Canada

Canada is a comparatively LGBTQ+-friendly country located in North America, north of the United States, with legal protections for trans people written into the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, part of the Canadian constitution.

Urgent Warning: As of August 24th, 2025, there are likely no viable routes to gain Refugee/Asylum status in Canada for U.S. Citizens.

Refoulement is a real risk. 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. If your claim is accepted at the border, you will not be able to return to the U.S. without forfeiting your case until you become a citizen, which could take an extremely long time (years). Please, consult an immigration lawyer and consider all other options before making an asylum claim. There is an extremely high bar for documentation required to make these claims and it should not be considered a viable option in most cases.

Why Canada?

• Legal gender recognition: Yes; gender transition and non-binary classification on official documents is available and recognized.
• Anti-discrimination laws: Yes; Federal Protections for "gender identity or expression" as prohibited grounds for discrimination were added to section 318 of the Canadian Human Rights Act in 2017. ^{(citation needed)}
• Public healthcare: Yes, public healthcare covers the cost of regular GP visits and most procedures, including emergency procedures. It doesn't cover prescriptions and ambulance rides.
• LGBTQ+ rights and community: Very Yes; The community here is strong and we are fighting HARD to bring any one of you into safety. It’s not perfect here, but our pride and advocacy communities are tight-knit and are working closely to fight against Anti LGBTQ policies that are plaguing at-risk populations globally.
• Immigration pathways: A variety of work and family visas are available, and people with a Canadian ancestor are automatically eligible for Canadian citizenship. Asylum claims are not a viable approach for US citizens at this time.

Why not Canada

• Provincial-level Anti-trans laws have been put into affect in many provinces including Alberta, Saskatchewan, PEI and others. Even though advocacy groups are fighting legal battles to stall and overturn these violations of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a pending federal election in October that may put the an ant-trans legislator as head of the federal government as Prime-Minister
• Housing crisis shortage
• The federal government has recently limited the number of potential immigration, work, and study visas available to foreign parties
• Jordan Peterson is from here (sorry)

Political Situation for Trans People

Trans people enjoy federal protections as a protected class of people under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (equivalent to the United States Constitution)

Despite this, many provincial governments have attempted or begun passing anti-trans legislation aimed at excluding or eliminating trans-individuals from public life. This has been seen in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and PEI, particularly aimed at trans minors while talks occur about tabling more severe legislation.

Anti-trans rhetoric does exist here. Different provinces have different levels of transphobia in their governments, though every province does still provide trans care to at least an extent, including bottom surgery and some top surgeries.

In Alberta, the United Conservative Party (UCP) under Premier Danielle Smith have begun pushing through anti-trans legislation, primarily targeting minors. (Danielle Smith formerly ran the Wild rose Party of Alberta that fought against the criminalization of conversion therapy in 2007.)

Saskatchewan also has a an anti-trans government in the form of the right wing Saskatchewan Party government of Premier Scott Moe, similarly bringing anti-trans legislation into law.

These policies are not popular nationwide; in New Brunswick, Blaine Higgs's right wing Progressive Conservatives lost a recent election in a landslide in part due to their efforts to push similar anti trans legislation. British Columbia's center left NDP government, supported by the Green Party, under leadership of Premier David Eby ,is generally supportive of trans rights.

Access to Trans Healthcare

Access to gender affirming healthcare is available. In Alberta, for example, the wait time to see a gender specialist is about 6 months.

Obtaining HRT as an adult is as simple as travelling to any pharmacy with a prescription. But provincial healthcare doesn't cover the full cost of HRT and many other necessary medications. Likewise, healthcare does not cover the cost of mental health resources or visits.

Surgeries require the signature of two (2) separate and independent psychiatrists and the wait times are two (2) years on average.

There are only 2 clinics approved for performing gender confirmation. One (1) in British Colombia and one (1) in Ontario. Despite this, the one in British Columbia doesn't take patients from specific provinces, like Alberta.^{(citation needed)} Trans femme people have reported that the full gender confirmation process has taken approximately 5 years.

Immigration Policy

In general, you must have a work or study permit to reside in Canada for longer than 180 days. There are also options for self-employed individuals and those who have immediate family who are Canadian residents.

US citizens can enter and remain in Canada as a tourist visa-free for up to 180 days, and can work remotely for a US employer during this time.

Info on crossing the border here.

Refugee Status

Available under eligibility guidelines regarding ones safety in their location of origin, their criminal record, and passing a medical exam. Neither refugee status nor asylum claims are viable for US citizens as of August 24^th, 2025. Asylum applications from U.S. citizens are unprecedented and border officers have significant discretion on determining when a claim is and isn't viable.

Non-U.S. citizens (including Green Card holders/permanent residents) are subject to the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA), which prevents them from seeking asylum after crossing the US-Canada border by land or sea. The agreement's policy on refugees does not apply to US citizens directly, 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 US.

Human rights advocates and organizations such as Rainbow Railroad 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. In addition, there are a few high profile cases of transgender US citizens testing the waters and seeking asylum in Canada. This route should generally be considered unviable at the moment, and anyone seriously considering it should consider all other options first, including other potentially viable countries, discuss with an immigration lawyer specializing in refugee claims before proceeding, and be prepared for a long and expensive legal battle, which will more than likely end in your refoulement to the U.S. Anyone who claims asylum and is not immediately denied at the border will not be able to return to the U.S. without forfeiting their claim until it is processed, they receive permanent residence, and they become a citizen -- a process which can take many years.

Work Permit

Work permits allow foreign nationals to work in Canada, 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 (LMIA) 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 LMIA but does require a submission of an employment offer in the employers portal.

If you are a U.S. or Mexican citizen who is considered a "skilled worker" (i.e. in IT or a manager), you may be eligible under the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) to obtain a permit under the International Mobility Program and thus not need an LMIA.

Employer Specific Work Permits

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

A number of different work permits are available, full details of which - along with their application process - may be found on the work visa application information portal. They are typically conditional on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which your prospective employer must complete to prove that they genuinely need a foreign worker for the job, as opposed to a Canadian national. Most work visas of this kind are available via the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The International Mobility Program (IMP), does not require an LMIA be carried out.

Employment positions eligible for IMP status are those which "provide broad economic, cultural or other competitive advantages for Canada, and provide reciprocal benefits for Canadian citizens and permanent residents."

Workers eligible for the IMP include those entering Canada as part of trade treaties, such as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) or the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA), those entering Canada on an open work permit (see below), and those entering Canada as intra-company transferees. This latter category has potential for US staff of companies with a significant presence in Canada, who may have the opportunity to request a transfer overseas.

Open Work Permit

Open work permits are not tied to a specific employer, but are only available to people in a limited range of circumstances, including:

• international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution and are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
• student who can no longer meet the costs of their studies (destitute student)
• workers with an employer-specific work permit who are being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to their job in Canada
• those who have applied for permanent residence in Canada
• dependent family members of someone who applied for permanent residence
• the spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a low- or high-skilled worker
• the spouse or common-law partner of an international student
• the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
• refugees, refugee claimants, protected persons or their family members
• personal under an unenforceable removal order
• temporary resident permit holders
• young workers participating in special programs

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

Start-up Visa

The Start-Up Visa program for entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas, intended to boost innovation and growth in Canada. Applicants need a viable business plan, support from a designated organization, and intermediate language skills

Self-Employed Visa

The Self-Employed Persons Program was paused on April 30^th, 2024 due to an extremely large backlog in applications and is expected to remain paused through the end of 2026.

The federal Self-Employed Persons Program for individuals with relevant self-employment experience who wish to become permanent residents after setting up a business in Canada. Applicants must have two years of relevant experience within the past five and "must demonstrate both the intention and the ability to create their own employment, significantly contributing to Canada’s cultural, artistic, or athletic sectors."

For the wealthy, the Buy A Business and Move to Canada program.

Student Visa

If you are accepted into a Canadian college or university, you will be able to apply for a student visa. Your school should provide instructions on obtaining your visa. The fastest option is to obtain your visa as soon as you cross the border by notifying the border agent. You must have all of your documentation with you.

Family Reunification

This is also known as the "Family Class" Sponsorship. Canadian citizens can sponsor relatives, spouses, and dependents for permanent residence. Certain types of relative sponsorships are limited to a certain number determined by a random drawing.

Super Visa

Parents can immigrate to Canada with their adult children who are already residents in-country. This visa is good for 5 years and is renewable for 2 years at a time.

Citizenship

There are two paths to citizenship via family descent or naturalization.

Family Descent

Due to the historic settlement of US territory by the French and cross-border migration before the establishment of border controls, many American families, especially those that have long histories in the US and are from the Midwest or elsewhere in the North can generally find at least one link to Canada in their family.

According to the law as written, you can receive citizenship if you can prove one of your parents (legal parent listed at birth) was a citizen before you were born, with some exceptions. This one-generation limit for passing down citizenship was struck down in December of 2023 by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and under the current interim measures resulting from this case, anyone who can prove a link to any ancestor who would have been Canadian by birth on what is now Canadian soil, or an ancestor who naturalized as a Canadian citizen, is already Canadian and can have their citizenship recognized by applying for a Citizenship Certificate.

Since 2024, bills have been proposed to repair the law and allow the passing down of citizenship down from ancestors beyond the first generation. Because these bills have been delayed in being passed, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has instituted a set of interim measures that allow those who can prove that any direct ancestor was a citizen or would have been a citizen under the current law to apply for citizenship. The process for this is documented in this guide in the Reddit community that has formed around this new process:

• Application Process FAQ/Guide

As of the 20th of June, 2025, a new bill to repair the citizenship law is still early in the legislative process. It is not expected to become law for quite some time, as Parliament recessed for the summer on the 20th of June, 2025 without having sent the bill to committee. No movement on the bill is expected until September 15th at the absolute earliest, and passage will take much longer than that. In its current form, it is more permissive than the rule that was struck down, but more restrictive in some aspects than the current interim measures. Therefore, if you have a Canadian ancestor who is more than 3-5 generations back, it is highly encouraged not to delay applying.

The citizenship by descent process is easy enough to navigate without a lawyer, and takes between 3 to 4 months, or potentially longer. Lawyers are generally unfamiliar with this process and may even be misleading in some cases, or result in unnecessary delay. Trans people should remember to include Form IRM 0002 Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier if their birth certificate has not been updated yet, and consider discussing the hardship we are facing in the United States in their application cover letter. This may result in your application being prioritized.

It is recommended to provide color copies where possible. Birth and marriage certificates are ideal, but census records and baptismal records can be used if necessary. Certified copies are generally not required. In some cases, people have been asked to provide a certified copy of their Canadian ancestor's birth or baptismal certificate, but these can be uploaded later via the website if another non-certified copy is available to send with the application. Do not send originals as they may not be returned to you. Documents must simply show a continuous link between you and your Canadian ancestor.

Naturalization

If you are a permanent resident (not on a temporary visa) and have lived in Canada for 3 of the last 5 years, you can apply for citizenship once you pass a language test, pass a citizenship test, and swear an oath.

Permanent Residence

Most immigrants gain the right to live in Canada by being chosen for permanent residence through a government program. Permanent residents have the right to live anywhere in Canada (with some caveats), to receive government benefits, and to come and go freely as long as they have their Permanent Resident card.

Express Entry

Make sure to see the Québec section below if you're hoping to move there.

Express Entry is the main method by which people from all over the world immigrate to Canada, and by which people who have temporary status in Canada gain the right to stay there permanently. The federal government chooses immigrants from the pool based on a points system. Points are assigned for various things like age, marital status, education, work experience, Canadian work experience, and language skills. The Canadian government pulls candidates from the pool based on a minimum score, sometimes drawing from different pools created by filtering the list of candidates for specific criteria. Express Entry applicants have been invited based on work experience or skills in certain sectors, and language skills (particularly French).

How long an application takes to process generally depends on how long it takes to be drawn from the pool. The main ways to improve your score include getting Canadian work experience by getting an employer-specific work permit, and studying French. You can calculate your score here.

Provincial nominee programs

Provincial nominee programs are programs run by the provinces which allow them to invite immigrants with specific qualifications. Provincial nominees are given an Invitation to Apply by a province. Some invitations need to be applied to an Express Entry profile, and others will allow you to apply directly. Be sure to double check the provincial program you're applying to, and if it goes through Express Entry, make sure you're eligible to set up a profile.

If you receive a provincial nomination, although the government can't force you to move to a specific province -- as a permanent resident, you have the ability to live anywhere in Canada -- when you eventually apply for citizenship, you will have to explain if you move elsewhere, and if you don't have a good reason, that citizenship application may end up being denied.

These programs and the rates at which they offer invitations change regularly, so check out the provincial websites here:

• British Columbia
• Northwest Territories
• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba
• Ontario
• New Brunswick
• Prince Edward Island
• Nova Scotia
• Newfoundland and Labrador

Nunavut doesn't have any provincial nominee programs, and Québec manages its own immigration.

Québec

As part of Canada's multinational structure, Québec controls its own immigration, and immigrants who gain the right to live in Canada via a federal program aren't supposed to settle in Québec. As a permanent resident, you have the right to live anywhere in Canada, but if you do decide to make Québec your first stop in Canada you will have to explain it if you eventually apply for citizenship, and it could result in that citizenship application being denied.

Québec offers its own programs. You can see them here.

Programs for medical workers

Medical workers are in extremely high demand in most of Canada. Applicants with experience in a medical field that are qualified for Express Entry might have an easier time getting in that way, or via a provincial nominee program.

Home Care Worker immigration pilot

As of August 24^th, 2025, the Home Care Worker immigration program stream for workers already in Canada was full for the year, and the stream for workers outside of Canada had not yet opened. No opening date is available as of writing. If you're interested in this program, prepare your documentation now and be ready to submit an application as soon as the stream opens.

The Home Care Worker immigration pilot allows experienced home care workers (caregivers) with a job offer as a home child care provider or a home support worker to immigrate to Canada. You must show proof of funds, pass a language test in English or French, and get an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) if your education wasn't done in Canada.

Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence for certain skilled workers who want to move to Atlantic Canada (the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick). You must have at least 1,560 hours (1 year at 30 hours/week) experience within the last five years in a position classified as TEER level 4 or lower and be able to pass either an English or French language test. (To find your current job's TEER level, check here.)

You must also have a job offer from an employer in one of the Atlantic provinces. You also need at least a Canadian high school diploma. If your credentials weren't earned in Canada, you'll need to get an Education Credential Assessment (ECA).

If accepted, you can apply for permanent residence, and also simultaneously apply for an employer-specific work permit which will allow you to work for the employer that offered you the job.

Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilots

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) are pathways to permanent residence for skilled workers who want to live in a rural area. You must have a job offer from an employer in one of 14 (for RCIP) or 6 (for FCIP) remote communities. You also need to have enough funds to get settled, have at least the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma, to pass a language test in French (for RCIP or FCIP) or English (for RCIP). If your credentials weren't earned in Canada, you'll need to get an Education Credential Assessment (ECA).

Banking

The key to getting access to all of Canada's banking possibilities is getting a SIN (Social Insurance Number). You will get a SIN if you can get a work or study permit.

Without a SIN

Those who are without SIN... can at least get a checking account. All you need to do is make an appointment at a bank physically located within Canada and show up with your passport. If they ask for an address, you can give them your old US address or wherever you're staying now.

You WILL NOT be able to get a credit card but your bank account will have a debit card you can use. You can use this card in many card readers, but some card readers won't accept it because they only execute credit transactions.

With a SIN

You will then be able to get all banking services, including a credit card. Many banks have "newcomer" plans that give you better credit limits off the bat without having a credit history established.

Cross-Border Accounts

All of Canada's major banks offer some variation of a cross-border or "borderless" account. It's a soup of product names that boils down to 2 types of accounts:

• You can open a US-dollar (USD) account in your Canadian bank. You can freely transfer money between this account and your Canadian dollar (CAD) account and you get better exchange rates. This can be a good place to stash cash if you think that the USD will remain strong vs the CAD so you can hold USDs and transfer out to CAD as needed.
• Many Canadian banks have branches in the US. If you open an account at a US branch and link it to your Canadian account, these banks offer seamless transfers between your accounts without having to do expensive wire transfers.

Transferring Money from the US

Normally, you can initiate an international wire transfer from your US bank to your Canadian bank but they can be expensive (can be $50 at some banks) and can take a few days. N.B. Canadian banks do not use ABA routing numbers for wire transfers. You'll need your account's SWIFT code, branch ID, transit number, and account number.

The best path is to have a USD account with a US branch of BMO Harris or TD. Once you set up a Canadian bank account with the same parent company, you can call customer support to enable an international transfer option. This gives you free transfers between your US and Canadian accounts that usually only take a day or two to process. When you execute the transfer you specify your USD "cross-border" account as the target. You can then transfer from your Candian USD to the CAD account at a cheap exchange rate.

Interac e-Transfer

You will see many businesses accepting payments via Inetrac. It is very similar to Zelle in the US. You associate an email address with it and you send folks money from your banking app by specifying their email as the recipient. There are no transaction fees and it's instantaneous. If you get a checking account/debit card without a SIN, you can still use Interac.

Community Resources

Canadian Government Database for Newcomer Resources

https://ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp

Alberta

Calgary

Immigrant Services Calgary Society - Center for Newcomers

https://www.centrefornewcomers.ca/

Immigrant Arrival Centre

https://www.immigrantarrivalcentre.ca/

Edmonton

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/

British Columbia

Vancouver

Immigrant Services Society of BC

https://issbc.org/

Action Commitment Transformation (ACT)

https://act.successbc.ca/

Greater Victoria Area

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/

Prince George

Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society (IMSS)

https://www.imss.ca/

Kamloops

Kamloops Immigrant Services

https://immigrantservices.ca/

Kelowna

Kelowna Community Resources

https://kcr.ca/

Saskatchewan

Saskatoon

Global Gathering Place

https://globalgatheringplace.com/

Saskatoon Open Door Society

https://www.sods.sk.ca/

Prince Albert

YWCA: Prince Albert

https://www.ywcaprincealbert.ca/community-connection-centre

North & South Battleford

Battlefords Immigration Resource Center

https://www.battlefordsimmigration.ca/

Regina

Regina Open Door Society Inc.

https://rods.sk.ca/

1855 Smith Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2N5

306-352-4600

Humbolt

The Humbolt Regional Newcomer Centre (HRNC)

https://www.thehrnc.com/

Manitoba

Winnipeg

Spence Neighbourhood Association

https://spenceneighbourhood.org/

430 Langside Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 2T5

431-444-3907

Ontario

Toronto

YMCA of Greater Toronto - Toronto Lansing Square YMCA - Newcomer Information Centre (North York East)

https://newcomersincanada.ca/

2 Lansing Square, Toronto, Ontario, M2J 4P8

416-502-2484

Centre for Immigant and Community Services (CICS) - North York

https://www.cicscanada.com/en/

1761 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 1F, North York, Ontario, M2J 0A5

416-292-7510

The 519

https://www.the519.org/programs/category/new-to-canada/

519 Church St, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2C9

416-392-6874

Ottawa

Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization - Orleans Cumberland Community Resources Centre (OCCRC)

https://www.crcoc.ca/en/

240 Centrum Boulevard, Ottawa, Ontario, K1E 3J4

613-830-4357

Quebec

Montreal

Centre D'Appui Aux Communautes Immigrantes (Immigrant and Reffugee Assistance Centre in Montreal)

https://caci-bc.org/?lang=en

12049, boul. Laurentien, Montréal, H4K 1M8

514-856-3511

Grand Montreal Gatineau - 211

https://www.211qc.ca/en/immigration-and-cultural-communities

Agence Ometz

https://www.ometz.ca/gethelp/immigrants/immigration+resources/

1 Cummings Square, 5151 Côte Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec H3W 1M6

514-342-0000

Quebec City

French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII)

https://www.ofii.fr/en/

Newfoundland & Labrador

Labrador City

Association for New Canadians

https://ancnl.ca/

43 Tamarack Drive, Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador, A2V 0C5

709-944-7775

Prince Edwards Island (PEI)

Charlottetown

Immigrant & Refugee Services Association PEI inc.

https://www.irsapei.ca/

49 Water Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, C1A 1A3

902-628-6009

• Canada Directory