Move to Canada from the US

If you are looking for the quickest way to move to Canada, it would typically be as a temporary resident. This would include as a worker, or as a student. American citizens benefit from quick processing of work permit and study permit applications as they can apply on entry into Canada. This means they do not have to wait for their applications to be approved before seeking entry to Canada. This can cut down on months of processing times.

If an American citizen is looking to move to Canada from the US as a student, they would first need to be accepted into a designated learning institution (DLI). A DLI is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. Once they receive an official acceptance letter, they will need to gather their supporting documents before applying at a port of entry.  Students are required to prove they have enough money to pay for their tuition fees, living expenses and return transportation.

If an American citizen is looking to move to Canada from the US as a worker, they would first need a qualifying job offer. Depending on the job offer, the Canadian employer may or may not need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment before the employee could apply for a work permit. Work permits can be issued for up to three years depending on the job offer. Spouse’s of some skilled workers would also be eligible for their own open work permit.

The easiest way to move to Canada from the US is the Federal Skilled Worker program. The Federal Skilled Worker program allows individuals from around the world to apply for Canadian permanent residency based on a variety of factors which include age, education, work experience, and English or French language skills. The Federal Skilled Worker Program does not require a job offer in order to be eligible, nor does it require any Canadian work experience, making it the easiest Canadian immigration option for prospective immigrants from around the world. Those wishing to apply through the Federal Skilled Worker Program must create an Express Entry profile and enter the Express Entry Pool of applicants. Once applicants enter the Express Entry pool, they are given a score based on their age, education, work experience, language abilities in English and/or French, and any connections they have to Canada. If the applicant’s score is high enough, they will be invited to apply for Permanent Residence. If an applicant’s score is not high enough, then they will need to increase it, or they will not be invited to apply for permanent residence.

Canadian Citizens or a Permanent Residents of Canada are able to apply to sponsor their foreign national spouse, common law partner or conjugal partner to move to Canada from the US, or any country. This includes same-sex spouses and partners.

To qualify as common-law partners, you would have to be able to show that you and your partner had been cohabitating for a minimum of twelve months preceding the date of submitting your application.

If you are a Canadian permanent resident, you must be living in Canada when submitting the application. Only Canadian citizens can apply to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner while residing outside of Canada. If you are a Canadian citizen who is residing outside of Canada, you need to be able to satisfy an officer that you will live in Canada when the persons you want to sponsor becomes a permanent resident.

There is no set amount of money that the sponsor needs to have to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner unless you’re sponsoring a spouse or partner that has a dependent child, and their dependent child has one or more children of their own.

The application is a two part process. First the sponsor is assessed to see if they meet the definition of a sponsor and then the foreign national is assessed to see if they meet the eligibility requirements.

For those looking to move to Canada from the US based on an investment, there are several different options. For those looking to invest in Canada, there is one programs which only requires a financial investment, and there are several programs which require a financial investment into a Canadian business as well as the requirement to work in the business.

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) is designed for those looking to invest in Canada without the requirement to work in Canada.

To qualify for the QIIP, there are a few critical eligibility requirements to take note of. These expectations ensure that applicants have the financial capability and relevant experience to contribute to Quebec’s economic landscape. Before you set out on the application process for the QIIP, be sure you meet all the following criteria:

Minimum Net Worth

You must have a minimum net worth of CAD $2 million, which can be acquired alone or with the help of your spouse or common-law partner if they are immigrating with you. This net worth must be legally obtained and can include assets such as property, bank accounts, pension funds, stocks, and shares.

Business or Management Experience

In order to be eligible for the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program you need to have a minimum of two years full-time management experience within the last five years. This experience must be in a specific enterprise (agricultural, commercial, industrial), or in a government or international agency. Your experience should involve the planning, supervision, and control of financial, human and/or material resources. If you acquired your management experience in a professional capacity, the company you managed must have employed at least two full-time employees, not including yourself.

Investment in Quebec

As mentioned, the QIIP hinges on you making a five-year term, risk-free investment of CAD $1 million, and a $200,000 financial contribution to Investissement Quebec Immigrants Investisseurs Inc. This CAD $1 million investment is refundable and the CAD $200,000 is a non-refundable financial contribution. These investments do not collect interest and must be made within 120 days of receiving an immigration acceptance decision.

Language Proficiency

As the primary applicant to the program you will need to have a level 7 knowledge in oral French (according to the Quebec scale of French proficiency). We suggest taking a language test to ascertain your proficiency level before entering into any immigration journey to Canada, especially for the QIIP.

Your Education Level

Before applying for the QIIP, the main applicant will need to have an education level that equates to at least a Quebec secondary school diploma (high school diploma).

Intention to Settle

In order to ensure you are committed to living and integrating into Quebec society, you will be required to live in the province for at least 6 months. And after receiving a positive decision on your QIIP application, you will be granted a work permit from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI). Within the next two years of the issuance of the work permit, you must complete a stay in Quebec of at least 12 month. The 12 month stay in Quebec can be split 6 months between spouses, if applicable. During this period, at least 6 months must be completed by you as the main applicant, and the remaining 6 months can be completed by you or your spouse or common-law partner.

Book a consultation with our Quebec RCIC/QRCI – Judith, who will be able to advise you on your Quebec Immigration needs.

Provincial Entrepreneur Programs

For those looking to move to Canada from the US by investing in a business, several provinces across Canada have provincial entrepreneur programs available. These require potential investors to either purchase an existing business, or invest in starting a new business in Canada. Each province has their own requirements in terms of how much money you need to invest, which types of businesses are eligible, how much business management experience you need to have, your language proficiency, your educational background, and your total net worth. Many provinces now use an Expression of Interest (EOI) system where applicants are scored based on their proposed business plan, and only those with the highest score are selected to move forward. To learn more about the different entrepreneur programs available across Canada, speak to one of our experts.