A New Country, Not a New Job: Daniel’s Move to Canada
Through VanHack’s Canadian Engineering Office, Daniel moved to London, Ontario, while continuing to work remotely for a U.S. company. The change was about more than location: it was about language, community, and a daily rhythm that suited him.
In Portugal, Daniel Onoriukpe sometimes worked until 8 p.m. to overlap with his colleagues in the United States. In Canada, he described finishing around 4 or 5 p.m. and having the more predictable workday he wanted.
An international career, and a clearer idea of home
Originally from Nigeria, Daniel had already experienced life in several European countries before considering Canada. In his interview, he described more than nine years of software engineering experience, with a focus on front-end applications.
Living abroad had helped him understand what mattered to him. One priority was being in an English-speaking environment, where language would be less of a barrier to participating in everyday life and connecting with people.
Canada also offered an existing family connection: he had relatives living in Alberta. Although he ultimately settled in Ontario, having family in the same country was part of the appeal.
He was not looking to abandon the career he had built. He wanted a place where that career and his life outside work could fit together more comfortably.
Discovering a way to move without starting over professionally
Daniel first learned about the Canadian Engineering Office through a post from Ilya on Twitter. He was already following Ilya and saw the announcement about the program.
He then researched the information online and considered what it would mean to live in Canada while working for a U.S. company. Importantly, he discussed the arrangement with his employer before moving forward.
After contacting Ilya, he began the process with VanHack. The opportunity aligned with what he was trying to achieve: a move to Canada without having to replace his existing job.
His experience was not an overnight relocation. He described a lengthy wait for approval before the later stages moved much more quickly. By the time his visa arrived, he had to shift from waiting to making practical decisions about leaving Portugal.
Excitement did not erase the nerves
Getting the visa was exciting. Daniel remembered collecting his passport and the feeling of seeing the approval become something tangible.
At the same time, he had built a life in Portugal. He had friends, a community, and experiences he valued. Leaving that behind was a real decision, even though Canada was a move he had wanted for a long time.
He spoke openly about still having cold feet after receiving his visa. That hesitation is part of what makes his story relatable: wanting a change and feeling nervous about it can happen at the same time.
Looking back, he was clear about how he felt about taking the step.
I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Settling in meant solving everyday problems
Daniel arrived through Toronto and went on to build his life in London, Ontario. The practical adjustment was not without challenges.
Apartment hunting took effort. Friends had helped him identify a place before he arrived, but he still explored other options once he could judge the location for himself. He eventually chose the apartment his friend had recommended.
Transportation was another adjustment. After relying on public transit in Europe, he found that living in London made learning to drive an important priority. He began working toward a Canadian driver’s licence after arriving.
Those details are an important part of the story. A successful move is not only about getting there. It also involves finding a home, learning how a new city works, and building routines that make daily life manageable.
A workday that finally matched his time zone
One of Daniel’s clearest benefits was the change in working hours. In Portugal, he had adjusted his schedule to overlap with U.S. colleagues, sometimes working into the evening.
In Canada, he described a more conventional workday, with meetings around midday and work often finishing at 4 or 5 p.m. That was the rhythm he had been looking for.
The difference was not a new professional identity or a complete career reset. It was the ability to keep doing his work from a location that made the schedule feel more sustainable for him.
For someone weighing an international move, that is a concrete way to think about the outcome: not just where you will live, but what an ordinary working day could feel like.
I wanted that stability.
Daniel’s advice: prepare, then take the step
Daniel encouraged others to do their groundwork before moving, including thinking ahead about their longer-term plans in Canada. His experience also highlighted practical preparation, from housing to transportation.
He did not describe the decision as effortless. There was waiting, uncertainty, and the challenge of leaving a familiar community. But his reflections returned to the same conclusion: he was glad he had made the move.
For Daniel, the Canadian Engineering Office connected a career he already had with a life he wanted to build. He did not need a new job to begin a new chapter.
Watch the full interview
Could your next chapter be in Canada?
Explore VanHack’s Canadian Engineering Office to learn more about moving to Canada while continuing your current job, and find out whether the program could fit your circumstances.
