Following the disastrous election results America has just witnessed, the number of those seeking to emigrate to Canada has grown tenfold, even causing the country’s immigration site to crash in the early hours of the day so we wanted to help you out if you’re really serious about it with a helpful guide on how to move to Canada with no money. If you are looking for other alternatives, please feel free to check our related article: 8 Easiest Developed Countries To Immigrate To.
Now that Donald Trump has been elected president of the United States those that don’t agree with his policies, statements and personality are understandably looking for other options. People have joked numerous times over the years that they’d like to move to Canada if one law or another passed, but this time around it’s taken a frightening turn. People aren’t just saying it in a laughing manner anymore, this time they’re just scared that they’ll really have to move due to the type of policies Trump and Pence have in plan to enforce, ranging from immigration policies to laws regarding women’s autonomy over their own bodies.
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First and foremost, if you’re serious about moving to Canada, you should get a crash course in the major differences between how they do things and how America does it. First of all, there will be quite a bit of taxes on your income which will then be used to secure something that most of the world has but is missing in the United States – free healthcare. You should also be happy to know that Canada has no issues with LGBT+ rights and same sex marriage has been recognized since 2005, while adoption is also not a problem for these families. And now, let’s see how to move to Canada with no money, and which are the requirements for US citizens?
So, what do you need to do to move to Canada?
Well, you have to be over 18 or be accompanied by an adult, but that’s pretty much logical. There are multiple ways to immigrate in Canada, including by getting employment, getting selected by a specific region to move there, which happens mostly to students and business people, or having family already living there who are willing to sponsor you.
If you want to make sure you get allowed into Canada, you might be interested in enrolling in the Express Entry system which seeks skilled workers. This alone will have you short several hundred dollars, and we’re not even going to mention lawyer fees if you want to hire one to help you through the entire process. You’ll get a score based on your talents and get job prospects before getting ranked in with all the other applicants. If you do well you’ll be invited to become a permanent resident.
Make sure, however, that you know what you’re getting into. Just because it has “express” in the title, it does not mean that your application will go through in a few days. No, the average processing time for a skilled worker is of at least six months and goes up to a year, but it can take up as much as 8 years for a self-employed person. Basically, Canada has to need you to move there.
Since we’re on the topic of jobs, you should know that whatever you make in Canada is taxed. If you’re an expat, there’s a treaty in place to avoid double taxation with the US. If you do find work in Canada, however, whether through the above mentioned program or on your own, things will look up for you since the median income for Canadian families was above the median household income in America.
Moving anywhere obviously also involves getting a place to live so you’ll need to find one. The average home price in Canada, according to the local real estate association, was north of $286,000, well above the $247,000 median price across America. The cost of living here is slightly lower than in the USA, but buying a house may cost you quite a bit. This should help you, however, in becoming a permanent resident, for which you’ll have to apply with the authorities of the province you’ve set your eyes on.
Become a permanent resident
We are continuing with requirements for US citizens – as a permanent resident you get healthcare coverage, you can work, study and travel anywhere in the country. The rights reserved for full citizens are voting, running for office and getting jobs that involve high security clearance.
Becoming a permanent resident is a bit more difficult. You have to make sure you stay in Canada for at least two years in a five-year period. Without a citizenship to back your stay, you can lose your status as a permanent resident if you don’t spend that much time within the country’s borders. It should also be noted that the processing time for this application can take up to two years, so you may want to apply for it in advance and just make sure you follow the rules in the times leading to your official meeting.
Becoming a Canadian citizen
If you want to take things a step further, you should know that becoming a citizen takes a bit of work, much like it happens in the USA. You have to live in Canada as a permanent resident and be present in the country for at least 4 years in the six years before the date you apply for citizenship. You must make sure you are present for at least half a year during each of the four years mentioned above.
You must also make proof of four years’ worth of tax returns in the six years before applying. Basically, what Trump refused to do before getting elected as the leader of the United States. This means that Canada wants to make sure your job isn’t just for show.
We should also note it here since it’s not only American citizens that want to move to Canada, but residents as well, that Canada has a rule that those seeking citizenship need to speak either English or French, since both are official languages here.
Just like in America, you’ll have to take a test on Canadian history, but there’s plenty of time to learn up since this is a minimum of 6 years residency we’re talking about.
As a side note, you should be aware that Canadian officials search through your past before giving you the green light. If you’ve committed a crime in the four years leading to your application or if you’re on trial for a crime, you shouldn’t be surprised for getting rejected.
In short, if you want to move to Canada you need employment. Whether you find it yourself or they find it for you, you need to make sure you file the right application. This applies for all the other types of immigration methods available for those seeking to live in Canada, of course.
We know that this may sound a bit complicated, and that it takes time, but if you’re really serious about moving, then you should take everything into consideration and take the appropriate steps. They’re not there to make you change your mind, but to protect the Canadian people to a certain extent, but you as well since they want to make sure you’ll be able to actually enjoy your life in this new country. Best of luck, whatever you decide! We’re all going to need it.
