Immigrating to Canada from the United States
Whether you’re a U.S. citizen, a green card holder, or a temporary visa holder in the United States considering a move to Canada, our firm is here to guide you. From temporary work permits to permanent residency options, we help US-based individuals and families, as well as businesses, navigate Canadian immigration with clarity, strategy, and confidence.
Why consider immigrating from the United States to Canada?
Canada has increasingly become an attractive destination for individuals and families (and businesses too) in the United States — not just for work, but for long-term opportunities, security, and quality of life. Whether you’re facing a dead end with the U.S. immigration system and can’t find pathways to obtain a new work authorization or a green card, planning a lifestyle change, or seeking a more stable future for your children, Canada offers a clear and reliable path forward. From world-class healthcare and education to a transparent, points-based immigration process, it’s no surprise that more U.S. citizens, green card holders, and temporary residents are making the move north.
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Canada’s immigration programs are structured, transparent, and are opposite to a lottery-style uncertainty like the U.S. H-1B system. Whether you’re applying through Express Entry with it’s points-based system or a Provincial Nominee Program, you’ll know exactly how your application will be assessed — based on a clear set of criteria like age, education, language ability, and work experience.
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Canadian immigration pathways like Express Entry and International Mobility Program (IMP) offer flexibility to professionals with international experience. Many applicants can benefit from a tight economic interdependence between Canada and US. This cross-border mobility is a major draw for digital nomads, consultants, and multinational workers.
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Canada permits dual citizenship, which means you don’t have to choose between your American and Canadian identities. In fact, with many US nationals having Canadian heritage, you may be already a Canadian Citizen - you’ll just need to obtain a proof thereof.
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All Canadian permanent residents and citizens (and even temporary foreign workers) have access to publicly funded healthcare. There are no monthly premiums or employer-based coverage barriers. In addition to health services, Canada offers strong parental leave, child benefits, and income support programs to help families thrive.
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Canada consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world. Cities are clean, public transportation is accessible, and crime rates are comparatively low. Canadian culture also emphasizes work-life balance, with legal protections for paid vacation, parental leave, and reasonable working hours.
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Canada is home to some of the world’s top universities and offers high-quality public education at all levels. Tuition is more affordable compared to U.S. institutions, and permanent residents can access domestic tuition rates and government aid. Parents looking for long-term stability for their children often prioritize Canada’s education system.
Why do our US-based clients choose HIL for their immigration applications to Canada?
At Holthe Immigration Law, we focus exclusively on Canadian immigration. For individuals and families based in the United States, that focus matters. Navigating the complexities of Canadian immigration law from abroad can be daunting, especially when you’re trying to understand how your U.S. status, goals, and timing align with what Canada requires. Our firm is here for you to remove that uncertainty.
Our clients include STEM professionals, businesses, and executives from Silicon Valley to New York, healthcare workers from all 50 states, international students at US universities, and families across the US seeking to reunite with loved ones in Canada. Regardless of your location, background, or application type, we approach every case with the same level of care.
While we don’t provide US immigration advice, we know Canadian immigration law inside out. Many of our clients come to us frustrated with the lack of clarity or options available to them in the US, and we help them explore whether Canada offers a more viable path forward. With deep knowledge of cross-border business immigration, we have particular expertise in the intersection of Canadian and U.S. work authorizations, including the Canadian equivalents of H-1B, TN, and L visas. We provide practical, Canada-focused, and personalized temporary and permanent immigration strategies.
With Holthe Immigration Law, you’re not just hiring a lawyer to fill out forms. You’re gaining a strategic partner who will guide you through the process, help you avoid missteps, and advocate for your success every step of the way.
We work with people from all walks of life — from tech professionals exploring Canada’s booming innovation sector, to healthcare workers answering the call for skilled talent across Canada. We also assist individuals with Canadian roots who are eligible for citizenship by descent and need guidance applying for a citizenship certificate. Whether you’re navigating a complex cross-border work situation, want to reunite with family, or simply want to explore a change, we’ve likely helped someone just like you.
What our clients have in common is this: they want clarity, strategy, and a path forward that actually makes sense. That’s where we come in. Canadian immigration isn’t one-size-fits-all, and having the right legal support can be the difference between a rejected application and a life-changing opportunity.
If you’re serious about making the move, we invite you to start with a consultation. You’ll get a focused, realistic assessment of your options — no guesswork, no generic checklists, just the information you need to make confident decisions.
Canadian immigration pathways available to our US-based clients
Canada offers a range of immigration options for individuals living in the United States — whether you’re looking to work in Canada on a temporary basis or make a permanent move. Choosing the right pathway depends on your background, goals, and how quickly you want to make the transition. At Holthe Immigration Law, we take the time to understand your situation and guide you to the most effective strategy.
Temporary immigration to Canada from the United States
Not everyone is ready to immigrate permanently, and not everyone needs to. Canada offers several temporary options for US-based individuals who want to work, study, or spend time in Canada legally. Whether you’re relocating for a job, pursuing a degree, or working remotely as a digital nomad, we help you determine the right temporary pathway and handle the process from start to finish.
Work Permits in Canada for Americans
Canada has multiple pathways for temporary foreign workers, and knowing which option is available and best in your unique situation is key. We help clients assess eligibility, avoid pitfalls, and work with employers when needed to secure a solid foundation for their move.
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If you’re a U.S. citizen working in a professional field covered by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), you may be eligible for a CUSMA Professional Work Permit. This allows individuals in designated occupations — including engineers, IT professionals, consultants, and scientists — to work in Canada without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
CUSMA also supports Intra-Company Transfers, which allow employees of U.S.-based companies with Canadian branches or affiliates to transfer into Canada. These permits are especially useful for executives, senior managers, or specialized knowledge workers.
There are also CUSMA Trader and Investor categories, designed for individuals conducting substantial trade in goods or services between the U.S. and Canada or who have made significant investments in Canadian businesses. These routes are less common, but viable with proper structuring.
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When a Canadian employer wants to hire a foreign worker, they typically must apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This is a government-issued opinion confirming that no qualified Canadian is available for the position. Once approved, the foreign worker may then apply for a work permit.
While this process is more document-heavy and requires employer cooperation, it remains a reliable route for individuals with a job offer in Canada, especially in sectors facing labour shortages, such as healthcare, STEM, trades, agriculture, and education. Yet, we’ve worked with many clients applying for LMIAs and LMIA-based Work Permits in other industries too.
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The IMP covers a range of LMIA-exempt work permits, available when there’s a broader benefit to Canada. Common examples include:
Significant Benefit Work Permits, used when the foreign national brings a clear social, cultural, or economic advantage to Canada (e.g. founders, artists, high-impact professionals).
Reciprocal Employment, available under agreements that allow Canadians to take similar jobs abroad.
Francophone Mobility, for French-speaking professionals outside Quebec.
Spousal Open Work Permits, often granted to spouses of skilled workers or students.
We assess your qualifications against these nuanced categories and build a strong case to demonstrate eligibility under IMP where applicable.
Canadian Study Permits for American students
Canada is home to some of the world’s top universities and colleges, and studying in Canada offers more than just academic advancement. It’s also a pathway to future permanent residence through programs like the Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Programs.
To study in Canada, you’ll need a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and proof that you can support yourself during your studies. You’ll also need to satisfy the immigration officer that you plan to leave Canada at the end of your studies, even if you may later have pathways to transition to permanent residence .
We help students, from recent undergraduates to mid-career professionals, prepare strong study permit applications that show a clear purpose of study, academic fit, financial stability, and temporary intent. We also assist with bridging options to work permits and PR after graduation.
Digital Nomads and Remote Workers
More US-based remote workers and entrepreneurs are choosing to live in Canada temporarily while continuing to work for their US employers or clients. While Canada does not yet have a dedicated “digital nomad visa,” there are legal ways to live in Canada temporarily if you’re not entering the Canadian labour market (for example, if you’re working remotely for a non-Canadian employer or foreign clients).
In most cases, digital nomads enter Canada as visitors and can then apply for a Visitor Record to extend their stay. Applicants must show that they’re genuine visitors, that they’re not entering the Canadian labour market or displacing Canadian workers, and that they will leave Canada at the end of their stay.
We assist remote professionals in preparing Visitor Record applications that reflect the reality of their work while respecting Canadian immigration law. We also help clarify what you can and can’t do while in Canada, so you stay compliant and avoid complications later, especially if you plan to apply for permanent residence down the road.
Permanent immigration to Canada from the United States
While some clients come to Canada on a temporary basis, many are ready to make a more permanent commitment. Canada offers several well-defined pathways to permanent residence (PR), and understanding the differences between them and what you qualify for is key. At Holthe Immigration Law, we help you cut through the complexity, select the right stream, and build a strategy that aligns with your long-term goals.
Express Entry — Canada’s Flagship Immigration System
Express Entry is one of the most efficient immigration systems in the world. It’s a point-based system that evaluates candidates on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency in English and/or French.
There are three primary federal immigration programs under Express Entry:
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW): Ideal for professionals with international work experience who haven’t yet worked in Canada.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For those with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, often through a previous work or study permit.
Federal Skilled Trades (FST): Tailored to skilled tradespeople with experience in specific NOC-listed occupations and a job offer or certification in Canada.
Applicants who meet the criteria create an online profile and are entered into a pool. Regular draws invite top-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence. Express Entry is fast, competitive, and adaptable — and we help ensure your profile is optimized for success from day one.
Category-Based Express Entry Draws
In 2023, Canada introduced category-based Express Entry draws, which target applicants with specific experience or skills. These draws prioritize applicants in high-demand fields like:
Healthcare (doctors, nurses, medical technicians)
STEM (professionals in science, tech, engineering, and math)
Skilled Trades (electricians, plumbers, welders)
Agriculture (butchers)
Education (kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school teachers)
Francophones (who speak an intermediate level of French and want to live outside of the Province of Quebec)
If you work in one of these areas, you may be eligible for selection even if your CRS score isn’t as competitive in general draws. We help clients assess whether they qualify under these targeted categories and adapt their application strategies accordingly.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Beyond our Federal economic immigration programs, each province and territory in Canada operates its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These programs allow provinces to select candidates who meet their regional labour needs or have strong ties to the province, such as prior education, work experience, or a job offer.
Some PNPs align with Express Entry system (“EE-based” streams), while others operate outside it. Certain provinces focus on tech workers, healthcare professionals, or agriculture specialists. Others offer rural or regional programs to encourage settlement outside major cities.
We guide clients through the unique requirements of each province, identify which programs offer the best fit, and assist with both the nomination and permanent residence stages of the process.
Family Sponsorship
If you have close family members in Canada, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence through family sponsorship. This includes:
Spouses and common-law partners
Dependent children
Parents and grandparents program
Canadian immigration policy prioritizes family reunification, and these applications are often treated with a degree of flexibility. Still, success depends on submitting strong documentation, establishing genuine relationships, and meeting all legal requirements. We assist both sponsors and applicants throughout the entire process, including addressing prior refusals or complex family situations.
Canadian Citizenship by Descent
If you were born outside of Canada but have at least one Canadian parent, you may already be a Canadian citizen — even if you’ve never lived here. This is known as citizenship by descent, and it can open doors to immediate benefits like a Canadian passport, healthcare access, and the ability to live and work in Canada without a permit.
The application for a Proof of Citizenship Certificate involves collecting civil status documents, navigating Canada’s citizenship rules, and sometimes overcoming gaps in documentation. We frequently help individuals confirm their citizenship status and complete the process properly, whether for themselves or on behalf of their children.