As a tech worker, can anyone with experience in this process, provide some details or suggestions?
What is the best way to do this?
Find a new employer, or remain employed in the US as remote?
My preference is BC, but it is just a preference.
As a tech worker, can anyone with experience in this process, provide some details or suggestions?
What is the best way to do this?
Find a new employer, or remain employed in the US as remote?
My preference is BC, but it is just a preference.
7 comments
All immigration to Canada is based on points (unless you marry a Canadian or have family sponsorship). The most surprisingly thing about the points system is it heavily favours anyone under mid-30s and it favours single people (spouses are considered "extra").
If you're an American citizen with a bachelors degree, look into a TN visa. They are "easy" because they have less requirements (no language proof, no worry about points, spouses, etc) but can be more difficult to get as it requires your employer to sponsor you.
2) Have a Masters or Phd that are acknowledged by Canada
3) Be bi-lingual
4) Have been working in Canada for a year
5) Be single
This tongue in cheek list are direct summations of the point requirements from Canadian immigration for permanent residency.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/se...
While you said "move", I interpreted it as "move permanently", not just get legal work there for the time being.
American salaries are multiples (2,3,4,5x) of Canadian equivalents. Real estate here is incredibly expansive and is only growing at double digits yearly.
On topic: You can absolutely get a TN visa and come work here for a few years hustle free to see if it's truly what you want!
So the real cost of Canadian citizenship is just the interest rate on that million that you will be missing out on (aka opportunity cost), which is what, $120K or so?
Full requirements here: http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle...
Note that you absolutely don't need to settle in Quebec, you just say that you intend to, but they have no ability to enforce that after granting you permanent residence. They'll just be happy to take your money.
IANAL, of course, but all this is widely known. You'll be talking with a licensed immigration consultant anyway.
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That said, if you (OP) find a tech job in BC before coming here, immigration is straightforward via BC PNP program or the federal express entry program, don't bother with the Quebec route in that case. You might also get enough points with federal express entry even without a job offer, although that is unlikely.