Employers who have just hired an international tech talent may be wondering how they can best support them in their next big task: planning their relocation to Canada. Whether your new software developer will be starting work remotely or when they arrive, it’s a huge effort for them to uproot their lives and move across the globe.
You can best support your new hire by offering the right support, guidance and help where necessary. It’s essential that your new developer feels supported by their employer during one of the most uncertain and stressful times in their lives. Helping them feel supported is also directly linked to increased rates of retention and loyalty to the company – a win-win for all.
For tips on the application process for relocating your developer hire to Canada, check out this article – “Relocating Tech Talent to Canada 101“.
📌 Relocation Assistance
This can be a deciding factor when a candidate is choosing between a few employers’ job offers. Employers may wish to offer a financial package that covers the costs of relocation to Canada, work permit fees and one to a few months’ rent while the candidate looks for permanent housing.
Give a little, gain a lot in terms of loyalty to your company as your new hire settles in.
Here are some relocation package perk examples we’ve seen companies offer:
- Set lump sum amount or reimbursement
- Visa application costs (fees for visa, medical exams, translation of documents, etc.)
- Flights
- Professional moving company
- Moving insurance
- Temporary housing (1-3 months’ rent, hotel costs)
- Temporary storage solutions
- Rental car services
- Family relocation assistance (childcare, assistance for school applications, elderly care, spousal employment)
- Real estate cost assistance (costs with buying or selling a home)
- Health insurance (while they wait for the provincial health insurance to take effect)
- Language classes
Just In: Ultimate Global Mobility Guide
Download the latest Global Mobility Guide from VanHack that contains all the essential information for employers on how to relocate talent to Canada.
Get the latest updates on:
- The Global Talent Stream program
- Applying for the LMIA
- Tips for the Labour Market Benefits Plan
- Relocation Checklist for your candidate
- Additional resources
Read on for more information on helping your new developer hire move to Canada.
Before Your Candidate Travels for Relocation
📌 Presenting Documents at the Canadian Border
Have your candidate print the following documents submitted for their work permit application online (the forms are not necessary):
- Approval letters for them and their family members (if applicable). These can be downloaded from the portal
- Updated job offer or letter to show that their job is still valid
- LMIA
- Reference letters from past employers
- CV
- Diplomas (if applicable)
- Marriage license or common law proof (if applicable)
- Birth certificates of their children (if applicable)
- Translations (if applicable)
- Valid immigration medical report/eMedical (if applicable)
📌 Provincial Restrictions
Check for provincial or territorial restrictions and assess their quarantine plan before travelling.
Have your candidate find out whether they can enter Canada based on Covid-19 travel restrictions.
📌 Pre-Entry COVID-19 Test
Pre-entry tests are no longer required for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada, but those who are not qualified as fully vaccinated must provide a valid pre-entry test.
Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children under the age of 12 are not required to provide a valid pre-entry test result, as long as they’re accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult. Children younger than 5 years old aren’t required to test, regardless of their vaccination status.
📌 Fully Vaccinated Travellers
To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, they must have received at least 2 doses of an accepted Covid-19 vaccine, at least 14 calendar days before they enter Canada.
They also should have no symptoms of Covid-19, and have an ArriveCAN receipt with letter A, I or V beside their name by uploading proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN.
📌 ArriveCAN
It is mandatory for all travellers to use the ArriveCAN app to enter Canada. Information such as contact information, travel details, vaccination information, and quarantine plans need to be submitted within 72 hours of arriving in Canada.
https://blog.vanhack.com/blog/relocating-tech-talent-to-canada-101/
Relocation to Canada: a Checklist for Your Developer
- Requirements checklist for travelling into Canada
- Set up travel and quarantine information on ArriveCAN
- Shipping belongings to Canada – forms, duty, restricted items
- Government health insurance by province:
- Apply for a SIN
- Opening a bank account
- Travel insurance comparisons – We recommend choosing an insurance option that covers Covid treatment and hospitalization.
Other Resources
- Income Tax Calculator
- Cost of Living Database
- Translation services for legal documents
- Bringing pets into Canada
- Temporary Canadian phone numbers (free): TextNow, Fongo
- Chroma – Rental Assistance
- First 100 days in Canada
- Guides for newcomers
Relocation to Canada Closely Supported By the VanHack Team
VanHack is experienced in the tech recruitment industry, having helped process over 800 successful applications to bring tech talent into Canada. Here are just a few ways how our team supports your new tech hire in their journey.
We work closely with VanHack candidates to ensure they have a smooth transition in relocating to Canada. We provide key information such as up-to-date information on Covid vaccination and testing requirements for arrival in Canada, advice on moving internationally, and connecting them with other VanHackers who are living in major Canadian cities. VanHack also has partnerships with organizations such as one of the leading banks to provide banking assistance for candidates.
Are you thinking of hiring international tech talent? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today to learn more.
Ultimate Global Mobility Guide 2022
Get our latest guide to access all you need to know for relocating tech talent to Canada. Everything we’ve covered in this article and more, including support and resources for your candidate, are included in the guide.