Move to Canada from the United States:
Permanent Status

Thinking of moving to Canada? Dissatisfied with the current American political scene? Each year, hundreds of citizens of the United States contact us to explore moving to Canada. Because Canadians speak the same language and share many of the same values, Canada is a popular choice for Americans. You may receive preferential treatment from Canada Immigration if your occupation is in healthcare, science, technology, engineering, mathematics or trade, transport, agriculture and agri-foods or if you are proficient in the French language. 

If you are considering emigrating from the United States to become a permanent resident in Canada, one of your first considerations will be the category of Canada Immigration to which you should apply.

Since 1996, Canada Immigration lawyers, Abrams & Krochak, have reliably guided tens of thousands of emigrants from across the globe to choose the appropriate Canada Immigration category and most beneficial means of coming to this country, according to Canada Immigration laws. Click on the links to the right of this page for an overview of the various Canada Immigration categories available to American applicants.

Once you have selected which category best suits your requirements, please proceed to complete our free Canada Immigration Eligibility Assessment questionnaire.  Our Canada Immigration attorneys will assess your eligibility to immigrate to Canada from the United States, in accordance with Canadian Immigration laws. This service is free of charge and we’ll respond within one business day. Peruse the various Online Assessment Questionnaires and fill out as many as you deem relevant to your situation. Each assessment will be methodically reviewed by our team of Canada Immigration lawyers in Toronto.

Canadian Immigration Laws: Permanent Residence Status

After emigrating from the United States, attaining “permanent resident status of Canada” is also known as “Immigration to Canada” or becoming a “landed immigrant of Canada”. Those who are successful in their Canada Immigration Application process will obtain a Canada immigrant visa, which confers permanent status upon the applicant who, as a permanent resident, will enjoy all the same rights and privileges as those of a Canadian citizen (i.e. free health care, free elementary and secondary education, subsidized post-secondary education, the right to work in Canada) with just a few exceptions.

Unlike Canadian citizens,

1. a permanent resident cannot vote;
2. a permanent resident cannot hold a Canadian passport; and
3. a permanent resident can be deported for certain criminal convictions.

Persons to whom a Canadian immigrant visa has been issued must present themselves to a Canada Immigration officer at one of Canada’s official ports of entry, to become a permanent resident.

When to Apply for Canadian Citizenship after Emigrating from the United States

Once you have emigrated from the United states and have resided in Canada for at least a total of 1095 days within any consecutive four (4) year period of time, after receiving Canadian Permanent Residence, you may apply for Canadian Citizenship. Once you have completed obtaining a Canadian Citizenship, you will be eligible for a Canadian Passport.

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada states, a permanent resident must reside in Canada for a total of at least 730 days within the five (5) years prior to the date of expiration on his/her Permanent Resident Card in order to be eligible to renew the Permanent Resident Card, subject to certain exceptions.

To be eligible to become a permanent resident you must meet the requirements of one (1) of five (5) classes of Immigration: the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Class, the Canadian Experience Class, the Family Class or the Business Class OR qualify as a provincial nominee