REMOTE WORK · COMPARISON GUIDE

Remote-work essentials: what you actually need to work from anywhere

Official sources last checked: 3 November 2026 · Written for remote workers leaving from Canada

Working from anywhere sounds like it only needs a laptop. In practice it needs five things: permission to work where you are, internet you can count on, devices you can trust, a setup your body can tolerate for eight hours, and a routine that survives time zones. Gear matters least, so it comes last.

1. Permission to work where you are

• A tourist entry doesn't always allow you to work, even for a Canadian employer or clients. Confirm which visa or permit covers remote work with your destination's embassy, high commission or consulate in Canada. The Government of Canada's Living outside Canada page points there for the regulations, tax implications and documents needed to live in another country.
• If you're employed, get your employer's written agreement before you go. Working from another country can raise tax, payroll, insurance and data-protection questions for them too.
• Check how a long stay affects your Canadian tax position. The Canada Revenue Agency's Leaving Canada (emigrants) page explains how residential ties decide whether you're still a Canadian resident for tax. For anything beyond a short trip, professional tax advice is worth it.

2. Internet: a main connection and a backup

Plan for your main connection to fail at the worst moment. The question to ask is "what do I do when this drops?", not only "how fast is it?".

• Main connection: ask accommodation for a recent speed test result before you book, and test it yourself on arrival.
• Backup: mobile data you can hotspot from, through a roaming plan or a local SIM or eSIM. Make sure your phone is unlocked if you plan to use a local SIM.
• Buy SIMs safely: the Government of Canada's Cyber security while travelling page advises buying SIM cards only from reputable providers or official outlets, activating eSIMs only through official carrier websites or apps, and using a trusted international roaming plan instead of a local SIM in high-risk countries.
• Fallback place to work: know where you'd go if both fail, such as a coworking space or library nearby.

3. Devices you can trust

Your laptop is your office. The same Government of Canada page recommends, among other things:

• Lock devices with a PIN or password, turn on multifactor authentication, and encrypt them. The page notes that multifactor authentication may not work when roaming or on a local SIM card, so check how you'll sign in to work accounts from abroad before you leave.
• Turn on remote lock and remote erase, and back up your data to a secure location.
• Treat public Wi-Fi in hotels, airports and cafés as unsafe: confirm the network name before connecting, don't log into sensitive accounts such as banking on it, and use your business or personal VPN if you must use it. Check that VPNs are legal at your destination.
• Don't charge devices from public computers or docking stations, and don't plug in unknown USB drives.
• Keep people from seeing your screen and keyboard in public spaces.

The page also warns that in many countries, border agents can legally search and confiscate electronic devices, including files, photos, emails and browsing history. It suggests travelling with only the data you need and keeping sensitive files backed up securely instead of on the device. If you handle client or employer data, check their rules before you travel.

4. A setup you can work at all day

Most short-term rentals aren't designed for an eight-hour workday. What helps depends on how you work, so compare your needs before buying anything:

• Screen height: working on a laptop at a table for hours is hard on your neck. A laptop stand with a separate keyboard and mouse raises the screen, at the cost of more weight to carry.
• Calls: if you're on calls a lot, headphones with a decent microphone matter more than almost anything else. If you rarely call, your laptop's built-in microphone may be enough.
• Power: plug adapters for your destination, and check your chargers handle the local voltage.
• Where you'll sit: ask about the desk and chair before booking long stays, or budget for a coworking space.

5. A routine that survives time zones

• Before choosing a destination, list the hours you must be online for meetings or clients, and check what time that is where you'll live.
• Show your time zone in your calendar and email signature so others can plan around it.
• Agree in advance which hours you're reachable and how quickly you'll reply.
• Keep a fixed start and end to your workday. Without an office, work spreads into everything else.

Official sources used

• Cyber security while travelling — Government of Canada
• Living outside Canada — Global Affairs Canada
• Leaving Canada (emigrants) — Canada Revenue Agency

More for the move: A realistic checklist for planning a move abroad, How to build a travel budget that includes hidden costs and A practical packing list for long-term travel.