Planning to settle in the Great White North? As more Americans consider a life beyond the U.S., Canada stands out as a top choice. The appeal of Canada has grown significantly in recent years, drawing Americans who seek a peaceful and stable environment, inclusive society, and safety, all while maintaining strong connections to their home country. Let’s explore what makes Canada such an attractive destination and how you can move to Canada from the US.

Here’s what’s driving Americans to consider Canada as their new home:

1. Geopolitical Situation

The evolving geopolitical situation in the U.S has led several Americans to consider moving to Canada. Many are drawn to Canada’s relatively stable political climate and liberal policies, with online searches about relocating to Canada often surging during times of political uncertainty.

2. Long Wait for Green Card

For foreign workers in the U.S., Canada’s immigration system offers an attractive alternative to the lengthy U.S. green card process. Recent news reports indicate that more than 1 million Indians are waiting in employment-based immigration backlogs, highlighting issues in the U.S. immigration system. This prolonged waiting period causes distress among individuals and families who once hoped to achieve stability in the U.S., leading many to explore immigration opportunities in Canada, where the process is often quicker and more transparent.

3. Bilateral Relations Between the US and Canada

This political stability is reinforced by the strong bilateral relations between the two nations. Canada and the U.S. share not just a border, but also similar values and common interests that have fostered a deep economic partnership. Their proximity has resulted in robust economic, political, and cultural ties that make the transition smoother for Americans.

The trade and investment between Canada and the U.S. create millions of jobs and ensure the smooth movement of goods and people across the border, which is essential for both economies. For nearly 40 years, a series of free trade agreements have shaped this relationship. The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which began in July 2020, further strengthens Canada’s economic ties with both the U.S. and Mexico, benefiting all three countries.

As top trading partners, Canada and the U.S. saw nearly $3.6 billion (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services crossing the border daily in 2023. This extensive trade network involves significant joint investments, highlighting the interconnected nature of their economies. The U.S. stands as Canada’s largest investor, while Canada has emerged as the biggest source of foreign investment in the U.S. by the end of 2022. Moreover, Canada remains the largest foreign energy supplier to the U.S.

4. Safety and Social Progress

Beyond economic ties, Canada’s reputation for safety draws many Americans. According to the Global Peace Index 2024, Canada ranks as the eleventh-safest country in the world, while the United States sits at 132nd. This stark contrast reflects differences in societal safety, security, and overall peacefulness between the two nations.

5. Same-Sex Marriage

This commitment to social progress extends to civil rights as well. Same-sex marriage could be a good reason for several Americans to settle permanently in Canada. Canada is a tolerant country and recognizes same-sex marriages. Same-sex marriages became legal in Canada in 2005.

Most legal rights, such as a pension, tax benefits, and inheritance, have been extended to same-sex partners. Whether you plan to immigrate, study, work, or just visit Canada to get married, the country’s inclusive same-sex immigration laws can help bring your dreams to life.

6. Transportation

One notable difference between the two countries lies in their approach to urban planning and transportation. While the U.S. largely embraces car-dependent lifestyles, especially in suburban and rural areas, Canadian cities offer more balanced transportation options. While major cities like New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. have relatively robust transit systems, many parts of the country, especially smaller cities and towns, lack adequate public transport infrastructure. Moreover, public transport in major cities in the U.S. is plagued by poor quality services, long wait times, staff shortage, safety issues etc.

While Canada also has suburban areas that rely on cars, cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are known for well-developed transit networks. Canadian cities typically have more concentrated urban areas, making public transport more viable across a larger proportion of the population.

Americans Moving to Canada: Essential Guide for Immigrating Successfully

Pathways to Move to Canada as a Permanent Resident from US

1. Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)

If you’re considering relocating to Canada from the U.S., the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) could be a great option for you. This pathway allows certain skilled business professionals to enter Canada, the U.S., and Mexico more quickly.

One of the advantages of CUSMA is that your employer won’t need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before you move to Canada. An LMIA is a document that employers in Canada usually have to secure to prove there’s a need for a temporary foreign worker because no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available for the job. It’s also important to note that only citizens of the U.S. and Mexico can apply under CUSMA.

Under this trade agreement, various types of business people are covered, including business visitors, professionals, intra-company transferees, traders, and investors. Here’s a closer look at what a business visitor is:

A. Business Visitors

Business visitors come to Canada to engage in specific business activities. These activities can include:

• Research and design
• Growth, manufacturing, and production
• Marketing
• Sales
• Distribution
• After-sales service
• General services like commercial transactions, public relations, advertising, tourism, and translation

B. Professionals

Professionals coming to Canada need a job offer and must have the required education, licensing, and certification for their role. They cannot enter the country to look for work.

You also need to work in one of the skilled occupations under either of the following four categories:

As a CUSMA professional, you must obtain a work permit to work in Canada. To facilitate this, your employer is responsible for submitting a job offer through the employer portal, paying the employer compliance fee, and providing you with an employment offer number before you apply for your work permit.

Typically, your work permit will be valid for the length of your work contract (up to 3 years). If your contract is extended, you can renew your work permit for up to 3 years at a time.

CUSMA Professionals List: All Eligible Occupations

2. Intra-Company Transfer

If you’re an intra-company transferee, it means you’re being sent by your company in the U.S. or Mexico to work for the same organization in Canada. To be eligible, your company needs to have a branch, affiliate, or subsidiary in Canada that’s actively doing business. You also need to be either an executive, manager, or someone with specialized knowledge to qualify.

You’ll need an ICT work permit to make the move. Before you can apply, your employer must submit a job offer through the Employer Portal, pay the compliance fee, and give you an offer of employment number. Once you have that, you can go ahead and apply for your permit.

3. Traders and Investors

Under CUSMA, traders and investors are individuals looking to engage in significant trade of goods or services between Canada, the United States, or Mexico. They may also be interested in starting, growing, or managing investments that involve considerable capital. Additionally, these individuals might provide essential technical services or expert advice related to their operations.

In this role, you would typically be in a supervisory or executive position, or you may possess critical skills necessary for the project. It’s important to note that a work permit is required.

Your employer will need to submit a job offer through the employer portal, pay the employer compliance fee, and provide you with an offer of employment number before you can apply for your work permit. This permit is usually valid for one year but can be extended for up to two years.

Take Professional Help from Licensed Consultants

Moving to Canada is a life-changing decision offering new opportunities, diverse culture, free basic healthcare and a good quality of life. For Americans looking to make this transition, the strong bilateral relations and programs like CUSMA make the immigration journey more streamlined than ever before. Whether you’re drawn by the political stability, safer communities, efficient public transit, or progressive social policies, settling in Canada is not only achievable but also potentially rewarding.

However, navigating immigration policies and choosing the right pathway can be complex. At ELAAR immigration, our team of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) in U.S.-Canada immigration matters. Our experts can help you understand your options under CUSMA and other programs, ensuring you choose the most suitable path.

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