Things to know before moving to Canada

Recently, there has been a significant surge in the number of Americans moving to Canada. To assist those planning such a relocation, we've created a comprehensive step-by-step guide for moving to Canada from the US. This guide provides insights into Canadian immigration options for U.S. citizens and outlines the best pathways to attain Canadian permanent residency. In 2019, over 10,000 U.S. residents made the transition to Canada. This move offers numerous opportunities, encompassing employment, healthcare, and education, which can greatly benefit both you and your family.

Before you embark on your journey to Canada, be it for a visit, studies, or work, it's vital to understand the legal avenues that allow you to enter and reside in Canada. To become a Canadian permanent resident, one of the most straightforward approaches is to utilize Canada's Express Entry system. This system efficiently processes applications for several of the country's economic immigration programs, with an impressive 80% of applications processed within just six months. These programs include the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC), all of which are competitive and score-based. Meeting program criteria is just the first step; candidates are assessed and ranked against each other, and only the highest-ranking individuals are invited to apply for permanent residence.

Under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which is an economic treaty involving Canada, the United States, and Mexico aimed at promoting trade among these nations, certain categories of temporary workers are permitted to work within each other's countries. CUSMA work permits, issued through the International Mobility Program, are available to American citizens who have received a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. These permits enable them to work in Canada on a temporary basis without the requirement of a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Moreover, they facilitate the streamlined transfer of American employees in managerial or executive roles to Canadian branches of American companies.

Employer Specific Work Permit: If you have a legitimate job offer from a specific employer, you may qualify for an employer-specific work permit, allowing you to enter Canada for work purposes. Typically, an employer-specific work permit necessitates the acquisition of a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which serves as proof that the employer made efforts to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the position before extending the offer to a foreign national. It is important to note that individuals wishing to switch jobs after entering Canada on an employer-specific work permit will need to apply for a new work permit.

Spousal Open Work Permit: For individuals whose spouse or common-law partner is either a temporary foreign worker or an international student in Canada, or for those engaged in the inland sponsorship process, there is the option of obtaining a spousal open work permit. This type of permit is not tied to a specific employer, which means that if you decide to change jobs, you won't need to secure a new work permit, provided your current permit remains valid.

Moving to Canada for educational purposes offers multiple advantages, such as lower tuition fees, shorter visa processing times, and immediate work opportunities. Canadian study permits allow students to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks and holidays. Moreover, the Canadian education system provides opportunities for post-graduate work permits, extending the chances of obtaining Canadian permanent residency.

Most visa applications necessitate the submission of government processing fees, which remain consistent regardless of your nationality or country of origin. The specific processing fees vary based on the immigration program for which you qualify.

For example, applying for a Canadian work permit incurs a fee of $155, while applying for a Canadian study permit costs $150.

In the case of applying for permanent residence, there is an additional fee, known as the Right of Permanent Residence fee (RPFR), which amounts to $490 and must be paid after your application for permanent residence receives approval.

For further details about the expenses associated with your immigration process, you can refer to the provided information.

When it comes to visiting Canada, if you hold a valid U.S. passport, you are not obligated to obtain a Canadian visa or an electronic travel visa (eTA). However, if you are not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or from a visa-exempt country (like the U.S.), you will need a visitor visa to enter Canada.

It's noteworthy that U.S. Green Card holders do not require a Canadian visa for entry into Canada. Nonetheless, if you are traveling to or transiting through a Canadian airport, you will need to obtain an eTA.

Under a visitor visa, you are permitted to stay in Canada for up to 6 months for purposes such as traveling, job hunting, or participating in select short-term study programs. It is essential to note that under a visitor visa, you cannot work, nor are you eligible to apply for a work or study permit from within Canada.

If you hold a valid U.S. passport, you can visit Canada without needing a Canadian visa. However, visitor visas are required for individuals who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, particularly for those from non-visa-exempt countries. U.S. Green Card holders are not obliged to obtain a Canadian visa for entry but should consider an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if traveling by air. Visitor visas grant a legal stay of up to six months for travel, job hunting, and participation in certain short-term study programs. However, they do not allow for employment or permit applications for work or study from within Canada.

Alongside meeting immigration requirements for moving to Canada from the USA, it's imperative to ensure admissibility. Inadmissibility can arise due to medical or criminal reasons. Medical inadmissibility relates to health conditions that may endanger Canadians or place a burden on publicly funded healthcare systems. Criminal inadmissibility pertains to individuals with a criminal record. Overcoming inadmissibility is feasible through various steps, and assistance is available.

Upon deciding to move to Canada from the US, the process of settling in involves finding accommodation, locating schools or employment, and organizing finances and healthcare. Canada offers excellent newcomer services, free of charge, to assist in this transition.

A significant contrast in employment practices arises when transitioning from the United States to Canada, particularly concerning at-will employment. In the U.S., at-will employment means that an employer can terminate an employee for any reason, at any time, without prior notice, and they are not obligated to offer severance upon termination.

Conversely, in Canada, employees enjoy more job security. They are entitled to receive either a two-week notice of termination or an equivalent payment of two weeks' regular salary as severance, depending on their years of service.

Another notable disparity between the U.S. and Canada pertains to workers' rights related to maternity and paternity leave. In the United States, eligible employees may take up to 12 weeks of maternity leave, but this time off is unpaid. In Canada, the regulations are markedly different. Both parents have the opportunity to avail themselves of standard paid leave for 35 weeks or an extended leave lasting 61 weeks. During this period, a portion of the employee's salary is compensated, and their job is secured for their return.

Moving from the United States to Canada does not exempt you from filing or paying U.S. taxes. Bilateral treaties between the U.S. and Canada are in place to prevent tax evasion and dual taxation. While the process of filing taxes in both countries may appear similar with comparable tax structures and extensive paperwork, several crucial distinctions exist.

The most significant variance lies in the fact that if you are working in Canada, you are likely to pay higher taxes. It's important to consider where these tax dollars are allocated. In Canada, they fund various social services, including universal healthcare and education. Conversely, a relatively larger portion of U.S. tax revenue is allocated to support defense programs.

For those who are married or in a common-law partnership, it's important to note that there are no joint tax returns in Canada. Each individual must file their own tax return. However, this doesn't preclude the ability to combine expenses with your partner, such as childcare or charitable donations.

Finding a place to live in Canada is akin to the process in the US, involving searching online, through agents, or newspaper ads, visiting properties, and signing a lease for the desired duration. However, note that lease laws can vary by province or territory in Canada.

One of the significant distinctions between the United States and Canada lies in their healthcare systems. In Canada, every Canadian citizen and permanent resident enjoys access to their respective province's health insurance program, which covers essential hospital and physician services. In the United States, healthcare is typically provided through your employer. However, circumstances such as unemployment or various other factors may leave you unable to afford private insurance in the U.S.

In 2017, a staggering 11% of the U.S. population was without health insurance. This unfortunate statistic does not reflect a lack of health issues among Americans but rather their struggles in accessing medical care due to financial constraints.

In order to seek Canadian citizenship, you are required to hold permanent resident (PR) status in Canada and have a physical presence in the country for a minimum of 1,095 days (approximately equivalent to three years) within the five-year period prior to the date of your application. Notably, any time spent in Canada as a student, visitor, or worker before obtaining permanent resident status within the past five years will be credited as half a day, with a maximum limit of 365 full days, contributing to your total physical presence. Therefore, initiating your stay in Canada at an earlier stage accelerates your journey toward achieving citizenship!