Immigrating to Canada from the U.S is easier with the availability of several immigration programs and pathways. However, your choice will mostly depend upon your individual circumstances and objectives.
Essentially, U.S residents will also need to meet specific eligibility criteria fixed for each immigration program.
Express Entry- immigration to Canada from the U.S
Express Entry is the Canadian government’s chief method to welcome more foreign skilled workers to Canada. Also, the Express Entry system is not an entire program but a pathway for Canadian immigration that further classifies into three economic class streams: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the CEC, and the FSTP.
This online system sends an invitation to apply for permanent residence to high-scoring candidates under the Comprehensive Ranking System. This CRS score keeps changing with every draw that takes place.
Provincial Nominee Program
Numerous Provincial Nominee Programs are available in 11 of the 13 Canadian provinces and territories; Quebec and Nunavut are exceptions.
These programs specifically select candidates who will more likely meet the requirements of the Canadian labor force based on the specific regions.
PNPs are primarily of two kinds: Enhanced PNP’s that are in sync with Express Entry, and the Base PNP’s usually functioning separately.
Enhanced PNPs invite candidates from the Express Entry pool. Additionally, when they receive a provincial nomination, they also achieve an additional score of 600 points. These points also guarantee an invitation to apply in the following Express Entry draw. Conversely, Base PNPs are suitable for those candidates for ineligible Express Entry candidates. Additionally, immigrating to Canada from the U.S through Base PNP, will need you to receive a nomination from a province. Therefore, you must first directly apply to the province. Once you receive a certificate you will gain eligibility to apply for Canadian permanent residence through the federal government.
Immigrating to Canada from the U.S- CUSMA
CUSMA provides a more simplified path to work in Canada, which was earlier known as NAFTA. Additionally, their Canadian employer will also have a chance to avoid the tedious and costly process of the Labour Market Impact Assessment. LMIA process primarily analyzes the type of impact the foreign nationals will have on the Canadian labor market. Therefore, any Canadian employer must prove that hiring a foreign worker will either impact the labor market positively or neutrally, but not negatively.
Work permits under CUSMA comprise the following four categories:
CUSMA Professionals
CUSMA Professionals must have the eligibility to work in Canada in any of the targeted occupations. These professionals must already hold Canadian employment or a service contract with a company in Canada. Based on their target occupation, they will have to demonstrate education credentials and work experience.
CUSMA- Intra-Company Transfers
ICTs must have a work position in a Mexican or American company if they get a temporary transfer to a Canadian branch or subsidiary of the Mexican employer or one from the U.S. They must also hold a valid previous work experience of one year within the last three years in a competitive position. Additionally, their work type must be managerial, executive, or one with expert knowledge.
CUSMA Traders
CUSMA Traders will need to demonstrate that they intend to execute a substantial trade between their home country and Canada. Substantial Trade implies carrying out at least 50 percent of it between Canada and other countries (either the U.S or Mexico). The trade calculation will depend upon the Trader’s employer exchanging the goods and services, how much value is attached to them or their volume.
CUSMA Investors
CUSMA investors tend to come to Canada after making a considerable investment in a new or established business within the country. Hence, he intends to come to Canada with the intention to direct or build that business. He must prove that he participates substantially in controlling the stakes. Besides this, the essential workers working under the CUSMA investor might also receive work permits.
International Mobility Program and TFWP
People from the U.S can also receive work permits through the International Mobility Program and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. However, one must note that IMP doesn’t require an LMIA process, while TFWP does require it.
Additionally, TFWP works toward bridging the huge labor market gap. Contrarily, IMP provides a wider horizon for Canadian economic, social, and cultural interests.
Immigrating to Canada from the U.S- Family Sponsorship
Permanent residents or citizens who have no medical or criminal inadmissibility issues can sponsor their spouses, partners, parents, grandparents, and children.
Spouses or common-law partners must prove that their relationship is a genuine one and other eligibility criteria such as their age, at least 18 years. Besides this, their partner must also be able to provide for them financially. While their sponsorship decision is underway, they can also access a Spousal Open Work Permit.
Based on certain situations, they could even sponsor their other relatives.
PGWP and Study Permits
The U.S residents will require to study permit once they receive a letter of acceptance from Canada’s Designated Learning Institute.
Post-Graduation Work Permit will also require candidates to show the completion of an educational program through a Canadian DLI. A PGWP will allow the eligible candidate to work in Canada for a maximum period of three years.
Overall, this perfect blend of Canadian study and work experience will provide numerous immigration pathways to those immigrating to Canada from the U.S. Apart from this, even those who have completed their graduation and seek to work in Canada can access a variety of immigration solutions.
Immigrating to Canada from the U.S- Citizenship Proof
Americans born to Canadian citizens of the first generation might navigate the opportunity to obtain Canadian citizenship.
Besides this, a U.S resident can simply have Canadian citizenship, provided he presents proof of citizenship before IRCC. This condition applies to U.S residents irrespective of their parent’s life status, they may or may not be alive. All they have to do is prove that their legal or biological parent held Canadian citizenship at the time of their birth. The birth certificate of the parent, Citizenship Card of Canada, and Canadian certificate are all essential proofs.
