Canada was recently ranked the top country Americans want to move to in 2026, according to a new survey.
About 24.4% of Americans who want to move abroad chose Canada. People said the biggest reasons were lower cost of living, better safety, and strong health care.
If you are an American thinking about living and working in Canada, here are work permit options for Americans moving to Canada.
Live In Canada As A Digital Nomad
If you want to live in Canada for a short time while working remotely for a company or clients outside Canada, you usually do not need a Canadian work permit.
Canada allows digital nomads to stay up to six months, or until the date stamped in your passport.
If you do not get a stamp, the standard stay is six months.
Digital nomads cannot work for Canadian employers unless they get a work permit first.
Moreover, if you are doing activities like business meetings or trade work without entering the Canadian job market, you are considered a business visitor. Business visitors also do not need a work permit for up to six months.
But if you work for a Canadian employer or serve Canadian clients, you will need a proper work permit.
Get A Work Permit Through CUSMA
U.S. citizens can get work permits through the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
CUSMA is the successor to NAFTA and it makes it easier for Americans to work in Canada. You may qualify for one of these categories:
1. Professionals
This is for people who have a job offer in one of the listed CUSMA professions. Examples include:
- Accountant
- Engineer
- Graphic designer
You must have the right degree or licence for the job.
2. Intra-Company Transfers
This is for people working for a U.S. company that also has a:
- Canadian branch
- Subsidiary
- Affiliate
You must be coming to Canada as:
- an executive
- a senior manager
- someone with specialized knowledge
You usually must have worked for the U.S. employer for at least one year.
3. Investors
U.S. citizens who have made, or are making, a large investment in a Canadian business may qualify for the CUSMA Investor category. This option is for people who plan to develop and manage the business themselves. In most cases, you must come to Canada to take an active role, such as an executive, supervisor, or someone with essential skills.
The length of a CUSMA work permit depends on the category. Professionals and intra-company transferees can usually get permits for up to three years. On the other hand, investor permits are normally valid for up to one year but can be renewed if you continue to meet the requirements.
One big benefit of CUSMA permits is that they do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This makes the process faster and simpler. An LMIA is normally used to prove that no qualified Canadians are available for the job and that hiring a foreign worker will not harm the labour market.
U.S. citizens also do not need a visitor visa, eTA, or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada.
Most eligible Americans can apply for a CUSMA work permit directly at the Canadian border or airport.
Consider The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Another one of the work permit options for Americans moving to Canada is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
This program lets Canadian employers hire foreign workers when the job cannot be filled by Canadians.
It normally requires:
- a job offer, and
- an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)
TFWP work permits are closed, meaning you can only work for the employer listed on your permit.
How difficult the LMIA process is will depend on whether the job is considered high-wage or low-wage.
A job is classified as high-wage or low-wage based on the wage the employer offers you.
If the wage is at or above your province or territory’s median wage, the job falls under the high-wage stream.
Moreover, if the wage is below the median wage, the employer must apply under the low-wage stream.
Below are the current median hourly wages (in CAD) for each province and territory. These numbers decide whether a job is high-wage or low-wage under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
| Province/Territory | Median Hourly Wage (Threshold) |
| Alberta | $36.00 |
| British Columbia | $36.60 |
| Manitoba | $30.16 |
| New Brunswick | $30.00 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $32.40 |
| Northwest Territories | $48.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $30.00 |
| Nunavut | $42.00 |
| Ontario | $36.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $30.00 |
| Quebec | $34.62 |
| Saskatchewan | $33.60 |
| Yukon | $44.40 |
Global Talent Stream (GTS)
The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is a special branch of the TFWP that helps employers hire skilled workers quickly. If you have a job offer in tech or another in-demand field, and your employer is approved for the GTS, your application can be processed much faster.
Under the Global Talent Stream:
- Employment and Social Development Canada tries to issue the LMIA in about 10 business days.
- After that, IRCC aims to process your work permit in about two weeks.
This means the whole process can take only a few weeks instead of several months.
Want To Move To Canada Permanently (PR)?
Apart from the work permit options for Americans moving to Canada, below are the main pathways if you want to stay long-term:
Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada’s main system for choosing skilled workers.
It ranks applicants on:
- age
- education
- work experience
- language scores
Express Entry manages these programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
PNPs let provinces select immigrants who fit their local job needs.
There are over 80 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams across Canada.
Many of these streams are linked to Express Entry (called enhanced PNPs).
These allow for faster processing and higher approval chances.
If you fit a province’s needs, you may be invited to apply directly or be selected from the Express Entry pool.
Family Sponsorship
If you have close family in Canada, they may be able to sponsor you.
Eligible relationships include:
- spouse or common-law partner
- children or grandchildren (if dependent)
- parents (if you qualify as a dependent child)
Proof Of Citizenship
Some Americans may already be Canadian without knowing it.
If you have a parent or grandparent who is Canadian, you may already be a citizen.
You can apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate to confirm this.
Study In Canada And Get PR Later
Getting a Canadian degree can make it easier to qualify for PR.
After graduating from an approved program, students may receive a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
This is an open work permit that can last up to three years.
Gaining Canadian work experience and a Canadian degree both help accumulate Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which can boost your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply for PR through the Express Entry system.
Explore your pathway to move to Canada with Immigtoronto. Our team of skilled RCICs offers customized immigration solutions, ensuring a trustworthy and professional process. Contact us at [email protected].
