Following the 2024 US Elections, many Americans may feel disappointed and unhappy with the outcome. Some may be even driven to explore Canadian immigration options, seeking new opportunities north of the border. Good news is that Canada offers multiple pathways tailored to different needs and backgrounds, from economic immigration programs to family sponsorship and even options for those with Canadian ancestry. In this guide, we outline some of the most common and accessible immigration pathways that U.S. citizens can consider for moving to Canada. The list of available options ultimately depends on your individual situation and background, so it is worthwhile to speak to a Canadian immigration lawyer. However, if you’re just at the early stages of exploring common pathways to move from US to Canada, this blog post is a good place to start your research.

Economic Immigration Pathways: Leveraging Skills and Experience to Immigrate to Canada

For Americans looking to move to Canada permanently, economic immigration programs provide several robust options. Canada’s primary route for economic immigrants is the Express Entry system, that includes three key programs for skilled workers and professionals:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW):

This program is designed for skilled professionals with foreign work experience. Essentially, if you have skilled work experience, completed at least high-school, and speak English or French, you may be eligible for the FSW program. FSW candidates must score a minimum of 67 FSW points to qualify and then, each candidate gets assigned a certain CRS score based on their Human Capital factors. We’ve talked about the Canada’s immigration points system and how the points are assigned in our earlier blog post.

With the CRS points skyrocketing over the last 2 years, and considering the announced cuts to immigration in 2025-2027, it becomes increasingly difficult to immigrate to Canada. The competition is too fierce now. However, those who have work experience in certain in-demand fields such as trades, healthcare, STEM, agriculture, transportation, might still have a shot. Recently, Canada introduced category-specific draws targeting applicants with skills in high-demand sector and this shift increases opportunities for U.S. citizens with specialized skills in these fields, even if their CRS score might be below the typical cutoff for a general draw.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC):

This program is tailored for individuals who have work experience in Canada, often those who initially came on a Work Permit or Study Permit (and then transitioned to a Post-Graduation Work Permit). With the recent shift in immigration strategy, Canada is really targeting those who are already in Canada and have Canadian work experience. As both countries have very tight economic connections there are thousands of US citizens who might qualify for the Canadian Experience Class program (even if you no longer work in Canada).

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST):

Aimed at skilled trades professionals like electricians, carpenters, and welders, this program allows those in specialized fields to apply for Canadian residency. While we did not see any FST draws in recent years, having experience in high-demand trades can still be a valuable qualification. Even more, if you have relevant experience in trades you might qualify not only for the FST, but for other programs as well.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP):

Beyond federal programs, each Canadian province has its own immigration program under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Provinces select applicants to address specific regional labor needs, often focusing on areas with growing industries or labor shortages. In a nutshell you can divide Provincial Nominee Programs into two buckets:

Active PNPs: you must apply directly to a province by demonstrating relevant skills and work experience obtained in that province.
Passive PNPs: You create a Profile in the Express Entry system (if you qualify for FSW, CEC, of FST) and then, provinces select candidates from the Express Entry pool who meet their specific criteria. Once you get an Expression of Interest from the province your CRS score will be bumped up by 600 points.

Specialized Pathways for U.S. Citizens: Work Permits and Business Immigration

Just weeks before the election Canada unveiled their revised Immigration Levels Plan and announced significant restrictions on immigration. Business immigration suffered a major blow and now the landscape is changing to limiting the pathways for temporary business immigration to Canada. In these new realities it is essential that you get in touch with a Canadian immigration lawyer to identify whether you still can relocate to Canada through business or Work Permit route. However, just for the general information, here is the summary of some of the options that might be available to you.

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CUSMA Work Permits

The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) (formerly NAFTA) allows certain US professionals in certain fields, such as engineering, science, law, and executive roles, to work in Canada on temporary work permits without needing a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This pathway may be ideal for those looking to transfer within companies or gain experience in Canada without a permanent move.

Intra-Company Transfers (ICT)

For US citizens working with multinational companies, Intra-Company Transfers (ICT) provide a pathway to work in Canada by transferring to a Canadian branch in executive or specialized roles. This is a streamlined process, often used by professionals seeking to expand their careers within a Canadian context. However, as mentioned above, on October 3, 2024, IRCC introduced stricter guidelines for intra-company transferee (ICT) work permits, especially impacting specialized knowledge worker transferees. These new guidelines require more extensive documentation and evidence, making past approaches potentially insufficient. Employers transferring staff to Canada or establishing new Canadian operations should closely review the updated requirements to avoid potential refusals. ICT applications under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are less affected, so companies eligible for FTA-based applications should weigh this option carefully. Additionally, foreign companies operating solely in their home country can no longer use the general ICT work permit for establishing initial operations in Canada.

Business Immigration Programs

Canada also welcomes US-based entrepreneurs and business owners through the Start-Up Visa and other business-focused immigration programs. The Start-Up Visa Program is particularly suitable for entrepreneurs with innovative ideas supported by Canadian investors, aiming to contribute to economic growth and job creation in Canada.

Effective October 3, 2024, Canada’s Start-up Visa (SUV) Program will allow essential applicants to apply for open work permits valid for up to three years. This change addresses long processing times for SUV PR applications and provides applicants the flexibility to work for other Canadian employers besides their start-up, helping them support themselves and their families. Previously, SUV applicants were limited to one-year, closed work permits tied to their start-up. Applications submitted before this date can be withdrawn without affecting the PR application. However, it's unclear if withdrawing to apply under the new measures will impact an applicant’s status or queue position.

Family Sponsorship Pathways: Reuniting U.S. Citizens with Family in Canada

Canada values family reunification, offering the Family Sponsorship program as a pathway to permanent residency for Americans with close family members in Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, and, in certain cases, parents and grandparents. Family sponsorship is often a straightforward process, especially when reuniting immediate family members.

As US citizen, if you have qualifying family connections in Canada, this route may open the pathway to Permanent Residence in Canada. We encourage you to book a call to discuss if you can be sponsored to Canada by your loved ones.

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Canadian Citizenship by Descent: A Pathway for Americans with Canadian Ancestry

Often, when connecting with our US clients our first line of questions is centred around whether you have Canadian Ancestry. Many of our American clients would not even consider this as an option and are quite surprised that they actually are already Canadians by descent. Canadian citizenship might already be within reach if they have Canadian-born parents. Even more, with recent legal developments this pathway will become even more accessible.

A 2024 court ruling on the “first-generation limit” led to Bill C-71, which aims to extend citizenship by descent beyond the first generation. Expected to be in effect by December 19, 2024, this bill would grant Canadian citizenship to descendants with a “substantial connection” to Canada, defined as having lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days. If passed, this change will allow Americans with Canadian ancestry—even those previously excluded by the generational limit—to apply for citizenship.

If you’re a U.S. citizen with Canadian ancestry, especially through a Canadian-born parent, this pathway may provide an unexpected but valuable route to Canadian citizenship.

Studying in Canada: Using a Study Permit and PGWP to Transition to Permanent Residency

For US citizens interested in studying in Canada, a Study Permit offers access to world-class education with a pathway to post-graduation work. After completing a degree, some graduates may qualify for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows them to work in Canada for up to three years. Gaining Canadian work experience under a PGWP can also qualify graduates for permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) which we talked about above.

Studying in Canada not only provides academic and career opportunities but also opens doors to immigration pathways that might not be available otherwise. US citizens exploring this option should review the latest guidelines on study permits and PGWP eligibility to maximize their chances of achieving permanent residency after graduation.

Key Takeaways and Practical Steps for US Citizens Considering Canada

For US citizens considering immigration to Canada, understanding the available options is essential. Here’s a quick outline of steps to get started:

Evaluate Your Eligibility: Begin by assessing which pathway aligns with your qualifications, whether that’s through Express Entry for skilled work, Family Sponsorship, or Canadian Citizenship by Descent.
Set Up an Express Entry Profile: if you’re aiming for federal or provincial economic programs.
Explore Specialized Work Permits: Those in recognized professions or with corporate ties may qualify under CUSMA or ICT pathways.
Consult an Immigration Professional: For complex applications, such as those involving business immigration, professional advice can help clarify the best route.

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For many Americans, the idea of moving to Canada after the 2024 election is more than a reaction - it’s a step towards new career opportunities, family reunification, and a stable, welcoming environment north of the border. Whether you’re driven by career goals, family connections, or a desire for change, Canada offers accessible pathways for U.S. citizens from all walks of life. Taking the first step toward immigration can open up a future in one of the most diverse and thriving nations in the world.

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