“Move to Canada from USA”

That search term – “move to Canada from USA” – hit Google like the plague a few days ago as hundreds of millions of Americans hit the ballots to vote for their next President. And though the results came as surprising to many, the time has come: Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States.

Wow.

So to help all of our American friends, we’ve compiled this fairly exhaustive resource of how to move to Canada in case you feel the need to flee.

Moving to Canada from USA Method 1: Get a family member to sponsor you (Family Class Immigrant)

There are three categories of people eligible to be sponsored into Canadian residency.

Group 1: Parents, grandparents, adopted children and other relatives

You must meet one of these criteria:

Your family member in Canada must meet all of these criteria:

Your family member in Canada must NOT meet any of these criteria:

Be a parent or grandparent of someone in Canada
Be a child adopted outside Canada by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada at the time the adoption took place, or be a child intended to be adopted in Canada
Be a brother or sister, nephew or niece, grandson or granddaughter, under 18 years of age and do not have a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
Be any other person with whom the sponsor has a family relationship if they do not have a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, son, daughter, mother, father, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, uncle, aunt, niece or nephew who is a Canadian citizen, a registered Indian, a permanent resident or whom they may sponsor. If you think this may be your case, it’s advised that you contact a Citizenship and Immigration Canada Call Centre. For citizenship and immigration questions, reach them at 1-888-242-2100, or for permanent residence information, reach them at 1-800-255-4541. If you reside outside of Canada, visit your local Canadian embassy/consulate for more information.

Be 18 years of age or older;
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
Reside in Canada;
Sign an undertaking promising to provide for your basic needs and, if applicable, his or her family members;
Sign an agreement with you that confirms that each of you understands your mutual obligations and responsibilities; and
Meet the necessary income requirement that the Canadian government determines each year. This is currently the “Low Income Cut Off” for sponsoring adopted children and 30% more than “LICO” for parents and grandparents.

Receive social assistance other than disability assistance
Be in default of an undertaking, an immigration loan, a performance bond, or family support payments
Be an un-discharged bankrupt
Have been convicted of a crime causing bodily harm to a relative, such as sexual or violent offenses
Be under a removal order
Be detained in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison

One thing to keep in mind if you plan on going through this process in 2016: as per this press release, the government of Canada has already hit their cap and has stopped accepting applications for parents and grandparents in 2016. That happened just one week into 2016, so if you do plan on applying in 2017, be sure to do it in the first day or two to ensure your application gets through!

Group 2: Spouses, common-law or conjugal partners, or dependent children living outside of Canada

You must meet one of these criteria:

Your family member in Canada must meet all of these criteria:

Your family member in Canada must NOT meet any of these criteria:

Be a common-law partner, who you have lived together with in a conjugal relationship for a period of at least one year (can be of the opposite or the same sex)
Be a conjugal partner that would normally apply as a common-law partner or spouse but their current immigration status has made neither the one-year of continuously living together nor traditional marriage options that are not available to them
Be a dependent child under the age of 19 and not a spouse or common-law partner or someone who has depended substantially on the financial support of a parent since before the age of 19 and are unable to provide for themselves due to a medical condition.

Be 18 years of age or older;
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
Reside in Canada OR if they are a Canadian citizen not living in Canada, they may sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and/or dependent children who have no dependent children of their own. They must demonstrate that they will live in Canada once you become a permanent resident.
Sign an undertaking promising to provide for your basic requirements and, if applicable, your dependent children.

Receive social assistance other than disability assistance
Be in default of an undertaking, an immigration loan, a performance bond, or family support payments
Be an un-discharged bankrupt
Have been convicted of a crime causing bodily harm to a relative, such as sexual or violent offenses
Be under a removal order
Be detained in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison

Group 3: Spouses, common-law partners and dependent children living inside Canada

Who is a spouse or common-law partner? Both must:

Live with you in Canada;
Have a valid passport or travel document;
Be 18 years old or older; and
Be your spouse or common-law partner for genuine reasons and not primarily for the purpose of getting permanent residence in Canada.
Can be opposite sex or same-sex

Spouse

Common Law Partner

Married to you.
If you were married in Canada, you must have a marriage certificate from the province or territory where you got married.
If you were married outside of Canada, the marriage must be legally valid in that place as well as under Canadian law. As a general rule of thumb, your marriage will be valid in Canada as long as it is a) valid in the country in which you were married, and b) also adheres to Canadian marriage laws (no close-relative marriages, maximum one spouse per person, etc.)
If you were married in an embassy or consulate, the marriage must be legal according to the country where the embassy or consulate is located.

Living with you in a conjugal relationship. You must have lived together for 12 months continuously, with no interruptions (You may be apart for short periods for business travel or family reasons). You must provide proof that you have set up a household together.

As we said in Group 2 above, a dependent child must:

Be under the age of 19 and not a spouse or common-law partner; or
Have depended substantially on the financial support of a parent since before the age of 19 and unable to provide for themselves due to a medical condition.

That said, once you’ve identified that you fit into one of the above classifications, look back to Group 2 to see the criteria your sponsor needs to meet.

Two Important Notes:

Since March 2, 2012, if you enter Canada as a sponsored spouse or partner you are not eligible to sponsor a new spouse or partner for a period of 5 years from the date you land in Canada. Contact the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 for more information.
Since October 25, 2012, if you apply to come to Canada as a sponsored spouse or partner, you may be subject to a 2-year conditional permanent resident status, with some exceptions. Contact the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 for more information.

By the way, we’ve mentioned above that you must sign an undertaking promising to provide financially for the well-being of the person being sponsored. Here’s a handy chart showing when that responsibility ends:

Family member type	Your obligations end
Spouse or common-law or conjugal partner	3 years after that person becomes a permanent resident
Dependent child or a dependent child of your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and UNDER 22 years of age on the day he or she becomes a permanent resident	10 years after that child becomes a permanent resident OR on the day that child reaches age 25, whichever comes first
Dependent child or a dependent child of your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and 22 years of age or OVER on the day he or she becomes a permanent resident	3 years after that child becomes a permanent resident
Any other person (e.g., parents, grandparents, or a dependent children of your parents)	10 years after that person becomes a permanent resident

Moving to Canada from USA Method 2: Get a Skilled Worker Visa

The skilled worker class is considered by many to be the most effective way to gain Canadian residency. When applying through this class, officials will consider your age, work experience, education, and the field in which you will be working. You’ll need to match one of the 347 eligible occupations below. Immigration.ca has a free assessment tool for determining your chances of being granted a work visa under the skilled worker program. Do the assessment here and you’ll have your results back in 1-2 business days.

You also need to meet these 6 criteria:

Possess one-year of continuous full-time paid work experience or the equivalent in part-time continuous employment within the previous 10 years in one of 347 eligible occupations listed under the applicable National Occupational Classification system (below); AND
The work experience must be classified within Skill Type 0 (Managerial Occupations), Skill Level A (Professional Occupations), or Skill Level B (Technical Occupations and Skilled Trades) within the meaning of the National Occupational Classification system; AND
Score sufficient points under the skilled worker point grid comprising of six selection factors. The current pass mark is 67 points;
Undergo language testing from a recognized third party and demonstrate intermediate level language skills in English or French corresponding to the Canadian Language Benchmark of 7)
Possess suitable settlement funding;
Undergo a successful security background and medical examination.

Here’s the full list of eligible occupations, with their associated 4-digit NOC code:

0011 Legislators	2123 Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists	3237 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment	6346 Funeral directors and embalmers
0012 Senior government managers and officials	2131 Civil engineers	4011 University professors and lecturers	7201 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
0013 Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services	2132 Mechanical engineers	4012 Post-secondary teaching and research assistants	7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
0014 Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations	2133 Electrical and electronics engineers	4021 College and other vocational instructors	7203 Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
0015 Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services, n.e.c.	2134 Chemical engineers	4031 Secondary school teachers	7204 Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
0016 Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities	2141 Industrial and manufacturing engineers	4032 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers	7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
0111 Financial managers	2142 Metallurgical and materials engineers	4033 Educational counsellors	7231 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
0112 Human resources managers	2143 Mining engineers	4111 Judges	7232 Tool and die makers
0113 Purchasing managers	2144 Geological engineers	4112 Lawyers and Quebec notaries	7233 Sheet metal workers
0114 Other administrative services managers	2145 Petroleum engineers	4151 Psychologists	7234 Boilermakers
0121 Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers	2146 Aerospace engineers	4152 Social workers	7235 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
0122 Banking, credit and other investment managers	2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)	4153 Family, marriage and other related counsellors	7236 Ironworkers
0124 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers	2148 Other professional engineers, n.e.c.	4154 Professional occupations in religion	7237 Welders and related machine operators
0125 Other business services managers	2151 Architects	4155 Probation and parole officers and related occupations	7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
0131 Telecommunication carriers managers	2152 Landscape architects	4156 Employment counsellors	7242 Industrial electricians
0132 Postal and courier services managers	2153 Urban and land use planners	4161 Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers	7243 Power system electricians
0211 Engineering managers	2154 Land surveyors	4162 Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts	7244 Electrical power line and cable workers
0212 Architecture and science managers	2161 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries	4163 Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants	7245 Telecommunications line and cable workers
0213 Computer and information systems managers	2171 Information systems analysts and consultants	4164 Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers	7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers
0311 Managers in health care	2172 Database analysts and data administrators	4165 Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers	7247 Cable television service and maintenance technicians
0411 Government managers – health and social policy development and program administration	2173 Software engineers and designers	4166 Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers	7251 Plumbers
0412 Government managers – economic analysis, policy development and program administration	2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers	4167 Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers	7252 Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
0413 Government managers – education policy development and program administration	2175 Web designers and developers	4168 Program officers unique to government	7253 Gas fitters
0414 Other managers in public administration	2211 Chemical technologists and technicians	4169 Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.	7271 Carpenters
0421 Administrators – post-secondary education and vocational training	2212 Geological and mineral technologists and technicians	4211 Paralegal and related occupations	7272 Cabinetmakers
0422 School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education	2221 Biological technologists and technicians	4212 Social and community service workers	7281 Bricklayers
0423 Managers in social, community and correctional services	2222 Agricultural and fish products inspectors	4214 Early childhood educators and assistants	7282 Concrete finishers
0431 Commissioned police officers	2223 Forestry technologists and technicians	4215 Instructors of persons with disabilities	7283 Tile setters
0432 Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers	2224 Conservation and fishery officers	4216 Other instructors	7284 Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
0433 Commissioned officers of the Canadian Forces	2225 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists	4217 Other religious occupations	7291 Roofers and shinglers
0511 Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers	2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians	4311 Police officers (except commissioned)	7292 Glaziers
0512 Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts	2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians	4312 Firefighters	7293 Insulators
0513 Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors	2233 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians	4313 Non-commissioned ranks of the Canadian Forces	7294 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
0601 Corporate sales managers	2234 Construction estimators	5111 Librarians	7295 Floor covering installers
0621 Retail and wholesale trade managers	2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians	5112 Conservators and curators	7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
0631 Restaurant and food service managers	2242 Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)	5113 Archivists	7302 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
0632 Accommodation service managers	2243 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics	5121 Authors and writers	7303 Supervisors, printing and related occupations
0651 Managers in customer and personal services, n.e.c.	2244 Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors	5122 Editors	7304 Supervisors, railway transport operations
0711 Construction managers	2251 Architectural technologists and technicians	5123 Journalists	7305 Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
0712 Home building and renovation managers	2252 Industrial designers	5125 Translators, terminologists and interpreters	7311 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
0714 Facility operation and maintenance managers	2253 Drafting technologists and technicians	5131 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations	7312 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
0731 Managers in transportation	2254 Land survey technologists and technicians	5132 Conductors, composers and arrangers	7313 Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
0811 Managers in natural resources production and fishing	2255 Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology	5133 Musicians and singers	7314 Railway Carmen/women
0821 Managers in agriculture	2261 Non-destructive testers and inspection technicians	5134 Dancers	7315 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
0822 Managers in horticulture	2262 Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers	5135 Actors and comedians	7316 Machine fitters
0823 Managers in aquaculture	2263 Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety	5136 Painters, sculptors and other visual artists	7318 Elevator constructors and mechanics
0911 Manufacturing managers	2264 Construction inspectors	5211 Library and public archive technicians	7321 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
0912 Utilities managers	2271 Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors	5212 Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries	7322 Motor vehicle body repairers
1111 Financial auditors and accountants	2272 Air traffic controllers and related occupations	5221 Photographers	7331 Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
1112 Financial and investment analysts	2273 Deck officers, water transport	5222 Film and video camera operators	7332 Appliance servicers and repairers
1113 Securities agents, investment dealers and brokers	2274 Engineer officers, water transport	5223 Graphic arts technicians	7333 Electrical mechanics
1114 Other financial officers	2275 Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators	5224 Broadcast technicians	7334 Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
1121 Human resources professionals	2281 Computer network technicians	5225 Audio and video recording technicians	7335 Other small engine and small equipment repairers
1122 Professional occupations in business management consulting	2282 User support technicians	5226 Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts	7361 Railway and yard locomotive engineers
1123 Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations	2283 Information systems testing technicians	5227 Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts	7362 Railway conductors and brakemen/women
1211 Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers	3011 Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors	5231 Announcers and other broadcasters	7371 Crane operators
1212 Supervisors, finance and insurance office workers	3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses	5232 Other performers, n.e.c.	7372 Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction
1213 Supervisors, library, correspondence and related information workers	3111 Specialist physicians	5241 Graphic designers and illustrators	7373 Water well drillers
1214 Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations	3112 General practitioners and family physicians	5242 Interior designers and interior decorators	7381 Printing press operators
1215 Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling co-ordination occupations	3113 Dentists	5243 Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers	7384 Other trades and related occupations, n.e.c.
1221 Administrative officers	3114 Veterinarians	5244 Artisans and craftspersons	8211 Supervisors, logging and forestry
1222 Executive assistants	3121 Optometrists	5245 Patternmakers – textile, leather and fur products	8221 Supervisors, mining and quarrying
1223 Human resources and recruitment officers	3122 Chiropractors	5251 Athletes	8222 Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
1224 Property administrators	3124 Allied primary health practitioners	5252 Coaches	8231 Underground production and development miners
1225 Purchasing agents and officers	3125 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating	5253 Sports officials and referees	8232 Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
1226 Conference and event planners	3131 Pharmacists	5254 Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness	8241 Logging machinery operators
1227 Court officers and justices of the peace	3132 Dietitians and nutritionists	6211 Retail sales supervisors	8252 Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers8255 Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
1228 Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers	3141 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists	6221 Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade	8261 Fishing masters and officers
1241 Administrative assistants	3142 Physiotherapists	6222 Retail and wholesale buyers	8262 Fishermen/women
1242 Legal administrative assistants	3143 Occupational therapists	6231 Insurance agents and brokers	9211 Supervisors, mineral and metal processing
1243 Medical administrative assistants	3144 Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment	6232 Real estate agents and salespersons	9212 Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
1251 Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations	3211 Medical laboratory technologists	6235 Financial sales representatives	9213 Supervisors, food, beverage and associated products processing
1252 Health information management occupations	3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants	6311 Food service supervisors	9214 Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing
1253 Records management technicians	3213 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians	6312 Executive housekeepers	9215 Supervisors, forest products processing
1254 Statistical officers and related research support occupations	3214 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists	6313 Accommodation, travel, tourism and related services supervisors	9217 Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing
1311 Accounting technicians and bookkeepers	3215 Medical radiation technologists	6314 Customer and information services supervisors	9221 Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling
1312 Insurance adjusters and claims examiners	3216 Medical sonographers	6315 Cleaning supervisors	9222 Supervisors, electronics manufacturing
1313 Insurance underwriters	3217 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.	6316 Other services supervisors	9223 Supervisors, electrical products manufacturing
1314 Assessors, valuators and appraisers	3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)	6321 Chefs	9224 Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing
1315 Customs, ship and other brokers	3221 Denturists	6322 Cooks	9226 Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing
2111 Physicists and astronomers	3222 Dental hygienists and dental therapists	6331 Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale	9227 Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly
2112 Chemists	3223 Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants	6332 Bakers	9231 Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing
2113 Geoscientists and oceanographers	3231 Opticians	6341 Hairstylists and barbers	9232 Petroleum, gas and chemical process operators
2114 Meteorologists and climatologists	3232 Practitioners of natural healing	6342 Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners	9235 Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators
2115 Other professional occupations in physical sciences	3233 Licensed practical nurses	6343 Shoe repairers and shoemakers	9241 Power engineers and power systems operators
2121 Biologists and related scientists	3234 Paramedical occupations	6344 Jewellers, jewellery and watch repairers and related occupations	9243 Water and waste treatment plant operators
2122 Forestry professionals	3236 Massage therapists	6345 Upholsterers

Moving to Canada from USA Method 3: Get a Business Visa

There are 3 types of business visas available to prospective immigrants to Canada: the Entrepreneur Program, the Self-Employed Program, and the Investor Program. They all require that applicants earn sufficient points in the selection factors to meet the pass mark, of which the selection factors include points awarded for education, proficiency in Canadian official languages, work experience, age, and adaptability factors to life in Canada.

Here are the program-specific eligibility criteria for each of the three:

Entrepreneur Program

Demonstrate business experience. This means that you must have managed and controlled a percent of equity of a qualifying business;
Possess a minimum net worth of $300,000 CDN of legally acquired funds;
Have the intention and ability to own and actively manage a Qualifying Canadian Business within three years of becoming a permanent resident;
Create at least one-full time employment for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;

You can use this assessment form by workpermit.com to see if you could be a good fit for the program.

Self-Employed Program

Demonstrate at least 2 years’ experience of self-employment in cultural activities or in athletics, and participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics, or farm management experience;
Possess sufficient funds to support their family upon their arrival (Quebec specifies $100,000 is necessary)
Possess the intention and ability to establish a business that will generate self-employment;
Make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada or purchase and manage a farm in Canada;

Investor

Possess a minimum net worth of $10 million CAD of legally acquired funds
Required to invest a minimum of $2 million for a minimum of 15 years into the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital fund

There are other ways to get into Canada –provincial immigration and Quebec-selected immigration, for example – but we’re not going to talk about them here.

Why? For a number of reasons, the most prominent being that if you aren’t eligible for any of the three methods above, then there’s a very, very slim chance that you’re going to be eligible for another method. Do yourself a favour and go deep on one or several of the first three before looking at other options.

Let us know if you have experience trying any of these methods! It’s never easy moving to a new country, but we’re here to help you along the way 🙂

Also, since so many of you have been asking us for them, here's our full list of country-specific posts outlining how to ship anything from Amazon to any country in the world. Our 2-step method makes it as simple as humanly possible, and takes about 3 minutes total: Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Asia as a whole, Europe as a whole and the United Arab Emirates.

And here's another post on how to log out of Amazon.

While you're at it, international travelers should read our N26 review for the best way to get free ATM withdrawals the best rates on currency conversion - anywhere in the world.

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