Moving to a new country is an exciting but challenging adventure. If you have American team members relocating to Canada, they’ll likely find a welcoming country with a great quality of life and many opportunities.
But moving can be complex. It comes with legal requirements, paperwork, and a few cultural adjustments, although the country is known for being very diverse.
Our step-by-step guide will help you navigate the essential steps your workers should take to make a move to Canada as smooth as possible.
How Can Americans Move to Canada?
You’ve probably wondered this to yourself: how simple is it really to move to a different country? Well, there are certainly many steps to make your move easy and legal, but if you follow a few guidelines, it doesn’t have to be challenging. Here’s how to get started on your move.
- Research and Prepare: Before making any decisions, thoroughly research various cities and provinces in Canada to determine which one suits your employees’ lifestyle and career goals. Consider factors like climate, job growth opportunities, cost of living, healthcare, and education. Make sure your team members have valid passports and any immigration necessary documents they may need. These may include birth certificates, marriage certificates, school transcripts and more.
- Understand Immigration Options: Canada has different immigration pathways for people looking to move permanently rather than temporarily. Common options include Express Entry (skilled workers), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Family Sponsorship, and Canadian Experience Class. For all things Canadian Immigration, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website can be a good guide to determine the best-suited program for your workers’ unique situations and qualifications.
- Visa Application: Once your workers have chosen which immigration pathway best suits their needs, they’ll need to get started on the visa application process. How do you apply for a visa? Visa application generally means submitting application forms and any other supporting paperwork to verify their applications. Most visa seekers also need to pay fees to apply. Wait times can vary based on things like visa category or application volume, and after the COVID-19 pandemic many wait times became longer across the board, so you should be encouraging visa applicants to do so well in advance.
- Plan Budget and Finances: Planning a move to a new country comes with a lot of detailed financial planning, and can often cost more than you may think. This can be a good time to booka one-to-one meeting with the employee or employees who are considering a move. Have them map out their estimated costs for relocation, including visa applicant fees, transport, cost of housing or rent, food, and initial living expenses. It may be a good idea for you to add a realistic “buffer amount” to this financial target, since moving often comes with unexpected expenses that may catch your team members by surprise. Make sure they have enough savings to support themselves during at least six months in Canada comfortably.
- Securing Housing: To start looking for housing options, understanding the city that an employee is moving to will be key. Major hub cities like Toronto and Vancouver have notoriously high rent prices. In Toronto, for example, a one-bedroom costs CAD 2,501 on average, while a two-bedroom costs CAD 3,314. Try your best to research and help your employee secure appropriate housing before they make the move. You can look at (or encourage them to consult) online listings, real estate agents, or rental agencies. If you’re not seeing promising options for rentals, temporary options like Airbnb or hostels can work while your American employees seek out better permanent homes in Canada. This is not ideal though. If it comes down to it, ask yourself whether they can possibly move at a later date when better options for housing come up.
- Health Insurance: Canada's healthcare system is publicly funded and available to permanent residents. However, during the waiting period for provincial health coverage, it's essential to have private health insurance to cover medical emergencies and basic healthcare needs.
- Moving Belongings: If your American employees are bringing their belongings across the border, research and hire reputable international moving companies to assist with the transportation process. Make sure all items they move comply with Canadian customs regulations to avoid delays or complications.
- Get Familiar with Canadian Laws and Culture: Take the time to familiarize yourself with Canadian laws, customs, and culture. This will help ease your employees’ transition and ensure they adapt smoothly to their new environment. Respect for diversity and an open-minded approach will be great assets for them to have as they get integrated into Canadian society.
- Canadian Bank Account: Once arrived in Canada, your American employees will need to open up local bank accounts. Some of the popular options in the country are TD Bank, RBC and the Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank). A Canadian bank account will help avoid unnecessary fees when accessing money and make it easier to receive payments from Canadian employers.
- Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN): A Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada is necessary for working, filing taxes, and accessing government services in Canada.
- Update Driver's License and ID Cards It’s a good idea to exchange an American driver's license for a Canadian one if your workers plan to drive into Canada for their move. Each province has different requirements, so check with the local transportation authorities if you need clarification on licensing requirements. Getting Canadian insurance and registering an owned vehicle as Canadian is also a good idea.
- Children or Dependents: If employees have children, they’ll need to do some research and enroll them in their local Canadian schools or look at homeschooling options. Each province has its own provincially-regulated education system, so it's essential to understand the requirements and curriculum.
- Network: Establishing a social network helps make you feel connected in your new home. Encourage your workers to join local community groups, attend cultural events, and engage in interest activities, sports teams, or volunteer organizations. This will help them get to know Canadians with similar interests outside their immediate workplace social circle.
- Learn About Taxes. Understanding Canada's tax system and your legal obligations as a taxpayer is crucial if you want to live in the country without stressful calls from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Have your American team members moving to Canada familiarize themselves with Canadian tax credits, deductions, and deadlines to ensure they stay compliant with legal requirements. Understanding how HST/GST, income taxes, and excise or specialty taxes work will be important knowledge for those considering a move.
Moving to Canada as an American is a life-changing decision that requires careful planning and execution. By following this step-by-step guide, you can help your team navigate the immigration process, adapt to Canadian life, and build a successful new chapter in the Great White North. Remember to encourage your workers to stay patient if they face challenges and embrace the opportunities that come along with moving to Canada.
Why is Canada a Good Place to Live for Americans?
So why go to all this trouble? If you’re wondering, Canada is a popular destination for Americans looking to move for a few reasons. Here are some of the key factors that you want to consider when pitching your American team members on relocating to Canada.
- High Quality of Life: Canada consistently ranks high on global quality of life indices. The country is home to top-quality healthcare services, a strong education system, public services, and safety. Most Canadian provinces and the country overall provide a secure and comfortable living environment for residents.
- Healthcare: The Canadian healthcare system is publicly funded which ensures that all permanent residents can access essential medical services without major financial burdens.
- Diversity: Canada is known for being culturally inclusive and diverse. The country follows official multiculturalism policies and Canadians generally accepting of different backgrounds. This can make it easier for immigrants to integrate into society. Americans, most of whom are also English speaking, will likely find the culture an easy one to integrate into and embrace since the two cultures share many similarities.
- Economy: Canada generally has a stable economy, with many job opportunities in different sectors. The country weathered the 2008 financial crisis relatively well, reflecting its economic resilience. This makes it important for you to think about how you can remain competitive as an employer. If you’re looking for high-skilled workers in fields like technology, Ottawa and Montreal are two Canadian cities known for their tech talent. There are many employers your workers could choose to work for, so understand that they may have leverage in certain industries and tailor your offers accordingly. Want more information on what it could cost you to hire employee in Canada? We break those costs down here.
- Education: Canada's education system is well-known for having high standards and quality. From primary schools to universities, students have access to excellent educational facilities and resources. Since the country is officially bilingual, if your employees have children, they will be able to access education services in English and French, which will help their children stand out once they are ready to enter the job market.
- Safety: Canada is considered one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates and a strong emphasis on public safety. Doing research into which cities or provinces your employees will be comfortable in will help them acclimatize. Get to know which American cities or states they come from and what might offer them a similar experience. Say you have employees from New York City, for instance. They may feel most comfortable in a bustling city like Toronto or Montreal (although keep in mind language barriers for the latter if they are not French-speaking). A rural Texan worker may enjoy Alberta, while a west-coast Los Angelos export might love Vancouver. Understanding the lifestyle needs of your workers and what they are used to will help you find them great placements in Canada.
- Beautiful Natural Environment: Canada is known for stunning landscapes, including mountains, forests, lakes, and coastlines. Outdoor enthusiasts will find lots of opportunities for recreational activities. Keep in mind how these benefits could greatly enhance your employees’ moves from a lifestyle perspective.
- Immigration-Friendly Policies: Canada’s immigration system is relatively well-structured and caters primarily to skilled workers, students, and families that are reuniting. Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs make it fairly straightforward for eligible immigrants to get permanent residency.
- Strong Social Support System: The Canadian government provides a strong social security system, including unemployment benefits, family allowances, and support for seniors and persons with disabilities.
- Work-Life Balance: Canadians prioritize work-life balance, which is evident in the standard working hours and generous vacation policies. These practices are meant to promote overall well-being and job satisfaction.
- Low Population Density: Although its land mass is large, Canada has a relatively low population density. This means more space and less overcrowding in many areas. Central Canada and the prairies have especially low populations, however, you will find larger populations in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.
- Outdoor Activities: Canada offers many outdoor activities, like skiing, hiking, camping, and water sports in beautiful landscapes. This makes it ideal for nature lovers or workers who might be adventure seekers. Encourage your team members to spend time exploring Canada to improve their overall mental health and wellbeing.
Overall, Canada's combination of economic opportunities, social support, beautiful landscapes, and inclusive society makes it a good consideration for your American workers seeking a high quality of life and a fresh start somewhere new.
How Can Borderless Help?
Moving to a new country doesn’t only come with personal challenges. It comes with a ton of paperwork! For your employees, this can be hard and moving them somewhere new with your company can often be just as tricky for you, the employer.
At Borderless, we help employers hire and work with distributed teams in over 170+ countries. If your American Workers are considering a Canadian move, we want them to feel just as comfortable abroad as they would at home. From a legal standpoint, major moves come with financial and tax compliance loopholes.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. Book your demo with Borderless to see how we can help you move your distributed team, no matter where they work from, comfortably and compliantly.
Disclaimer
Borderless does not provide legal services or legal advice to anyone. This includes customers, contractors, employees, partners, and the general public. We are not lawyers or paralegals. Please read our full disclaimer here.
