Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, and no. You do not need a visa to visit Canada for personal or business purposes. As a visitor, you can stay in Canada for up to six months, unless a Canadian immigration officer at the border states otherwise. To enter, you must demonstrate to the officer that you are a genuine visitor, meaning you plan to leave Canada after your stay. While visiting, you cannot establish your primary residence in Canada, and generally, you cannot work without first obtaining a work permit. You may study without a study permit if the course is six months or shorter.

Moving from the U.S. to Canada is relatively straightforward since the two countries are neighbors, and you can even drive across the border with your belongings. However, the challenging part is often the visa application process. This involves choosing the right Canadian immigration program, gathering all necessary documents, and filling out a variety of forms, which can be time-consuming and complex.

Yes, as an American citizen, you can live in Canada. If you plan to stay for more than 180 days, you’ll likely need a visa. Additionally, if you want to work in Canada, you’ll need either a visa or a work permit. Even if you become a permanent resident of Canada, you’ll still be considered an American citizen unless you apply for Canadian citizenship.

The process of moving to Canada depends on your reason for relocating and how long you intend to stay.

If you’re seeking permanent residency, the quickest option is to apply through the Express Entry system, which processes applications in about six months. You’ll be evaluated based on your skills, education, and work experience, and could receive an invitation to apply for permanent residency.

For stays longer than six months, you’ll need a work or study permit. The duration of your stay will depend on the length of your studies or job offer.

If you plan to stay for a few months, you can apply for a visitor visa, which allows you to stay for up to six months, with the option to renew it 30 days before it expires.

Generally, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at the point of entry grant visitors an entry stamp valid for up to six months from the date of arrival. If needed, this period can be extended while you’re in Canada.

Canada offers more than 100 merit-based immigration programs for skilled workers, evaluating applicants based on factors like age, education, language ability, work experience, and family ties in Canada.

U.S. residents and citizens can apply as skilled workers through the Express Entry system. If you know which province or territory you want to move to, you might be eligible for a Provincial Nominee Program. Additionally, those planning to settle in Quebec can apply through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.

Canada evaluates candidates based on various human capital factors, including age, education, work experience, arranged employment, language skills, and adaptability.

Federal skilled workers are chosen through the Express Entry immigration system. Meanwhile, Canadian provinces select internationally trained and experienced skilled workers through their Provincial Nominee Programs, aligning with local employer needs.

Express Entry is an electronic system that manages applications for Canada’s economic immigration programs. It is not a new immigration program itself but simplifies the process for selecting candidates for several programs:

– Federal Skilled Worker Class
– Federal Skilled Trades Class
– Canadian Experience Class
– A portion of the Provincial Nominee Programs

Applicants submit an “Expression of Interest” (EOI) to immigrate, and if eligible for one of the programs, they enter the Express Entry pool. Candidates are ranked in the pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and the federal government selects top-ranking individuals to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Express Entry shifts from a “first-come, first-served” system to a “demand-driven” one, modeled after systems in Australia and New Zealand. It is designed to fast-track the processing of skilled immigrants most likely to succeed in Canada.

For more detailed information, we have a dedicated FAQ page about Express Entry.

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Canada employs a points-based system known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to assess profiles in the Express Entry pool. Candidates are evaluated on several factors, including:

– Age
– Education level
– Language proficiency
– Work experience
– Arranged employment in Canada
– Adaptability factors

After creating an Express Entry profile, individuals enter the pool as candidates and are ranked alongside others. This pool is competitive, with a maximum of 1,200 points available under the CRS. The government conducts regular draws, inviting the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence through an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Generally, a visa or work permit is required to work in Canada. However, U.S. citizens or residents traveling to Canada for business can stay for up to six months without a work permit. Certain job categories may also be exempt from this requirement, including athletes and individuals working for Canadian charitable or religious organizations, among others.

The federal government provides various immigration pathways for entrepreneurs, including the Start-Up Visa Program and the Self-Employed Program. Additionally, numerous entrepreneur immigration categories are available under the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). For more information, please visit the Canada business immigration programs page.

In Canada, work visas and employment authorizations are referred to as work permits. A work permit is an official document issued by the Canadian government that allows a foreign national to work for a designated employer in a specific role. Generally, most U.S. residents and citizens will need a work permit to be employed in Canada.

Foreign nationals seeking a work permit must fulfill several eligibility criteria based on their current location at the time of application. The specific type of work permit available will vary depending on each individual’s circumstances. For more details, please refer to this resource.

The duration of a work permit in Canada depends on the type of employment and the specific category under which you applied. While it is possible to extend your work permit from within Canada, certain permits have a maximum length of validity.