10 Fun Things To Do In Maui With Family!

There is a lot to do on the Island of Maui besides water sports! Here is a list of things that you can do with your partner, friends or family on the Island of Maui!

Kula Country Farms

Address: 6240 Kula Hwy, Kula, HI 96790, United States
Business website: https://kulacountryfarmsmaui.com/

Depending on the season, you might be able to engage yourself in strawberry picking or if you visit during autumn, you can get a chance to explore their pumpkin patch, where you can find the perfect pumpkin to carve/decorate with your family.

The Kula Country Farms also features has a farm stand from where you can get fresh locally produced goods, and besides that they also have a variety of plants, seeds, jams and other products. I tried out their chocolate honey which is something unique I have never seen before and it was quite delicious!

Strawberry Picking at Kula Country Farms

Surfing Goat Dairy Maui

Address: 3651 Omaopio Rd, Kula, HI 96790, United States
Business website: https://surfinggoatdairy.com/

If you are visiting this place, I think you just go and ask for some feed for the goats and pet them! I am not sure if I would recommend their casual tour as for me it was quite boring but the milking tour might be more interesting. There is no entry fee for the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm.

The Dairy Farm also sells goat products like truffles, gift baskets and cheese which is something you might be interested in.

Ocean Organic Farm and Distillery

Address: 4051 Omaopio Rd, Kula, HI 96790, United States
Business website: https://oceanvodka.com/

Since you are on Hawaii why not try some locally produced vodka? Ocean Organic Vodka offers a tasting experience of their organic vodka. You can get discount on your booking if you are a local, active military or are a senior citizen.

Maui Butterfly Farm

Address: 820 Olowalu Village Rd, Lahaina, HI 96761, United States
Business website: https://themauibutterflyfarm.com/

The Maui Butterfly Farm is the only walk-in butterfly house on Maui where you get to interact with colored butterflies and other insects like praying mantis. The Maui Butterfly Farm has guided farm tours for adults, children and infants (free).

I found it quite pricey but if you have never been to a butterfly farm before then it might be worth having the experience.

Magical Enchanted Forest

Address: Lahaina, HI 96761, United States

The Magical Enchanted Forest features a short but easy trail. It’s absolutely worth visiting this amazing forest that offers a unique experience. Street Parking might be a little tricky depending on what time you are headed there.

The Birdstand Maui

Address: Lahaina, HI 96761, USA, 658 Wharf St, Lahaina, HI 96761, United States

The Birdstand is a little setup located on Wharf Street for taking pictures with different types of Parrots. You can also ask questions regarding the birds as the handler is pretty knowledgeable.

Lahaina Banyan Court

Address: 671 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761, United States

The Lahaina Banyan Court features the largest Banyan tree on the Island of Hawaii. Close to the trees is a courthouse which has been converted to a museum and features art gallery and has an interactive exhibit with videos/photos/historical objects. There are also a lot shops and restaurants located close to the area.

Uʻi Gallery Maui

Address: 360 Papa Pl Suite 115, Kahului, HI 96732, United States
Business website: https://www.rachaelrayartcollection.com/

If you are looking to take some locally made gifts with you then have a visit at UI Gallery. The store has a variety of high quality products from local artists including glasses, pillows, tables, chairs, jewelry (including shell jewelry). Some of the art at the store can be quite expensive though but is definitely worth having a look!

Fun Factory

Address: 70 E Kaahumanu Ave, Unit A-13, Kahului, HI 96732, United States
Business website: https://www.funfactorygames.com/

The Fun Factory has multiple locations on the Maui Island and features a number of video games, air hockey tables, dance dance revolution, basketball arcade machines and more. The place is a bit pricey so make sure to have a budget and only go for select games.

Ocean Center Maui

Address: 192 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI 96793, United States
Business website: https://mauioceancenter.com/

Maui Ocean Center is the largest tropical reef aquarium and offers a number of experiences like shark dive, snorkeling, yoga, plant tours, naturalist presentations. They also have an Immersive 3D theater which I think made the visit worth it for me. So if you are headed there make sure to not miss the 3D show.

The Ocean Center also has a gift shop and I found the prices to be a bit better than most gift shops around the area.

Tom Mehra

Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He’s also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.

tommera.com/

5 Places For Latin Dancing Lessons In Ottawa!

Ottawa has a number of dance studios and bars where you can learn Latin Dancing. Not only do you get to learn and exercise while dancing but also it’s a great way to meet new people in the city!

Here are some places in Ottawa that offer Dance lessons –

Ritmo Bailey

Address: 12 Byward Market Square, Ottawa, ON K1N 9C3
Business website: https://www.ritmobaileottawa.com/

Located conveniently in the Byward Market area, Ritmo Bailey is a good spot for dance lessons. While the place itself doesn’t serve any drinks, I like the fact that there are a number of bars and restaurants located nearby.

Variety of Latin dance lessons throughout the weekly.
Attracts a mixed demographic.
No alcohol or food served. (The water dispenser is there!)
Has Latin dance socials on weekends as well.

University of Ottawa Salsa Club

Address: University Centre 85 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 9A7
Business website: https://uosalsa.wixsite.com/uosalsa

University’s Salsa Club is one of the biggest dance groups in Ottawa and has events regularly on a weekly basis. The event is open to everyone and there is a small fee for attending the lessons and the socials.

UOSalsa club provides same-day lessons for both salsa and bachata.
There are lessons for beginners as well as experts.
The lessons can get quite busy however the socials are less crowded.
Attracts primarily younger demographics.
LGBT friendly crowd.
Lessons are very affordable
Events usually happen on a Tuesday.

Mill Street Brewery

Address: 555 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1R 1C5
Business website: https://millstreetbrewery.com/

Mill Street Brewery has weekly salsa nights which include lessons followed by social. The Brewery is one of the few places where not only you can get food and drinks but they also have a decent amount of dance floor for the lessons.

Targeted more towards beginner-intermediate level folks.
Different instructors every week.
Attracts a mixed demographic.
Lessons usually take place on a Monday.

Amigos

Address: 858 Merivale Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Z 5Z4

While popularly known as a Dive Bar, Amigos has a large dance floor where they do weekly Latin Dancing lessons. The place does a beginner dance workshop before their socials and is relatively more affordable than other places that offer dance lessons.

10 minutes away from downtown Ottawa.
Lessons are usually on a Tuesday.
Attracts a mixed demographic.
Has pool tables, musical jukebox and slot machines.
Drinks can be purchased but no food.
Affordable lessons

Studio X

Address: 250 City Centre Ave Bay 122, Ottawa, ON K1R 1C7
Business website: https://www.studioxottawa.com/

Studio X is another Dance studio that offers a variety of Latin dancing lessons. While I found the dance lessons to be great, they are relatively more expensive than other places that I have been to.

Offers lessons on different types of Latin dancing.
Attracts more intermediate level folks.
Lessons can be quite pricey if you are paying at the door.
No alcohol or food is served at the venue.

Here are some tips before you head for your Latin dancing lessons! –

Make sure you are going to lessons at your level of comfort! If you are new to Latin Dancing, it is recommended that you go for beginner lessons to have a good foundation and only later try practicing advanced moves.
In Latin Dancing, people usually dance in pairs which involves a lead and a follower, with the lead usually expected to know the moves. It’s a bit easier to be a follower than to be a lead.
Do carry cash with you as some places might only be accepting cash as payment and charge you additional fees for paying with a credit card.
Check if the event is still happening! Sometimes the venue changes the dates or the type of lessons before the event takes place so check their Facebook or Instagram if they are still doing the lessons.

Tom Mehra

tommera.com/

10 Amazing Meals That You Can Get At Yunshang Restaurant!

If you haven’t been to Yunshang before, it’s a small chain of Chinese restaurants in Canada that has recently become one of my favorites! So much so that I decided to go out there often and try out some of the other stuff that they have.

Things you should know before you order –

If you become a lifetime VIP member, you will get special discounts on all your orders (Cost me 20 bucks and is worth it if you plan to go there often)
This place only accepts debit cards and cash! No credit cards!
You can get unlimited noodles for your soup at this place.
Portion sizes for their mains are generous.
Their food can be quite spicy so if you are not sure, ask the server if it’s possible to reduce the spice level for your order.
Add-ons like meatballs, lamb slices, filets, soybeans, tiger shrimp paste, boychoy and more can be added on request.
Meals are served hot, so be a bit careful while eating.
Silverware can be requested if you are not familiar with chopsticks.

Some of the best meals that you can have at Yunshang –

Chinese Sauerkraut Fish Noodle Soup

Their Fish Noodle soup consists of Fish and Sauerkraut as the primary ingredients and reminded me of sour pickles, the sour taste being due to the Sauerkraut. While this dish is sour, it’s quite enjoyable. I found that they had decent portions of fish as well as sauerkraut.

Duck Blood Noodles with Chili Sauce

The Duck Blood Noodles have a well balanced mix of flavors as it has a mix of sweet and spice. This was my first time trying out Duck Blood which I was thinking was going to be the broth but it’s pieces of Duck Blood, that have a Tofu-like texture. In terms of spice level I would say it’s hot enough but very tolerable.

Spicy and Sour Noodles with Beef and Enoki Mushrooms

My order of Spicy and Sour Noodles was exactly what the title of the dish is, It was spicy and sour. For me, these noodles were absolutely delicious but I must warn you that they are quite spicy. Make sure to ask for extra napkins if you order this one! There was a good portion of beef and enoki mushrooms in the dish.

Beef Brisket Noodles

If you don’t like spice or don’t want to go for noodles, then I think you should go for the Beef Brisket Noodles. For this dish, it is possible to adjust the level of Spice. I went in for Mild-Spicy. If you pay extra, they have an option for a very high level of spice as well. The beef was tender and flavorful.

Spicy Rice Noodles

I like how the rice noodle soup comes with a variety of veggies and meat/seafood. You get quail egg, pork, ham, shrimp, sweetcorn, bean curd sheet, black fungus and a couple of more items. You add all of them into the boiling pot full of broth that you receive and then the noodles for them to cook a bit before eating. I enjoy this unique experience at Spicy Rice Noodles where you kind of feel like cooking your own meal but with less effort.

Coconut Rice Noodles

While the Coconut Rice Noodles dish contains coconut milk, you will be surprised at how spicy it still is. It might be less spicy than Spicy Rice Noodles but still has a decent amount of spice in it. I found this one to be quite flavorful due to the coconut milk added into it. If you can’t handle spice, go with the Original Rice Noodle Soup.

Fruitwood Smoked Pork Intestine and Duck Blood in Spicy Rice Noodle Soup

My rice noodle soup with pork intestine and duck blood was quite spicy. The dish has a bit of smoky flavor as well due to the fruitwood smoked pork intestine. There was a lot of meat in my dish and a little bit of fried tofu as well. If you order this dish, you might also end up having to take some home with you, just ask for the extra noodles before you leave!

Sichuan Style Spicy and Crispy Fried Pork Ribs

The Fried Pork Ribs were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I found them to be slightly spicy and the taste is further enhanced with the sauce that comes with the ribs. Feel free to ask for more sauce as you will probably run out of it quick.

Smoked Pork Intestine

The Smoked Pork Intestines are more like an appetizer so if you are planning to order these, I would recommend that you go for multiple small dishes. Made from pig’s intestines, the texture of the meat was slightly chewy and had a savory/salty flavor. Make sure you dip the Pork Intestines in the sauce provided as they taste great with it.

Smoked Pork Feet

The Smoked Pork Feet is another appetizer sized dish that Yunshang has. While I was expecting the Pork Feet to be very chewy/oily, that did not appear to be the case. The meat was soft and came right off the bones. They were so delicious with the sauce provided and I quickly finished them.

Tom Mehra

tommera.com/

98lala Noodles Is The Best Chinese Noodles Restaurant in Ottawa!

A while ago while I was browsing through Instagram, I came across a video about dan dan noodles which led me to search for dan dan noodle spots near me. That’s how I came to know about 98lala Noodles which is located close to the Byward Market area.

And since that visit, it has become one of my favorite go to spots! Not only are the noodles just amazing but also I have found the items on their menu to be of great value compared to other restaurants. Appetizers are priced around $5 while their mains (noodles) are priced between $13-17.

Experience Dan Dan Noodles at 98lala Noodles!

Despite having a large number of Chinese restaurants in Ottawa, you will find Dan Dan Noodles only at a few spots, 98Lala Noodles is one of them.

You can go either with round or flat noodles and in case you don’t like spicy food, you can let the server know that you want a less spicy broth. I decided to go with the highest spice level on my recent visit and found it still very delicious! I would recommend that you go with their spiciest version as well!

One thing that makes 98LaLa Noodles so special is that the broth that they actually serve is cooked for about a day and utilizes large amounts of beef and chicken. The flavors are then enhanced with a variety of spices that just make their broth absolutely delicious!

About 98lala Noodles

Chinese cuisine
Casual Dining Experience
Affordable prices
Large quantities
Variety of noodles
Street parking

Service at 98lala Noodles

Service at the place is fast enough even if you are in large groups. It didn’t take us too long to get our dishes and appetizers for a party of six. Unlike some other restaurants in downtown which want you to leave as soon as you are finished with your meal, I didn’t notice any kind of issues with this restaurant.

Address: 179 George St, Ottawa, ON K1N 1J8

Business website: https://lala-noodle.com/

Tom Mehra

tommera.com/

7 Food Menu Items At 98LaLa Noodles Reviewed!

98LaLa Noodles is one of those restaurants which might not have the most impressive indoors, but their food is definitely awesome!

All of the hand-pulled noodles options at 98Lala Noodles are Lanzhou style and contain no soy sauce. Instead they have a lighter taste from the beef broth that is flavored with salt and herbs. The broth also contains chinese radish, chili oil and parsley.

Couple of notes before you order –

You can decide the level of spice for the noodles.
For most people, medium spice would be more than enough.
Their small size is quite big. Go Large only if you have a big appetite.
You have the option to decide the type of noodles.
You can have extras (eggs/meat/shrimps) added to your noodles.
Some of the appetizers are served cold so check with the server.

Here is a short review of some of the menu items I have tried so far –

Noodles with Ribs

If you are feeling really hungry go with the Noodles with Ribs. This item is served in Large size only and I felt it was more than enough for two people! The broth is spicy and tastes really good while the ribs meat is so soft it just melts in your mouth!

Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles

The Sichuan Dan Dan noodles were ordered with thin flat noodles and had medium spice. You do have the option of adding additional chili oil if you want a bit of an extra kick. If you are looking to have Dan Dan noodles in Ottawa then this chinese restaurant would be your go-to spot!

Beef Stew Noodles

The order for Beef Stew Noodles came with the thick round noodles option. The beef was really soft and the broth was delicious as well!

Noodles with Minced Pork Paste

I ordered a regular for the Minced Pork Noodles and didn’t really find them to be spicy unlike other noodles. I think these ones were my least favorite out of all the menu items I have tried so far at 98lala Noodles.

Lamb Skewers (spicy)

98LaLa Noodles has a lot of appetizers to choose from and from all of them, I think their Lamb Skewers have been my favorite. The meat has a blend of hot and spicy seasoning and is supposed to feel like what you would expect from street food in China. They do have other seasoned BBQ options meat/seafood/vegetarian options as well if you are not into lamb or meat in general.

Beef Skewers (spicy)

I found the Lamb Skewers to be a bit more enjoyable compared to the Beef skewers. The seasoning for both meats appeared to be the same however I think the texture of meat made a bit of a difference. Before this I have only tried out the skewers from Costco and these ones are a lot better than the ones you get in store.

Pepper Chicken (medium hot)

Unlike other appetizers, the Pepper Chicken dish is served cold and has quite a unique taste. I would recommend you to try out this appetizer.

Visit 98lala Noodles!

98lala noodles is located close to the Byward Market area. Prices for their mains appear to be quite reasonable compared to other restaurants in the area. There is limited street parking available which is free after normal working hours.

Address: 179 George St, Ottawa, ON K1N 1J8

Business website: https://lala-noodle.com/

Tom Mehra

tommera.com/

How To Request Review Of Decision For Refusal Of Personalized License Plate (Quebec)?

If you have applied for a personalized license plate for your vehicle with SAAQ, there is a possibility that the character combination you choose might get rejected for a variety of reasons.

Reasons For Rejection
How To Send Request For Review
Review Timeline

Reasons For Rejection

SAAQ has mentioned on their website that they can reject combinations for the following reasons –

Difficult to read character combinations
Gives a false impression of being associated with law enforcement or government.
Associated with a distinctive trademark
Confusing character combinations
Obscene or Derogatory language

Here is a copy of the email that I received after applying for my character combination –

You recently ordered a personalized license plate from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec.

We wish to inform you that the character combination you chose has been refused, as it includes an expression or message that promotes the perpetuation of a criminal offense, which does not respect the conditions set out by law.

The acquisition fee you paid for your personalized license plate will be reimbursed to your credit card within 4 to 6 business days. If it is not possible to provide a refund directly to your credit card, you will be mailed a refund cheque.
SAAQ

I was quite surprised by this decision from SAAQ as my character combination did not have anything to do with what they were claiming. If you believe you have a similar case, here is what you will need to do.

How To Send Request For Review

You will need to send a letter to the following address requesting them to review their decision –

Direction des opérations centralisées
333, boulevard Jean-Lesage, N-3-22
Case postale 19600, succursale Terminus
Québec (Québec) G1K 8J6

Your letter should contain the following points –

What was your Order ID and what combination you applied for.
How did you come with the combination, Does it relate to you personally?
Mention that you do not believe it has any negative connotations.
Also, it would be good to mention that you do not have a criminal record.

Review Timeline

Once you submit the letter, it can take about 2-3 weeks to hear back from SAAQ regarding if your decision was successful or not. In my case, the character combination was accepted after review.

Here is the message I received from SAAQ –

We are pleased to inform you that the character combination you have chosen has been accepted. Your order has been sent to the manufacturer and you should receive your personalized license plate within 3 to 6 weeks.
SAAQ

Once you receive your plate, you are still required to activate it before placing it on your vehicle.

Tom Mehra

tommera.com/

My Search For Cheap Car Insurance In Gatineau Quebec

My auto insurance policy is up for renewal next month and my current insurance provider has increased my premium by a bit despite me having no claims. So I started looking for which provider would provide me with the lowest car insurance rate.

All the quotes were requested with the following inclusions –

Property damage protection of $1,000,000
Accident Protection – deductible of $500
All damage protection with a deductible of $250
Accidental Benefits Insurance
Unexpected expense coverage (rental)

Here are all the auto insurance quotes I got –

Belairdirect – $68.75 per month + Taxes

Belairdirect is my current provider of auto insurance and interestingly they gave me a lower quote online than what has been offered to me for my renewal. It appears to be common practice among insurance providers to provide an online discount when you get a new insurance quote, however the discount doesn’t get applied on renewal.

Intact Personal Insurance – $149.67 + Taxes

Intact Insurance

Intact’s car insurance quote turned out to be quite pricey! There appears to be a huge difference between the quote offered by Belairdirect and Intact despite Belairdirect being owned by Intact! I was quite surprised with what Intact was offering me.
Also when I had a chat with the agent over the phone, they were not willing to consider my Driving Experience outside Quebec which was strange.

TD Insurance – $85.67 per month + Taxes

TD Insurance

While TD is not the cheapest insurance, one of the benefits of having insurance through them is that they don’t require you to have a Quebec license to provide you with auto insurance. Note that certain auto insurance companies will refuse to provide you with auto insurance if you have an out-of-province license.

SSQ Insurance – $97.58 per month + Taxes
($70 per month tax included with additional documentation)

When I applied for car insurance through the online form, it only gives you the option to provide Quebec Driving Experience. I had a chat with their agent and was informed that they can consider Canadian (Out of Quebec) as well as United States Driving Experience as well provided I give them proof that I had no claims/clean driving record. This was going to be a hassle for me since I no longer reside in the US and you have to physically go to the DMV to get the driving records. However, you can get a significant discount so if you have the ability to get records from your state/province do it! If I had all the documentation, then SSQ was willing to offer me an insurance rate of $70 per month!

Beneva – $102.75 per month + Taxes

While Beneva considered my full driving experience (Canadian as well as abroad), It still had a higher auto insurance quote than other providers. I was thinking that this one would have been the cheapest but that did not appear to be the case.

CAA-Quebec – $88.33 per month + Taxes ($2,000,000 civil liability)

CAA Quebec turns out to be a non-profit provider of auto insurance. When I got the online quote, the civil liability coverage was $2,000,000 and there wasn’t an option to change it unless I talked to an agent. I was also informed during the process that I could have gotten an additional 10 percent off if I had CAA membership (The membership is at $8 per month).

Co-operators – $82.93 per month + Taxes

Co Operators

I have a feeling that if I have a conversation with the agents at Co-Operators I would be able to get a lower quote based on my Foreign Driving Experience. The online form only asks you questions based on Canadian Driving Experience.

Aviva Canada – $100.92 per month + Taxes

Aviva’s auto insurance took into consideration my US driving experience. However, I did not see any option to include my UK driving experience. I think they might consider it since they are owned by a British company.

Other providers –
I tried getting a quote from Desjardins, RBC, AON and some other auto insurance providers however it appears that they are only able to provide quotes after having a chat with an agent.

Cheapest insurance
It appears that for me Belairdirect would be the cheapest auto insurance. I did try to reach out to different insurance brokers as well however did not get a better price than what I have been offered.

Some things to note –

I got the quote based on my profile 30s (married), based in Gatineau QC
Car valued at approximately $17,000
Mileage between 10,000-15,000 km
I bundled my quote with tenants insurance whenever possible.

Tom Mehra

tommera.com/

How To Know What Treatments Are Available For Cancer With Trialjectory!

One thing that I have realized visiting hospitals recently is that as a patient you always need to advocate for yourself. When you go to a hospital, most of the time they are going to tell you the treatment plan based on what they have and not cover on any other drugs or treatment that might be available at other healthcare facilities in the country or across the world. However, when you are suffering from cancer, sometimes what your hospital offers might not be enough.

As a Cancer patient family member, I found that during conversations with the treatment team that it was really hard to know what all treatments are available for a specific type of cancer, are there any experimental treatments going on, as well as what treatment usually people go for tailored down to their type of cancer, immunochemistry as well as stage.

So I started looking up online if there was any tool available that would help me navigate through what treatments are available and also see what people have tried with what results. That’s when I came across Trialjectory!

Trialjectory is a free online tool that not only helps you provide information on what clinical trials are available but also provides a tools to find personalized treatments for the cancer that you or your family member has.

To get started you would create your medical profile, where you answer a bunch of questions regarding your cancer like when it started, what type of cancer it is, at what stage, where has the disease spread, any kind of genetic testing you have, and any kind of medical procedures you have had. Trialjectory asks these questions to show you trials, and treatments available specifically for your cancer.

Once you finish the questionnaire, you are taken to a page that shows you all treatments are available for your cancer that you have not received yet. It also provides you insights on what has been the outcome from other patients who have the same type of cancer as yours and what treatment they received.

The really good thing about the treatment finder is that as long as you have enough information about your cancer, you can look up really targeted treatment and also be able to make an informed decision as to what procedure or drugs should be given to you. Trialjectory also lets you know how many people discontinued the treatment due to side effects as some of the chemotherapy/immunotherapy drugs can really have a big toll on your body.

Another important thing about the tool is to be able to see what clinical trials are available. When I checked the tool was able to list clinical trials from US and Canada. If you outside US/Canada then this tool can still provide you some information on drugs/treatments available which you can then follow up with healthcare professionals in your country if they have something similar.

I think the personalized cancer trials information is a lot better than sometimes sifting on clinical trials website to see what treatment you would be eligible for. Also it can save you a lot of time and effort as the information on trials website is sometimes really hard to understand. Though I must say that the information available on their website might not be complete for your type of cancer as the gather data from patients using the website. It’s a great tool to refer to but don’t rely on it 100% as you can always find more information about cancer somewhere else!

Always consult with healthcare professionals for treatment decisions.

Tom Mehra

tommera.com/

Can I Work Remotely in the US For A Canadian Company?

Yes, it’s possible to work remotely for a Canadian Company from the United States. There are many people who already live in the USA and work for a Canadian company.

However there are certain things you need to consider.

Currently Working For A Canadian Company From Canada and Moving To The US
Currently Based In The US And Want To Work Remotely For A Canadian Company
Would You Need A Canadian Work Visa?
Filing US and Canadian Taxes
How To Receive Payments In USD/CAD

Currently Working For A Canadian Company From Canada and Moving To The US

In this scenario, you can check if the company has an office in the United States as it might just be easier for you to ask them to transfer your role to the US office if possible.

Work Authorization Requirements For Transfers

TN Work Authorization For Canadian Citizens
If you are a Canadian Citizen, then you might be eligible to work in the US through the TN-status which allows you to work without requiring immigration petition from your Employer.

L-1 Visa Transfer Option
In case your job is not eligible under NAFTA professionals list, you still might be eligible for an L-1 Visa through your company. This would apply only if you are going to be working in a managerial, executive or specialized knowledge role.

The L-1 is also a suitable option for people who are not Canadian/Mexican nationals but note that you must have worked for the company for atleast 1 year in the last 3 years.

No Visa Requirements For US Citizens
If you are a US national/permanent resident then you already have unrestricted right to work in the United States and you would not be required any visa to work from the United States.

Can I Work Remotely On A US Tourist Visa?
If you don’t have the right to work in the United States then you won’t be able to work remotely for the Canadian Company from the US as you will run into immigration as well as taxation issues.

Working In The US As An Employee (No US Office)

If the Canadian company does not have a US office, then it might still be possible to work as an Employee but you will need to use an Employer of Record Service.

What is an Employer of Record Service?
Using an Employer of Record Service, you would essentially be working under a different company (established in the US) who would be charging your Canadian Employer for hiring you. These services usually charge a small percentage relative to your salary to the employer as a fee but sometimes can be very expensive.

Working In The US As A Contractor (No US Office)

If the Canadian company does not have an office in the United States then your option would be to work as a contractor and charge them on an hourly/weekly basis.

In this case you would need to be working as a Self Employed

Work Authorization Requirements For Contractors
To be able to work as a contractor, you would need to either be

US Citizen
US Permanent Resident

Working In The US As A Contractor (US Office)

In case the company has a US office then you can work on a contractual basis, this opens eligibility for Canadian/Mexican Nationals as well who can work on 1099 (Independent contractors).

When To Go For 1099?
For term based duration roles or specialized roles that pay over the market rate, sometimes the company might not be willing to hire you as an Employee. In this case, you would be working under 1099 and the company is going to give you 1099 form.

People working on 1099 do not get benefits so just make sure that you are being adequately paid for the work that is being done.

If the company does offer employment under W-2, it might make sense as you would also be eligible for healthcare and other benefits from the company.

Currently Based In The US And Want To Work Remotely For A Canadian Company

If you are permanently residing in the United States and plan to work for a Canadian Company and they don’t have a US office; then things can get a little tricky. In case of small companies, they might not be willing to setup an office in the US just to hire a single person as an employee but they might consider having you as a contractor.

Working As Self Employed In The US
This could be one of the options where you work as a contractor and charge the company on an hourly/weekly basis for your services. Make sure to charge adequately as contractors do not get benefits from their Employers.

Export of Services To Canada
In case of working as a remote contractor (self-employed), you need to be aware that the work you would be doing is considered as an export of services (to Canada) and therefore you might be required to do some additional paperwork for the Canadian/US tax agencies.

As a contractor however you would only need to file taxes in the United States. Make sure to check with a tax consultant as situation can vary depending on your citizenship and residence situation.

Would You Need A Canadian Work Visa?

As you would be working remote from US only, you would not be required to have a Canadian work authorization. However if you are required by the company to be in Canada for work for extended duration then you would be required to have a Canadian Work Visa.

Filing US and Canadian Taxes

Tax Filings for US Citizens and Permanent Residents
Usually you would just be required to file your taxes just in the US.

Tax Filings for Canadian Citizens
Canadian Citizens residing in the US would just be required to file taxes in the US.

Tax Filing Situation When Moving From Canada To US
Note that if you moved from Canada to US then you would need to file taxes in both countries during the year of your move. Just make sure to file your Departure Tax Return when you permanently leave Canada to avoid any issues with CRA.

How To Receive Payments In USD/CAD

One potential issue that a lot of remote workers run into is; getting paid in Canadian Dollars but having to spend US Dollars while living in the US. It is recommended to setup a US bank account, and utilize a money transfer service like TransferWise to convert from CAD to USD.

If you would be traveling often between US/Canada then I recommend getting a credit card with 0% international fees which can save you a lot on exchange fees.

Tom Mehra

tommera.com/

Can Canadians Use TN Status To Work Remotely From Canada For US Employer?

If you aren’t already aware, the TN status allows Canadian Citizens to enter United States for work purposes. For Canadian citizens, The TN status does not involve a visa application.

Can you work under TN status from Canada?
Do you really need TN status to work remotely for US employer?
Why get the TN Status if working from Canada?
How to work remotely for US company without TN status?
Do you get double taxed while on TN status working in Canada?
How to get the TN status?
Are all jobs eligible for TN status?
Beware of the limitations of the TN status

Can you work under TN status from Canada?

Yes, it is possible to work remotely under the TN status from Canada but the question applies under what scenario does it make sense to get the TN status while working for US based companies.

Do you really need TN status to work remotely for US employer?

No, if you are going to be permanently based in Canada and not entering the United States for work then usually you are not required to have TN status.

As a Canadian Citizen, you have unrestricted right to live and work in Canada and that includes any work you do remotely for any non-Canadian company while residing in Canada.

Why get the TN Status if working from Canada?

Under certain scenarios, it can make sense to get the TN status.

Working in both US/Canada – If you are going to be working in both US and Canada then it makes sense for you to get the TN status.
Company is not incorporated in Canada – Some companies might not be willing to employee you unless you are on their W2 payroll.

How to work remotely for US company without TN status?

There are three routes on how you can work for US company without TN Status –

Canadian subsidiary – In case the US Employer has a Canadian subsidiary, you can ask them to hire you as an employee through them as a Canadian Employee.
Contractor (Sole Proprietor/Incorporated) – It might be worth asking the US based company, if you can work for them as a contractor.
Umbrella company – Your US employer could utilize a company that offers Canadian payroll and benefits to you while you work remotely in Canada.

Do you get double taxed while on TN status working in Canada?

The tax treaty between Canada and United States allows you to avoid double taxation however you would need to file your returns in both countries.

How to get the TN status?

Canadian Citizens can get the TN status by showing up at any US border crossing or when flying to the US. Steps to be followed –

Request for the TN status
Provide proof of job offer for temporary employment (not to exceed a period of three years)
Proof of degree (original document) and employment history to prove qualification for the job
Proof of citizenship (original document)
Pay required fee

Alternatively, an employer can request a visa status change to TN on behalf of the applicant. However this can be a time consuming process.

Are all jobs eligible for TN status?

Only a limited number of professions are eligible for TN status.

Accountants
Engineers
Lawyers
Doctors
Nurses
Pharmacists
Scientists
Teachers

If you are not sure if your profession is eligible, you should contact USCIS.

Beware of the limitations of the TN status

While the TN status gives you right to work in the United States, you should be aware that –

You are authorized to work for only 1 employer in the US
The TN status has to be renewed every three years.
The job needs to be listed on the qualified TN professionals list.
You need to have a bachelors degree.

Tom Mehra

tommera.com/