[iainctduncan]

I've done it a bunch of times. The big thing to be aware of is that managing remote people requires better management skills, so you need a boss who cares about doing it right. I had two experiences go sideways, in both cases my manager got stressed and busy, and because I was their only remote report, they did a crappy job. Prior to them getting too busy to do a good job, it was fine. It really is a lot better if they are a mostly remote shop.

pro tip: apply to places you want to work anyway, whether or not they say they will hire remote. I worked at a couple where they had not considered hiring a remote Canadian, and just needed me to tell them how easy it was after they saw I was a good fit. (one form, the W8-BEN. So easy.... but so many payroll departments don't know that!)

[digianarchist]

It's easy to hire Canadians even non-remote positions. The TN visa requires only a job offer letter and detailed job description for software developers.

There's no requirements for the TN visa holder reside in the same location as the business, to my knowledge. So a Canadian could reside in Washington and be employed in California.

[kat]

I am a Cdn on a TN. There is very much an expectation that you will reside in the same location of the office. Its not as hard+fast rule (like the h1b1) but considering a random border guard could have a bad day and deny your TN based on whatever they feel like, I would strong caution against anyone living far away from their assigned office.

Also, if you're living in another state getting a US drivers license might be impossible (how do you prove residency if your work visa is for a different state?) . Some states don't require residency for a drivers license, (Oregon and CA don't) but you can get a RealID on your DL if you can prove residency. RealIDs are strongly suggested because you can use them to fly in the States, instead of your Cndpassport + work visa. Again, TSA agents have the legal ability to detain anyone on a work visa, so having a RealID lowers the chance of complications.

[iainctduncan]

This is true, with TNs there is always have an element of chance. I've heard too many stories of people getting royally screwed crossing the border on a TN when it should have been no prob. If you are not working on US soil, the W-8BEN requires no one to "approve" you. It's just a form for them to justify not deducting tax.

[abledon]

so as a Canadian, remote work in US is easier to find if you remind them of w8-ben, even if they are only listing REMOTE inside USA?

[iainctduncan]

Correct. It's a tax treaty form and there is no visa application required if you are only working from Canada. Many companies don't know about it and think that paying people out of the US will be a big headache, but they literally only have to fill out the one form and then not take off tax. It basically says "we both are confirming that the Canadian works in a place with a tax treaty with the US and will be paying income tax there so no tax needs to be with-held". I worked somewhere that knew this first, and then worked at 2 more places where I had to educate the payroll department about it! (They tried to send me forms that clearly said "I am a US citizen" and I was like "hellooo I can't sign this, that would be fraud".

[icebergonfire]

As another remote worker from outside the United States who is currently making long-term plans for their career, thank you for mentioning the W8-BEN form.

I think this might be one of those pivotal moments that will change my trayectory in a significant way.

[iainctduncan]

No prob! It really does open doors. Last time I applied for work in the US I wanted remote and part-time. Literally almost no companies on stack-overflow careers ticked the boxes to say this was ok. But I fired out 140 applications in a week with a cover letter applying anyway and had a job a week later. Rules bend if you're a great fit! :-)

[zaptheimpaler]

Can you elaborate a bit more on the pitch as a a Canadian?

[iainctduncan]

It was pretty simple, I just wrote a cover letter that said (in better wording) "I think I'm a really good fit for your company but I am in Canada. Are you aware that you can hire me without a visa if I don't work in the US? We just need to fill out the W8-BEN and I've done it before".

Many were still not interested, but it only takes 1!

[zaptheimpaler]

Thank you, thats a great tip! I may copy your letter..