Working in Canada for a corporation in China

By Mark 16 June 2022

Can I live in Canada and work remotely for a company in China?

Yes, it is possible, however we usually recommend double-checking the following points:

  1. Can you get a visa? If you are a Canadian citizen, you can apply for a work visa, but if you are a non-citizen, you need to apply for a student visa.
  2. Can you get a work permit? If you are a Canadian citizen, you can apply for a work permit. If you are a non-citizen, you need to apply for a student visa.
  3. Can you get an apartment? If you are a Canadian citizen, you can apply for an apartment.
  4. Can you get a job? If you are a Canadian citizen, you can apply for a job.
  5. Can you get health insurance? If you are a Canadian citizen, you can apply for a health insurance.
  6. Can you get a car? If you are a Canadian citizen, you can apply for a car.

In the past, I have worked as a freelancer in China, and I have also worked for a Canadian company.

How to find remote work in China while living in Canada?

Usually, it is feasible to get remote jobs in China even though you are located in Canada. For that we have to take care of two things. Firstly, we need to be able to communicate with the Chinese company, secondly we need to have a good Chinese language skill.

Here is a list of companies that you can apply to and get paid to work in China from Canada.

  1. China Scholarship Council
    China Scholarship Council (CSC) is an independent organization that supports Chinese students’ education in overseas universities and provides them with scholarships. CSC has offices in over 30 countries and receives funding from the Chinese government.
    How to apply: The CSC website has a list of all its offices around the world. You can also apply online.
  2. China Overseas Talent Network
    China Overseas Talent Network (COTN) is a platform for companies to recruit Chinese talents. It was established in 2007 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The COTN provides online resources for employers to find qualified Chinese talents.
    How to apply: COTN is a free platform. You can apply for a job by registering yourself on their website.
  3. Alibaba
    Alibaba is a Chinese e-commerce giant. It is the biggest retailer in the world. It has offices in over 50 countries.
    How to apply: The Alibaba website has a list of all its offices around the world. You can also apply online.
  4. China Mobile
    China Mobile is a Chinese telecommunications company.

How to get paid in Canada when working remotely for a corporation in China?

You can get paid in Canada even if you are working for a company in China, however , you need to follow a few steps in order to make sure you get paid.

When you work for a corporation in China, you will be working in China and you will be working from a Chinese company.
The company you work for will pay you in RMB.
You will be paid in RMB.
The company will pay you in RMB.

How do taxes work in Canada if I’m working remotely for a company Canada?

When working remotely in Canada for a firm based in China, taxes might be tricky, therefore you must know your tax obligations. This article will help you understand the tax obligations for working remotely in Canada.

  1. If you are a Canadian resident, you must file a tax return.
  2. If you are a non-resident, you must file a tax return.
  3. If you are a Canadian citizen, you must file a tax return.