I'm an American, and I need Canada

[charlie82]

Hey, first-time poster here. After that election my family and I are seriously thinking of moving to Canada. I have been to Vancouver and the area before and it's amazing. I understand that there are processes in place to get going, but not really sure what to do to get started. What do I need to do to get started? How much does it cost? Can I just pack up and move? Thanks!

 

[scylla]

No - you certainly cannot just pack up and move. If you try that, you'll be turned around at the border and potentially even issued a one year ban from Canada. You aren't allowed to live here.

If you want to permanently move to Canada, you will have to apply for and be approved for permanent residency (similar to a green card).

Canada has a number of different programs and you'll have to research them to find out what the requirements are and if you qualify to apply. You can find this information here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/apply.asp

Good luck.

 

[vensak]

Check also this thread to understand a bit about steps

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/express-entry-step-by-step-instructions-t273928.0.html

 

[Rob_TO]

Hey, first-time poster here. After that election my family and I are seriously thinking of moving to Canada. I have been to Vancouver and the area before and it's amazing. I understand that there are processes in place to get going, but not really sure what to do to get started. What do I need to do to get started? How much does it cost? Can I just pack up and move? Thanks!

Long story short, you need to have certain education/work skills that are specifically in demand in Canada right now. If you don't then you probably have zero shot of immigrating here permanently. What is you and your spouses's profession?

 

[steaky]

Since you been to Vancouver, you realize how expensive to live there (compare to most of the US)?

 

[mf4361]

Since you been to Vancouver, you realize how expensive to live there (compare to most of the US)?

Visiting a place doesn't necessarily know how is it to live in one. Vancouver CPI is relatively low compare to US but high in Canada. Note CPI isn't included housing prices, only rents. What's more bizarre is Vancouver has low median income within Canada, and very low compared to US, which in turns make it one of the most unaffordable place to live on Earth.

And to OP, as American, you have options like NAFTA work permit or Inter-company transfer permit if that applies to you to move temporarily to Canada (Which could provide route towards permanent residency). That is on top of plain-vanilla FSW program and PNP program for immigrating here.

You can try securing a Canadian job in US, and then try apply for LMIA, but that is a long shot