# Moving from the USA to Canada. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 27, 2005, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-the-usa-to-canada/301452 "2005-04-27T22:53:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Oregon\_sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/50afbb/32.png) [@Oregon\_sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oregon_sunshine)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-the-usa-to-canada/301452/1 "2005-04-27T22:53:52Z")
Well, I’m considering a future move to Canada. Has anyone else done this or is considering doing so? I’ve checked out Canada’s Immigration & Naturalization web site for details, and I know that there is a six month wait period before you can work as well as pretty strict entry requirements for skilled workers. I got an 82 on the skilled worker visa test. (FYI, not that it is exactly relevant to this thread, I am considering the change because I am sick of the domestic and foreign policy of our government. If the USA doesn’t slant even SOMEWHAT left in the next few years, I’m considering getting out.) I can’t really envision the details of emigrating, like, do you absolutely have to have a promised job first? What do folks do for the six month waiting time? How about citizenship? Anything else I should know about? I would like to hear from folks who have moved from the USA to Canada as well as Canadians about what their country is like. Thank you, I appreciate your thoughts! ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-the-usa-to-canada/301452/2 "2005-04-28T00:21:19Z")
I suspect Canada’s strict immigration policies are the only thing that’s kept a fair number of folks from heading north already. ---
**Author:** ![Oregon\_sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/50afbb/32.png) [@Oregon\_sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oregon_sunshine)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-the-usa-to-canada/301452/3 "2005-04-28T00:41:53Z")
Yeah, it seems that way but I think I could do it, especially if our government continues to progress (regress?) in the same direction it’s heading right now. I think that the six months thing is the part that’s the most unclear to me; do you have to move there, then not work for six months? That sounds difficult, but not impossible…I would wonder what the reasoning behind that is. ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-the-usa-to-canada/301452/4 "2005-04-28T00:42:47Z")
There’s an organization called BUNAC that will get you work and travel permits for up to 6 months in Canada. You might also try applying to some Canadian universities. ---
**Author:** ![mcott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mcott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcott)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-the-usa-to-canada/301452/5 "2005-04-28T05:26:54Z")
Well, this is the [Canadian](http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/nafta-alena/temp05-4-en.asp) guide for NAFTA employment. I’m sure the US would have something similar. I’d try looking at _Firstgov_. As far as I know, “management” positions are transferable. If your current employer stradles the border, look for internal postings. I keep looking for US jobs with my employer - of course I’m looking for jobs in OZ or something fun in Europe as well. I just need to make the move to management 🙂 As to what the country is like, it’s pretty much like yours. Except with far fewer people, eh! Where are you looking to move to? Regional differences can come into play. Also, if you don’t mind my asking, what do you do? That as well can help, if it’s an in demand job. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-the-usa-to-canada/301452/6 "2005-04-28T15:35:54Z")
One big cross-border relocation problem is establishing credit. Even though Transunion and that other credit company operate in both countries, the separate branches don’t talk to each other, so every year thousands of people move and find out they can’t get a credit card… The workaround is to get yourself an Amex now, and then when you move, have American Express set up an account for you in your new currency. Unlike Visa or Mastercard, Amex has its own in-house credit bureau, so you can actually get a credit card in a few days. ---
**Author:** ![Aguecheek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Aguecheek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aguecheek)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-the-usa-to-canada/301452/7 "2005-04-28T18:47:27Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > One big cross-border relocation problem is establishing credit. Even though Transunion and that other credit company operate in both countries, the separate branches don’t talk to each other, so every year thousands of people move and find out they can’t get a credit card… > > The workaround is to get yourself an Amex now, and then when you move, have American Express set up an account for you in your new currency. Unlike Visa or Mastercard, Amex has its own in-house credit bureau, so you can actually get a credit card in a few days. I’d check with Equifax, though. When I moved from Canada to the US and applied for a personal loan (after only having been here about 6 months), I got turned down by everyone until I asked them to use Equifax instead of the others. YMMV, natch. ---
**Author:** ![wisernow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@wisernow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wisernow)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-the-usa-to-canada/301452/8 "2005-04-28T19:17:13Z")
> [@ggurl](#): > > I know that there is a six month wait period before you can work as well as pretty strict entry requirements for skilled workers. I got an 82 on the skilled worker visa test. I am not sure you are correct there. If you apply for immigration as a Permanent Resident, you can start working the day you land. The process to get that Immigration status however may take longer than say a visitor visa or study permit. Maybe I would understand better if you could provide me a link to where you got that information. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-the-usa-to-canada/301452/9 "2005-04-28T19:48:44Z")
[http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/qual-1.html](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/qual-1.html) That’s Canada’s immigration page - specifically designed to be as confusing as possible. (Although at least it’s free - you have to pay even to look at the US site). Anyhow - if you can set up employment, then you can work while applying for immigration status. If you cannot set up employment, then you have to have sufficent funds to support yourself for the time you’re waiting - for a single person it’s just under $10,000 canadian (~$7,500 US). Work arounds to this are: a) marry a Canadian - male or female b) attend a Canadian university - this will get you a student visa and you can apply while holding that. You CANNOT apply while holding a regular work visa. You CAN apply if you have a skilled worker work visa. Ugh - it would be much easier to advise you (which I do on a semi regular basis at my job) if I knew what sort of education and job skills you had? (HINT, HINT) 🙂 Anyhow - Canada is a great place. We have more moose, poutine and touques than any person could ever want. There was Celine Dion, but we shipped her south, pot is mostly legal and if yer gay, you can still get married. What’s not to like? (I mean, appart from the 8 months of winter). ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2005, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-the-usa-to-canada/301452/10 "2005-04-29T05:55:17Z")
_Ggurl_, maybe I’m getting a bit ahead of myself and you, but here are some [good](http://www.childwelfare.ca/cwrcscwk.shtml) [links](http://www.aboriginalsocialwork.ca/special_topics/60s_scoop/). You know I like to think romantically, so I can very well picture you finding employment opportunities easily within Canada – I’m sure a skilled volunteer with employment potential could easily find employment and maybe even a fasttrack to citizenship? Although I can’t cite, I’m almost sure social workers are in demand within the comprehensive and enlightened social services framework that Canada insures its citizens. Particularly in some underserviced remote areas and services for the Native American population. Find your opening. 99% of citizenship is occupation, anyways – The Universe will provide, and it will provide for you. Maybe, I’ll be following you on my student visa. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2005, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-the-usa-to-canada/301452/11 "2005-04-29T06:11:43Z")
This is a [deeper link](http://www.aboriginalsocialwork.ca/social_work_programs/index.htm) that I don’t want you to miss. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2005, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-the-usa-to-canada/301452/12 "2005-04-29T06:18:21Z")
I did find my [cite](http://www.socialworkincanada.org/pdf/casswoverview_en.pdf).