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US Citizen moving to Canada options?

Giovanna024

Full Member
Jun 11, 2019
26
2
Hello I am a US Citizen and I am planning to move to Canada and start my new life there with my bf who is Canadian.
Can anyone help me with advise what is the best way to get a work permit or permanent resident card.
Thank You
 

21Goose

VIP Member
Nov 10, 2016
5,247
1,615
AOR Received.
Feb 2017
You have three options

1. Express Entry - If you qualify, you can get PR on your own behalf. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/come-canada-tool-immigration-express-entry.html

2. Spousal Sponsorship - If you and your BF have been living together for a year, or are planning on getting married, he can sponsor you. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children.html

3. Get a job and a work permit based on NAFTA status - this is possible, but I don't know if it applies in your particular situation. You would have to get a Canadian employer to hire you, and then you can get a work permit. Depends entirely on your experience and whether you can get a job that fits the criteria.
 
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Giovanna024

Full Member
Jun 11, 2019
26
2
You have three options

1. Express Entry - If you qualify, you can get PR on your own behalf. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/come-canada-tool-immigration-express-entry.html

2. Spousal Sponsorship - If you and your BF have been living together for a year, or are planning on getting married, he can sponsor you. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children.html

3. Get a job and a work permit based on NAFTA status - this is possible, but I don't know if it applies in your particular situation. You would have to get a Canadian employer to hire you, and then you can get a work permit. Depends entirely on your experience and whether you can get a job that fits the criteria.
Thank You so much, I do not get qualified really for some work that is requesting a NAFTA Status.

Is there any other way, what is the best way to stay and live in Canada if you are US citizen? Work visa, or something else?
 

zardoz

VIP Member
Feb 2, 2013
13,304
2,166
Canada
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
16-02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
31-07-2013
LANDED..........
09-11-2013
Thank You so much, I do not get qualified really for some work that is requesting a NAFTA Status.

Is there any other way, what is the best way to stay and live in Canada if you are US citizen? Work visa, or something else?
Investigate option 2.
 
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zardoz

VIP Member
Feb 2, 2013
13,304
2,166
Canada
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
16-02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
31-07-2013
LANDED..........
09-11-2013
Well if he loves me he will do it :)
I didn't know that for Americans is so hard to move there.
US citizens have no more right to move to Canada than someone in any other country.
Fortunately, it's not the 51st state, yet.
 

zardoz

VIP Member
Feb 2, 2013
13,304
2,166
Canada
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
16-02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
31-07-2013
LANDED..........
09-11-2013
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Copingwithlife

VIP Member
Jul 29, 2018
3,969
1,928
Earth
I really don't know I am new to all this....
I just wanna be with someone I love that's all.
That's Ok, you just have to do a bit more homework and see what avenue you can take to move to Canada. It is not as simple as moving here, getting a job etc. First thing an employer is going to ask you for is your SIN, if you do not have a valid SIN, you won't get past GO

I would look thru the links posted above, and the one I re-posted below because from the information you gave sounds like its leaning more towards spousal sponsorship. Go over it with your bf

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children.html
 
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scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
93,163
20,644
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
I see,....so basically there is no other way to work or live there unless he marries me?!
That's certainly the easiest option.

Other options have already been provided to you above. One last option would be to come here as an international student to study full time. You'll need to pay international student fees which are high and will have to show a bank balance of at least $25,000 to be approved.
 

21Goose

VIP Member
Nov 10, 2016
5,247
1,615
AOR Received.
Feb 2017
I see,....so basically there is no other way to work or live there unless he marries me?!
He doesn't have to actually marry you, but you do have to live together for 1 whole year to qualify as a common-law spouse. You can easily do this since you can come to Canada without a visa and live together for six months, then you leave Canada for a week or two, and then come back and live together again.

However, you will not be able to work. You will be here as a tourist, and you won't have the right to work, study, or access healthcare.

Alternatively, your boyfriend could come live with you in the States; works the same way, except in reverse (he can't work, study etc).

It's really not that difficult for US-Canadian couples who are in long-term, serious relationships to get through this. If you and your partner are committed to each other, you can easily get a PR in 12-20 months from today.
 
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kianada

Member
Jun 11, 2019
12
6
28
Toronto, ON
Category........
CEC
Hi there, I was in a similar situation. I'm and American citizen and my boyfriend is Canadian and I moved up here in October 2017 under International Experience Canada (IEC). I'm not sure of the specifics of your situation but that is one program that is fairly quick and easy to get started in Canada. I'm halfway through the process of applying for permanent residency (PR) at the moment.
 
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