US Citizen planning to reside in Canada.

[canadiavisitor]

My husband and two small children and I are US Citizens since 2005. We now want to move to Toronto and need to know how to go about it.

Can someone please tell me the following:

1)How long the process usually takes for US Citizens?
2)Can we apply for jobs in Canada prior to PR card approval?
3)Can we reside in Canada as US Citizens prior to PR Card Approval?
4)Who can we contact to get more info?

Any info is greatly appreciated. I want to move closer to my best friend and would like to do so as soon as possible. Thank you!

 

[mandiebraxton]

The FSW rule/guide applies to everyone. As a starting point, go to CIC website and go to immigrating to Canada. The info there will answer all your questions and more.
Mandie

 

[canadiavisitor]

I have been to the website but it doesn't answer most questions. I am in the process of filling forms. How long does process take? Just curious....and also are there any free counselors I can call? It also doesn't address residing in canada question

 

[ezinne]

Go to www.cic.gc.ca you will get all the info u need dt be in a hurry take ur time n read it properly


OfficeProcessing Times IN MONTHS
(based on a complete application package)
Applications received BEFORE February 27, 2008Applications received BETWEEN November 28, 2008 and June 25, 2010
Bogota - Colombia6315
Buenos Aires - Argentina-22
Buffalo – United States 25
Caracas - Venezuela. 22
Guatemala City - Guatemala-18
Havana - Cuba-13
Kingston – Jamaica 23
Lima - Peru-19
Mexico City - Mexico 19
Port-au-Prince - Haiti--
Port of Spain - Trinidad and Tobago25
Santiago - Chile--
Santo Domingo - Dominican Republic52-
Sao Paulo - Brazil. 14

 

[ezinne]

You can get a job pior to ur pr it will fasten ur application process

You can reside in canada durning the process

You can get more info from Qorax on this forum in his trend or cic website or use a lawyer in Good stand with canadian immgiration society of consultants.

 

[canadiavisitor]

Thank you so much for the detailed info. It's interesting that cuba is twice as fast as USA ;D. I really appreciate it. I will look at the rest of the info on the form that you recommended. Thank you!

 

[dreaming of canada]

I am a US citizen that immigrated to Canada in 2011. It took a year and 1 month from beginning to end. It can vary depending on what visa office your app gets sent to. US citizens seem to think they can come to Canada and work and live permanently without going through the process and it's just not correct! You don't need a visa to come here to visit but to work you need a work visa or PR. You do NOT need a lawyer! I did everything myself! Don't waste your money your going to need it trust me! CIC gives you clear instructions on how to do the forms. If your job is under the skilled worker list then you can apply through that stream. Also check to see if cap has been reached if not send app in. If so then you must wait for cap to be reset. Another option is to get a job offer from a Canadian employer. They will have to provide proof to Service Canada that they could not find a suitable Canadian to do the job. With a positive LMO you can apply for a work permit if they are not satisfied they could still refuse you. They need to be convinced your trained to do the job and that you will leave after working as its a temporary visa. PR is permanent. Keep in mind if you do go the skilled worker route you will need to provide proof of funds and the amount goes by how many in your household. All of this is on the CIC website.

 

[canadiavisitor]

I am a US citizen that immigrated to Canada in 2011. It took a year and 1 month from beginning to end. It can vary depending on what visa office your app gets sent to. US citizens seem to think they can come to Canada and work and live permanently without going through the process and it's just not correct! You don't need a visa to come here to visit but to work you need a work visa or PR. You do NOT need a lawyer! I did everything myself! Don't waste your money your going to need it trust me! CIC gives you clear instructions on how to do the forms. If your job is under the skilled worker list then you can apply through that stream. Also check to see if cap has been reached if not send app in. If so then you must wait for cap to be reset. Another option is to get a job offer from a Canadian employer. They will have to provide proof to Service Canada that they could not find a suitable Canadian to do the job. With a positive LMO you can apply for a work permit if they are not satisfied they could still refuse you. They need to be convinced your trained to do the job and that you will leave after working as its a temporary visa. PR is permanent. Keep in mind if you do go the skilled worker route you will need to provide proof of funds and the amount goes by how many in your household. All of this is on the CIC website.

Thank you for the detailed info. I just found that US citizens have to still pay US taxes after they move to any other country, but there is a tax credit if you move to Canada (NAFTA agreement). Did you come across similar info? As for the time, one year is not bad wait at all. If I want to check if the cap has been reached, would that also be on CIC website? Thanks again!

 

[scylla]

The skiller worker occupation list is provided in the link below. For each occupation on the list, this page also indicates if the cap has been reached.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/complete-applications.asp

 

[scylla]

And yes - Americans still have to file US taxes even if they become Canadians. You receive credit for any taxes you have already been paid in Canada. My husband's experience has been that since Canadian tax rates are higher than the tax rates in the US, he hasn't had to pay any US taxes to date (although he files US taxes each year).

 

[canadiavisitor]

And yes - Americans still have to file US taxes even if they become Canadians. You receive credit for any taxes you have already been paid in Canada. My husband's experience has been that since Canadian tax rates are higher than the tax rates in the US, he hasn't had to pay any US taxes to date (although he files US taxes each year).

great info! thank you!

 

[canadiavisitor]

It doesn't seem like I am allowed to respond to personal messages on this forum. Does anyone know how to change these settings?

 

[scylla]

You don't have enough posts yet on the forum (this is a safetly that is in place to keep out spammers). Once you reach either 10 or 20 posts on the forum (forget which), you'll be able to send personal messages. Until then you'll have to use the forum for questions/answers.