There was always a fair number of relocations between the US and Canada. However, those numbers have increased a lot in the post-lockdown period. A lot more people are thinking of relocating up North. While any international move is a complex process, we can show you what to expect and how to prepare for moving to Canada from US. You will need to get familiar with the protocols and Canadian laws about newcomers first. And then, of course, as far as the relocation goes, it would be smart to hire professional movers to assist you on this journey. If you decide to do so, Verified Movers will help you find the team that will take care of your move. Until then, let’s see what awaits you when moving to the Great White North.
How can you move to Canada?
We won’t talk about details related to traveling at first. This is because the most important thing is to see whether you can really become a resident of Canada or not. Of course, there is more than one way to do so. First of all, you’ll need to become a permanent resident. Applying for citizenship is the far future at first. You need to be a permanent resident for five years in order to apply for citizenship. So, that won’t be our focus now. Instead, let’s see a few ways you can apply for residence.
- Express Entry – the most common way to settle in Canada. Express Entry is granted once you get a job in Canada, which makes the process of getting permanent residents much faster.
- Visa for self-employed people – This allows anyone who is self-employed, people from all around the world, to live in Canada. The only thing is, you need to have at least two years of experience in the field and prove that you want to be self-employed in Canada.
- Start-up Visa – allows entrepreneurs who are looking to start a business in the Great White North to become residents.
Now, these three methods are the most common and they all revolve around jobs. In that sense, you can also apply as a caregiver and worker for some other high-demand jobs in various industries that are looking for employees. You can also apply by using the Family Sponsorship. That, of course, would mean that you have many relatives in Canada.
Thousands of US citizens are relocating to Canada every year
No, you’re definitely not alone in this journey. As mentioned in the introduction, Canada is very popular among Americans. Naturally, most newcomers are relocating from states that aren’t far from the border. For example, interstate moving companies Vermont are helping many people relocate to the Great White North on a yearly basis. So, it’s fairly easy to assume which states are sending most people to Canada, but let’s see some concrete numbers. We’ll look at the number of residence permits that Canada issued to US citizens in the past years. In 2021, there were 12,000 successful applicants, so the numbers we’re talking about here are huge.
As for 2022, the complete data hasn’t been issued yet. But, if we take a look at the first three quarters of 2022, we’ll see that there were almost 10,000 successful applicants in these 9 months. So, we can state with certainty that the number of successful applicants for the whole of 2022 will reach, and probably surpass, the 12,000 mark from 2021. So, it’s clear that this relocation can’t be too hard since so many people are choosing it. If you live near the border in states like Maine, New Hampshire, or anywhere else in New England, you’ll be in Canada in a heartbeat. With a little assistance from interstate moving companies Maine, or some other state you’re moving from, a successful relocation is just around the corner.
Pros and cons of moving to the Great White North
There are many benefits of moving to Canada. First of all, Canada has very low crime rates. It is one of the safest countries in the world. Also, the educational system there is top-notch. So, if you’re a student or a parent with kids, know that great educational opportunities await you upon moving up North. What US citizens could like the most is the fact that Canada has universal healthcare. And, as often portrayed in the movies, Canadians are indeed very nice. You can expect the community to welcome you with open arms.
When it comes to the downsides of this move, cold weather is the one that first comes to mind. This is maybe the only true downside of this move. Of course, depending on your preferences there may be others as well. For example, major cities in the US provide more business and entertainment opportunities. The USA is famous for that anyway. But, if you move to one of the largest cities in Canada, you won’t notice this too much.
Best cities to live after moving to Canada from US
There are definitely many choices, but naturally, US citizens often choose the largest and most popular cities in Canada. Here are some of them:
- Toronto
- Montreal
- Vancouver
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Ottawa
- Winnipeg
- Quebec City
- Hamilton
- Kitchener
Toronto and Montreal are the most popular choices for Americans who are living on the East Coast, while Vancouver is the main destination for those from the West Coast. Interstate moving companies Oregon, as well as those from Washington, know the route to Vancouver by heart considering that there are so many moves to this city.
Moving up North is surely a huge adventure, and it has every chance to pay off
Moving to the Great White North is a brave decision, and we think the one that is likely to pay off. While there are many great places in the USA, if you feel ready for a change, Canada won’t disappoint you. Make sure to prepare well, because after all, moving to Canada from US is a big trip. Also, don’t forget to prepare your budget as well since the average cost of moving from the United States to Canada is between $4,000 and $7,000. But, with a good plan and some assistance from relocation experts, rest assured it will be a successful journey. Have a safe trip!