How to Move to the United States From Canada

Starting a new life in the United States would be a dream come true for many Canadian citizens. The United States generally offers lower taxes, milder weather, and world-class professional and educational opportunities.

But turning this dream into a reality requires careful research and collaboration with relocation experts.

Canadian citizens who wish to immigrate need to consider factors like employment regulations, the status of their family members, and how long they intend to remain in the United States.

If you’re a Canadian who’s thinking about becoming a U.S. lawful permanent resident, you need to find a visa that fulfills your needs and matches your qualifications. Then you need to figure out a concrete plan before your move.

In this article, we’ll answer your questions about how to immigrate to USA from Canada, and we’ll explain how to take advantage of one of the most reliable pathways to U.S. residence: the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Canadians to Immigrate to the United States

Canadians who are thinking about relocating to the United States should keep the following 11 steps in mind.

Step 1: Get Advice From an Immigration Attorney

Immigration laws are complicated. Navigating the potential legal challenges of relocating internationally is not something you should try to handle by yourself.

That’s why you need to consult with an experienced immigration lawyer as the first step of your journey.

Step 2: Choose an Immigration Route

Short trips from Canada to the United States for business or tourism do not require a visa or extensive bureaucratic hurdles. You can visit for up to six months without making any special arrangements.

However, for a long-term move, you’ll usually need approval from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) via one of the following pathways.

Student Visas

Harvard. Yale. Princeton. Stanford.

The United States is home to these and many other renowned universities that will open doors for Canadian students.

If approved to study in the United States under the exchange visitor program, you’ll ordinarily apply for one of these visas:

• F-1 (academic).
• M-1 (vocational or business).
• J-1 (educational or nonprofit exchange visitor).

You will also be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and have to pay a related SEVIS fee to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at least three days before your visa interview.

You’ll need to submit a visa application accompanied by documentation such as:

• Passport.
• Form DS-160.
• A recent color photograph of yourself.
• Form I-20 (for an F or M visa).
• Form DS-2019 (for a J visa).
• SEVIS fee receipt.

Work Visas

Getting approved for an employment visa is another way to move from Canada to the United States, if you have the right job skills. Examples of work visas include the following:

• NAFTA Professional/TN Visa: Allows Canadian citizens to enter the United States for employment if they are qualified for and receive a job offer for an eligible NAFTA occupation, such as attorney, accountant, engineer, pharmacist, scientist, or teacher.
• H-1B: Permits a Canadian graduate worker to live and work in the United States for up to six years if a qualified employer offers them a position to work in a selected profession.
• EB-1: Allows those with demonstrated extraordinary academic or professional abilities to gain lawful permanent residency.
• EB-2: Permits those with exceptional ability or an advanced degree to live and work in the United States permanently if they have an employment sponsor.
• EB-3: Allows certain types of qualified workers to move to the United States with employment sponsorship.

If you have an employment sponsor, they can file an employment-based petition on your behalf.

Investor Visas

Canadian residents who have the required investment funds may wish to apply for an investor visa.

• E-2: Allows Canadians to enter the United States to run a business. This is a temporary visa renewable every two years.
• EB-5: The EB-5 program provides U.S. Green Cards to Canadians in return for a minimum investment of $800,000 in a qualified U.S. business. Entire Canadian families can immigrate; a Canadian investor, their spouse, and dependent children under the age of 21 can all get U.S. Green Cards, obtaining permanent residency in the United States.

Fiancée, Spouse, or Family Member Visas

Those who have an eligible immediate relative may apply for a fiancée, spouse, or family member visa. These immigrant visas include:

• K-1: Permits a Canadian fiancée to travel to the United States and get married to a U.S. citizen to gain lawful permanent residency within 90 days of arrival if the U.S. citizen can financially support the fiancée.
• IR-1: Allows a Canadian citizen who is legally married to a U.S. citizen to gain lawful permanent residency in the United States. Also known as an immediate relative or marriage Green Card.
• Family Sponsorship Visa: Applies to a Canadian citizen who has a qualifying relationship with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, such as spouse, parent, child, or sibling.

Step 3: Get a Cross-Border Financial Advisor

If you move from Canada to the United States, what will happen to your property, mutual funds, and taxes?

To get the right answers to financial questions like these, it’s important to hire an experienced cross-border advisor who is also a tax professional. This person will help you understand the tax implications of relocating, including for your Canadian tax residency. They will work with you to minimize your tax obligations, avoid double taxation, and help you figure out what to do with your Canadian investments.

For example, you will probably want to sell your home before departing Canada if you are planning to reside in the United States for good. If you do not, you will still have to pay taxes on it to Canada.

Step 4: File Immigration Forms

Be sure to familiarize yourself with all applicable immigration forms. Study their requirements, gather sufficient supporting documentation, and fill out all forms accurately and comprehensively. Respond to requests for information promptly.

The number and types of forms will vary depending on which immigration route you select.

It’s wise to hire an experienced immigration attorney to help with this stage of the relocation process. If you do not, you’ll risk having your move delayed or even denied.

Step 5: Attend U.S. Consulate or Embassy Interview

To become a U.S. lawful permanent resident, you’ll also be expected to participate in an interview at your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Before the interview takes place, you’ll need to schedule and complete a medical exam by an embassy-approved doctor. Note that it may take up to 96 hours to receive your exam results.

Then gather documentation needed for the interview, including your passport, photographs, DS-260 confirmation page, appointment letter from the National Visa Center, and other supporting documents.

You and any family members who are at least 14 years old and immigrating with you must attend the interview. The consular or embassy official will review your application and supporting documentation. They will probably ask you about your plans to live in the United States and request additional information.

Read more about how to prepare for the interview here.

Step 6: Set up Banking

Don’t forget to establish a U.S. bank account—ideally, before you depart Canada—if you want to pay for goods or services quickly and easily in the United States. This may be necessary to buy or rent a home.

It’s also a smart idea to get at least one U.S. credit card to avoid transaction fees and build your credit score, which will help you pay lower rates for major purchases down the road.

Step 7: Find a Home

A Canadian immigrant will obviously need a new permanent residence in the United States.

Renting a Home

One option is to rent a new place. This is a popular option among new immigrants, because it provides a great deal of flexibility at an affordable price without a long-term commitment. It gives you time to get to know your new city so you’ll make a better-informed decision if and when you decide the time is right to buy.

Buying a Home

Another option is to buy a new home right away. This is a good option for some who wish to start building equity as soon as possible.

However, it requires a compressed timeline for decision-making, a sizable investment of resources for the down payment up front, and the potential for complicated tax and legal situations. You’ll start paying taxes on your new home the moment you take ownership of it, too.

Step 8: Travel to the United States

You may either fly or drive to the United States, and should arrive in the country before your possessions do.

It’s a good idea to hire a professional cross-border moving company to transfer your belongings. Take some time to research moving companies and hire one with a strong track record that fits your budget and goals.

Be sure to compile all relevant paperwork. This may include but is not limited to the following:

• Visa.
• Passport.
• Letter of employment.
• I-94 arrival/departure record.
• Customs declaration Form 3299 to declare your possessions upon entering the country (if applicable).

Step 9: Apply for a Change of Status (If Applicable)

Those of Canadian citizenship who are already in the United States should submit Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to change their immigration status to permanent resident.

This is some of the key immigration information you may need to get Form I-485 approved:

• Alien registration number (if applicable).
• Passport (even if expired).
• I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.
• Receipt number (if you have a pending or approved I-130 petition).
• Address history from the past five years.
• Employment history from the past five years.
• Marriage and divorce dates for any previous marriages.
• Information about organizations you have been involved with.

Step 10: Get a Social Security Number (If Qualified)

If you qualify for a Social Security number, you can submit an application for a SSN card at an SSA office. You’ll need to provide unexpired copies of documentation to prove your identity, age, and immigration status.

You can read more about the process for a Canadian immigrant to obtain a Social Security number here.

Step 11: Get Health Insurance

The United States does not have the same free healthcare system available in Canada, so it’s important to buy health insurance.

Immigrant and non-immigrant visa holders can get insurance, but only Green Card holders may qualify for Medicare.

As an interim measure, it’s wise to purchase a visitor health insurance plan. Soon you’ll want to figure out a longer-term health insurance coverage option. In many cases, people receive this through their employers. However, if you don’t have health insurance coverage through work, you can get individual coverage via Healthcare.gov.

If you’re a retiree or have a low income, you may be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. Ordinarily, lawful permanent residents have a 5-year waiting period before they’re eligible for healthcare coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

EB5AN Can Help Canadian Investors Move to the United States

The EB-5 program is one of the fastest and most reliable routes to U.S. permanent residency for investors of Canadian citizenship and their families, as investors like James from Ottawa and Mike from Montreal attest. With an EB-5 visa, you can benefit from all of the permanent employment, leisure, and other opportunities that come with a U.S. Green Card.

However, immigrating to another country can be complicated. It’s vital to get help from industry experts.

Canadian EB-5 investors will improve their chances significantly by partnering with EB5AN and experienced immigration lawyers.

EB5AN has helped more than 2,300 families from 70+ countries relocate to the United States as lawful permanent residents. Our expert team has more than a decade of experience, and offers clients first-rate, low-risk EB-5 regional center projects with a 100% USCIS project approval rate to date.

Book a free call with us today to learn more.