Moving to Canada From the USA in 2026: Step by Step
A US citizen can visit Canada with a passport and without an electronic travel authorization, but visiting is not the same as living there. To stay and work you need a work permit, a study permit or permanent residence, and each has its own fee, waiting time and money test. One obligation also follows a US citizen across the border: the tax return. This guide sets out the routes and costs from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency and the IRS, as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
US citizens are exempt from Canada's electronic travel authorization and need only proper identification such as a valid US passport to visit. To live in Canada, a work permit costs $155 and IRCC's processing estimate for applications from the United States is 6 weeks. Permanent residence through Express Entry costs $1,590 per adult, takes about 6 to 7 months, and requires settlement funds of $15,263 for one person unless you have a valid job offer and are authorized to work. Citizenship is possible after 1,095 days in Canada. Fees are in Canadian dollars.
Step 1: Visiting
| Traveller | What Canada requires |
|---|---|
| US citizen | Exempt from the eTA requirement. Carry proper identification such as a valid US passport |
| Lawful permanent resident of the United States | Exempt from the eTA requirement. Carry official proof of status, such as a valid green card, and a valid passport from your country of nationality |
| Dual American-Canadian citizen | Can travel with a valid Canadian or US passport |
Entry is never automatic. A border services officer decides whether you are eligible to enter, and a visit does not give you the right to work.
Step 2: Choose a route
| Route | Main condition | Fee | IRCC processing estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work permit | Usually a job offer. Most jobs need a labour market impact assessment (LMIA), which the employer obtains | $155 | 6 weeks for applications from the United States |
| Study permit | Study at a designated learning institution in Canada. Apply before you travel | $150 | 6 weeks for applications from the United States |
| Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class | Skilled workers with eligible Canadian work experience | $1,590 | About 6 months |
| Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker | Skilled workers with eligible foreign or Canadian work experience | $1,590 | About 7 months |
| Family sponsorship | A spouse or partner who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada | $1,260 | About 18 months for a partner living outside Canada |
Work permits without an LMIA
IRCC lists workers under a free trade agreement among those eligible for an employer-specific work permit that is exempt from the LMIA. If your job falls under such an agreement, your employer hires through the International Mobility Program instead of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. IRCC's online questions tell you which type of permit fits and whether special instructions apply.
Step 3: How Express Entry works
- Create a profile and enter the pool.
- Wait for a round of invitations. IRCC invites the candidates with the most points.
- Apply if you are invited, and pay the fees.
- Receive a decision.
Express Entry manages three programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates must plan to live outside Quebec, which selects its own skilled workers.
Step 4: Settlement funds
| Family members | Funds you need (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,263 |
| 2 | $19,001 |
| 3 | $23,360 |
| 4 | $28,362 |
Proof of funds applies to the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs. You do not need it under the Canadian Experience Class, or if you are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. The money must be yours to use: equity in real property does not count, and it cannot be borrowed from another person.
Step 5: Moving your belongings across the border
- Make a list in two copies of everything you intend to bring, with value, make, model and serial number where applicable.
- Split it into goods travelling with you and goods to follow. Later shipments qualify only if they are on the original list.
- What qualifies: personal and household effects, including furniture, appliances, books, personal vehicles and pleasure boats.
- What does not: goods used commercially, and a house or large trailer used as a residence.
- Personal exemption: a maximum of CAN$800 for goods acquired abroad or in transit.
Step 6: Your US tax obligations continue
The IRS rule is that a US citizen is subject to tax on worldwide income from all sources, and that the filing rules are generally the same whether you are in the United States or abroad.
- Reliefs: many Americans abroad qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion and the foreign tax credit, but only by filing a US return.
- Foreign accounts: a US person must file an FBAR if the aggregate value of foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year.
Step 7: First weeks in Canada
- Social Insurance Number: the 9-digit number you need to work or access government programs. For temporary residents it starts with "9" and expires with the immigration document.
- Driver's licence: you need one issued by your province or territory.
- Housing: average two-bedroom rents in CMHC's 2025 report were $2,034 in the Greater Toronto Area, $2,363 in Vancouver and $1,346 in Montréal.
Step 8: Permanent residence to citizenship
A permanent resident can apply for citizenship after being physically in Canada for at least 1,095 days during the 5 years before applying. Applicants aged 18 to 54 must prove English or French and pass the citizenship test. The adult fee is $653. Canada allows dual citizenship.
Frequently asked questions
Can a US citizen just move to Canada?
No. A US citizen can visit without an eTA, but living and working in Canada requires a work permit, a study permit or permanent residence.
Do Americans need an eTA to enter Canada?
US citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement and must carry proper identification such as a valid US passport.
How long does a Canadian work permit take from the USA?
IRCC's estimate for work permit applications from the United States was 6 weeks when this page was checked.
How much money do I need to immigrate to Canada from the US?
Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program a single applicant must show $15,263, plus the $1,590 application fee. No proof of funds is needed with a valid job offer and authorization to work.
Can I bring my car and furniture to Canada duty-free?
First-time settlers can include personal and household effects, including personal vehicles, in their duty- and tax-free entitlement, provided the goods are on the list they prepare.
Do I still file US taxes if I live in Canada?
Yes. US citizens are subject to tax on worldwide income and must file. Foreign accounts above $10,000 in aggregate require an FBAR.
Can I keep US citizenship if I become Canadian?
Canada allows dual citizenship. Check the US position with the US authorities.
Official sources
- IRCC — Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA)
- IRCC — Work in Canada
- IRCC — Who you can hire under the International Mobility Program
- IRCC — Express Entry
- IRCC — Express Entry: proof of funds
- IRCC — Fee list (21 September 2026)
- IRCC — Check processing times
- Canada Border Services Agency — Moving or returning to Canada
- IRCC — Canadian citizenship: who can apply
- IRS — U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad
- FinCEN — Report foreign bank and financial accounts (FBAR)
- CMHC — Rental Market Report
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. Processing times are estimates that IRCC updates weekly or monthly. Information, not legal or tax advice.