Liannis Soria Barreda already had a software engineering job she valued. What she wanted was a safer future for her family and the opportunity to build a new life in an English-speaking country. Through VanHack’s Canadian Engineering Office, she moved from Ecuador to Toronto while continuing to work for the same U.S. employer.

In this conversation with VanHack CEO Ilya Brotzky, Liannis shares why her family chose Canada, how she experienced the immigration process, why they planned their departure around their children’s school calendar, and what she recommends to other software engineers considering a similar move.

From Cuba to Ecuador, then a new chapter in Canada

Liannis is Cuban and had lived in Ecuador since 2015. She and her husband, who is also a software engineer, were raising their two children there when they learned about VanHack’s Canadian Engineering Office.

Professionally, Liannis was already working remotely for a U.S.-based education technology company. The opportunity was therefore different from a traditional international job search: she did not need to replace a good role. She needed a path that could allow her to keep doing that work from Canada.

Her story became the first completed relocation through VanHack’s Canadian Engineering Office. That meant the process was new for everyone involved, but it also created a model for other software engineers who already have international employers and want to explore life in Canada.

Why safety and language shaped the family’s decision

Liannis describes Ecuador as an important home for her family, but says growing concerns about violence made them think seriously about another move. Canada appealed to them first because of the security they hoped it could offer their children.

Language was another major consideration. Liannis wanted her children to grow up speaking both English and Spanish well. For the family, moving was not simply a professional step. It was a long-term decision about education, opportunity, and daily life.

“

We wanted to be in a better place, first for our kids, so they could have the security we are seeing here in Canada.

That family-first motivation stayed at the centre of their planning, from the immigration application to the timing of the actual journey.

Keeping the same U.S. employer after moving to Toronto

Liannis’s employer supported her move. Because her job was already remote, she could continue working while the family prepared to leave Ecuador and after they arrived in Toronto.

The change also made Liannis geographically closer to her U.S.-based colleagues. At the time of the interview, the team was planning a visit so they could finally meet in person after years of working together remotely.

This continuity is one of the most meaningful parts of her story. Liannis could pursue a major personal goal without walking away from the employer, responsibilities, and working relationships she had already built.

Guidance made a complicated process feel manageable

As the program’s first case, Liannis encountered some early obstacles while the process was being established. Once the key employer and immigration steps were in place, however, she remembers the remaining stages moving quickly.

What stood out most was having someone review the family’s documentation, answer questions, and explain what was needed next. Liannis says that support gave her confidence that the application was complete before it was submitted.

“

Everything that you need to know, you have a person who will tell you.

The work permit approval arrived sooner than the family expected. That news brought excitement, but they did not leave immediately. Instead, they planned the transition around what their family needed.

Why the family chose a thoughtful relocation timeline

Liannis and her husband waited for their older child to finish the school year. They also visited relatives before moving, knowing that travel could be more complicated while they completed their first administrative steps in Canada.

After arriving in Toronto during the summer, they used August to find a home, establish an address, complete paperwork, and enrol the children in school for September. The ability to keep working remotely gave them room to make those choices instead of rushing the family’s departure.

Liannis was also surprised by how many Canadian processes could be completed online and how little extra paperwork some services required. Her practical tip for newcomers is to bring the essentials and, if they plan to drive, obtain their driving-history documentation before leaving their previous country.

What Liannis wants other software engineers to know

Liannis’s message is reassuring: immigration can feel like the biggest barrier, but clear guidance and careful document preparation can make it easier to navigate. She encourages candidates to ask questions, respond promptly, and use the support available throughout the process.

Her experience is also a reminder that every relocation has two timelines. There is the official immigration process, and there is the personal process of preparing children, visiting family, choosing a home, and getting ready for a different routine.

Liannis described some phases of her historical case as moving faster than expected, but each application is different. Eligibility, documentation, fees, processing times, and program terms can change. Candidates should review the latest information on VanHack’s official Move to Canada page before making plans.

Could the Canadian Engineering Office fit your plans?

VanHack’s current Canadian Engineering Office is designed for software engineers who work for an international company, earn at least USD 60,000 per year with one employer, and want to relocate to Canada while continuing in their role. Through the program structure, eligible candidates may be able to secure a Canadian work permit under VanHack’s entity while VanHack subcontracts their services to the existing employer.

Liannis’s journey shows what that possibility can mean beyond the paperwork: greater security for a family, an English-speaking environment for children, closer access to a U.S. team, and the chance to begin a new life without abandoning a successful career.

If you already have an international employer and want to explore whether the program fits your situation, review the current criteria and apply to move to Canada with VanHack.