American and Japanese wishing to move to Canada.

[Tsavo]

Good morning everyone. I am an American currently living and working in China, and both my Japanese girlfriend and I are planning to get married, but we have been discussing at length where we want to start our new lives together. Ideally we would both like to be in Japan, but trying to get me a spousal visa for Japan presents a lot of difficulties that could easily present a very difficult future (she has not had a job in a while, which makes sponsorship difficult, and we have reason to believe her family might not be willing to help). We have talked about America, but that also presents similar issues, and with Trump as the current president elect, neither one of us is comfortable being in that country, given the current climate. So the subject of Canada came up, and I want to find out more.

Now I have spent the last two years working as an English teacher for kids, but my background is as an actor (I was privately trained by a SAG member, no degree), and so neither one of those jobs is a real option. I am frankly willing to do any kind of work in order to support us once we're there, but I am wondering about the plausibility of two newlyweds from two foreign countries trying to move to Canada together, and if it is even possible for both of us to get the necessary visas.

I do know that post election, Canada has pretty openly stated the Americans are welcome to seek refuge, but considering my lack of degree, I really doubt my chances. Still, I want to explore the possibility.

By the way, I apologize for the rambling nature of this post, it's been a long night. Any information you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

[scylla]

Nothing has changed since the election with regards to Americans coming to Canada (and there's no expectation the rules will change for Americans). There's no special immigration stream for Americans. You would have to qualify to immigrate through one of Canada's economic immigration streams just like anyone else from any other country. If you're serious about your plans, I would recommend you start by researching the Express Entry / Federal Skilled Worker immigration program and also look into the Provincial Nominee Programs. Detailed info can be found here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/apply.asp You'll need to read through the details to see what it takes to apply, if you meet the requirements and what the chances are of being selected.

Provided you and your girlfriend are either married or common law (have lived together continuously for at least one full year), you would apply together as one application and would immigrate together.

The fact you don't have a degree means you won't qualify for certain immigration programs and will also mean your overall points will be lower (meaning that this will lower your chances of being selected over other applicants). If your girlfriend has a degree, it may make more sense for her to be the primary applicant.

Good luck.

 

[Rob_TO]

I do know that post election, Canada has pretty openly stated the Americans are welcome to seek refuge, but considering my lack of degree, I really doubt my chances. Still, I want to explore the possibility.

Refugee option is not for Americans, it's for non-Americans who are living in the US but fear of having their asylum cases rejected or being deported and would be in danger to return to their home countries. This option is not a possibility for US citizens.

For US citizens, you must have education/skills that are in demand so you could be selected for one of Canada's current immigration programs.

To be very honest, with your education/skills as described, I don't think you have any chance to immigrate here. You would need to first get a degree in a field Canada is looking for, and some skilled work experience as well.

If your spouse has education/skills required, perhaps she can apply.

Else the best you could hope for is to perhaps come to Canada on student visas to attend college/university here in order to start looking at ways to apply for PR.