Donald Trump’s return to the White House has reignited interest among many Americans about the possibility of relocating abroad – Canada being a top destination. This sense of urgency echoes previous election cycles, when Trump’s leadership spurred an uptick in searches for Canadian immigration pathways.
After Trump’s initial win in 2016, Canada saw a surge in web traffic to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website as “move to Canada” and “immigrate to Canada” became popular search terms. Although many celebrities expressed intentions to relocate north, none made the move. However, U.S. immigration to Canada did increase during Trump’s first presidency, showing that for some Americans, moving to Canada became more than a hypothetical idea.
Now Trump has defeated Kamala Harris and will return to the White House when President Joe Biden’s term ends, Canada is sure to be among the considerations of Americans once more.
Canada’s appeal as a destination for Americans has grown significantly, driven by its reputation for political stability, high quality of life, and diverse economic opportunities. For many, Canada offers an appealing contrast to the U.S. with universal healthcare, strong social support systems, and a commitment to multiculturalism. In recent years, Canada’s proactive immigration policies, including streamlined paths for skilled workers and entrepreneurs, have created viable routes for Americans seeking new beginnings north of the border.
Canada’s tech and innovation sectors, particularly in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, attract professionals from the United States, who are drawn to Canada’s open work permit options and permanent residency pathways. The country’s emphasis on work-life balance, access to nature, and relatively affordable education also make it a compelling choice for families looking to relocate.
Many Americans find that Canada’s focus on inclusivity and equality aligns with their personal values, making it an attractive destination for those seeking a fresh start in a society that prioritizes community and quality of life.
Canada and U.S. Vie For The Most Talented Tech Workers
Ottawa is ever eager to lure immigrants, particularly those in the tech sector, to Canada from the United States – or simply to entice foreign nationals who are thinking of immigrating to the United States to choose Canada instead.
In June last year, Ottawa announced its Tech Talent Strategy, introducing new measures and improvements to existing programs to help Canadian employers attract and retain tech talent.
Developed in collaboration with Canada’s tech, start-up and business communities, the Tech Talent Strategy offered an open work permit stream specifically targeted for those foreign nationals working in the United States with H-1B specialty occupation visas. It also provided work and study permit options for the workers’ family members.
It was a strategy expected to remain in place for one year but it was so popular it immediately capped out at 10,000 applications on day one.
Under the Tech Talent Strategy, Ottawa pledged to also launch an Innovation Stream under the International Mobility Program (IMP)by the end of 2023 to attract even more highly talented foreign nationals to Canada.
That Innovation Stream was to include:
- employer-specific work permits for up to five years for workers destined to work for a company identified by the federal government in Canada as contributing to the country’s industrial innovation goals, and;
- open work permits for up to five years for highly skilled workers in select in-demand occupations.
The Tech Talent Strategy also promised a return to the 14-day service standard for work permits under the Global Skills Strategy.
Americans hoping to immigrate to Canada can do so under six categories of programs. Those include the:
- federal economic class.
- provincial economic class.
- Quebec immigration.
- business immigration, including the start-up visa program.
- temporary residence first, then transition to permanent.
- family class sponsorship
Canada’s federal economic class programs are the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), and Canada Experience Class (CEC).
PNP Nomination Adds 600 Points To An Applicant’s CRS Score
Canada operates the federal economic class immigration system using Express Entry system which requires candidates to submit a profile, with the highest scoring profiles issued Invitations to Apply (ITA).
Candidates then get 60 days to submit a full application.
Under Express Entry, candidates score Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for core factors such as age, education, work experience and language ability.
Foreign nationals hoping to immigrate to Canada can also come under Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), including:
- Ontario Immigration
- Quebec Immigration
- Alberta Immigration
- British Columbia Immigration
- Manitoba Immigration
- New Brunswick Immigration
- Newfoundland Immigration
- Nova Scotia Immigration
- Saskatchewan Immigration
- Prince Edward Island Immigration
Americans who do not qualify through a federal economic program can consider provincial streams for their applications for permanent residence and improve their odds because a PNP nomination adds 600 points to a CRS score.
Each one of Canada’s provinces runs their own immigration programs, targeting the specific demands of local labour markets.
Quebec has autonomy over its immigration system, with the right to set its own immigration levels and the power to operate its own programs.
Canada also aims to attract entrepreneurs and investors through its business immigration programs, with many applications accepted from the United States.
At the federal level, options include:
Canada’s SUV offers Canadian permanent residence to qualified immigrant entrepreneurs. The program targets innovative entrepreneurs and links them with private sector investors in Canada who will help establish their start-up business.
Candidates can initially come to Canada on a work permit supported by their designated Canada-based investor, before qualifying for permanent residence once their business is up and running.
Start-Up Visa Is The Preferred Program Of Immigrant Entrepreneurs
There are three types of private-sector investor under that program that can help finance a foreign entrepreneur:
Candidates looking to immigrate to Canada from the United States may also consider the Buy a Business and Move to Canada Program.
Federal owner-operator rules allow a candidate to buy a business and move to Canada on a temporary work permit, before transitioning to permanent residence further down the line.
Under this policy, a work permit is issued following the sale and transfer of the majority share ownership of an existing profitable Canadian business to the immigration candidate.
Increasingly, immigrants are coming to Canada as temporary residents and transitioning to permanent residents. This is a popular route for candidates who do not immediately qualify for permanent residence when applying from the United States.
Time spent in Canada as a temporary resident counts towards a permanent residence application.
Work permits are issued through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), International Mobility Program and International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
Caregivers also have their own streams for work permits (under the TFWP) and transition to permanent residence.
