US Citizens Moving to Canada

If you are a US citizen who wants to move to Canada, keep reading this article. Of course, other nationalities may also benefit from it, but my focus is on Americans. Therefore, some of the options do not apply to them.

In this article:

• Why moving to Canada?
• Moving to Canada temporarily as a US citizen
• Moving to Canada permanently
• Can a US citizen who is an inadmissible move to Canada?
• Are you ready to move to Canada?

Why moving to Canada?

Canada is the second-largest landmass in the world and the tenth-largest economy. However, these are not potential reasons for a US citizen to move to Canada. Here are some real reasons:

• Canada is your northern neighbour (yes, neighbour, not neighbor!). Therefore, you may travel back home and visit your relatives and friends easily. Since they do not need a visit visa, they may also easily visit you.
• Our culture is probably the closest culture to yours. While there are some differences, you will easily adjust.
• The legal and economic structures of both countries are very close.
• Except for Quebec, English is the dominant language of Canada. About two-thirds of Canadians are native English speakers. Of course, everybody else also knows the English language well.
• Our mutual trade deals, such as CUSMA, a.k.a. USMCA, make it so easy for you to extend your business to Canada.
• Since our professional bodies have similar structures to a great extent, receiving a Canadian licence is relatively easy for most professionals.
• Most American TV shows and channels also run in Canada.
• Many American brands exist in Canada, so you feel at home for the most part.
• You could exchange your driver’s license with a Canadian driver’s licence. Of course, some exceptions apply.

There is no doubt that Canada is a cold country. However, it is the best country to move to as a US citizen despite the cold weather.

Moving to Canada temporarily as a US citizen

As a US citizen, you could consider moving to Canada temporarily. Assuming you are not inadmissible to Canada, here are some options.

• Visiting Canada: US citizens do not need a visa to travel to Canada. When you visit Canada, you may stay for up to six months in our country. However, you may not study or work unless authorized. Of course, if you intend to stay for more than six months, you could apply for a Visitor Record. In certain situations, you could change your status to a worker or a student by flagpoling.
• Studying as an international student: Canadian universities and colleges are among the best in the world. Ironically, it is sometimes cheaper for you to study in Canada than in the United States. However, you must receive an Acceptance Letter from a Designated Learning Institution. Consequently, you may apply for a Study Permit at a port of entry. Upon completion of your studies, you could qualify for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. Thus, you may remain in Canada as a worker and potentially apply for permanent residence.
• Working in Canada: Another way for a US citizen to move to Canada is to work here temporarily. Some potential options for Americans include the following:
  • Working as a professional, intra-company transferee or trader under CUSMA.
  • Applying for a work permit with an LMIA based job offer.
  • Receive a work permit under the International Mobility Program.
  • Work without a permit, when possible.

Moving to Canada permanently

To permanently move to Canada, you must immigrate. However, the immigration options for Americans are pretty much the same as other nations.

• Family reunification: You could move to Canada permanently via any of these family reunification options:
  • Spouse or common-law partners outside Canada
  • In-Canada class spouse or common-law partners
  • Parental sponsorship
  • Other relatives such as siblings
• Economic immigration: You could immigrate to Canada if you meet the requirements of any of these programs:
  • Express Entry:  For skilled workers, people with Canadian work experience or skilled trades professionals.
  • Federal self-employed: For self-employed artists or athletes or coaches.
  • Start-up visa: For innovators who receive a support letter from a designated organization.
  • Caregiver pilot program: For those who meet the qualifications as caregivers for children, the elderly or the sick.
  • Rural and Northern pilot program: For those who receive a job offer from an approved employer in these areas:
    • West Kootenay
    • Vernon
    • Claresholm
    • Moose Jaw
    • Altona/Rhineland
    • Brandon
    • Thunder Bay
    • Sault Ste. Marie
    • Timmins
    • Sudbury
    • North Bay
  • Agri-Food immigration pilot program
  • Atlantic pilot program
  • Quebec immigration programs
  • Provincial Nominee Program
• Seeking asylum: Americans rarely succeed to immigrate to Canada as refugees. However, if you believe this is the option you deserve to take, let us know.

When you move to Canada permanently, you must meet the residency requirements to remain a permanent resident. Of course, you could eventually become a naturalized Canadian citizen.

Can a US citizen who is an inadmissible move to Canada?

If you are inadmissible to Canada, you could still move to Canada under one of these conditions:

• Resolve the inadmissibility issue through one of the available avenues, such as
  • Record suspension or acquittal
  • Deemed rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation
  • Ministerial relief
• Immigrate on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds
• Receive a Temporary Resident Permit

If Canadian authorities have deported you, an application for Authorization to Return to Canada is also on the table.

Are you ready to move to Canada?

If you are ready to move to Canada as a US citizen or have any questions, please fill out this form. Of course, we will review the form and will contact you accordingly. Make sure your email address is correct, as our initial contact will be via an email.

If you wish to visit or move to Canada, please fill out our free assessment form. We will review it for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal advice from a licenced practitioner.

Al Parsai, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada

Disclaimer:
This article provides information of a general nature only. Considering the fluid nature of the immigration world, it may no longer be current. Of course, the item does not give legal advice. Therefore, please do not rely on it as legal advice or immigration advice. Consequently, no one could hold us accountable for the content of these articles. Of course, if you have specific legal questions, you must consult a lawyer. Alternatively, if you are looking for immigration advice, book an appointment.

The characters and places in the articles:
All the characters and locations in the articles are fictional, unless otherwise clearly stated. Therefore, any resemblance in names, dates, and places is coincidental.

Important Notes:
For our official addresses, trust this website only. We currently do not have offices outside Canada. Therefore, anyone who claims to be our agent is committing fraud. Also, note that we do not issue any work permits or study permits or similar documents. The government of Canada has the sole authority to issue such material.