How hard is it for an American to move to Canada?

Sidwell

do you HAVE to get a degree, marry a Canadian, or something that drastic?

have a degree - YES absolutely
marry a canadian - no you do NOT have to do that
You CANNOT just walk across the border and stay here.

Heres what you ABSOLUTELY MUST do or have to be eligible to apply. You have two choices

In both cases You will need to get an FBI police security check from FBI HQ in Virginia. You may also need to get police checks from every state and country you have lived in since the age of 18. Definitely get the international ones. The state ones - sometimes CIC asks for them, and sometimes not - so its best to wait until you are asked.

1 - federal skilled worker

You need to have at least 1 years work experience in your chosen field before you can apply. 4 years is better - gives you more points.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp

You must meet the following MINIMUM requirements to apply as a skilled worker:

You must have at least one continuous year of full-time, paid work experience or the equivalent in part-time [1 year full time = 2 years part time]. continuous employment. Your work experience must be Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations) or Skill Level A (professional occupations) or B (technical occupations and skilled trades) on the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC).
You must have had this experience within the last 10 years.

If you have work experience and skills for any of the following occupations, then your application will be fast-tracked and processed faster than other applicants.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp#list
occupations in demand

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/assess/index.asp
assessment test - you must get 67 points to qualify.

You will need at least $10,000 saved up - more if you have family - before you apply as you will be required to show this proof that you have this money when you apply.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/funds.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/international/02a-skilled-fed.asp
application processing times in Skilled worker category

Currently taking 2 years from USA. And then after you are admitted to Canada, you MUST live in Canada for 3 years before you can apply to be a citizen. That is currently taking about 12 months to be processed, so altogether it takes you 6 years to legally become a Canadian citizen.

2 - provincial nominee.

If you speak french then you can apply for Quebec,. IF you do NOT speak french, then apply for another province (Ontario, BC or Alberta are the best) .

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/provincial/index.asp
provincial nominees

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/quebec/index.asp
Quebec selected skilled worker.

If you do emigrate under the provincial nominee program, you are required to stay in that province for (either) 2 or 3 years before you can leave. You must fulfill all other requirements as stated above.

Provincial nominee programs can be processed faster than the federal program.

egay

It should not be difficult as long as you meet their requirements. It would help to have a degree and a highly specialized skill that would enhance your hiring potential once you meet requirements to work and residency.

If you apply as an immigrant to Canada, they have a point system that you have to assess yourself with and I remember the education level as an integral part of that rating system. They want to attract intelligent and skilled workers in their country. The higher your educational level, the more points you rack up which answers your question on having a degree. It is also a country which encourages their nationals to make advancement in education and they are greatly supported and provided for in their educational endeavors.

Honestly, immigrating to Canada seems to be easier than immigrating to the US. It takes less time to adjust ones status there and they encourage families to be together as soon as possible. Immigrating families do not have to be apart from family members too long. It is a country that has very high marks for compassion as well as having a very efficient system. I know you probably did not need to hear that but since you are planning to move there, then I guess you picked a wonderful place. I would like to move there too, someday I hope.

I hear they have a good health care system too. Good luck!

thinkingtime

You need a trade or profession that is in demand, with work experience.

Then you apply to become an immigrant in Canada. You fill out a form, there are background and medical checks and an interview.

If you pass it all, you are offered permanent residence status in Canada. If you accept, you have a limited time to move into Canada. The whole thing can take several years.

Once you are there, you have access to all services, except a Canadian passport and a vote in the Federal election.

Mountain man

I dont know but Canadas looking better every day!

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp

roadhazzards

Ask the Canadian Government what their requirements are and follow those, seems pretty easy to me.

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