Options For Americans To Relocate To Canada

Ready to build a life or career in Canada? Whether you’re a US citizen aiming to work temporarily in Canada, considering a permanent move to become a resident, exploring a stay with your Canadian partner or just seeking a temporary escape to Canada for a few years, this guide will help you understand your options. Dive in to discover the pathways and opportunities awaiting you across the border.

Most American citizens can stay in Canada for up to six months with a simple passport. However, you may not work or study as a visitor.

To stay longer than six months, American citizens may request a visitor record. A visitor record will give you a new expiration date by which you need to leave Canada. By getting this document, American citizens can be allowed to stay longer in Canada. How long an American can stay with a visitor record depends on the purpose of the stay and personal situation.

Temporary Residence Options

Work Permit

To secure a work permit, an American citizen first needs a job offer from a Canadian employer. It is quite simple to obtain a job; it is not much different than applying for a job back home. Once you have secured a job offer, you can apply for a work permit at the visa office or upon arrival in Canada. In both cases, I strongly suggest hiring a lawyer so you can avoid any mistakes. Work permits are typically valid for one to three years.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or the new Canada – United States – Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) facilitates obtaining a work permit for American citizens coming to Canada to work as doctors, scientists, accountants, architects, graphic designers, computer system analysts, engineers, interior designers, social workers, lawyers, managers, consultants, professors, etc. The process is quite simple if you have a job offer or contract from a Canadian employer.

For low-skilled occupations or occupations not listed in CUSMA, the Canadian employer would first have to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before they can offer a job to an American citizen. LMIA is a document issued by the Government of Canada so employers can bring a foreign national.

CANADA-U.S.-MEXICO AGREEMENT (CUSMA)

American citizens may work in Canada under CUSMA in one of the following categories:

CUSMA Professional

To qualify as a CUSMA professional, an individual must work in one of over 60 specific professions listed in the agreement, such as teacher, scientist, medical professional, finance professional, or lawyer. The individual must also meet the minimum education and credential requirements for the intended profession in Canada.

CUSMA intra-company transfer

To be eligible for a CUSMA intra-company transfer, applicants must be employees of a U.S. company with a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in Canada. They must have worked for the U.S. employer continuously for at least one of the last three years and must currently be employed as a manager, executive, or employee with specialized knowledge. The transfer must be to a position in the same category in Canada

CUSMA Traders and Investors

To be eligible as a CUSMA trader, an applicant must demonstrate an intention to engage in substantial trade in goods or services between Canada and the U.S. A CUSMA investor must demonstrate that he or she has made a substantial investment in a new or existing Canadian business and is seeking to enter Canada to develop and operate the Canadian business.

Intra-Company Transfer

Canada is one of the top 3 United States’ largest trading partners, and vice versa. This means many American businesses have affiliate offices, branches, or subsidiaries in Canada. The Intra-Company Transfer Program enables international businesses to transfer key employees to Canada without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Similar to CUSMA, employees in executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge roles may be eligible to work in Canada as intra-company transferees and bring their families.

Work Without a Work Permit

There are situations when U.S. citizens can work in Canada without a work permit. This includes those who engage in business or trade in Canada but do not enter the Canadian labour market, known as Business Visitors.

Working Holidays

Working Holidays is part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program and helps people from different countries exchange experiences. U.S. citizens aged 18 to 35 can get an open work permit for 12 months if they have been enrolled in full-time post-secondary study in the past twelve months. Final year students not returning to studies are also eligible.

Permanent Residence Options – Canadian Green Card

As noted, there are different ways to work or live temporarily in Canada, but if you are considering a permanent relocation to Canada, you may want to consider applying for permanent resident status. To secure permanent resident status in Canada more quickly, skilled workers can apply through Express Entry. The Canadian economy needs managers, skilled professionals, and technical experts in trades related to all productive activities. The Canadian Government has created these programs to ensure immigrants coming into Canada can contribute to our economy and have a greater chance of success. Other options include family sponsorship if you have Canadian relatives or a partner, a start-up or entrepreneurial visa if you plan to start a business, or programs offered by specific provinces and territories.

Express Entry

The first step to immigrate to Canada under Express Entry is to create an Express Entry profile and be part of the pool of candidates. Once a profile has been created, the Canadian government determines if the candidate is eligible under an immigration program, and they are accepted into the Express Entry pool.

Eligible candidates are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS is a points-based system used to assess and rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. When you apply through Express Entry, the electronic system will consider your age, work experience, education, and language skills to give you points.

Approximately every two weeks, the Canadian government selects the highest-scoring candidates from the Express Entry pool and sends them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Once a candidate receives an ITA, they have 60 days to submit a permanent residence application. Generally, applications are processed in approximately six to eight months.

All these programs require a good command of English or French. Further, your age may play a key role in the selection process. Younger candidates receive more points under Express Entry. However, older candidates with a post-secondary degree and several years of work experience may be selected based on other factors.

Family Class Sponsorship Program

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouse or common-law partner to obtain Canadian permanent resident status, including same-sex partners. To receive a visa under this immigration program, the sponsor and the sponsored person must prove that their relationship is genuine. The processing standard for spousal sponsorship applications in Canada is approximately 12 months from the date the application is received.

There are different programs under the family category, each has its requirements. However, all the programs under this category are designed to facilitate family reunification in Canada. If your spouse, partner, including same-sex partner, your parents, or children are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, they may be able to sponsor you to obtain permanent residency.

How Can We Help?

We can analyze your own situation and advise you on the best option or program to live temporarily or immigrate to Canada. We can also assist you in applying under a particular immigration program and represent you throughout the entire process from beginning to end.

If you want to make Canada home and are uncertain or confused about several programs, call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our immigration lawyers. Please contact lawyer Melvin Marin at 403-225-8810 or 1-877-225-8817 or email at [email protected].