More and more people in the US prefer to move to Canada. A case in point is the Express Entry year-end report for 2019 which says that the number of Express Entry applicants from the US increased from 7 percent to 12 percent between 2017 and 2019 and 85 percent of these applicants were non-US citizens.
What are the reasons to choose Canada? The restrictions on the number of green cards and H1-B visas to be issued by the Trump government has affected the high-skilled foreign workers and the new rules make it tough for immigrants to get new visas.
Apart from this US employers are required to pay higher wages to high-skilled foreign workers which may deter them from hiring such workers and look for local talent.
With such uncertainties many immigrants in the US are turning their attention to Canada.
Canada has always had a welcoming stance towards immigrants and acknowledge their contribution to its economic growth.
The country in its immigration plans for 2021-23 has announced that it will welcome 1,233,000 new permanent residents over the next three years Here are more details:
| Year | Immigrants |
| 2021 | 401,000 |
| 2022 | 411,000 |
| 2023 | 421,000 |
The target figures indicate that Canada will be focusing in high immigration targets— more than 400,000 new permanent residents in the next three years in spite of the pandemic.
The country is set to welcome 60 percent of the immigrants under the economic class program which will include the Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program.
Options to migrate to Canada from the US
The options you can consider are either to migrate as a skilled worker or migrate to Canada to study or work or to set up a business. You can even consider the family sponsorship program.
Migrating to Canada as a skilled worker
If you are migrating to Canada as a Skilled worker, you can choose the Express Entry program, the economy class program under which skilled workers are selected for migration.
1.Express Entry Program-There are three categories under the Express Entry program
- Federal Skilled Worker
- Federal Skilled Trades
- Canada Experience Class
The Canada Express Entry Program follows a points-based system for grading PR applicants. Applicants earn points based on qualifications, experience, Canadian employment status and provincial / territorial nomination. The higher your points, the greater the chances of having an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Applicants receive the points based on a Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS.
Every Express Entry draw shall have a minimum cutoff score. An ITA will be awarded to all applicants with a CRS score equal to or above the cutoff score When more than one nominee has a score equal to the cutoff number, then the one with a longer presence in the Express Entry pool will obtain an ITA.
You do not require a job offer in Canada to apply under the Express Entry system. However, a job offer in Canada will increase your CRS points from 50 to 200 depending on the skill level. Canada’s provinces also have Express Entry streams to help them select skilled workers from the Express Entry pool.
A provincial nomination will add 600 points to the CRS score which guarantees an ITA.
The CRS score keeps changing with every Express Entry draw which is held approximately every two weeks by the Canadian government.
Steps to apply under Express Entry system:
Step 1: Create your Express Entry profile
Step 2: Complete your ECA
Step 3: Complete your language ability tests
Step 4: Calculate your CRS score
Step 5: Get your Invitation to Apply (ITA)
The Express Entry system can be the quickest way to immigrate to Canada considering that your application will be processed within six months on submission.
2.Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) was launched to help the various provinces and territories in Canada choose immigration candidates who are willing to settle in a given province or territory in the country and have the skills and abilities to contribute to the economic growth of the province or territory.
If qualifying under the federal economic seems difficult, you can try for a PR visa under the PNP program for your PR application from the US.
Every PNP targets the specific needs of the province’s labor market. You can find a provincial stream matching your specific skills.
Moving to Canada to set up a business
The Startup Visa program provides permanent resident visas to eligible immigrants starting a business in the country. The Startup Class is another name for this visa program.
Candidates can come to Canada under this visa program on a work permit supported by their Canadian-based investor, and then apply for a PR visa once their business is established in the country.
Successful applicants may link up with Canadian private-sector investors to obtain funding assistance and advice on running their business. The three categories of investors in the private sector include:
- Venture capital fund
- Business incubator
- Angel investor
Eligibility requirements for the program:
- Have a qualifying business
- Have proof that the business has the required support from a designated entity in the form of a Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support
- Have the required proficiency in English or French
- Have enough funds to settle in Canada
Moving to Canada for work
You can move to Canada from the US on a work permit if you have a job offer in Canada. The type of work permit depends on the type of job offer. For instance, if you are moving to Canada on a transfer from the same company then you can get an Intra company transfer permit.
If you are qualified for certain tech occupations which are in demand in Canada, then you can use the Global Talent Stream to move to Canada within four weeks.
Moving to Canada for study
You can move to Canada to study at any of the designated learning institutes from the US for post-graduate studies.
The Canadian government offers options for international students to stay after their course and gain some work experience. The IRCC provides a Post-Graduate Work Permit Program. Under this program, international graduates can get an open work permit valid for three years. They can work for any employer in this period. This also gives them the skilled work experience which is crucial to the success of their PR visa application.
Family Class sponsorship
Individuals who are permanent residents or citizens of Canada can sponsor their family members for PR status if they are 18 years or older. They are eligible to sponsor the following categories of family members:
- Spouse
- Conjugal partner
- Common-law partner
- Dependent or adopted children
- Parents
- Grandparents
Eligibility requirements for a sponsor:
Sponsor must be 18 years or older and either a PR visa holder or Canadian citizen.
The sponsor and the sponsored relative will sign a sponsorship agreement which will commit him to provide financial support for the relative. This agreement also specifies that the person becoming a permanent resident must make every effort to help him or herself.
Sponsor must be willing to provide financial support to a dependent child for 10 years or till the child turns 25, whichever is earlier.
These are some of the options available to you if you wish to migrate from the US to Canada in 2021.