The Great White North is appealing for many US citizens, and if you’re one of them, you must be wondering how to immigrate to Canada from the USA. People opt to do this for various reasons, including better work opportunities, pursuing higher education, reuniting with a family member, or simply getting a new experience of life in another country. But, whatever reasons you’ve got, it’s vital to study your situation and requirements in depth before applying.
The great thing about Canadian immigration is that the rules and applications are straightforward and that the Government lets you know what criteria are taken into consideration. Still, before you start with the process, you need to be acquainted with how it goes. So, let’s dig into the specifics.
How to Immigrate to Canada From the US?
There’s not a single method that applies to all moving overseas to the Great White North situations. First of all, Canada has ten provinces and three territories, so deciding where you want to head makes it easier to look for specific info. Second, not all motivation is the same, and the criteria differ depending on the documents you wish to obtain. There are different programs based on the most common reasons people have for applying. Thus you can be eligible as a skilled worker, student, or simply a part of the family of someone who has permanent Canadian citizenship. Once you figure out what your reasons for living overseas are, you can start looking for the right program.
How to Immigrate to Canada Without Job Offer?
Many people are worried that if they don’t have a vacancy waiting for them or can’t think of relocation questions to ask the employer, they won’t get the chance to enter the country. However, this is completely not true. The good news is that the Great White North has a booming economy, and its own population isn’t big enough to meet this demand. Because of this, the country is more than willing to accept new workers from the US and other countries if they believe they can help them overcome this shortage. There are two programs for workers – one is the Express Entry, and the other is the Provincial Nominee Program. They are both designed to alleviate the job search and help you immediately fit into the Canadian job market if you’re moving internationally from the States.
What Are the Requirements to Immigrate to Canada?
The requirements for immigration and citizenship differ from one program to the other. Moving to Canada is a broad notion, and it covers different applications, so moving to another country for love is a whole different case than if you’re going to the Great White North for the sake of breaking the language barrier. So, what options are there?
Express Entry for Skilled Workers
If you’ve got the education and tools to contribute to the Canadian job market, you can consider applying for the Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program, which are related to a degree. You can see whether you’re eligible to apply by filling out an online questionnaire, which will ask you about your personal data, motivations, language skills, education, and work experience. The information you give out will be used to form a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and then your application will be entered into the pool for one of the following strands:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program – for an applicant with experience in managerial positions,
- Federal Skilled Trades Program – for people interested in trade,
- Canada Experience Class – for immigrants who have at least one year of experience how to work in the country in one of these positions.
Maximizing your score on CRS is paramount since you’ll be competing with people from all over the world, and in order to get ITA, an invitation to apply, you must show yourself in the best possible light if you want to get a new chance to learn how to live in another country. But, you should know that you can’t immigrate to Quebec via Express Entry because the province has its own rules and regulations on the issue.
Provincial Nominee Program for Skilled Workers
Depending on what industries are the backbone of the economy in different provinces, these have varying priorities. Still, if you are seen as someone who can make a change, the provincial bodies will be happy to have you on a permanent basis. One of the best countries to live in developed this complex system to make the most of its potential, and what all PNPs have in common is:
- In-demand categories – If your job is what the province really needs, you have better chances of succeeding.
- Skilled worker categories – A portion for these is taken from the express entry applications, and if you choose to apply directly for a certain province, your competition will be shrunk.
- International graduate categories – If you studied at a Canadian Uni or school, you can choose to stay in your province via this option.
Student Immigration
Many people wonder how to prepare to study in Canada and what makes them eligible to become part of the country’s education system. If you are curious to learn how to live abroad as a student or perhaps even try learning a language abroad, you can choose from a plethora of opportunities. This welfare state takes in secondary school students, undergraduates, bachelors, and even people who would simply like to study the language here while making the most of moving abroad. Most of these programs are connected to scholarships you get and are temporarily limited. Besides, what is taken into account is the country you’re coming from, your previous academic achievements, and your motives to continue your studies in the Great White North. It would be wise to learn more about studying in Canada here before you opt for the particular option and get ready to start your application.
Immigrate to Canada Through Family Sponsorship
If you have a family member, and that can be a spouse, relative, or even your kid who is a permanent resident or citizen of the country, they can help you through family sponsorship. They must be at least 18 years old to be able to do this, and be financially stable and guarantee that you won’t be needing the country’s social assistance. One of the best places to live abroad with family is very helpful when it comes to reuniting families, but if you opt to try getting a visa like this, be prepared to go through thorough checks, especially if your spouse is financing you, and keep in mind that there is a fee to apply for this.
What Is the Easiest Way to Immigrate to Canada?
There are so many different pathways to relocate to the Great White North, and if you were wondering how to immigrate to Canada from the USA, you will have more than one option ahead. Still, to help you with the process, we sifted through the top four easiest ways. So, without further ado, here’s the answer to your questions: how hard is it to immigrate to Canada, and how long does it take to immigrate to Canada:
- The Express Entry – We mentioned it above, and it really is one of the most simple ways to relocate. The average visa process takes about six months, and you can apply online, even if you’re moving across the world. You have to take a test to see whether you qualify, and if you do, you’ll be part of draws that take place every two weeks. So, this is ideal if you’re not aiming at immigration to Quebec.
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) – This one also takes six months on average, and it was designed to help skilled workers who’d like to work in the Atlantic part of the country (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.) If you want to reduce the cost of living in Canada, these places are ideal, and if your job is in demand here, getting permanent residency won’t be difficult at all.
- The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) – If you’re interested in moving to Vancouver and seeing what living in Vancouver or other BC cities looks like, this option is ideal. Since British Columbia is an innovative tech hub, they take in a skilled workforce in demand much quicker than the other provinces. If you apply for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program online, you can strike it lucky and finish the process in two to three months. Not only does the province have draws more often than Express Entry, but it also regularly takes in a large number of newcomers.
- Global Talent Stream – Though the Global Talent Stream is definitely more in the category of visa and documents needed to travel abroad since it lasts only for six months, it could be a good solution. If your employer is eligible to recommend you for this, sometimes the process is done in less than a month. You get to work in the province of your choice, and should you want permanent residency, you can apply for it once you’re already in the Great White North.
How Much Money Do You Need to Immigrate to Canada Without Help From the Government?
Regardless of whether you want to experience living in Toronto, try out living in Calgary, or even living in Montreal, you’ll need to have settlement funds ready for the Immigration Commission. This is done because, even if you find the cheapest place to live in Canada, you’ll need to get through the first couple of months and wrestle with all the costs. The Government wants to ensure that you won’t be on the dole, which is why you can not just jump on the plane and come. Still, if you managed to land one of many jobs in Canada, and you have proof of that, this doesn’t apply, and you don’t have to worry about funding. Last but not least, all application streams have their own fees that need to be covered, and if you have a large family you’re relocating to one of the friendliest countries in the world, it could also be an expense. And, if you’re moving to Canada with pets, you might face additional costs due to special regulations. Finally, if you’re considering overseas shipping for your belongings, that’ll also impact your budget to a degree. Take a look at the following video if you’d like to learn more about this.
Canadian Immigration – What Language Do You Need and What Options Do You Have?
We know you’re most probably a native speaker of the English language, but you’ll still have to take a test to prove it. With the exception of some temporary visas and Family Sponsorship, most programs require a language test in English or French. The test you’ll need will be determined by the type of visa you’re after, and it’s not the same if you want to go through Express Entry or immigrate to Quebec, for example. Still, you should know that the test must be less than two years old, you schedule it in one of the language boards that the Government approved, and the evaluation is processed according to the Canadian Language Benchmarks.
Is It Difficult to Immigrate to Canada?
Though the question “how do I immigrate to Canada” sometimes seems complex and hard to grasp, once you go through your options, you’ll see that getting citizenship is easier than it seems. The great thing about immigration here is that there’s a large number of expat communities, and you won’t have a problem with getting experience from other people or help once you settle. So, when you determine what your motivations are, you can see what is right for you or how to make some programs fit your needs.
Ready to Move?
If you think you know the answer to “how can I immigrate to Canada” by now, the only thing left is to hire a reputable overseas moving company. Professionals can help you if you want international moving services, provide you with top-rate packing services and boxes and moving supplies, as well as custom crating services in case you’ve got valuables. And, if you need state-of-the-art storage facilities while you’re house-hunting, that can also be arranged. Finally, if you’d like to have your car or even boat with you on your journey – overseas vehicle shipping and oversized freight services will grant they’re transported without a hitch. The Great White North is constantly experiencing an increased influx of newcomers, so why not see firsthand what its beauty and charm are?
