Americans Moving to Canada: Your Options in 2026

Americans moving to Canada use the same programs as everyone else: Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program, a work permit, a study permit, or family sponsorship. No American-only visa exists. US professionals in listed occupations can get a CUSMA work permit without an LMIA. A US passport covers visits of up to six months, not a move.

Compare the routes in the Pathway Explorer

Last verified: November 2026

600
CRS points a Provincial Nominee Program nomination adds
697 to 805
Cut-offs of the 2026 rounds for nominated candidates, through October 26, 2026
$990 CAD
Express Entry processing fee for a single applicant
$600 CAD
Right of permanent residence fee, paid on top

Our Fee Calculator adds up the government fees for your family.

Does being American give you a faster route?

Canada does not have a dedicated immigration program just for Americans, and being a US citizen does not by itself give you the right to live, work, or study in Canada. You apply through the same federal and provincial routes as everyone else.

A one-time 2023 measure that opened work permits to H-1B holders in the US reached its cap of 10,000 applications the day after it opened (July 16 to 17, 2023). Intake closed and IRCC has not reopened it, so it should not be counted on.

The main pathways are economic immigration (Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs, or PNPs), employer-driven work permits, study permits that can lead to permanent residence, and family sponsorship. The CRS rewards education, language ability (English or French) and skilled work experience, whatever your citizenship. One route is open only to US and Mexican citizens: the CUSMA professional work permit, which skips the LMIA step.

Can you move to Canada on a US passport alone?

No. US citizens are visa-exempt and do not need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to fly to Canada. You travel on a valid US passport and are generally admitted as a visitor for up to six months at a time, at the border officer's discretion.

Being admitted as a visitor does not give you the right to work, study long-term, or settle. To actually move, you need the appropriate work permit, study permit, or permanent residence. Spending time in Canada as a visitor does not convert into status on its own.

The rule

Being a US citizen does not by itself give you the right to live, work, or study in Canada.

IRCC, canada.caVerify on canada.ca

How do Express Entry and a provincial nomination lead to permanent residence?

Express Entry is the federal system that manages applications for several economic immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. It ranks eligible candidates against each other using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a points score out of 1,270 (since November 3, 2026), and periodically invites the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence (PR).

A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination adds 600 CRS points. In 2026, rounds for nominated candidates cut off between 697 and 805, through the round of October 26, 2026. Every province and territory except Quebec and Nunavut runs one, and Quebec selects its own skilled workers through its own system.

IRCC also runs category-based Express Entry draws that invite candidates with experience in priority areas, and within a category IRCC still ranks candidates by CRS score. Both Express Entry and PNPs lead directly to PR, which allows a person to live and work anywhere in Canada. PNP streams change frequently, so confirm current options on the province's official site.

How does a CUSMA work permit help US professionals?

Under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), qualifying professionals in certain listed occupations can obtain a work permit without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The employer does not need an LMIA, the assessment of the job's effect on Canada's labour market, before you can get the permit.

There are conditions. You generally need:

a Canadian job offer in a profession on the CUSMA list
the qualifications that profession requires (often a relevant degree)
to satisfy an officer that your stay is temporary

The professions covered are specific (for example engineers, computer systems analysts, scientists in listed fields such as biologists and chemists, registered nurses and pharmacists). US citizens already in Canada as visitors may apply under the professional or intra-company transferee CUSMA categories.

A CUSMA work permit is temporary. Skilled Canadian work experience gained on it can later support a permanent residence application, for example through the Canadian Experience Class within Express Entry. The CUSMA/USMCA Work Permit guide lists the professions and fees.

Can you study first, or be sponsored by family?

A study permit lets you attend a designated learning institution, can lead to a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), and the Canadian education and work experience you gain can then improve your standing for permanent residence. It is a longer path, but it builds the factors Express Entry rewards.

Family sponsorship may apply if a close relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor you: a spouse or common-law partner, a parent if you are their dependent child, or your child or grandchild through the Parents and Grandparents Program, which IRCC has paused for new sponsorships. This route is about your relationship to a sponsor rather than your job or score.

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What do people ask?

Is there a special immigration program for Americans moving to Canada?

No. There is no American-only visa or fast track. US citizens use the same programs as everyone else: Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, work permits, study permits and family sponsorship. The one real difference is CUSMA, which gives US and Mexican professionals in listed occupations a work permit with no LMIA. The Pathway Explorer lists each program's published criteria.

What is the process for Americans moving to Canada?

Start by picking a route, then apply for the matching permit or permanent residence. Estimate your CRS score, compare it with each program's published criteria, and check whether your occupation is on the CUSMA list. Then enter the Express Entry pool, seek a provincial nomination, secure a job offer for a work permit, or apply to study. Our CRS Calculator gives the first estimate.

What is the fastest way for a US citizen to move to Canada?

For temporary work, CUSMA skips the LMIA step: qualifying US professionals with a Canadian job offer in a listed occupation can get a work permit without an LMIA. For permanent residence, IRCC's service standard for Express Entry applications is 180 days for 80% of complete applications, and a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Our CUSMA/USMCA Work Permit guide lists the professions and fees.

Do US citizens need an eTA or visa to enter Canada?

No. US citizens are visa-exempt and need no electronic travel authorization (eTA) to fly to Canada. You travel on a valid US passport and are generally admitted as a visitor for up to six months at a time, at the officer's discretion. A visit gives no right to work, study long-term or settle, which needs a permit or PR. Our Visiting Canada from the US guide covers the border rules.

Does working in Canada on a CUSMA permit help me get PR?

It can. A CUSMA work permit is temporary, but skilled Canadian work experience gained on it can support a later permanent residence application, for example through the Canadian Experience Class in Express Entry. The permit does not become PR on its own, so you still apply under a PR program. Our Canadian Experience Class guide explains how Canadian work experience counts.

Does a Canadian job offer still add points to my Express Entry score?

Only in a high-wage occupation. Since November 3, 2026, a qualifying job offer earns 100, 70 or 50 CRS points if its occupation is on IRCC's high-wage occupations list, and 0 otherwise. It counts only if it beats your Canadian work experience points, because the new labour market integration factor gives one or the other, never both. From March 25, 2025 to November 2, 2026, a job offer added no CRS points. A job offer can also support a work permit, such as a CUSMA permit, and your wider plan. Our Express Entry job offer points guide explains what counts.

Can I keep my US citizenship if I become a Canadian citizen?

On the Canadian side, yes: Canada allows multiple citizenships. Check the US rules with the US State Department. Rules and tax obligations on each side can be complex and can change, so confirm your situation with official US and Canadian sources before relying on this. Our How to Become a Canadian Citizen guide covers the Canadian requirements.

How much does it cost for an American to move to Canada?

It depends on the route. A single Express Entry applicant pays $990 CAD in processing plus the $600 CAD right of permanent residence fee. Add biometrics, a language test, a credential assessment, a medical exam and, for some programs, proof of settlement funds, plus moving and living costs, which differ a lot by province. Our Fee Calculator adds up the government fees for your family.

Part of:Immigrating permanently

Official sources

This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.