US Citizens Becoming Canadian
Americans Seeking To Move To Canada
The day after the first debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden Kahane Law Offices received calls from Americans seeking options to move to Canada. It has been a growing trend to get calls about US Citizens Becoming Canadian.
Independent of the current political climate in the United States there have always been Americans seeking to relocate to Canada. This stems in part from long-time social and economic ties between the two nations. The United States is among the leading source countries for workers, students, visitors, and immigrants. They bring skills, investment, training and more to their new home country. The immigration lawyers at Kahane Law Office, with offices in both Calgary and Edmonton, help make things easier for US citizens becoming Canadian. We help help people no matter which province they intend to make their new home.
Methods US Citizens Becoming Canadian Use
Many existing methods exist for US Citizens Becoming Canadian. For example, the following include some of the most practical options for Americans moving to Canada:
Americans With A Canadian Parent
U.S.-born citizens with a Canadian parent can automatically get Canadian citizenship. Such individuals must request a Citizenship Certificate. It confirms citizenship by descent. This mean the person is entitled to live and work in Canada and obtain the same benefits as any other Canadian born here.
Family Sponsorship
If your spouse or common-law partner is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, he or she may sponsor you to become a permanent resident.
Further, as a permanent resident you have the right to live and work here and enjoy most of the same benefits every citizen enjoys including healthcare access.
Despite recent delays due to COVID-19, the Canadian government usually aims to fast-track such applications and process them within 12 months. It also facilitates family reunification of parents, grandparents, and dependent children.
US Citizens Becoming Canadian With A Work Permit
If you do not have a Canadian parent, spouse, or common-law partner, you still have the option to obtain work permits.
Work permits fall under two categories.
- There are work permits that require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Employers needing to hire a foreign national must petition the federal government. The prospective employer must show such a hire will not hurt the wages and employment outcomes of workers in Canada.
- The second category does not require an LMIA. There are a broad range of permits which exempt LMIAs due to Canada’s social and economic interests.
In addition, due to Canada’s participation in the United States-Canada-Mexico-Agreement (USMCA), formerly NAFTA, Americans are eligible to work permits without LMIA.
USMCA offers U.S. citizens a more seamless way of working here, so long as they have a job lined up either through their current or prospective employer. Or they need to demonstrate a willingness to engage in substantial trade or investments in Canada.
Skilled Workers
Canada, like the United States, is a federal country. Unlike the Unites States, Canada’s provinces (states) and territorial governments share constitutional authority with the federal government to select immigrants. This helps when people seek out information about US Citizens becoming Canadian.
This shared authority results in having over 50 different merit-based immigration pathways for skilled workers. Consequently, immigration lawyers who assist in this process, provide a mechanism to maximize these as appropriate.
The main way for American to obtain permanent residence as skilled workers is through Express Entry. Under Express Entry, candidates must create a profile. Candidates receive scores based on age, education, language skills, work experience, and family ties in Canada, among other criteria.
Every two weeks, the Department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invites the highest scoring candidates to apply for permanent residence. Candidates then submit their permanent residence application to IRCC. IRCC aims to process applications in six months or less.
Similarly, the next best way to obtain permanent residence as a skilled worker is by being nominated by one of Canada’s provinces (states) or territories. Nearly every province and territory operate their own immigration program. Nominations are based on local labour market needs.
Lastly, as an American and provided certain requirements are met, you can apply to a provincial or territory nominee program to obtain a nomination certificate. With the nomination certificate, you can submit your permanent residence application to IRCC.
Kahane Law Offices Here To Help US Citizens Becoming Canadian
kahaHelp for US Citizens becoming Canadian is just an email away. If you want to relocate to Canada, please call 403-225-8810 or 1-877-225-8817. Kahane Law Offices has the experience to give you, your family, and friends the advice needed to successfully relocate and live in Canada. Lastly, please note: for the fastest response, please email us. Our email address for immigration assistance is this email address for immigration help.
The content on this article is provided for general information purposes only. Specifically, it does not constitute specific legal or professional advice of any kind.