Relocate To
Canada
Policy Overview
Canada's immigration system is primarily points-based, managed through the Express Entry system which prioritizes candidates with high scores in factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
Short-Term Entry & Tourist Rules
US citizens do not need a visa or eTA to enter Canada as visitors and can stay for up to 6 months. Remote work for a US employer is permitted during this time without a Canadian work permit.
Long-Term Residency Paths
Path: Candidates create a profile and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. High-scoring candidates are invited to apply for permanent residency. This is the main path for skilled workers.
Tax Break: Canada has a robust tax treaty with the US. While Canadian taxes can be higher (40-53% combined), the Foreign Tax Credit typically reduces the US tax bill to $0.
Path: US citizens in specific professions (e.g., Accountants, Engineers, Scientists) can obtain an expedited work permit directly at the port of entry if they have a pre-arranged job offer in Canada. This bypasses the more complex Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.
Savings: $22,895 CAD per year (excluding tuition) in savings.
Note: 2026 Update: New caps apply to Undergraduates, but Master's and PhD students are exempt and fast-tracked for PR.
Path: As of 2026, Canada has scrapped the 'First Generation Limit.' You can now claim citizenship through a grandparent or great-grandparent if you can prove a direct lineage to an 'Anchor' ancestor born in Canada.
Family Sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children to become permanent residents.