Looking to move to Canada as an American? Here are your work permit options

Canada recently ranked as the top country Americans want to move to in 2026, according to a new survey.

Nearly a quarter (24.4%) of respondents who are considering a move abroad chose their northern neighbour, citing cost of living, safety, and health care as key factors.

If you’re one of the many Americans eyeing the Great White North, here’s a look at the main legal pathways to live and work in Canada.

Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

Move to Canada as a digital nomad

If you plan to live in Canada temporarily while working remotely for an employer or clients outside Canada, you generally don’t need a Canadian work permit.

Canada allows digital nomads to stay for up to six months or until the entry stamp date on their passport (whichever comes first). If no stamp was issued, the standard period of stay is six months.

Note that digital nomads cannot enter the Canadian labour market, without needing a work permit or other work authorization first.

Moreover, if you are engaging in business or trade activities in Canada but not actually joining the Canadian workforce, you would be considered a business visitor and not require a work permit (for periods of up to six months).

However, if you work for a Canadian employer or provide services to Canadian clients while in Canada, you may require the appropriate work authorization.

Get a Work Permit under CUSMA

U.S. citizens can obtain Canadian work permits under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), known in Canada as CUSMA (Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement).

CUSMA is the successor to NAFTA and it facilitates the easy travel of temporary workers who are citizens of the United States and Mexico, across North America.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may qualify for a work permit in one of the following CUSMA categories:

Professionals – This category is for those with a job offer or contract in one of the specific professions under CUSMA. You must work in an eligible occupation (for example, accountant, engineer, graphic designer, etc.) and have the appropriate education or licensing credentials for that profession.

Intra-Company Transferees – This category allows transfers within a company. You must be employed by a U.S. company and be taking a position at a Canadian branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of that company. The position in Canada should be in a qualifying role such as an executive, senior manager, or a position requiring specialized knowledge. Generally, you need to have worked for the U.S. employer for at least one year before the transfer.

Investors – U.S. citizens who have made or are making a substantial investment in a Canadian business may qualify in the Investor category. This typically applies to investors who will develop and direct the business in Canada. In practice, it means you are coming to Canada to actively manage or play a key role (executive, supervisory, or essential skills) in an enterprise you’ve invested in.

The validity of a CUSMA work permit depends on the category. For example, work permits for professionals and intra-company transferees are usually issued for up to three years at a time, whereas Investor work permits are often valid for up to one year (renewable if conditions are met).

A major advantage of these permits is that they do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This makes them quicker and easier to obtain. An LMIA is a document that confirms there is a need for a foreign worker and that no qualified Canadians are available for the role. In other words, the employer must prove that hiring you will have a neutral or positive impact on the Canadian labour market.

It’s worth noting that U.S. citizens also do not require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), electronic travel authorization (eTA) or visitor visa to enter Canada.

Eligible Americans can often apply for a CUSMA work permit directly at a Canadian port of entry.

Check Your Eligibility for Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program

If you don’t qualify for any of the above options, the next step is to consider Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

The TFWP was introduced to help Canadian employers hire foreign workers to fill labour shortages, but it generally requires a job offer, and that your employer obtain an LMIA.

It’s worth noting that TFWP work permits are “closed,” meaning they are tied to a specific employer.

The complexity of the LMIA process can depend on whether the job falls under the high-wage or low-wage stream.

Whether a job listing falls under high-wage or low-wage stream depends on the wage offered for the position.

If it is at or above the provincial or territorial wage threshold, the high-wage stream requirements must be met.

If it is below this threshold, the employer must apply under the low-wage stream.

Below are the current median hourly wage thresholds by province and territory (in CAD). These figures determine whether a position is considered high-wage or low-wage under the TFWP:

Global Talent Stream

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is a special branch of the TFWP designed to expedite work permits for skilled talent. If you have a job offer in a specialized tech or in-demand field and your employer is approved to use the GTS, your application can benefit from priority processing.

Through the Global Talent Stream, Employment and Social Development Canada aims to issue the LMIA for your role within about 10 business days, and once you apply for the work permit, IRCC targets a two-week processing time. This means the overall process can be significantly quicker than standard LMIA-based work permits – potentially just a few weeks from start to finish, rather than several months.

Moving to Canada as a Permanent Resident (PR)?

If you’re thinking about moving to Canada on a more permanent basis, there are several pathways available.

Express Entry

Express Entry is Canada’s main system for managing skilled worker immigration.

It ranks candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience and language ability.

Express Entry manages the following immigration programs:

• Canadian Experience Class;
• Federal Skilled Worker Program; and
• Federal Skilled Trades Program.

See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams

Provincial Nominee Programs

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow Canadian provinces and territories to select immigrants who meet their local labour market needs.

There are over 80 PNP streams across Canada. It’s worth checking if you meet the eligibility criteria for a PNP stream. Many of these pathways are also Express Entry-aligned or enhanced, allowing for faster processing of your PR application.

Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams

If eligible, it is possible to get nominated by applying directly to a province or by getting invited from the Express Entry pool (through an enhanced PNP stream).

Family sponsorship

If you have close family members in Canada who are citizens or permanent residents, they may be able to sponsor you for PR. Eligible relationships include:

• Spouses and common-law partners;
• Non-dependant children or grandchildren; and
• Parents (if you meet the definition of a dependant child)

Proof of Citizenship

Some Americans may already be Canadian without realizing it.

If you have a parent or grandparent who is a Canadian citizen, you can apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate. This route confirms citizenship status rather than granting permanent residence.

Get a Free Legal Consultation on Applying for Proof of Canadian Citizenship

Study to immigrate pathway

If you are thinking about getting another degree, this could help your chances of immigrating to Canada more permanently.

International students completing eligible programs in Designated Learning Institutes may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. This is an open work permit that allows graduates to work in Canada for up to three years (depending on the length of their study program).

Gaining Canadian work experience and a Canadian degree both help accumulate Comprehensive Ranking System points, which can boost your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply for PR through the Express Entry system.

Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm