Immigrating to Canada from the US

Canadian Family Visas

Family Sponsorship for US Citizens: There are a number of family visas available to eligible US citizens who wish to come to Canada to join a family member.

Spousal Sponsorship: As with the majority of family sponsorship routes, it is possible for a Canadian citizen’s overseas spouse to join them. However, unlike the USA, it is also possible for an unmarried partner (de facto spouse, or common law partner) to join their partner in Canada.

To be eligible to join your common-law partner in Canada, you must prove that you meet the legal definition of common-law status. This typically means having cohabited for at least one year and lived in a committed relationship.

It is likely that you and your partner will be required to attend a sponsorship interview for the purposes of demonstrating the genuineness of the relationship.

Child Sponsorship: If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be able to sponsor your spouse, partner, or dependent child.

You must prove that you can financially support your child and ensure they do no need social assistance from the government.

Additionally, you should ensure the following apply to your situation:

• You are aged over 18 years old
• You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act
• You are not in receipt of social assistance (except for reasons related to a disability)
• You can financially support the child you want to sponsor for a period of time (a promise of undertaking)

Canadian Work Visas

Federal Skilled Worker​ Program: This program has been designed for individuals who plan to immigrate to Canada on a permanent basis.

Applicants may apply through the Express Entry system if they meet the eligibility criteria. These include:

• Relevant skilled work experience
• English or French language ability
• Relevant educational background/qualification
• Proof of sufficient financial resources
• Admissible under Canadian immigration law

Canadian Experience Class: The purpose of this program is to enable skilled workers with work experience from Canada who want to become permanent residents of the country.

Some requirements include:

• The appropriate level of English or French language skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening depending on the type of job you wish to undertake
• A minimum of 12 months of full-time, paid work experience in Canada in the previous three years
• Skilled work experience may refer to managerial, professional, or technical jobs and skilled trades
• You plan to live in a province or territory other than Quebec

Canadian Express Entry: American citizens can access this system as part of their application for permanent residence in Canada.

The purpose of the points-based system is to give an approximation of the likelihood of an applicant receiving a successful decision on their application.

The Express Entry program can be used by applicants to the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class, or Provincial Nomination Program.

Federal Skilled Trades Program: Applicants to this program must demonstrate that they have eligible experience in the occupation under which they are applying.

Even if you are an American citizen, you will need to pass a test to prove that your English language skills are at an acceptable level.

You can improve your score if you have relevant experience or qualifications (either obtained in Canada or an equivalent one in another country).

Other ways to immigrate to Canada from the US

There are additional routes to immigrate from the US to Canada. One of these routes is the North American Free Trade Agreement.

This has since been replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The purpose of the agreement is to make trade easier between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

It allows for the temporary and reciprocal entry of citizens of each of the three countries to undertake short-term work.

Some of the NAFTA/USMCA programs include:

• NAFTA Investor Work Permit
• NAFTA Intra-Company Transfer
• NAFTA Professional Visa

Additionally, depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for one of the following routes:

• Atlantic Immigration Pilot: This route is for individuals who have graduated from an educational institute or are working in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland and Labrador
• Caregivers: You may be eligible to immigrate if you intend to provide care for children, the elderly, or those with special medical needs
• Self-employed: Some self-employed individuals in cultural or athletic fields may be able to immigrate to Canada
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot: This pilot route is for individuals who can support local economies of smaller areas
• Agri-Food Pilot: Some overseas individuals may be eligible to work in certain agri-food industries and roles
• Health-care workers permanent residence pathway: This is for people with refugee status working in the health-care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Temporary resident to permanent resident pathway: A limited-time pathway for some temporary workers in Canada and their families
• Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents: Pathways to permanent residence for citizens of Hong Kong living in Canada
• Refugees: Individuals qualifying as refugees