A co-counsel guide for US citizens, US Green Card holders and US-based foreign professionals comparing CUSMA work permits, the November 3, 2026 Express Entry rules, Provincial Nominee Programs, entrepreneur pathways, cross-border tax and admissibility rules. Reviewed November 11, 2026.
By Sean G McKinsley and Kimberly J White
Author credentials: Sean G McKinsley, RCIC (CICC R529731, Founder, Canada Immigration and Visa Services), and Kimberly J White, RCIC — Founder, KWIC (CICC R712483, Kimberly White Immigration Consultants Ltd.).
Short answer
Moving from the United States to Canada in 2026 depends first on your citizenship and your goal. US citizens with a qualifying job offer in a listed profession often start with an LMIA-exempt CUSMA work permit. Permanent residence for every nationality runs mainly through Express Entry (changed on November 3, 2026), Provincial Nominee Programs, provincial entrepreneur streams or family sponsorship. Every pathway, timeline and admissibility question depends on individual assessment, and our practice represents clients for federal and provincial matters outside Quebec.
Key facts: moving from the United States to Canada in 2026
Pathway | Core requirements | 2026 status | Official source (plain text) |
Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades) | Approved language test (CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada) less than 2 years old; Educational Credential Assessment for education outside Canada; settlement funds of CAD $15,263 for one person unless you apply under the Canadian Experience Class, or you are authorized to work in Canada and hold a valid job offer. | Since November 3, 2026, the Labour Market Integration factor awards up to 150 points (140 with a spouse) for Canadian work experience, or 50, 70 or 100 points for a qualifying high-wage job offer with no LMIA required, whichever is higher, never both. Maximum CRS is 1,270. | https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/changes.html |
CUSMA work permits (Professionals, Traders, Investors) | Citizen of the US or Mexico. US permanent residents (Green Card holders) are not covered. Professionals need a pre-arranged job in an occupation listed in Appendix 2 of CUSMA Chapter 16 with the matching credentials. | LMIA-exempt. Visa-exempt foreign nationals, including US citizens, may apply for a work permit at a port of entry; IRCC encourages Investors to apply before arrival. | https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/international-free-trade-agreements/cusma.html |
Provincial Nominee Programs | Provincial job-offer, skills or expression-of-interest criteria outside Quebec. Ontario’s Workforce Priority EOI portal opened on August 4, 2026. | A nomination aligned with Express Entry adds 600 CRS points. Invitations are competitive and never guaranteed. | https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/provincial-nominees.html |
Entrepreneur and business pathways | Provincial entrepreneur work-permit-to-PR streams start at CAD $100,000 investment (about USD $70,500) with net worth minimums from CAD $250,000 to CAD $600,000 depending on province and location. | The federal Start-Up Visa stopped accepting new applications on June 30, 2026, and the federal Self-Employed Persons Program is paused. Saskatchewan’s Entrepreneur and Farm pathways are permanently closed effective March 27, 2025. | https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-rural-entrepreneur-stream-eligibility |
Spousal and family sponsorship | A Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child for permanent residence. | Processing times change; check the live IRCC tool before you plan. | https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children.html |
Study permits | Letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution, plus tuition and CAD $23,448 in living funds for one student (applications on or after September 1, 2026, outside Quebec). | Since January 1, 2026, students in master’s or doctoral degree programs at a public designated learning institution don’t need a provincial or territorial attestation letter. | https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/provincial-attestation-letter.html |
How did Express Entry change on November 3, 2026 for US professionals, Green Card holders and H-1B workers?
Express Entry manages economic permanent residence outside Quebec across the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. On November 3, 2026, IRCC introduced the Labour Market Integration factor. It awards points for Canadian work experience (40 to 80 points for length of experience without a spouse, plus 20, 40 or 70 points for 12 months in a high-wage occupation at 1.3, 1.5 or 2.0 times the median wage), or for a qualifying high-wage job offer (50, 70 or 100 points). You get whichever score is higher, never both, and you don’t need an LMIA for a job offer to qualify. The maximum CRS score is now 1,270.
For US citizens, Green Card holders and foreign nationals living in the US on H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN or F-1 OPT status, four rules shape Express Entry strategy in late 2026:
Job offer or Canadian experience, not both. A qualifying high-wage job offer is worth 50, 70 or 100 points, and Canadian work experience up to 150 points (140 with a spouse). Only the higher of the two counts.
Category-based draws. IRCC also runs category-based rounds for French-language proficiency (NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities), healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education and transport occupations, physicians with Canadian work experience and senior managers with Canadian work experience.
US degrees and native English still need formal proof. You need approved language test results less than two years old (CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, or TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French) and an Educational Credential Assessment from an IRCC-designated organization to claim points for education completed outside Canada.
Age points fall after 29. Without a spouse, age points drop from 110 at age 29 to 105 at 30 and to 0 at 45, so a high-wage job offer, Canadian work experience, strong French or a provincial nomination matters more for older candidates.
How do CUSMA work permits work for US citizens, and what options exist for Green Card or H-1B holders?
Chapter 16 of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) facilitates temporary entry for citizens of the United States and Mexico. It covers Professionals (code T36) in occupations listed in Appendix 2, Traders (T34) who carry on substantial trade between the US and Canada, and Investors (T35) who have committed a substantial amount of capital in Canada. These permits are LMIA-exempt. US citizens are visa-exempt and may apply at a port of entry, although IRCC encourages Investors to apply before arrival.
CUSMA does not apply to permanent residents of the US or Mexico. Green Card holders and H-1B workers who are not US or Mexican citizens use other routes, such as LMIA-supported work permits, Francophone Mobility outside Quebec (NCLC 5 or higher in French speaking and listening), Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program.
Since January 21, 2025, family open work permits for spouses of foreign workers are limited to spouses of workers in TEER 0 or 1 occupations or in listed TEER 2 or 3 occupations, with at least 16 months left on the worker’s permit, and dependent children of workers no longer qualify. IRCC states that spouses of workers covered by free trade agreements, such as CUSMA, and those transitioning to permanent residence are not affected by these changes.
Which Provincial Nominee Programs and entrepreneur streams are open to US movers in 2026?
On the skilled-worker side, Ontario’s Workforce Priority expression-of-interest portal opened on August 4, 2026, alongside provincial streams in Alberta (AAIP), British Columbia (BC PNP), Manitoba and Atlantic Canada.
On the business side, the federal Start-Up Visa stopped accepting new applications on June 30, 2026, the federal Self-Employed Persons Program is paused, and Saskatchewan’s Entrepreneur and Farm pathways are permanently closed effective March 27, 2025. At the Bank of Canada rate of USD $1.00 = CAD $1.4181 (November 10, 2026; rechecked on publish day), provincial entrepreneur streams outside Quebec include:
Provincial entrepreneur stream | Minimum investment (CAD, approx. USD) | Minimum net worth (CAD) | Key points (checked November 11, 2026) |
Alberta — AAIP Rural Entrepreneur Stream | CAD $100,000 (about USD $70,500) | CAD $300,000 | Community under 100,000 people outside the Calgary and Edmonton CMAs; community support required. |
British Columbia — BC PNP Entrepreneur Regional | CAD $100,000 (about USD $70,500) | CAD $300,000 | Participating BC community outside Metro Vancouver; community referral required. |
British Columbia — BC PNP Entrepreneur Base | CAD $200,000 (about USD $141,000) | CAD $600,000 | New business or eligible purchase anywhere in BC. |
Nova Scotia — Entrepreneur | CAD $100,000 outside Halifax Regional Municipality / CAD $150,000 inside | CAD $400,000 outside HRM / CAD $600,000 inside | Operate the business on a work permit before nomination; updated application fees effective September 1, 2026. |
New Brunswick — Business Immigration Stream | CAD $150,000 (about USD $105,800) | CAD $500,000 (CAD $300,000 for agriculture) | Provincial criteria apply. |
Manitoba — Entrepreneur Pathway | CAD $150,000 outside the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region / CAD $250,000 inside | CAD $500,000 | Currently processed through an interim paper-based process. |
Northwest Territories — Business Stream | CAD $100,000 outside Yellowknife / CAD $200,000 inside | CAD $250,000 outside Yellowknife / CAD $500,000 inside | Equity investment and active management in the NWT. |
Practice note on business representation: Provincial entrepreneur and business immigration filings, including temporary C11 work permits for business owners seeking only temporary residence, are handled under a written service agreement, and professional fees are set out in that agreement (government fees not included). Sean is personally involved in every business plan we prepare, working with our team and back and forth with you, and CIVS assists clients in applying for and establishing a Canadian business bank account, subject to the bank’s usual review and approval.
How does spousal sponsorship or studying in Canada work for US families in 2026?
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child for permanent residence. If you have children born outside Canada, check first whether they may already be Canadian citizens: on December 15, 2025, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-3 to change the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent, and IRCC has an official tool to check whether you may already be a citizen.
For students, since January 1, 2026, students in master’s or doctoral degree programs at a public designated learning institution don’t need a provincial or territorial attestation letter. A single student studying outside Quebec shows first-year tuition plus CAD $23,448 for living expenses (applications on or after September 1, 2026).
What tax and criminal admissibility rules catch US movers off guard?
We do not give tax advice. Speak with a licensed US-Canada cross-border tax professional before relocating.
US tax filing continues abroad. The IRS states that US citizens and resident aliens living abroad follow the same income tax filing rules as those living in the US. An FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) is required when the aggregate value of your foreign financial accounts exceeds USD $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. How Canadian accounts and US retirement plans are treated is a question for your cross-border tax adviser.
Past impaired driving (DUI or DWI). A conviction for driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, including cannabis, may make you inadmissible to Canada for serious criminality, whether it happened in Canada or outside Canada. Offences committed before December 18, 2018 are assessed under the penalties in force at the time. You can apply for individual rehabilitation once at least five years have passed since the end of your sentence (including probation) and since the offence. If you have a valid reason to travel before then, an officer may issue a temporary resident permit if your need to enter outweighs the risk.
Sales taxes differ by province. Alberta charges 5% GST with no provincial sales tax, BC charges 5% GST plus 7% PST, Ontario charges 13% HST, and Nova Scotia’s HST has been 14% since April 1, 2025.
How do US applicants verify licensed Canadian immigration counsel and avoid unauthorized agents?
Under section 91 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, paid Canadian immigration advice may only be given by an RCIC in good standing on the CICC public register (register.college-ic.ca), a member of a Canadian law society or a Chambre des notaires du Québec notary. Never pay anyone for a job offer or an LMIA. Our written Canadian Eligibility and Pathway Assessment is USD $1,500 (government fees not included), and every engagement begins with our completed Full Assessment Questionnaire.
Frequently asked questions: moving from the US to Canada in 2026
1. Can a US Green Card holder get a CUSMA (formerly NAFTA) work permit?
No. CUSMA temporary entry is restricted to citizens of the United States and Mexico and does not apply to permanent residents of either country. Green Card holders use other routes, such as Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, LMIA-supported work permits or Francophone Mobility outside Quebec.
2. How did Express Entry job-offer points change on November 3, 2026?
Since November 3, 2026, the Labour Market Integration factor awards up to 150 points (140 with a spouse) for Canadian work experience, or 50, 70 or 100 points for a qualifying high-wage job offer with no LMIA required, whichever is higher, never both.
3. Is Canada’s federal Start-Up Visa still open to new US founders in late 2026?
No. The federal Start-Up Visa stopped accepting new applications on June 30, 2026, and the federal Self-Employed Persons Program is paused. US founders can look at provincial entrepreneur streams starting at CAD $100,000 (about USD $70,500) in Alberta, BC, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, CUSMA Investor permits or C11 permits. Saskatchewan’s Entrepreneur and Farm pathways are permanently closed effective March 27, 2025.
4. Do US citizens lose their US citizenship when becoming Canadian permanent residents or citizens?
Under Canadian law, you can be both a Canadian citizen and a citizen of another country; whether you keep US citizenship is decided by US law, so check with US authorities. US citizens living in Canada keep their US tax filing obligations, including FBAR reporting when foreign accounts exceed USD $10,000 in aggregate.
5. Can I enter or move to Canada with an old US DUI or DWI conviction?
An impaired-driving conviction may make you inadmissible for serious criminality. You can apply for individual rehabilitation once at least five years have passed since the end of your sentence (including probation) and since the offence. Before then, an officer may issue a temporary resident permit if your reason to travel is justified.
6. Can I work remotely from Canada for my US employer as a visitor?
IRCC states that digital nomads working remotely for an employer outside Canada can stay and work in Canada for up to six months at a time with visitor status and no work permit. Visitor status is temporary, and time spent in Canada can have tax consequences, so speak with a tax adviser.
7. Can my spouse get an open work permit if I move to Canada on a CUSMA work permit?
IRCC states that spouses of workers covered by free trade agreements are not affected by the January 21, 2025 limits on family open work permits. Dependent children of foreign workers are no longer eligible for family open work permits.
8. Do US citizens still have to take a language test and get a degree evaluation for Express Entry?
Yes. You need approved language test results less than two years old (CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, or TEF Canada or TCF Canada) and an Educational Credential Assessment to claim points for education completed outside Canada.
9. What happens to my 401(k), IRA or Canadian savings accounts if I move to Canada?
The treatment of US retirement plans and Canadian registered accounts depends on US and Canadian tax law and the Canada-US tax treaty. We do not give tax advice; speak with a cross-border tax professional before you move.
10. Could my US-born children already be Canadian citizens?
Possibly. On December 15, 2025, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-3 to change the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent. Use IRCC’s official tool to check whether your child may already be a Canadian citizen before applying for any immigration status.
11. Can I exchange my US driver’s licence when I move to Canada?
Alberta exchanges US Class 5, 6 and 7 licences without additional testing, and you must exchange within 90 days of becoming an Alberta resident. Manitoba lists the United States and its territories for Class 5 and 6 exchanges. Other provinces set their own rules.
12. What US police certificate does IRCC require?
IRCC asks for an Identity History Summary issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which you can request from the FBI online. Your application instructions tell you who in your family needs one.
Next steps: speak with co-counsel
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We provide Canadian federal and provincial immigration services outside Quebec. We do not give tax advice. This is general information, not legal advice.
Immigration advice is provided by Sean G McKinsley, RCIC, CICC R529731, and Kimberly J White, RCIC — Founder, KWIC, CICC R712483. Verify active registration on the official CICC Public Register at register.college-ic.ca.
Sources (official plain-text links only)
IRCC — Express Entry changes (effective November 3, 2026): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/changes.html (checked November 11, 2026)
IRCC — Comprehensive Ranking System criteria: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/check-score/crs-criteria.html (checked November 11, 2026)
IRCC — Express Entry category-based selection: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html (checked November 11, 2026)
IRCC — Proof of funds (Express Entry): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/proof-funds.html (checked November 11, 2026)
IRCC — CUSMA (International Mobility Program): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/international-free-trade-agreements/cusma.html (checked November 11, 2026)
IRCC — CUSMA Professionals: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/international-free-trade-agreements/cusma/professionals.html (checked November 11, 2026)
IRCC — Changes to open work permits for family members (January 21, 2025): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/changes-open-work-permits-family-members-temporary-residents.html (checked November 11, 2026)
IRCC — Start-Up Visa, about the process: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/start-visa/about.html (checked November 11, 2026)
Government of Saskatchewan — SINP Entrepreneur: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/moving-to-saskatchewan/live-in-saskatchewan/by-immigrating/saskatchewan-immigrant-nominee-program/browse-sinp-programs/entrepreneur/entrepreneur-eoi-system (checked November 11, 2026)
Government of Alberta — AAIP Rural Entrepreneur Stream eligibility: https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-rural-entrepreneur-stream-eligibility (checked November 11, 2026)
WelcomeBC — BC PNP for entrepreneurs: https://www.welcomebc.ca/immigrate-to-b-c/for-entrepreneurs-and-businesses (checked November 11, 2026)
IRCC — Provincial attestation letter: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/provincial-attestation-letter.html (checked November 11, 2026)
IRCC — Study permit financial support: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html (checked November 11, 2026)
IRCC — Impaired driving and inadmissibility: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/admissibility-enforcement/overcome-criminal-convictions/impaired-driving.html (checked November 11, 2026)
IRCC — Police certificates, United States: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/police-certificates/how/united-states.html (checked November 11, 2026)
IRS — Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR): https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/report-of-foreign-bank-and-financial-accounts-fbar (checked November 11, 2026)
Bank of Canada — Daily exchange rates (USD/CAD 1.4181 on November 10, 2026): https://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/exchange/daily-exchange-rates/ (checked November 11, 2026)
IRCC Help Centre — Will I lose my other citizenship if I become a Canadian?: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=359 (checked November 11, 2026)
CICC — Public Register: https://register.college-ic.ca/ (checked November 11, 2026)
Additional official sources used in verification (CoS ledger): IRCC citizenship act changes (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/act-changes.html), IRCC tech talent / digital nomads (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/tech-talent.html), CRA GST/HST rates (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/gst-hst-businesses/charge-collect-which-rate.html), Alberta licence exchange (https://www.alberta.ca/exchange-non-alberta-licences), Manitoba Public Insurance licence exchange (https://www.mpi.mb.ca/countries-eligible-for-drivers-licence-exchange-in-manitoba/), Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba and NWT entrepreneur pages (see 04/05 ledger G-IE-12), Ontario OINP 2026 updates (https://www.ontario.ca/page/2026-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates).