Long term stay in the US

[asantanajr]

Hi. I'm from Canada planning to spend 3 months in warmer sites in the USA. I can work remotely so as long as it is warm I'm okay. I have never done that. Any advice on how to same money in this venture trying to escape the cold?

 

[UTTransplant]

Do not tell the border agent you will be working remotely. That’s a great way to get you banned since you don’t have a US work permit. Lots of Canadians used to come to the US in the winter, but quite a bit fewer now according to the campgrounds. But there is lots of information here about temporary status, and, obviously, camping someplace is less expensive than hotels and most AirBnBs. Have you ever camped before? Do you have any equipment?

 

[Domo]

A little late in the season to get a reservation... but you could look towards next year!

As and alternative, if you have a "partner" that's willing to volunteer labor at a federal/state campground park, they may provide you with a hookup for an RV or even a cabin in exchange - just a thought to help you pursue the goal.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Remote work by a non-US resident is indeed a legally tricky subject. In some cases the work could be considered to have been done at the home location (where the server is), maybe attending a meeting via video. In others, you might be doing the actual work at the remote location and simply submitting it to the home site. I also suggest you avoid receiving payment in the USA, especially if in US$. You don't want to get embroiled in a debate about where you are working with the Customs & Immigration people.

If I were you, I would only do remote work for Canadian employers and only do things where the work product remains primarily in Canada. And receive payment via your Canadian bank account.

 

[Kirk]

Any advice on how to same money in this venture trying to escape the cold?

Do you have a remote work job now for a Canadian company? If so, you should be OK if you follow the advice of Gary. But if you plan to come to the USA and then look for work, you probably won't find anyone who will hire you due to legal issues for the employer and if you should find a job here and then get caught working without a work permit, it will be very expensive. Do you have an RV that is capable of long term, dry camping? If so, you can probably find inexpensive places to stay for a week or two at a time.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

This is one of those situations where you could probably break the rules and nobody would ever know. Or care very much. But if it did come to light, the penalties could well be severe, both legally and financially. Especially in the present political environment where non-US-citizens could be under scrutiny.

Trading your labor for the use of a campsite is considered by tax officials to be a barter arrangement, i.e. you got something of value in return for your services. So you are working and it's taxable income. You aren't considered a volunteer except under some very limited situations.

Sorry to harp on this, but want to point out the risks in what you wish to do.

 

[Tom]

Re-reading the original message, I'm thinking he'll be online in the US, connected with his employer/business in Canada. So he wouldn't be "working" in the US. If he derives income from the US, that would be different.

 

[asantanajr]

Do not tell the border agent you will be working remotely. That’s a great way to get you banned since you don’t have a US work permit. Lots of Canadians used to come to the US in the winter, but quite a bit fewer now according to the campgrounds. But there is lots of information here about temporary status, and, obviously, camping someplace is less expensive than hotels and most AirBnBs. Have you ever camped before? Do you have any equipment?

I am about to buy a travel trailer. I decided for 29 ft, but still checking which vehicle could pull it.
I have camped many times before and 2 months ago I spend 15 days driving a motorhome along Scotland. This experience really made us be more excited about traveling this way, but we did not like the motorhome space.
Thanks for replying! I did notnthink about this working remotely issue.

 

[asantanajr]

Re-reading the original message, I'm thinking he'll be online in the US, connected with his employer/business in Canada. So he wouldn't be "working" in the US. If he derives income from the US, that would be different.

As a matter of fact, I am paid by a US company, but funds are transferred to my account in Canada. It looks like working in US soil could be a big problem...

 

[Tom]

If

As a matter of fact, I am paid by a US company, but funds are transferred to my account in Canada. It looks like working in US soil could be a big problem...

I thought/assumed you worked for a Canadian company. Sounds like you need to get some legal advice on working in the US for a US company.

 

[Kirk]

It looks like working in US soil could be a big problem...

I think that you should check it out before you do so. I would contact the US Consulate office as they should be able to help you.