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How To Move to Canada

Will they take us in?

By Louisa Herron ThomasPosted Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004, at 6:37 PM ET

Going north?

After President George W. Bush was re-elected this week, some despairing U.S. residents began talking about moving to Canada. Just how easy is it to relocate to our neighbor to the north?

Historically, Canada has been a relatively welcoming destination for immigrants. Nearly 20 percent of the Canadian population is foreign born. (Just 11.5 percent of the U.S. population can say the same.) The country boasts one of the world's only permanent immigration programs, and the minister of citizenship and immigration recently announced that she hopes Canada will welcome 220,000 to 245,000 immigrants and refugees in 2005.* A relatively small number of those immigrants are expected to come from the United States. In 2003, emigrants from the United States constituted only 2.7 percent of the total number of immigrants to Canada, a figure that has held steady over recent years—even in 2001, after the hotly contested 2000 presidential election. (By contrast, more than half of the immigrant population comes from Asia and the Pacific region.)

Nevertheless, Canada has long been a refuge for Americans fleeing the states for political reasons. During the Vietnam War, tens of thousands of draft dodgers jumped the border—many of them illegally (according to the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, there were about 23,000 legal American residents in Canada in 1970). Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau accepted most with open arms, and one Canadian town even recently planned a memorial to the draft dodgers until strong opposition from veterans groups blocked the effort.

Today, permanent residence—and the universal health care and clean air that come with it—is a little harder to obtain. Immigrants must obtain a visa from the Canadian Visa Office and fill out an application for permanent residence from the Consulate General of Canada. Applications take an average of 25 months to process. Bush dodgers arriving in Canada must also provide a valid passport, two copies of a detailed list of all personal items brought into the country and two copies of a list of all items on the way, and proof of enough funds to cover expenses for the first six months. For more information, visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web site.

 

 

How to Move to Canada From America

By Shannon S., eHow Editor

More Americans are moving to Canada each year. If you are interested in moving to Canada, here are a few steps that should help you with your move.

Instructions Difficulty: Moderate   Things You’ll Need: - Maps - Transportation - Knowledge of Canada and its processes
Step11Preparing to move to Canada: Once you’ve decided to move to Canada, you’ll want to find a place to live before you pack up and leave the United States. Fly out and get to know the country before making your decision. Find a place to live and make sure you have maps with you so you know how to get around. Decide how you will get to Canada. Will you fly and have a truck deliver your stuff? Will you rent a moving truck and tow your car? Have a plan before you pick up and leave.

 Step22Become a permanent Canadian Resident. You can’t just become a Canadian citizen by moving to Canada and living there. You have to apply for citizenship. There are six different categories or classes you can select from, including Skilled Worker Class Immigration, Business Class Immigration, Provincial Nomination, Family Class Immigration, Quebec-Selected Immigration, and International Adoption.

Step33What is Skilled Worker Class Immigration? The Skilled Worker Class is the most common and easiest way to get residency in Canada. You are evaluated on a point system. You must get at least 67 out of 100 possible points. You will be evaluated and given points based on your age, work experience, education level, adaptability, arranged employment, and language proficiency. Your criminal history will be examined. The labor market condition will also be considered before approving your application.

Step44What is Business Class Immigration? The business class is used by the self-employed, investors, and entrepreneurs. If you are self-employed, you need to have experience as well as the intentions and abilities to set up a business that will benefit you and Canadian Society. Or you need to purchase a farm and have the ability to manage it. If you are an investor, you must have experience in business and have a net worth of $800,000 Canadian. You must also invest $400,000 Canadian into the Canadian economy. If you are an entrepreneur, you must have experience in business, whether you have owned shares in a business or owned a business. You’ll need to have a net worth of $300,000 Canadian, as well as the ability to manage and own a business that creates at least one full-time job. You have three years to do this once you’ve received your Permanent Resident Card.

Step55What is Provincial Nomination? Provincial Nomination is when a province selects you to move to their province and live there. You need to contact the immigration office in the province you desire to live in and apply.

Step6What is Family Class Immigration? With family class immigration, your close family members who live in Canada can sponsor your immigration to Canada. Step7What is Quebec-Selected Immigration? Quebec-selected immigration is another process. There are six different categories to apply for within this class. They include permanent workers, businesspeople, students, temporary workers, families, and sponsored refugees. The temporary workers and students must have a desire to become permanent immigrants. Step8What is International Adoption? International adoption involves Canadian residents adopting children from foreign countries. Step9Getting a Permanent Resident Card: When you are approved for the class that you applied for, you will be given a Permanent Resident Card. Once you’ve become a permanent resident and have lived in Canada for three to four years, you qualify for Canadian Citizenship. Step10Getting Canadian citizenship: You must be at least 18 years old, know how to speak and write in English or French, and understand how Canadian society works. You must have lived in Canada for three to four years. You will take a test on the structure of Canadian government and Canadian politics. This process can take anywhere from a few months to many years. Once the process has been completed and you are approved to be a Canadian citizen, you will attend a citizenship ceremony. You will receive your certificate of Canadian citizenship and can then apply for a Canadian passport. Step11You are a Canadian citizen. Congratulations on completing the process and receiving your citizenship. Enjoy the beauty of Canada and visit the United States often. You will enjoy living in Canada.