“How to move to Canada”
That search term hit Google like the plague a few days ago when America’s voters voted heavily in favour of Donald Trump for American presidency on “Super Tuesday”. And though those results may come as surprising to some, the reality of the situation is becoming more and more clear: there’s a good, and growing, chance that Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States.
Wow.
So to help all of our American friends, we’ve compiled this fairly exhaustive resource of the 3 ways American citizens can move to Canada if The Donald wins and you need to flee.
Method 1: Get a family member to sponsor you (Family Class Immigrant)
There are three categories of people eligible to be sponsored into Canadian residency.
Group 1: Parents, grandparents, adopted children and other relatives
You must meet one of these criteria:
Your family member in Canada must meet all of these criteria:
Your family member in Canada must NOT meet any of these criteria:
Be a parent or grandparent of someone in Canada
Be a child adopted outside Canada by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada at the time the adoption took place, or be a child intended to be adopted in Canada
Be a brother or sister, nephew or niece, grandson or granddaughter, under 18 years of age and do not have a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
Be any other person with whom the sponsor has a family relationship if they do not have a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, son, daughter, mother, father, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, uncle, aunt, niece or nephew who is a Canadian citizen, a registered Indian, a permanent resident or whom they may sponsor. If you think this may be your case, it’s advised that you contact a Citizenship and Immigration Canada Call Centre. For citizenship and immigration questions, reach them at 1-888-242-2100, or for permanent residence information, reach them at 1-800-255-4541. If you reside outside of Canada, visit your local Canadian embassy/consulate for more information.
Be 18 years of age or older;
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
Reside in Canada;
Sign an undertaking promising to provide for your basic needs and, if applicable, his or her family members;
Sign an agreement with you that confirms that each of you understands your mutual obligations and responsibilities; and
Meet the necessary income requirement that the Canadian government determines each year. This is currently the “Low Income Cut Off” for sponsoring adopted children and 30% more than “LICO” for parents and grandparents.
Receive social assistance other than disability assistance
Be in default of an undertaking, an immigration loan, a performance bond, or family support payments
Be an un-discharged bankrupt
Have been convicted of a crime causing bodily harm to a relative, such as sexual or violent offenses
Be under a removal order
Be detained in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison
One thing to keep in mind if you plan on going through this process in 2016: as per this press release, the government of Canada has already hit their cap and has stopped accepting applications for parents and grandparents in 2016. That happened just one week into 2016, so if you do plan on applying in 2017, be sure to do it in the first day or two to ensure your application gets through!
Group 2: Spouses, common-law or conjugal partners, or dependent children living outside of Canada
You must meet one of these criteria:
Your family member in Canada must meet all of these criteria:
Your family member in Canada must NOT meet any of these criteria:
Be a common-law partner, who you have lived together with in a conjugal relationship for a period of at least one year (can be of the opposite or the same sex)
Be a conjugal partner that would normally apply as a common-law partner or spouse but their current immigration status has made neither the one-year of continuously living together nor traditional marriage options that are not available to them
Be a dependent child under the age of 19 and not a spouse or common-law partner or someone who has depended substantially on the financial support of a parent since before the age of 19 and are unable to provide for themselves due to a medical condition.
Be 18 years of age or older;
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
Reside in Canada OR if they are a Canadian citizen not living in Canada, they may sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and/or dependent children who have no dependent children of their own. They must demonstrate that they will live in Canada once you become a permanent resident.
Sign an undertaking promising to provide for your basic requirements and, if applicable, your dependent children.
Receive social assistance other than disability assistance
Be in default of an undertaking, an immigration loan, a performance bond, or family support payments
Be an un-discharged bankrupt
Have been convicted of a crime causing bodily harm to a relative, such as sexual or violent offenses
Be under a removal order
Be detained in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison
Group 3: Spouses, common-law partners and dependent children living inside Canada
Who is a spouse or common-law partner? Both must:
Live with you in Canada;
Have a valid passport or travel document;
Be 18 years old or older; and
Be your spouse or common-law partner for genuine reasons and not primarily for the purpose of getting permanent residence in Canada.
Can be opposite sex or same-sex
Spouse
Common Law Partner
Married to you.
If you were married in Canada, you must have a marriage certificate from the province or territory where you got married.
If you were married outside of Canada, the marriage must be legally valid in that place as well as under Canadian law. As a general rule of thumb, your marriage will be valid in Canada as long as it is a) valid in the country in which you were married, and b) also adheres to Canadian marriage laws (no close-relative marriages, maximum one spouse per person, etc.)
If you were married in an embassy or consulate, the marriage must be legal according to the country where the embassy or consulate is located.
Living with you in a conjugal relationship. You must have lived together for 12 months continuously, with no interruptions (You may be apart for short periods for business travel or family reasons). You must provide proof that you have set up a household together.
As we said in Group 2 above, a dependent child must:
Be under the age of 19 and not a spouse or common-law partner; or
Have depended substantially on the financial support of a parent since before the age of 19 and unable to provide for themselves due to a medical condition.
That said, once you’ve identified that you fit into one of the above classifications, look back to Group 2 to see the criteria your sponsor needs to meet.
Two Important Notes:
Since March 2, 2012, if you enter Canada as a sponsored spouse or partner you are not eligible to sponsor a new spouse or partner for a period of 5 years from the date you land in Canada. Contact the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 for more information.
Since October 25, 2012, if you apply to come to Canada as a sponsored spouse or partner, you may be subject to a 2-year conditional permanent resident status, with some exceptions. Contact the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 for more information.
By the way, we’ve mentioned above that you must sign an undertaking promising to provide financially for the well-being of the person being sponsored. Here’s a handy chart showing when that responsibility ends:
Family member type
Your obligations end
Spouse or common-law or conjugal partner
3 years after that person becomes a permanent resident
Dependent child or a dependent child of your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and UNDER 22 years of age on the day he or she becomes a permanent resident
10 years after that child becomes a permanent resident OR on the day that child reaches age 25, whichever comes first
Dependent child or a dependent child of your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and 22 years of age or OVER on the day he or she becomes a permanent resident
3 years after that child becomes a permanent resident
Any other person (e.g., parents, grandparents, or a dependent children of your parents)
10 years after that person becomes a permanent resident
Method 2: Get a Skilled Worker Visa
The skilled worker class is considered by many to be the most effective way to gain Canadian residency. When applying through this class, officials will consider your age, work experience, education, and the field in which you will be working. You’ll need to match one of the 347 eligible occupations below. Immigration.ca has a free assessment tool for determining your chances of being granted a work visa under the skilled worker program. Do the assessment here and you’ll have your results back in 1-2 business days.
You also need to meet these 6 criteria:
Possess one-year of continuous full-time paid work experience or the equivalent in part-time continuous employment within the previous 10 years in one of 347 eligible occupations listed under the applicable National Occupational Classification system (below); AND
The work experience must be classified within Skill Type 0 (Managerial Occupations), Skill Level A (Professional Occupations), or Skill Level B (Technical Occupations and Skilled Trades) within the meaning of the National Occupational Classification system; AND
Score sufficient points under the skilled worker point grid comprising of six selection factors. The current pass mark is 67 points;
Undergo language testing from a recognized third party and demonstrate intermediate level language skills in English or French corresponding to the Canadian Language Benchmark of 7)
Possess suitable settlement funding;
Undergo a successful security background and medical examination.
Here’s the full list of eligible occupations, with their associated 4-digit NOC code:
0011 Legislators
2123 Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists
3237 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
6346 Funeral directors and embalmers
0012 Senior government managers and officials
2131 Civil engineers
4011 University professors and lecturers
7201 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
0013 Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services
2132 Mechanical engineers
4012 Post-secondary teaching and research assistants
7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
0014 Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
2133 Electrical and electronics engineers
4021 College and other vocational instructors
7203 Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
0015 Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services, n.e.c.
2134 Chemical engineers
4031 Secondary school teachers
7204 Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
0016 Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities
2141 Industrial and manufacturing engineers
4032 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
0111 Financial managers
2142 Metallurgical and materials engineers
4033 Educational counsellors
7231 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
0112 Human resources managers
2143 Mining engineers
4111 Judges
7232 Tool and die makers
0113 Purchasing managers
2144 Geological engineers
4112 Lawyers and Quebec notaries
7233 Sheet metal workers
0114 Other administrative services managers
2145 Petroleum engineers
4151 Psychologists
7234 Boilermakers
0121 Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers
2146 Aerospace engineers
4152 Social workers
7235 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
0122 Banking, credit and other investment managers
2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
4153 Family, marriage and other related counsellors
7236 Ironworkers
0124 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
2148 Other professional engineers, n.e.c.
4154 Professional occupations in religion
7237 Welders and related machine operators
0125 Other business services managers
2151 Architects
4155 Probation and parole officers and related occupations
7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
0131 Telecommunication carriers managers
2152 Landscape architects
4156 Employment counsellors
7242 Industrial electricians
0132 Postal and courier services managers
2153 Urban and land use planners
4161 Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers
7243 Power system electricians
0211 Engineering managers
2154 Land surveyors
4162 Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts
7244 Electrical power line and cable workers
0212 Architecture and science managers
2161 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
4163 Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants
7245 Telecommunications line and cable workers
0213 Computer and information systems managers
2171 Information systems analysts and consultants
4164 Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers
7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers
0311 Managers in health care
2172 Database analysts and data administrators
4165 Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers
7247 Cable television service and maintenance technicians
0411 Government managers – health and social policy development and program administration
2173 Software engineers and designers
4166 Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers
7251 Plumbers
0412 Government managers – economic analysis, policy development and program administration
2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
4167 Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers
7252 Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
0413 Government managers – education policy development and program administration
2175 Web designers and developers
4168 Program officers unique to government
7253 Gas fitters
0414 Other managers in public administration
2211 Chemical technologists and technicians
4169 Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.
7271 Carpenters
0421 Administrators – post-secondary education and vocational training
2212 Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
4211 Paralegal and related occupations
7272 Cabinetmakers
0422 School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
2221 Biological technologists and technicians
4212 Social and community service workers
7281 Bricklayers
0423 Managers in social, community and correctional services
2222 Agricultural and fish products inspectors
4214 Early childhood educators and assistants
7282 Concrete finishers
0431 Commissioned police officers
2223 Forestry technologists and technicians
4215 Instructors of persons with disabilities
7283 Tile setters
0432 Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
2224 Conservation and fishery officers
4216 Other instructors
7284 Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
0433 Commissioned officers of the Canadian Forces
2225 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
4217 Other religious occupations
7291 Roofers and shinglers
0511 Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers
2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians
4311 Police officers (except commissioned)
7292 Glaziers
0512 Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
4312 Firefighters
7293 Insulators
0513 Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors
2233 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
4313 Non-commissioned ranks of the Canadian Forces
7294 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
0601 Corporate sales managers
2234 Construction estimators
5111 Librarians
7295 Floor covering installers
0621 Retail and wholesale trade managers
2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
5112 Conservators and curators
7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
0631 Restaurant and food service managers
2242 Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)
5113 Archivists
7302 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
0632 Accommodation service managers
2243 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
5121 Authors and writers
7303 Supervisors, printing and related occupations
0651 Managers in customer and personal services, n.e.c.
2244 Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
5122 Editors
7304 Supervisors, railway transport operations
0711 Construction managers
2251 Architectural technologists and technicians
5123 Journalists
7305 Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
0712 Home building and renovation managers
2252 Industrial designers
5125 Translators, terminologists and interpreters
7311 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
0714 Facility operation and maintenance managers
2253 Drafting technologists and technicians
5131 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
7312 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
0731 Managers in transportation
2254 Land survey technologists and technicians
5132 Conductors, composers and arrangers
7313 Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
0811 Managers in natural resources production and fishing
2255 Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
5133 Musicians and singers
7314 Railway Carmen/women
0821 Managers in agriculture
2261 Non-destructive testers and inspection technicians
5134 Dancers
7315 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
0822 Managers in horticulture
2262 Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers
5135 Actors and comedians
7316 Machine fitters
0823 Managers in aquaculture
2263 Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety
5136 Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
7318 Elevator constructors and mechanics
0911 Manufacturing managers
2264 Construction inspectors
5211 Library and public archive technicians
7321 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
0912 Utilities managers
2271 Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
5212 Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries
7322 Motor vehicle body repairers
1111 Financial auditors and accountants
2272 Air traffic controllers and related occupations
5221 Photographers
7331 Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
1112 Financial and investment analysts
2273 Deck officers, water transport
5222 Film and video camera operators
7332 Appliance servicers and repairers
1113 Securities agents, investment dealers and brokers
2274 Engineer officers, water transport
5223 Graphic arts technicians
7333 Electrical mechanics
1114 Other financial officers
2275 Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
5224 Broadcast technicians
7334 Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
1121 Human resources professionals
2281 Computer network technicians
5225 Audio and video recording technicians
7335 Other small engine and small equipment repairers
1122 Professional occupations in business management consulting
2282 User support technicians
5226 Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
7361 Railway and yard locomotive engineers
1123 Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
2283 Information systems testing technicians
5227 Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts
7362 Railway conductors and brakemen/women
1211 Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers
3011 Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors
5231 Announcers and other broadcasters
7371 Crane operators
1212 Supervisors, finance and insurance office workers
3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
5232 Other performers, n.e.c.
7372 Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction
1213 Supervisors, library, correspondence and related information workers
3111 Specialist physicians
5241 Graphic designers and illustrators
7373 Water well drillers
1214 Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations
3112 General practitioners and family physicians
5242 Interior designers and interior decorators
7381 Printing press operators
1215 Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling co-ordination occupations
3113 Dentists
5243 Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
7384 Other trades and related occupations, n.e.c.
1221 Administrative officers
3114 Veterinarians
5244 Artisans and craftspersons
8211 Supervisors, logging and forestry
1222 Executive assistants
3121 Optometrists
5245 Patternmakers – textile, leather and fur products
8221 Supervisors, mining and quarrying
1223 Human resources and recruitment officers
3122 Chiropractors
5251 Athletes
8222 Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
1224 Property administrators
3124 Allied primary health practitioners
5252 Coaches
8231 Underground production and development miners
1225 Purchasing agents and officers
3125 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
5253 Sports officials and referees
8232 Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
1226 Conference and event planners
3131 Pharmacists
5254 Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness
8241 Logging machinery operators
1227 Court officers and justices of the peace
3132 Dietitians and nutritionists
6211 Retail sales supervisors
8252 Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers8255 Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
1228 Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers
3141 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
6221 Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade
8261 Fishing masters and officers
1241 Administrative assistants
3142 Physiotherapists
6222 Retail and wholesale buyers
8262 Fishermen/women
1242 Legal administrative assistants
3143 Occupational therapists
6231 Insurance agents and brokers
9211 Supervisors, mineral and metal processing
1243 Medical administrative assistants
3144 Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
6232 Real estate agents and salespersons
9212 Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
1251 Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations
3211 Medical laboratory technologists
6235 Financial sales representatives
9213 Supervisors, food, beverage and associated products processing
1252 Health information management occupations
3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants
6311 Food service supervisors
9214 Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing
1253 Records management technicians
3213 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
6312 Executive housekeepers
9215 Supervisors, forest products processing
1254 Statistical officers and related research support occupations
3214 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
6313 Accommodation, travel, tourism and related services supervisors
9217 Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing
1311 Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
3215 Medical radiation technologists
6314 Customer and information services supervisors
9221 Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling
1312 Insurance adjusters and claims examiners
3216 Medical sonographers
6315 Cleaning supervisors
9222 Supervisors, electronics manufacturing
1313 Insurance underwriters
3217 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.
6316 Other services supervisors
9223 Supervisors, electrical products manufacturing
1314 Assessors, valuators and appraisers
3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)
6321 Chefs
9224 Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing
1315 Customs, ship and other brokers
3221 Denturists
6322 Cooks
9226 Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing
2111 Physicists and astronomers
3222 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
6331 Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale
9227 Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly
2112 Chemists
3223 Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants
6332 Bakers
9231 Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing
2113 Geoscientists and oceanographers
3231 Opticians
6341 Hairstylists and barbers
9232 Petroleum, gas and chemical process operators
2114 Meteorologists and climatologists
3232 Practitioners of natural healing
6342 Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners
9235 Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators
2115 Other professional occupations in physical sciences
3233 Licensed practical nurses
6343 Shoe repairers and shoemakers
9241 Power engineers and power systems operators
2121 Biologists and related scientists
3234 Paramedical occupations
6344 Jewellers, jewellery and watch repairers and related occupations
9243 Water and waste treatment plant operators
2122 Forestry professionals
3236 Massage therapists
6345 Upholsterers
Method 3: Get a Business Visa
There are 3 types of business visas available to prospective immigrants to Canada: the Entrepreneur Program, the Self-Employed Program, and the Investor Program. They all require that applicants earn sufficient points in the selection factors to meet the pass mark, of which the selection factors include points awarded for education, proficiency in Canadian official languages, work experience, age, and adaptability factors to life in Canada.
Here are the program-specific eligibility criteria for each of the three:
Entrepreneur Program
Demonstrate business experience. This means that you must have managed and controlled a percent of equity of a qualifying business;
Possess a minimum net worth of $300,000 CDN of legally acquired funds;
Have the intention and ability to own and actively manage a Qualifying Canadian Business within three years of becoming a permanent resident;
Create at least one-full time employment for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
You can use this assessment form by workpermit.com to see if you could be a good fit for the program.
Self-Employed Program
Demonstrate at least 2 years’ experience of self-employment in cultural activities or in athletics, and participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics, or farm management experience;
Possess sufficient funds to support their family upon their arrival (Quebec specifies $100,000 is necessary)
Possess the intention and ability to establish a business that will generate self-employment;
Make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada or purchase and manage a farm in Canada;
Investor
Possess a minimum net worth of $10 million CAD of legally acquired funds
Required to invest a minimum of $2 million for a minimum of 15 years into the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital fund
There are other ways to get into Canada –provincial immigration and Quebec-selected immigration, for example – but we’re not going to talk about them here.
Why? For a number of reasons, the most prominent being that if you aren’t eligible for any of the three methods above, then there’s a very, very slim chance that you’re going to be eligible for another method. Do yourself a favour and go deep on one or several of the first three before looking at other options.
Let us know if you have experience trying any of these methods! It’s never easy moving to a new country, but we’re here to help you along the way 
The post 3 Ways Americans Can Move to Canada appeared first on How I Travel.