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Until we have any better information, this is a section from [https://medium.com/the-canadian-way/why-and-how-i-emigrated-to-canada-38107855773f here], used with permission. It was written in the time of COVID lockdown, so it is '''outdated'''.
<pre style="color: red;">
Urgent Warning!: As of February, 10 2025 there are likely no viable routes to gain Refugee/Asylum status for current U.S. Citizens.


= Canadian Immigration Options =
If you attempt to make a refugee/ asylum claim at the border and you don't qualify for any of these exceptions to the satisfaction of a border official, you will lose your ability to make a claim PERMANENTLY. Please, consult an immigration lawyer before making an asylum claim, there is a high bar for documentation required to make these claims and it should not be considered a viable option in most cases.  
The most promising option was ''Express Entry'', Canada’s points-based skilled immigration system for granting permanent residency. As tech professionals with bachelor’s degrees, native English fluency, and more than a decade of experience each, you’d think that it would be a slam dunk for us. However, the number of required points in the monthly draws has fluctuated between 470–480 over the past year, and my spouse and I only had approximately 430 points (since increasing age is penalized, and only 3 years of work experience outside Canada can be counted). '''''For those who are 25-30 years old, have a master’s degree, and/or went to a Canadian University, Express Entry may be viable.''''' But with an increasing number of Americans attempting to emigrate, it seemed unlikely that my spouse or I would be able to qualify soon without also having job offers from established Canadian companies (+50 points). And the processing time once selected is a long six months.


If we were going to need job offers anyways to enter Canada, what option might allow us to move in a matter of weeks?
Much of the sections in the Refugee/Asylum, Visa, and other sections have not yet been filled. We are working diligently to update all sections with viable, accurate, and citable information that you can trust. We understand the gravity and dangers in attempting to immigrate with incorrect information and we will continue to fill in with all current, and up to date information with that in mind
</pre>


Enter the free trade agreement '''USMCA''' (née NAFTA), which allows for Americans to work in Canada either as “intra-company transferees” between subsidiaries, or “professionals” holding specific job titles. Better yet, an American can apply at an air or land crossing and receive an on-the-spot work permit for them and for their spouse (regardless of their spouse’s occupation) without needing to wait for approval from a consulate in advance.
<br />
----
<br />


The paperwork is relatively straightforward: proof of nationality (passport), proof of funds to support living expenses, marriage certificate, and proof of a job offer from a Canadian company along with job description, resume, and college degree. Furthermore, NAFTA workers do not need to complete a medical exam, meaning that my disability was not an issue in the process. My spouse’s employer, which is a multinational tech company with a branch in Canada, agreed to write her a Canadian transfer job offer and provide legal assistance with immigration, so we were set there.
=== '''<big>[[Why Canada?]]</big>''' ===
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<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
<!-- This is the title/header area. Clicking it will toggle the section -->:'''<big>[[Applying for a Canadian Immigration Visa|Visa and Permit Application]]</big>'''
<div class="mw-collapsible-toggle">Click to Expand ▼</div>
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::Information is incomplete for this section
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==  <big>'''Work Visa'''</big> ==


The Canadian border has been closed to non-essential travel because of COVID-19; it’s perfectly sensible for Canada to not allow the US’s mismanagement of COVID-19 to result in the epidemic growing in Canada. Thus, all skilled immigrants entering Canada must prove that their travel is essential, that their Canadian employer is still operating, and that they have plans to self-isolate for 14 days after arriving in Canada. Fortunately for software professionals, our work falls under the umbrella of “critical infrastructure” and can still be done from remote worksites at home.


= Crossing The Canadian border =
=== Overview ===
With packets from the lawyers in hand, we set out to acquire airline tickets and rental car bookings. Elly and I chose to cross separately to make the logistics of moving a pet internationally easier. We didn’t want to have the dog yowling to be let out of her crate at baggage claim while we were stuck in immigration waiting for our paperwork, followed by quarantining for two weeks in an apartment without a yard.
:If you are looking to move quickly into Canada, and you don't have family or are a student, a work visa is probably your safest bet.


Elly flew into Vancouver, spent half hour at immigration waiting for an officer to input her paperwork and print her a work permit good for 3 years, then went directly to quarantine in the furnished apartment we’d rented for our first few months. There were a few hiccups, notably that “furnished” doesn’t mean that housewares are provided, but she passed her quarantine a few days ago and is sending me pictures of the neighborhood!
:As the title indicates, Work Visas allow foreign nationals to reside in Canada to work. Under which you would apply under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP). The nature of your work will determine your eligibility for permit types under either program.


After Elly’s work permit was issued, I loaded up a rental car and drove across the border with the rest of our stuff and one very silly dog. I brought with me a copy of her work permit, our marriage certificate, the dog’s rabies certificate, and an inventory of all of the goods in each shipment (''traveled with Elly, with me, and to arrive separately''). The officials at the border were initially perplexed as to why I crossed on my own, but I’m sure seeing the cute, rambunctious dog in the backseat was a useful hint in the right direction. Because the land border crossing was not busy at all owing to the border restrictions, they had me pull over for half an hour, got the paperwork processed, collected the service fee, and I was on my way with a 3-year work permit of my own.
:A permit under the '''Temporary Foreign Worker Program''' requires a <u>Labour Market Impact Assessment</u> (LMAI) that proves that there is a need for foreign workers for that line of work and that there are no local citizen workers available for the job.
 
:A permit under the '''International Mobility Program''' does not require a positive LMAI but does require a submission of an employment offer in the employers portal.
 
 
:There are two types of work Permits:
 
:* Employer Specific Work Permits
:* Open Work Permits
 
==== Open Work Permit ====
----This type of work permit might be the most immediately appealing for quick entry into Canada, but is subject to specific eligibility requirements.
 
==== Employer Specific Work Permits ====
----This type of work permit might be the most secure method for quick entry into Canada under a work visa if you can secure an offer of employment from a prospective employer.
 
Sources
 
https://immigration.ca/canada-work-visa/
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada.html
 
https://immigration.ca/fast-track-high-demand-occupations/
 
<br />[[How to Apply for a Canadian Work Visa|<u>'''How to Apply for a Canadian Work Visa'''</u>]]
<br />
 
== Student Visa ==
<!-- This is the content that will be hidden by default and shown when expanded --><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
:
:Sources https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html
:
:'''[[How to Apply for a Canadian Student Visa|<u>How to Apply for a Canadian Student Visa</u>]]'''
<!-- This is the title/header area.  -->
== Visitors Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) ==
 
 
Sources
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada.html
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/apply-new-temporary-resident-visa-within-canada.html
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5256-applying-visitor-visa-temporary-resident-visa.html
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/about-visitor-visa.html
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/visitor-visa.html
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/apply-visitor-visa.html<br />
 
:'''[[How to apply for Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)|<u>How to apply for Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)</u>]]'''
<!-- This is the title/header area.  -->
== Transit Visa ==
Sources
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/transit/transit-visa/after-apply-next-steps.html
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/transit/transit-visa/eligibility.html
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/transit/transit-visa.html<br />
<br />
:'''[[How to Apply for a Transit Visa|<u>How to Apply for a Transit Visa</u>]]'''
 
== Super Visa ==
Sources
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/parent-grandparent-super-visa/eligibility.html<br />
:'''[[How to Apply for a Super Visa|<u>How to Apply for a Super Visa</u>]]'''
 
<!-- This is the title/header area. -->== Permanent Resident Visa ==
Sources
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/permanent-residents.html
 
https://www.canadavisa.com/canadian-immigration-visas.html<br />
<br />
:'''[[How to Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa|<u>How to Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa</u>]]'''
<!-- This is the title/header area.  -->
== Business Start-up Visa ==
:
:Sources
:https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/start-visa.html
:
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
 
<sub>[[Canada|More About Canadian Immigration Pathways]]</sub>
</div>
</div>
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----
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<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
<!-- This is the title/header area. Clicking it will toggle the section -->
:'''<big>[[Applying for Refugee Status into Canada|Information for Refugee/ Asylum Claims]]</big>'''
<div class="mw-collapsible-toggle">Click to Expand ▼</div>
<!-- This is the content that will be hidden by default and shown when expanded -->
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 
<pre style="color: red;">
Urgent Warning!: As of February, 10 2025 there are likely no viable routes to gain Refugee/Asylum status for current U.S. Citizens.
 
If you attempt to make a refugee/ asylum claim at the border and you don't qualify for any of these exceptions to the satisfaction of a border official, you will lose your ability to make a claim PERMANENTLY. Please, consult an immigration lawyer before making an asylum claim, there is a high bar for documentation required to make these claims and it should not be considered a viable option in most cases.
</pre>
<br />
::This is due to the unprecedented nature of US citizens applying for asylum status, and because shared policy between the USA and Canada under the "Third Safe Country Agreement"
 
::The agreements written policy on refugees does not apply to US citizens directly<ref name=":1" />, but still prevents access by providing legal basis and classification for the United States as a "Safe" country, burdening applicants efforts to justify why they cannot safely be returned to the States<ref name=":2" />.
 
::Human rights advocates and organizations such as Rainbow Railroad<ref name=":0">https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/the-latest/canada-must-act-exempt-trans-non-binary-intersex-asylum-seekers-from-stca</ref> and the UNHCR have appealed the Canadian federal government to make an emergency exemption for trans US citizen to protect them from persecution. At this time, no decision has been made on the appeal.
<br />
<br />
<ref name=":1">https://www.unhcr.ca/in-canada/seeking-asylum-in-canada/who-can-claim-asylum-at-the-border/</ref>https://www.unhcr.ca/in-canada/seeking-asylum-in-canada/who-can-claim-asylum-at-the-border/
 
<ref name=":2">https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/agreements/safe-third-country-agreement/final-text.html</ref>Fultz, Cassandra. (2021) ''Can an American Citizen Make a Claim for Refugee Protection in Canada; Available at:'' https://dfimmigration.ca/2021/04/27/can-an-american-citizen-make-a-claim-for-refugee-protection-in-canada/<nowiki/>(Accessessed on: February 17, 2025)
 
<ref name=":0" /> "''Canada Must Act: Make an Exception for Trans, Non-Binary & Intersex Asylum Seekers Under the Safe Third Country Agreement"'', Rainbow Railroad; https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/the-latest/canada-must-act-exempt-trans-non-binary-intersex-asylum-seekers-from-stca
 
<ref>https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-2.5/FullText.html</ref>https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-2.5/FullText.html
 
<ref>https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/agreements/safe-third-country-agreement/final-text.html</ref>https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/agreements/safe-third-country-agreement/final-text.html
 
</div>
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<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
    <!-- This is the title/header area. Clicking it will toggle the section -->
:'''<big>[[Other Methods of Immigration into Canada|Information for Other Methods of Immigration and Naturalization]]</big>'''
<div class="mw-collapsible-toggle">Click to Expand ▼</div>
    <!-- This is the content that will be hidden by default and shown when expanded -->
    <div class="mw-collapsible-content">
::Information is incomplete for this section
</div>
</div>
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<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
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:'''<big>[[Community Resources in Canada]]</big>'''
<div class="mw-collapsible-toggle">Click to Expand ▼</div>
<!-- This is the content that will be hidden by default and shown when expanded -->
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
::Canadian Government Database for Newcomer Resources
:::https://ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp
 
==== '''<big>Alberta</big>''' ====
----
 
===== '''''Calgary''''' =====
----
 
====== <u>General Settlement Services</u> ======
 
:'''Immigrant Services Calgary Society - Center for Newcomers'''
 
::https://www.centrefornewcomers.ca/
 
:'''Immigrant Arrival Centre'''
 
::https://www.immigrantarrivalcentre.ca/
<br />
 
===== '''''Edmonton''''' =====
----
 
====== <u>General Settlement Services</u> ======
 
:'''Edmonton Immigrant Services Association'''
 
::https://www.eisa-edmonton.org/
 
:'''Assist Community Services Centre'''
 
::https://assistcsc.org/
 
:'''Alberta Immigrant Women & Children Centre (AIWCC)'''
 
::https://aiwcc.ca/
 
:'''Central Alberta Refugee Effort (CARE) Committee'''
 
::https://www.carefornewcomers.ca/
<br />
 
===== Fort McMurray =====
----<br />
<br />
 
==== '''<big>British Columbia</big>''' ====
----
 
===== ''Vancouver'' =====
----
<br />
====== <u>General Settlement Services</u> ======
:'''Immigrant Services Society of BC'''
 
::https://issbc.org/
 
:'''Action Commitment Transformation (ACT)'''
 
::https://act.successbc.ca/
<br />
===== ''Greater Victoria Area'' =====
----
 
====== <u>General Settlement Services</u> ======
:'''Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA)'''
 
::https://www.icavictoria.org/#
 
:'''DIVERSEcity'''
 
::https://www.dcrs.ca/
 
:'''Chimo Community Services'''
 
::https://chimoservices.com/
 
:'''Options Community Services'''
 
::https://www.options.bc.ca/<nowiki/>K
<br />
===== ''Prince George'' =====
----<u>'''General Settlement Services'''</u>
 
:'''Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society (IMSS)'''
 
::https://www.imss.ca/
<br />
===== ''Kamloops'' =====
----
 
====== <u>'''General Settlement Services'''</u> ======
:'''Kamloops Immigrant Services'''
 
::https://immigrantservices.ca/
<br />
===== ''Kelowna'' =====
 
====== <u>'''General Settlement Services'''</u> ======
:'''Kelowna Community Resources'''
 
::https://kcr.ca/
</div>
</div>
<br />
----
<br />
 
 
<br />
<br />
<br />
* [[Full Directory: Canada|Canada Directory]]

Latest revision as of 20:05, 25 February 2025

Urgent Warning!: As of February, 10 2025 there are likely no viable routes to gain Refugee/Asylum status for current U.S. Citizens.

If you attempt to make a refugee/ asylum claim at the border and you don't qualify for any of these exceptions to the satisfaction of a border official, you will lose your ability to make a claim PERMANENTLY. Please, consult an immigration lawyer before making an asylum claim, there is a high bar for documentation required to make these claims and it should not be considered a viable option in most cases. 

Much of the sections in the Refugee/Asylum, Visa, and other sections have not yet been filled. We are working diligently to update all sections with viable, accurate, and citable information that you can trust. We understand the gravity and dangers in attempting to immigrate with incorrect information and we will continue to fill in with all current, and up to date information with that in mind 




Why Canada?




Visa and Permit Application
Click to Expand ▼
Information is incomplete for this section

Work Visa

Overview

If you are looking to move quickly into Canada, and you don't have family or are a student, a work visa is probably your safest bet.
As the title indicates, Work Visas allow foreign nationals to reside in Canada to work. Under which you would apply under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP). The nature of your work will determine your eligibility for permit types under either program.
A permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMAI) that proves that there is a need for foreign workers for that line of work and that there are no local citizen workers available for the job.
A permit under the International Mobility Program does not require a positive LMAI but does require a submission of an employment offer in the employers portal.


There are two types of work Permits:
  • Employer Specific Work Permits
  • Open Work Permits

Open Work Permit


This type of work permit might be the most immediately appealing for quick entry into Canada, but is subject to specific eligibility requirements.

Employer Specific Work Permits


This type of work permit might be the most secure method for quick entry into Canada under a work visa if you can secure an offer of employment from a prospective employer.

Sources

https://immigration.ca/canada-work-visa/

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada.html

https://immigration.ca/fast-track-high-demand-occupations/


How to Apply for a Canadian Work Visa


Student Visa

Sources https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html
How to Apply for a Canadian Student Visa

Visitors Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)

Sources

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/apply-new-temporary-resident-visa-within-canada.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5256-applying-visitor-visa-temporary-resident-visa.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/about-visitor-visa.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/visitor-visa.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/apply-visitor-visa.html

How to apply for Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

Transit Visa

Sources

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/transit/transit-visa/after-apply-next-steps.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/transit/transit-visa/eligibility.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/transit/transit-visa.html

How to Apply for a Transit Visa

Super Visa

Sources

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/parent-grandparent-super-visa/eligibility.html

How to Apply for a Super Visa

Permanent Resident Visa

Sources

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/permanent-residents.html

https://www.canadavisa.com/canadian-immigration-visas.html

How to Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa

Business Start-up Visa

Sources
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/start-visa.html





More About Canadian Immigration Pathways




Information for Refugee/ Asylum Claims
Click to Expand ▼
Urgent Warning!: As of February, 10 2025 there are likely no viable routes to gain Refugee/Asylum status for current U.S. Citizens.

If you attempt to make a refugee/ asylum claim at the border and you don't qualify for any of these exceptions to the satisfaction of a border official, you will lose your ability to make a claim PERMANENTLY. Please, consult an immigration lawyer before making an asylum claim, there is a high bar for documentation required to make these claims and it should not be considered a viable option in most cases. 


This is due to the unprecedented nature of US citizens applying for asylum status, and because shared policy between the USA and Canada under the "Third Safe Country Agreement"
The agreements written policy on refugees does not apply to US citizens directly[1], but still prevents access by providing legal basis and classification for the United States as a "Safe" country, burdening applicants efforts to justify why they cannot safely be returned to the States[2].
Human rights advocates and organizations such as Rainbow Railroad[3] and the UNHCR have appealed the Canadian federal government to make an emergency exemption for trans US citizen to protect them from persecution. At this time, no decision has been made on the appeal.



[1]https://www.unhcr.ca/in-canada/seeking-asylum-in-canada/who-can-claim-asylum-at-the-border/

[2]Fultz, Cassandra. (2021) Can an American Citizen Make a Claim for Refugee Protection in Canada; Available at: https://dfimmigration.ca/2021/04/27/can-an-american-citizen-make-a-claim-for-refugee-protection-in-canada/(Accessessed on: February 17, 2025)

[3] "Canada Must Act: Make an Exception for Trans, Non-Binary & Intersex Asylum Seekers Under the Safe Third Country Agreement", Rainbow Railroad; https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/the-latest/canada-must-act-exempt-trans-non-binary-intersex-asylum-seekers-from-stca

[4]https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-2.5/FullText.html

[5]https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/agreements/safe-third-country-agreement/final-text.html




Information for Other Methods of Immigration and Naturalization
Click to Expand ▼
Information is incomplete for this section




Community Resources in Canada
Click to Expand ▼
Canadian Government Database for Newcomer Resources
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp

Alberta


Calgary

General Settlement Services
Immigrant Services Calgary Society - Center for Newcomers
https://www.centrefornewcomers.ca/
Immigrant Arrival Centre
https://www.immigrantarrivalcentre.ca/


Edmonton

General Settlement Services
Edmonton Immigrant Services Association
https://www.eisa-edmonton.org/
Assist Community Services Centre
https://assistcsc.org/
Alberta Immigrant Women & Children Centre (AIWCC)
https://aiwcc.ca/
Central Alberta Refugee Effort (CARE) Committee
https://www.carefornewcomers.ca/


Fort McMurray



British Columbia


Vancouver


General Settlement Services
Immigrant Services Society of BC
https://issbc.org/
Action Commitment Transformation (ACT)
https://act.successbc.ca/


Greater Victoria Area

General Settlement Services
Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA)
https://www.icavictoria.org/#
DIVERSEcity
https://www.dcrs.ca/
Chimo Community Services
https://chimoservices.com/
Options Community Services
https://www.options.bc.ca/K


Prince George

General Settlement Services
Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society (IMSS)
https://www.imss.ca/


Kamloops

General Settlement Services
Kamloops Immigrant Services
https://immigrantservices.ca/


Kelowna
General Settlement Services
Kelowna Community Resources
https://kcr.ca/