Why US Citizens Should Move to Canada
Image: Hudson Thomas from Unsplash
For many skilled foreign workers currently living in the United States, the idea of relocating to Canada is becoming increasingly attractive. Whether it's for permanent residency, work-life balance, or long-term security, Canada offers a compelling mix of benefits that stand in contrast to the American experience.
If you're an American or a foreign professional working in the US, here’s why you should seriously consider making the move up north — and how Maritimes Immigration Consulting can help you every step of the way.
Faster Pathways to Permanent Residency
Canada’s immigration system is designed to welcome skilled workers through streamlined programs like Express Entry. US-based professionals often qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, which allows them to enter the Express Entry pool based on education, work experience, and language ability.
Processing times for permanent residency can take as little as five months — much faster than many US employment-based green cards, which can take years or even decades.
Simplified Citizenship Process
Permanent residents in Canada can apply for citizenship after just three years of residency within the last five years — much quicker than the five-year requirement in the US (or three years if married to a US citizen).
Work-Life Balance That Actually Works
Canada has strong protections around vacation, after-hours communication, and severance pay. Most employees receive a minimum of two to three weeks of paid vacation, and 10+ paid statutory holidays annually. Some provinces even have laws protecting your right to disconnect from work after hours.
Meanwhile, Canadian labour laws require employers to provide notice or compensation upon termination — a stark contrast to the “at-will” employment model used in many US states.
Parental Leave That Supports Families
New parents in Canada are eligible for up to 76 weeks of combined paid parental and maternity leave through the Employment Insurance program. In comparison, the US only guarantees 12 weeks of unpaid leave — with no financial support.
This makes Canada an ideal destination for those seeking family-friendly policies.
Retirement Security
Canada offers strong support for retirees through Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) — monthly pension payments funded by tax revenue, regardless of past income. These benefits provide real stability in retirement, especially for long-term residents.
Even better, US citizens can still collect their US Social Security while living in Canada.
Welcoming Multicultural Society
Canada is globally recognized for its inclusive and diverse society. The 2021 Canadian census reported over 450 ethnic or cultural origins within the country. In Gallup’s 2019 Migrant Acceptance Index, Canada ranked first, while the US placed sixth.
Canada actively supports newcomers with free government-funded services like language classes, settlement support, and employment assistance.
Clear Legal Pathways for Americans
US citizens benefit from special work permit access under the CUSMA (formerly NAFTA) agreement, which allows qualified professionals to work in Canada without going through the traditional Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.
Additionally, Americans can transition from temporary status to permanent residency through programs like:
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) (ideal for those who’ve already worked in Canada for 1+ year)
Choose a Partner
Who
Understands
Cross-Border
Immigration
At Maritimes Immigration Consulting, we specialize in helping professionals — including US-based workers — transition to Canada with clarity and confidence. From eligibility assessments to PR applications, we offer tailored strategies backed by deep expertise.
Marcia Santos
We are delighted with the support and service provided by Maritimes Immigration Consulting. Top-notch service! We will undoubtedly do the Citizenship process with them.
Rodrigo Soares
5-star consultant. Great and customizable service to answer exactly what you need. Also a great support during the process. Highly recommended!
Marcela Soto
(Translated by Google) Very happy and satisfied with Maritimes. Lucas has given us the best care, he was very patient and answered all our questions. The process was very orderly and we achieved our goal. Thank you very much.
(Original) Muy contentos y satisfechos con Maritimes. Lucas nos ha dado la mejor atención, fue muy paciente y respondió todas nuestras dudas. El proceso fue muy ordenado y conseguimos nuestro objetivo. Muchas gracias.
If you’re ready to embark on your Canadian citizenship journey and call Canada home, it’s time to book a consultation with Maritimes Immigration!
Please note that this text provides basic eligibility requirements. For immigration advice, we recommend booking an initial consultation with our regulated consultant or access IRCC website.