will it be an issue for long stay there(1 year or more)?
2. I am working for this employer and will have valid pay going to a US bank, paying US taxes and have valid US H1B address (of some friend), Its my understanding that unless the company terminates my employment - USCIS/US visa does not require me to physically live at that address, is that right?
3. Say I live in Canada as a PR for 6-8 months at a stretch(working from home) and come in the 9th month entering the US as a H1b - What kind of issues can I face at the border interview?
   (As I can say that I'm working for my US employer remotely (Note: H1B home address is of some friend in WA state). and my company will not give a specific letter stating that I'm working form Canada - For them, I'm just remote.)
4. Is there a need to commute form Canada to a US address (friends address or my own rental if employer does not require physical office presence - COVID or later)?
5. Lastly, Is there a limit on the no of days/time an H1b holder has to stay in the US within a year? What if the H1b holder has a valid employment in US, works remotely for 10 months of a year form Canada and comes in the 11th month?
   (based on research - I found that US H1B status is only if person is in the US, what does that mean in this case - Will the H1B be invalid if I'm working form Canada? Implications?)

Looking forward to expert/member suggestions and experiences...



Thanks in advance..!

 

[Takita]

Hello forum members,

I am working for a US employer(Seattle area) on a H1B visa. I also got a Canadian PR, landed early 2019.

I am thinking of moving to Canada (probably near Vancouver area) next month while keeping my current US employment.
Since it is work from home with COVID, my US employer is okay with me working remotely (within US as they said)

Confusions:

1. Since company says remote work is fine - If I just move to Canada and keep working for the same employer there (while US employer retains the H1B) - Will it be an issue for long stay there(1 year or more)?
2. I am working for this employer and will have valid pay going to a US bank, paying US taxes and have valid US H1B address (of some friend), Its my understanding that unless the company terminates my employment - USCIS/US visa does not require me to physically live at that address, is that right?
3. Say I live in Canada as a PR for 6-8 months at a stretch(working from home) and come in the 9th month entering the US as a H1b - What kind of issues can I face at the border interview?
   (As I can say that I'm working for my US employer remotely (Note: H1B home address is of some friend in WA state). and my company will not give a specific letter stating that I'm working form Canada - For them, I'm just remote.)
4. Is there a need to commute form Canada to a US address (friends address or my own rental if employer does not require physical office presence - COVID or later)?
5. Lastly, Is there a limit on the no of days/time an H1b holder has to stay in the US within a year? What if the H1b holder has a valid employment in US, works remotely for 10 months of a year form Canada and comes in the 11th month?
   (based on research - I found that US H1B status is only if person is in the US, what does that mean in this case - Will the H1B be invalid if I'm working form Canada? Implications?)

Looking forward to expert/member suggestions and experiences...



Thanks in advance..!

Hi,

What did you end up doing? Can you share your experience?

I'm in same situation.