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How to move from the USA to Canada. What US citizens should know

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So… how are you feeling about Tuesday’s election results? Angry, scared, ready to leave the US for Canada? If that’s the case, you’re not alone.

On Wednesday, early Google trends showed increased activity from people searching for “how to get a passport” and “how to move to Canada” after Republican former President Donald Trump won last night.

While experts have long pointed out that Americans are tired of divisive politics, these are the real reasons to leave the country leave This part can take over a year or longer depending on how you immigrate.

Here are some things you should know before selling your home and moving to Canada.

Can a US citizen just move to Canada?

Well, yes, but there are several steps that US citizens must take if they want to live in Canada. The easiest way to do this is via the Canadian Express Entry system.

This is how Canada’s Express Entry works

According to the government website, Canada’s Express Entry program essentially consists of two parts.

The first part is to fill out an online profile where those wishing to immigrate to Canada can take an online test to determine which three entry programs applicants are eligible for. The test takes about 10-15 minutes. Next, applicants must complete and submit all required documents and required tests for any of the programs.

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The second part of Canada’s Express Entry requires waiting periods, potentially up to six months.

Invitations to apply for permanent residency in Canada are sent to a pool of the most qualified applicants in order of placement. According to the Canadian government, it is a points-based system. If you are eligible for one of Canada’s three Express Entry programs, you will receive a score that determines how quickly you may be invited to apply for citizenship.

Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) have 60 days to either decline the invitation or submit an online permanent residency application, otherwise they will be removed from the pool.

What questions are asked in the Canadian Express Entry system?

The Express Entry system asks you questions about:

  • Nationality.
  • Age.
  • Language skills (Canada has two official languages: English and French).
  • Family members (it helps if the family already lives in Canada).
  • Education.
  • Work experience.
  • Available funds.
  • Details of all job offers that may involve working in Canada.

Depending on your answers, you may qualify for one of Canada’s three immigration programs.

How many citizens apply for Canadian citizenship?

Canada welcomed more than 437,000 new permanent residents and more than 604,000 temporary workers last year, according to a statement from Marc Miller, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. In 2023, approximately 488,571 people submitted applications through Canada’s Express Entry system.

However, that doesn’t mean the process was quick.

How long does it take to immigrate from USA to Canada?

If you were hoping to live in Nova Scotia until the end of November, we have bad news. Immigrating to Canada can take a while, between six months to a year under the Express Entry program, experts say, and sometimes longer.

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How much money do I need to immigrate to Canada?

Aside from your potential living expenses, the application fee for applying for permanent Canadian citizenship is 1,525 Canadian dollars, which is approximately $1,095 for an individual. Hosting a child costs 260 Canadian dollars (US$187) per dependent.

A complete list of Canadian citizenship fees can be found on Canada’s official website.

Will I lose my US citizenship if I move to Canada?

No, current US law allows you to maintain dual citizenship.

Can I move to Canada without a job?

Yes, actually. The Canada Express Entry program does not require you to have a job before beginning the immigration process. However, according to CanadaAbroad.com, having a job helps as foreign immigrants can do so through Canada’s job board.

What else do I need to know?

Living abroad requires time and careful planning. There are many online resources available for those considering such a move. Expatsi, a company that helps Americans live outside the US, offers a 20-question online test to get you started, as well as advice for citizens ready to emigrate from the US.

Emigrating vs. Immigrating: What’s the Difference?

Even though they look and sound similar, there is a difference between “emigrate” and “immigrate,” and that difference is whether you are coming or going.

Both words mean someone leaving one country for another, writes Britannica, which defines immigrate come as”. To a country to live in.” Emigration, meanwhile, means leaving the country in which you are out of live somewhere else. And according to Grammarly, it’s these keywords “to” and “from” that differentiate “immigrate” and “emigrate.”

For example, an American citizen immigrates To Canada. She emigrated out of the United States. You can use this trick, writes Grammarly, to remember the difference.

At the beginning of “immigration” there is the letter “i”, which you can associate with the word “into”, for example in “you’re moving”. into it another country. The letter “e” is at the beginning of “emigrate”, which can be associated with the word “exit”, for example when you leave your home country, for example Canada.

John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at JTuftsReports.

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