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USA vs Canada: Where Should You Move?

Uprooting your life and moving to a new country is a life-changing experience, and choosing where to move can be challenging. The United States and Canada are two popular options for immigrants considering a move to North America.

These two countries share a similar quality of life and overlap culturally but differ significantly in many areas. While the U.S. tends to be the top choice for many immigrants, Canadian immigration tends to be more accessible. 

This article compares the experience of immigrating to Canada and the U.S. and the advantages and disadvantages of living in these two countries. Keep reading as we discuss key factors to consider when deciding between Canada and the U.S. as your new home.

✅ Advantages of Moving to the United States:

  • Employment opportunities: Both the U.S. and Canada have a plethora of employment opportunities for foreign workers. The U.S. is an especially attractive destination for foreign nationals seeking employment at top tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Tesla, and more. 
  • Higher salaries: Salaries in the U.S. tend to be higher than in Canada, though the average cost of living in Canada is lower.
  • Access to U.S. investors, professional networks, and clients: Many startup founders and entrepreneurs choose the U.S. over Canada for the vicinity of U.S. investors, networking opportunities, and American clientele. 
  • American education system: Many foreigners—from academics to high-school students—are interested in studying at one of the U.S.'s many academic institutions. 
  • Climate and natural diversity: The U.S. is incredibly diverse. You can settle on the tropical Hawaiian islands, get an apartment in iconic New York City, live in a mountain cabin in Oregon, or anywhere between.  

 

✅ Benefits of Moving to Canada:

  • Universal healthcare: Canada's public healthcare system provides access to medical services for all citizens and permanent residents.
  • Accessible immigration system: Immigration to Canada is much more streamlined than the U.S. immigration system.
  • Affordable education: University tuition in Canada tends to be significantly lower than tuition for U.S. universities. 
  • Lower cost of living: Canada's average cost of living is generally lower than in the U.S. However, living costs in major Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto are comparable to those in major U.S. cities like NYC and Seattle. 
  • Stunning nature: While Canada doesn't have any tropical islands (like Hawaii), the country boasts unparalleled natural beauty—from snow-tipped mountain peaks to breathtaking alpine lakes. 

⛔️ Disadvantages of Moving to the U.S.

  • Challenging immigration system: Hundreds of thousands of people immigrate to the U.S. each year, but the demand for U.S. visas and green cards still outweighs the annual caps. This makes immigrating to the U.S. more difficult than other countries like Canada. 
  • Expensive healthcare: The cost of healthcare in the U.S. is significantly higher than in Canada due to Canada's universal healthcare system. 
  • High university tuition and debt: Despite living in one of the wealthiest nations on the planet, Americans struggle significantly with paying for college education and end up with massive student loan debt. 
  • Gun violence: Gun violence and mass shootings are at least three times more common in the U.S. than in Canada. 
  • Extreme weather: While plenty of U.S. states have mild weather year-round, parts of the U.S. experience hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and more. 

⛔️ Disadvantages of Moving to Canada 

  • Cold, dark winters: Due to Canada's distance from the equator, winters in most parts of the country are both dark and cold. If you want to move to Canada, you'll have to learn how to drive in the snow and brave the cold for several months of the year. 
  • Expensive cities: The cost of living in Canada's major cities, like Toronto and Vancouver, is high. Many U.S. cities also have a high cost of living, but if you're looking for an affordable town in Canada, you'll have to look in rural areas. 
  • Navigating life in English and French: A significant percentage of Canadians only speak French, while others only speak English. Depending on where you live, you may need to learn both languages. 

Immigration Pathways for the USA vs. Canada

 

US immigration paths

U.S. Visas and Permanent Residency 

Employer sponsorship: The L-1, O-1, and H-1B visas are a few work visas that allow foreign nationals to work for a U.S. company temporarily. U.S. employers can also sponsor the permanent residency process for foreign-born employees.

Self-sponsored employment green cards: Talented foreign workers can apply for a U.S. green card without a sponsoring employee through the EB-1A and EB-2 NIW categories.

Family sponsorship: American citizens and permanent residents can sponsor immigration applications for close family members, such as spouses and children.

Student visas: The F-1 and J-1 visas allow internationals to study in the U.S. temporarily.

 

Canadian Immigration Options

 

 

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Canada's FSWP enables skilled international workers to live and work in Canada. Many skilled workers also apply for Canada's Express Entry permanent residency program.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Many Canadian provinces have special immigration programs that help to fill regional labor shortages.

Family immigration: Family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents can qualify to come to Canada under the family immigration program.

 

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Key Takeaways: Moving to Canada or the United States

The United States and Canada are both incredible places to live, and choosing between the two is no easy task. To delve deeper, join one of our upcoming interactive immigration webinars to learn more and ask detailed questions. 

About the author:

Annie Blay

Content Marketing Specialist

Before joining the marketing team, Annie helped over 60 Legalpad clients navigate U.S. immigration on the client services team.