Whether you’re pursuing employment, education, healthcare opportunities, or just a change of scenery, relocating to Canada from the U.S. is an exciting adventure! The Great White North has plenty to offer to new residents, but it’s important to remember that moving abroad takes careful planning. From visa applications to the logistics of the move itself, here is our guide to moving to Canada from the U.S.!
Pathways to Canadian Citizenship
Before you take the leap, it’s critical to understand the variety of paths you can take to move to Canada. If you hope to stay permanently or eventually apply to become a citizen, Canada offers multiple routes—from the Express Entry system to provincial nomination programs and employer-sponsored work permits. By exploring the following avenues, you can ensure a smoother transition and begin the process of emigrating to Canada.
Express Entry
One of the fastest and most popular ways for Americans to move to Canada is through the Express Entry system. This is a points-based immigration program designed for skilled workers that offers a streamlined path to permanent residency in Canada. The Express Entry system evaluates its candidates based on their age, education, work experience, and language proficiency in either English or French. The higher your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, the better chance you have of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for residency. If you receive an ITA after achieving a high CRS score, the process can sometimes take as little as six months to complete. To move through the Express Entry process, you’ll need to provide documentation, including:
- An up-to-date passport—it’s recommended that you renew your passport if it’s within six months of expiration
- Language test results proving your proficiency in English and/or French
- An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify that your diploma or degree meets Canadian standards for education
- A job offer within Canada, including a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- A National Occupational Classification code (NOC), which is used to categorize Canadian jobs based on the training, education, experience, and responsibilities required for those jobs
- Proof of funds demonstrating that you have enough money to move to Canada, including a letter from your bank or financial institution
- Scanned copies of any police certificates for you and any family members who are 18 years or older
Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a pathway to Canadian residency (and eventually citizenship) for those who have skills or experience needed in specific provinces. For example, if you have experience in healthcare, a province with a higher need for that skill may nominate you for residency. A PNP nomination can boost your Express Entry score, potentially giving you the edge you need to gain permanent residency. If you already have a province you’d like to move to, it’s a good idea to look over the PNP options in that province to see if your work experience is needed there. Note that Quebec and Nunavut do not have PNP programs.
Family Sponsorship
Canada’s family sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, or grandparents for permanent residency. To do this, the Canadian relative must apply to become a sponsor, which involves paying application fees, providing biometrics like fingerprints and photos, and submitting documentation for medical exams and police certificates.
Pathways to Canadian Residency
If you want to move to Canada for a certain period of time but don’t necessarily want to stay forever or become a citizen, consider pursuing these avenues for temporary or permanent residency. Permanent residency allows you to live and work in Canada indefinitely, where citizenship grants you additional rights, like voting and getting a Canadian passport. Some of these options may also eventually provide pathways to citizenship in certain circumstances. Below are some of the major pathways to residency in Canada.
Student Visa
Getting a student visa in Canada enables you to study at one of the country’s designated learning institutions (DLI) while creating opportunities for future residence. As an international student, you can take advantage of Canada’s world-renowned universities and colleges while gaining experience working on or off campus. Plus, once you graduate, you may qualify for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), allowing you to remain in the country to work for up to three years and potentially later making you eligible for the Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program.
Temporary Resident Permit
If you’re looking to relocate to Canada but fail to meet the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act‘s (IRPA) requirements due to inadmissibility criteria, you may be refused a permanent resident visa. However, you may be allowed to pursue temporary residency in Canada by way of a temporary resident permit. This permit allows you to stay in Canada for a certain period (typically up to six months) if your reasoning for travel is deemed essential and doesn’t pose a risk to Canadian citizens, such as for a job opportunity or to reunite with family. This path is best for shorter-term stays, but it can serve as a stepping stone toward you meeting eligibility requirements for longer-term stays.
Work Permits
There are two main work permits you can pursue on the path to Canadian residency—LMIA work permits and open work permits. The Labour Market Impact Assessment proves there aren’t any qualified Canadian candidates for the position you’re seeking. While there are a few LMIA-exempt jobs, many jobs in Canada will require a confirmation letter of a positive LMIA before hiring. If you have a job offer, be sure that your employer has applied for an LMIA if necessary. Once approved, you’ll be able to apply for a work permit using your job offer letter, employment contract, and a copy of the LMIA and LMIA number.
Alternatively, open work permits enable you to work with almost any employer in Canada for up to three years—if you are eligible to apply and your employer is eligible to hire you. These permits are typically available to the spouses of skilled workers or students, as well as graduates on a PGWP. Open work permits are more flexible and can allow you to pursue different job opportunities while working toward longer-term Canadian residency or citizenship if you desire—they are also best-suited to those wanting to work in Canada for a shorter or indefinite period of time.
The Logistics of Moving to Canada
Some of the pros of moving to Canada include the country’s robust economy and healthcare system, but it’s important to consider certain cultural and financial factors before moving, including the U.S.-Canadian exchange rate, the housing market, and taxes. Below are key logistical factors to consider before making the move.
The Moving Process
When moving to Canada, you can either hire an international moving company for convenience, or rent a moving truck. If you’re bringing a car, be sure to first research whether it meets Canadian safety and emissions standards before shipping your vehicle or driving it over the border. You should also look into Canadian customs and regulations for household goods, vehicles, and other personal belongings. Many used household items are allowed in duty-free, but you’ll need to prepare a detailed inventory list for customs. If you’re moving with a pet, make sure to complete all the necessary steps for bringing a pet to Canada.
Canadian Housing & Rent
Like in the U.S., the Canadian housing market varies by city. Toronto and Vancouver typically have higher real estate prices compared to comparably-sized American cities like Chicago and Denver. Most rural areas and smaller cities will have more affordable housing options.
Depending on where you plan to move and your financial situation, it may be a good idea to consider renting a home in Canada versus buying one. New Canadian residents debating this choice should consider the 5% rule: if the annual costs of owning a home—including mortgage, taxes, maintenance, etc.—amount to less than 5% of the home’s value, it might be worth it to buy a home, but if they exceed 5%, renting may be the better choice. Renting also may be less stressful than buying a home right away—especially if you’re only planning to live in Canada temporarily.
Exchange Rates
The U.S.-Canadian exchange rate can fluctuate based on either country’s economy, but typically the U.S. dollar (USD) is higher in value than the Canadian dollar (CAD). Currently, $1 USD equates to approximately $1.38 CAD. You can use a currency exchange calculator or apps to keep up with the fluctuating exchange rates.
Canadian Taxes & Banking
As a U.S. citizen living in Canada, you’ll need to navigate both Canadian and U.S. taxes. American expats are required to file their taxes with the IRS, but Canada’s tax system will also apply to income you earn while living there. Fortunately, the U.S.-Canada Tax Treaty helps prevent double taxation, though if you have large holdings in foreign accounts, you’ll have to report them to the U.S. government by filing a Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR). You’ll also want to set up a Canadian bank account to make your daily transactions simpler and help you build credit. Be sure to research Canadian banks with low or zero conversion fees to get the most out of transferring your money. Bear in mind also that sales taxes are generally higher in Canada than the U.S., and prices on goods won’t reflect the total you’ll actually pay due to added provincial and federal taxes at checkout.
Canadian Healthcare
Canada’s universal healthcare system is one of the biggest pros of moving to Canada. As a newcomer, you’ll need to apply for a health card to receive health care in Canada. In some provinces, you may need to wait up to three months before your public health insurance kicks in, so it’s good to have private insurance in the meantime. Once eligible, you can access doctor visits, hospital care, and other essential medical services at little to no cost.
Cultural Differences Between Canada and the US
Once you’ve gone through the proper channels of relocating to Canada from the U.S., it’s time to start settling into life abroad! Life in Canada differs from the U.S. in a number of ways, so be ready for some culture shock and a few adjustments. Canadian winter weather can be harsh, but after donning the right gear and learning to embrace winter activities, you’ll adjust in no time. Other cultural differences you’ll notice include the use of the metric system over the U.S. customary system, French/English bilingual signage, emphasis on politeness and social etiquette, and of course, love for hockey over American football!
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