If you're dreaming of swapping your office for a café in a new city, Canada's got some solid options that are gaining recognition as global hotspots for remote work.
A recent ranking by UK payment provider Dojo highlights the best places in the world for digital nomads, and five Canadian cities made the cut. But surprisingly, Toronto — the country's biggest business hub — didn't make the list.
The ranking evaluated 237 cities worldwide, scoring them on key factors like digital nomad visa availability, internet speed, quality of life, cost of living and safety. According to Dojo, the ranking offers valuable insights for remote workers and companies adapting to the growing "work-from-anywhere" culture.
And while Canada did well overall — ranking as the best country for an affordable digital nomad visa — Toronto was nowhere to be found among the top picks.
So, which Canadian cities actually made the list? Here are the five that earned a spot among the world's top 20 for digital nomads:
- Quebec City, QC (#4)
- Ottawa, ON (#12)
- Montreal, QC (#16)
- Oshawa, ON (#19)
- Hamilton, ON (#20)
Why these cities?
Quebec City ranked highest among Canadian cities, landing in fourth place globally. According to Dojo, its European charm, relatively low cost of living and strong quality of life made it a standout option for remote workers.
The city offers Canada's digital nomad visa, which is free and valid for six months, and has high internet freedom and security ratings.
Next up is Ottawa, ranking #12 worldwide. While its internet speed is significantly lower than some European hotspots, the city makes up for it with a high quality of life and security rating.
Montreal follows at #16, offering a vibrant cultural scene and a lower cost of living than other major cities like Toronto or Vancouver. Though its internet speed also isn't the fastest, it still boasts high livability scores.
Meanwhile, Oshawa (#19) and Hamilton (#20) round out the list. These GTA-adjacent cities might not be the first places that come to mind for remote work, but they score well for affordability and security.
Canada takes the digital nomad crown
Dojo also ranked the top countries for digital nomads based on visa requirements. For remote workers looking for the most budget-friendly visa options, Canada stands out in the top spot with a completely free six-month digital nomad visa — a major perk for digital nomads who want to explore the country without extra costs.
According to Dojo, Italy and Spain follow behind, offering one-year visas at approximately $174 and $1,250, respectively.
Canada's hassle-free process requires only visitor status, a valid passport and proof of remote work, making it one of the easiest and most accessible options for nomads worldwide, Dojo says.
The top cities for digital nomads worldwide
For remote workers looking for an adventure outside Canada, these are the world's top destinations for digital nomads, according to Dojo:
- Genoa, Italy
- Bari, Italy
- Valencia, Spain
- Quebec City, Canada
- Catania, Italy
- Florence, Italy
- Palermo, Italy
- Las Palmas, Spain
- Rome, Italy
- Seville, Spain
Italy absolutely dominated the rankings, taking eight of the top 20 spots, thanks to its new, relatively inexpensive digital nomad visa that lets you stay for a full year, strong quality of life and relatively low cost of living.
Why not Toronto?
So, why is Toronto missing from this list? While Dojo didn't specify, factors like a high cost of living and congestion likely played a role. The ranking favoured cities with affordable rent, good internet speeds and a strong work-life balance — things that have become increasingly difficult to find in Canada's largest city.
That said, if you're looking for a Canadian destination to set up your laptop, Quebec, Ottawa or even Hamilton might just be your best bet.
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