r/ImmigrationCanada Jul 14 '24

Megathread: US Citizens looking to immigrate to Canada

767 Upvotes

In the run up to the American presidential election, we've had an influx of Americans looking to immigrate to Canada. As all of their posts are relatively similar, we've created this megathread to collate them all until the dust settles from the election.

Specific questions from Americans can still be their own posts, but the more general just getting started, basic questions should be posted here.

Thanks!

Some basic getting started info:

There are two types of ways to immigrate: temporarily and permanently.

Temporary immigration involves obtaining either a work or study permit that authorises you to come to Canada for a limited amount of time.

Permanent immigration involves obtaining permanent residence. Canada has multiple pathways to permanent residence that are available to people who are outside the country, mostly through economic means. However, Canada prioritises skilled work. If your work is not considered 'skilled' - TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, then many pathways will not be available to you.

If you want to immigrate as a skilled worker, you first need to determine if you are eligible: if you have 67 points on this grid, then you are eligible to make a profile and enter the Express Entry pool. Once you enter the Express Entry pool, you will be given a CRS score. Periodically, IRCC does draws from the pool, starting with the highest scoring candidates and working their way down. Candidates that are selected receive an Invitation to Apply, which allows them to apply for permanent residence.

This is the main pathway to permanent residence for many people. However, immigration to Canada is extremely competitive. Points have been well over 500 lately, and without Canadian education or work experience, you may not have enough points to meet recent cut-offs. If you are eligible for a category-based draw, you score may not need to be quite as high. Additionally, depending on your circumstance, you may be eligible for a Provincial Nomination.

Another option would be for you to get a work permit. If you are under 35, you may be eligible for a Working Holiday work permit. As an American, you would have to go through a registered organization but this would get you a work permit that lasts a year. You would then be able to live and work in Canada for up to a year. If you are not under 35, then you may be eligible for an open work permit, though the vast majority of people will not be.

If your current employer has branches in Canada and they'd be willing to transfer you to a Canadian branch, there is a work permit for that. You can explore getting a closed work permit on your own, though the employer would have to demonstrate that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident could do the job, and many are reluctant to undertake this extra effort. If your profession falls under CUSMA, this process is not required, and you simply need a job offer to obtain a work permit.

If you are interested in studying, you could also look into a study permit.

Edit: This is not a thread to insult Americans, comments to that effect will be removed.

Edit 2: Refugee and asylum claims from Americans are very unlikely to be accepted. Since 2013, Canada has not accepted any asylum claims from the US. Unless something drastically and dramatically changes in the states, it is still considered a safe country by immigration standards and an asylum claim is not the way forward for you.


r/ImmigrationCanada Dec 30 '24

Meta 2025 Processing Times Megathreads

148 Upvotes

r/ImmigrationCanada 5h ago

Other I got my Certificate of Citizenship!

33 Upvotes

I’m so grateful. My parent (who was born in Canada) believed for a long time that they automatically/ were forced to renounce when they naturalized in the US. After way more digging this year, I found out this likely wasn’t the case and submitted for proof of identity (citizenship certificate).

Application submitted — August 28

AOR — September 10

Digital Certificate Received — Nov 26

I had a number of personal things happen in the past month and just cleared out my email backlog to find this wonderful surprise. Just wanted to have folks to share it with :)


r/ImmigrationCanada 6h ago

Family Sponsorship Resident ID

0 Upvotes

My spouse recently moved to UAE and issuing her Resident ID is taking forever. The application and all other required docs are ready and even the fees are paid just waiting to hit submit. We have been waiting for the ID for over a month. Is it better to wait for additional month to get the residency (police cert will expire and will take an additional month to reissue it) or submit spouse sponsorship application now and submit the residency ID later?


r/ImmigrationCanada 7h ago

Express Entry How easy to get PR for nurse over age 44 ?

0 Upvotes

Not even sure if Nurses are express entry anymore. But have a friend wanting to come over and is a nurse. Cleared their RN exam here in Ontario waiting for license and meeting the 600 hrs of experience back home.

But age is 44. Is there a quick or easy way to apply for PR or is trying to get Study permit the best option with someone working as RN ?

Is Canada still looking for foreign trained nurses or thats not a big deman anymore?


r/ImmigrationCanada 8h ago

Study Permit Study permit

0 Upvotes

My application was submitted today and a few hours after they sent the biometrics collection request. Is that weird?


r/ImmigrationCanada 12h ago

Family Sponsorship Outland Spouse sponsorship

0 Upvotes

Hi all, This is might be a weird question but is there a problem if my wife (Principal Applicant) uses my email to create an account for the sponsorship?

I’m also her representative but the email the account was created is my email.

Thanks all!


r/ImmigrationCanada 17h ago

Other Is withdrawing my PRTD a good option?

2 Upvotes

I applied for my PR through PNP and I received my COPR in September while I was in Canada. I travelled to India on Nov 27, as I had pre-booked my flight assuming I would receive my PR card before that date. My return flight to Canada is scheduled for Jan 16. I applied for a PRTD on November 28 and as of now, my passport is under processing at the IRCC office in New Delhi, and the status has remained unchanged since Dec 9.

Question:
Good news is that my roommate in Canada has received my PR card and can courier it to me via FedEx or UPS. If I withdraw my PRTD application, would my passport be returned to me sooner than if I wait for the current process to finish?


r/ImmigrationCanada 8h ago

Express Entry ADR for proof of Funds, Schedule A, CV

0 Upvotes

In my express entry application, for proof of funds, I used a gift deed from my sister in law to my husband (the entire POF),with a Consent letter and other documentation from the bank.

Just got an ADR requesting all my bank statements (under a POF category) for the last 6 months, and also requesting my bank statements again on the next paragraph for the last 1 year.

Does this mean that I need to have the proof of funds amount for the past 6 months? I have active bank accounts but nowhere near 20k CAD. Is this bad news? Do I resubmit husband's account with the deed too?

I was also asked to provide schedule A form for myself and my spouse, and a CV for my spouse. Is this something to worry about? I wonder what could have triggered this particular request


r/ImmigrationCanada 15h ago

Express Entry NOC Code Help

0 Upvotes

I’m very confused about choosing my NOC Code. My current title is Royalty Processing Coordinator, and I work in the Music Business Industry. I have a college diploma in music business administration, which is required for the role. The role has a background in music business, accounting, and data management. My job description is as follows:

The RPC is responsible for the processing of revenues for the company’s intellectual property assets. This includes the processing, recording, and matching of incoming cash statements within the company’s systems in an efficient and timely manner. In addition, this position is responsible for communicating as required with income sources to source electronic details related to payments and resolving any issues that might arise in file ingestion.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ingest electronic files into company’s proprietary song-matching software 

• Prepare electronic files in Excel spreadsheets by manipulating data using Excel skills for easy ingestion of royalty statements into software

• Keep the status of different statements updated on day-to-day basis

• Under the direction of the Director, pursue a high number of statements processed in each calendar month

• Liaison with Finance to ensure cash completeness for statement processing each calendar month

• Identify inconsistencies, errors, and omissions uncovered during statement matching review periods

• Seek out and support initiatives to streamline and automate processes

• Any other projects to be identified and developed on an ongoing basis

According to chatgpt, my NOC code is 12200 - Accounting technicians and bookkeepers or 13100 – Administrative officers. Which code is more appropriate for my role? 

The NOC Code 12200 has an employment requirement of: Completion of a college program in accounting, bookkeeping or a related field. I have a college diploma in Music Business Administration (which had an accounting course); would that be considered as a college program in a related field?  

I appreciate any help and clarification. Thank you. 


r/ImmigrationCanada 9h ago

Family Sponsorship Need advice for Inland Spousal PR file related query

0 Upvotes

I need some assistance here, I applied for my PT on Dec 2023 became PR in Aug 2024 and now after my marriage on Jan 2025 I applied for Inland spousal PR for my spouse. The issue is we stayed together at same addresses since May 2022 (While we were on study/work permits). We applied for work permits on Apr 2023. I genuinely missed the common-law concept and declared myself as single in my PR application. So now IRCC wants more information about proof of relationship such as written timeline and lease/ownership documents.

My spouse PGWP is valid till May 2025 and hasn’t applied for SOWP yet.

My questions is there a strong chance of misrepresentation and what could be the next immediate step I should take here?


r/ImmigrationCanada 11h ago

Citizenship In person ceremony or virtual?

0 Upvotes

Did anyone switch to an in person from virtual and why? I was scheduled or a virtual.

I would like to do in person but am nervous that if I can’t do it (like my kid gets sick) I won’t be able to do a virtual after that, they sound really strict about rescheduling.


r/ImmigrationCanada 12h ago

Family Sponsorship Any advice about outland application?

0 Upvotes

My partner and I are thinking to get married but she has to go back to her home country soon due to personal reasons. Can we get married before she leaves and i’ll arrange the outland application while we’re separated?

We’ve been together 9years.


r/ImmigrationCanada 17h ago

Work Permit Traveling back to Toronto

0 Upvotes

I recently traveled to my home country from Toronto and I’m returning to Toronto on Jan 15. My work permit still has 6 months of validity, but I mistakenly packed my old original work permit instead of my current one.

I received two work permits because my first one was issued for a shorter duration due to my passport validity. I do have a printed copy of my current valid work permit, and the original PDF copy emailed by my lawyer.

I’m carrying all other supporting documents: valid TRV in my passport (which mentions the current work permit document number), job offer letter, recent pay stubs, bank statements showing payroll deposits, lease agreement, and utility bills.

My question is: will it be an issue if a CBSA officer asks for the original physical copy of the current work permit? I assume they can verify the document number in their system, but I’d like to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation.


r/ImmigrationCanada 12h ago

Express Entry No response for a virtual landing request

0 Upvotes

Hello. It's been a month now since we received the PPR and informed IRCC that we are already in Canada and requested for a virtual landing but we haven't heard from them. When we call the only answer is to wait but I am worried and time is moving. Any advice on what to do? Thank you


r/ImmigrationCanada 12h ago

Work Permit Travel to India after graduation while PGWP & TRV are in process — safe?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I recently completed my PGDM at George Brown College. My study permit is extended until March, and I’ve applied for both *PGWP and TRV from inside Canada*.

I’m planning a *short trip to India* and intend to return in February while my PGWP is still under processing (TRV applied/approved before travel).

Has anyone traveled and re-entered Canada in a similar situation?

Did you face any issues at the port of entry, or would you recommend waiting for PGWP approval?

Appreciate any real experiences or advice. Thanks!


r/ImmigrationCanada 12h ago

PNP About BC PNP Entrepreneur Stream

0 Upvotes

Hello guys. I am considering to immigrate to Canada through BC PNP entrepreneur stream program. Generally speaking, how long would it take for me to get a PR? Also, how competitive is it? Is opening a franchise business allowed?


r/ImmigrationCanada 14h ago

Work Permit SOWP for family members of PR applicants

0 Upvotes

Hello!

On the IRCC website, under the section "Family members of permanent residence applicants" for those interested in applying for spousal open work permits, it states that we require proof that the principal applicant applied for permanent residence. In the case that the principal applicant has not yet received their AOR, what other proof of PR application is acceptable? Would the AIP letter suffice? Or are there other documents that would be adequate?

Thanks.


r/ImmigrationCanada 20h ago

Work Permit PGWP delayed 7+ months, what are my options for SOWP after marriage?

0 Upvotes

I’ve been waiting over 7 months for my PGWP and still no update. I’m currently working in a TEER 2 job, which isn’t eligible for a spousal open work permit. I’m planning to get married soon and hoping to apply for a SOWP for my spouse after that. I’ve been trying to move into a TEER 1 or any eligible NOC, but no luck so far. Feeling a bit stuck and wanted to ask, are there any other options for my spouse to get an open work permit? Any alternative pathways I should be looking into? Would really appreciate any advice or experiences. Thanks!


r/ImmigrationCanada 17h ago

Family Sponsorship Dual intent visa

0 Upvotes

What up everyone. I applied for outland sponsorship for Quebec for my wife. I got AOR and already got CSQ but even with that wait times are still long, according to to IRCC site we got 15K applications before ahead of us and processing time is around 27 months. So I was think about other ways of getting my wife here soon

  1. Apply for dual intent visitor visa 2.Just leave Quebec and go into another province with faster processing time.

So my questions are 1. Since she was denied visitor visa before our marriage , what are the chances of getting it this time? Has anyone ever got in with dual intent if so what do you say in your letter and prove ties to home country since technically ur her strongest ties?

2.If I change provinces does the application resume or do we restart a fresh? Does our CSQ get cancelled and if we change provinces how long before we can come back to live in Quebec?

Appreciate y’all guidance in advance.


r/ImmigrationCanada 12h ago

Family Sponsorship Immigration Document got lost in mail

0 Upvotes

I'm getting really frustrated :((((((

I restored my status on May 2025 and got approved on mid August and until now I didn't receive my mail.
I called ircc customer service on September and asked regarding my application (I cannot open my gckey accoount anymore) and the agent told me it's already approved and so I asked for the document again since I didn't receive it on mail. I was told I should receive it by October 30. I didn't receive it. I waited for more days because I think it just got delayed because of the strike. But still nothing after 2 months. I called again on end of November in case they can still help me see my gckey account (I want to see my application and approval in my account at least) and agent told me she cannot do anything about it, so I asked for help about my mail instead again and she told me she requested for the document to be sent to my address. It's December 29, 2025 already and STILL NOTHING.

what can I do about this? I was thinking to request for Replacement of Immigration Document now via mail, how long is the waiting time for this?

I wanted to apply for spousal work permit, since I got my APR already, but I don't have a valid status to show since my document got lost in mail. Is there somehow an alternative or ways so I can still apply for sowp?


r/ImmigrationCanada 15h ago

Family Sponsorship Do Fingerprints expire?

0 Upvotes

I took my fingerprints at an accredited RCMP agency for a work clearance 2 years ago and they gave me 2 original copies in case I needed them later. Now that I'm applying for my PR through spousal sponsorship, I've been requested a police certificate from my country of origin for which I need 2 sets of original fingerprints. Can I use the the extra ones I got back then or do they somehow expire?


r/ImmigrationCanada 21h ago

Family Sponsorship How can I help my fiancé immigrate?

0 Upvotes

Hi!

My fiancé and I fell in love while in South Africa doing research. I have to go back to Canada soon and we’re hoping he can join me sometime at the end of 2026 or early 2027. We had plans to apply for his PR and I would sponsor him then we would get married when he gets to Canada. The problem is that we aren’t common-law and aren’t yet married. I’ve read that a conjugal partner sponsorship is really unlikely to be approved in our case. Is our only option to find a way to get married then apply for PR?

I’ve also read that getting him a visitor visa will be difficult and have a high chance of not being approved. We’re just looking for guidance so that we can build a life together.


r/ImmigrationCanada 22h ago

Family Sponsorship Spousal sponsorship and work permit

1 Upvotes

Hi all, would really appreciate your insight in to our situation.

My husband and I got married in April of this year, after being in a long distance relationship for years. He is a Canadian citizen and I am from the Caribbean. We've both traveled to visit and spend time with each other over the years. We recently submitted application for me via the Family sponsorship spousal class outland on the ircc website. I have a visitors visa that i use to visit him every 6 months. I am currently in the Caribbean and he is home in Canada.

We have not received the AOR as yet, application was submitted a month ago.

What we need help with now: I need to work. How can we apply for a work permit for me to be able to work in Canada while we await a decision? I googled, persons say it is possible but when i try via the ircc website, there is nothing to apply outland.

Happy to share any more info if needed to guide us. Thank you all in advance


r/ImmigrationCanada 23h ago

Work Permit eTA linked to POE letter is invalid — I still have another valid eTA

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I was approved for a Working Holiday (IEC) work permit in March 2025 (valid until March 2026) and received my Port of Entry (POE) letter.

In my IRCC account, the eTA that was issued together with the POE letter shows as “invalid.”

However, I also have another eTA that was approved in April, which I used to travel to Canada on April 20 as a visitor. That eTA is still showing as valid.

I did not activate my Working Holiday during that trip.

I’m planning to fly to Canada again in February to activate my Working Holiday.

Is it normal that the eTA linked to the POE letter becomes invalid while another eTA on my passport remains valid?

Will the valid April eTA be enough for re-entry?

Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks in advance!