Americans Have a Leg Up on Immigration to Canada
If you don’t have a parent who is a Canadian citizen (which is truly the easiest way to move to Canada), then having work experience in a skilled profession is the next best thing.
The Express Entry system allows people with managerial, professional, or technical job experience to apply for permanent residence (PR) in Canada. To apply for permanent residence in Canada, applicants are evaluated and given points under several selection factors:
Work Experience
To be eligible for Express Entry, you need to have a minimum of 1 year of skilled work experience. Under Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC), at least one year of work experience must be listed under NOC 0, NOC A, or NOC B.
Examples of eligible jobs include:
| NOC 0 – Managerial Jobs | NOC A – Professional Jobs | NOC B – Technical Jobs and Skilled Trades |
| Advertising, Marketing, PR Managers – NOC 0124 | Registered Nurse – NOC 3012 | Food Service Supervisor – NOC 6311 |
| Retail Manager – NOC 0621 | Physician – NOC 3112 | Graphic Designers and Illustrators – NOC 5241 |
| Financial Manager – NOC 0111 | Civil Engineer – NOC 2131 | Administrative Assistant – NOC 1241 |
| Managers in Healthcare – NOC 0311 | Software Engineers and Designers – NOC 2173 | Plumber – NOC 7251 |
| Library, Archive, Museum, Art Gallery Managers – NOC 0511 | Paralegal – NOC 4211 | Electrician – NOC 7241 |
| Recreation, Sports and Fitness program directors and Managers – NOC 0513 | Secondary School Teachers – NOC 4031 | Tilesetter – NOC 7283 |
| Corporate Sales Managers – NOC 0601 | Veterinarian – NOC 3114 | Cook – NOC 6322 |
The more work experience you have in a skilled job or job(s), the more points you receive.
Education
Depending on the category you are using to apply for PR through Express Entry, there may be no minimum educational requirement or a high school diploma may be required.
Language Ability
The official languages of Canada are English and French. To be eligible for Express Entry, you need to meet a minimum level of proficiency with either language. You will also receive extra points if you have proficiency with both languages.
Age
Applicants for Express Entry must be at least 18 years old. There is no maximum age to apply, but the most points are awarded to people who are aged 18 – 35 at the time of the application. Points are awarded to applicants through age 46.
Job Offer in Canada
Additional points are also awarded if you have an eligible job offer in Canada.
Adaptability
You can also receive points based on your ability to adapt to life in Canada. Adaptability points can come from:
- Your spouse or common-law partner’s English or French language ability
- Other relatives you or your spouse/partner have in Canada
- Education completed in Canada
- Work experience in Canada by you or your spouse/partner
- Having Arranged Employment in Canada
Express Entry Application Process from the US
Express Entry applications have two parts: a profile and an application for permanent residence.
The first step is to submit the profile to the government of Canada. The second step is to submit the application for permanent residence once you have received the invitation to apply from the Canadian government. All parts of the application are submitted online – no paper documents are required.
All applicants for Express Entry (EE) are allowed to bring their family members such as spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children up to age 21. All family members will also be required to undergo a medical exam as part of the application process.
Applicants are allowed to apply for Express Entry on their own, or they can also use a representative to assist them. Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants and immigration lawyers are both allowed to represent clients with their Express Entry applications.
Immigration Options from the United States
Besides Express Entry, there are other options for immigrating to Canada from the US.
If you have a family member who is a Canadian citizen, they may be able to sponsor you for permanent residence.
You may also consider going to school in Canada. There are several benefits to continuing your education in Canada, including:
- additional points for Express Entry applications
- open work permit after graduation valid for up to 3 years
- ability to work in Canada while studying
- ability for your spouse/partner to work in Canada while you are studying
If you are considering moving to Canada and want to know your options, contact us.
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