Corridor guide
Move from Canada to United States
Moving from Canada to the United States requires careful planning and an understanding of the immigration process.
Immigration rules and fees change frequently. Confirm current requirements on official government or embassy websites.
AI-assisted. Parts of this page may be drafted with AI and editor-reviewed. Always confirm rules, fees, and hours on official government sources before you act. How we use AI · Editorial standards
Pathway ranking
Top visas by your goal
Ranked from published visa records — always confirm eligibility on the official immigration portal.
- Rank 1Score 86
EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals
migration · 17-30 weeks
Matches work pathway signals (work, skilled)
Open visa guide →
- Rank 2Score 78
EB-5 Investor Visa
business · 24-48 months end-to-end
Matches work pathway signals (business)
Open visa guide →
- Rank 3Score 78
Employment-Based Green Card (EB-2 / EB-3)
residency · 1-6 years depending on country of birth and category
Matches work pathway signals (employment)
Open visa guide →
Route comparison
Top pathways for work
Compare published visa routes on this corridor — not a eligibility guarantee.
EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals
Best matchmigration · 17-30 weeks
Fees: Min Income Points: , · Min Savings: , (+2 more)
Open visa guide →
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Strong alternativework · 3-6 months standard; 15 days with premium processing
Fees: I129Fee: USD 460 (paid by employer) · Acwia Fee: USD 750-1,500 (+2 more)
Open visa guide →
EB-5 Investor Visa
Considerbusiness · 24-48 months end-to-end
Fees: I829Fee: USD 9,525 · I526EFee: USD 11,160 (+2 more)
Open visa guide →
Risk awareness
Scams, laws & mistakes — United States
Review before paying fees or sharing documents. Report suspicious offers via our scam check tool.
- Scam alertmediumDocument Translation, Notary, or Apostille Overcharge
In the United States, newcomers, including visa applicants, families, students, and workers, may encounter a scam involving inflated…
- Scam alertmediumFake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee
Scammers in the United States often impersonate airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents to exploit newcomers. These…
- Scam alertmediumFake University or Scholarship Letter
In the United States, a prevalent scam targets students, parents, and scholarship applicants through fake university or scholarship…
- Scam alertmediumRental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract
In the United States, a common housing scam targets newcomers, students, families, and remote workers. Scammers often post fake apartment…
- LawcriticalImmigration Status and Overstay Rules
Your right to remain in the United States is contingent upon your specific visa, residence permit, entry stamp, or visa-free status.…
- LawcriticalWork Authorisation Rules
In the United States, holding a visa that permits entry does not guarantee the right to work. Different categories of visas have specific…
- LawhighTax Residency and Income Reporting
Tax residency in the United States is determined by the amount of time you spend in the country. If you live in the U.S. for a significant…
- Common mistakeadvisory
Paying unlicensed consultants who promise guaranteed visa approval
Common corridor planning mistake — verify with official sources.
- Common mistakeadvisory
Using unofficial payment links instead of government portals
Common corridor planning mistake — verify with official sources.
- Common mistakeadvisory
Submitting incomplete proof-of-funds or outdated bank statements
Common corridor planning mistake — verify with official sources.
Planning tools
- Interactive plan
Milestones, checklists, and saved corridor steps.
- Cost calculator
Compare living costs and salary signals.
- Eligibility quiz
Screen visa pathways before deep research.
- Scam check
Paste an offer or URL to match known fraud patterns.
- Arrival checklist
First-month tasks after landing.
- Community hub
Articles, tools, and corridor resources in one place.
Corridor articles
Browse blog →- US Requires New Form I-129 Edition From 9 November 2026
From 9 November 2026, USCIS accepts only the 09/09/26 edition of Form I-129 and closes the grace period for old mailing addresses. Here is what H-1B, L-1 and other workers need to check before an employer files.
- Canada Extends Low-Wage LMIA Duration to Two Years from 6 November 2026
ESDC on 6 November 2026 raised Low-Wage Stream LMIA employment duration to two years and added early childhood educators to priority-sector exceptions in high-unemployment CMAs. March 2027 regional reforms still need provincial opt-in.
- Canada Moves Asylum Claims Online With a 60-Day Deadline From 3 November
Canada's new asylum rules took effect on 3 November 2026. Every claim now runs through one online application, with 60 days to finish once you get a due date and a single 30-day extension. Miss a step and your claim goes to the IRB for abandonment.
- Canada Fines Immigration Representatives up to $1.5 Million From 28 October 2026
Canada now fines paid immigration and citizenship representatives who break the law, from $5,000 per violation up to $1.5 million. Here is how the IRCC penalties work and how you check a representative before you pay.
Stay updated
Rules change often. Subscribe to free policy alerts for the countries you care about — no account required.
Set up policy alertsCity cost of living
Curated city bands for United States (top-30 set).
Timeline tracker
If you apply today
Estimates from published processing times for United States. Always confirm on the official portal.
| Visa | Processing (published) | Est. weeks | Apply by (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 / B-2 Visitor Visa | 2-8 weeks (depends on consulate wait) | 8 | — |
| CR-1/IR-1 Spouse of US Citizen | 17-30 weeks | 30 | — |
| Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) | 17-30 weeks | 30 | — |
| E-1 Treaty Trader | 8-17 weeks | 17 | — |
| E-2 Treaty Investor | 8-17 weeks | 17 | — |
Corridor feed
Guides, answers & people
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To naturalize as a U.S. citizen, you must first be a lawful permanent resident, commonly known as a Green Card holder.…
- Q&Ahow much does it cost to immigrate to usa from philippines
immigration fees: Costs vary widely depending on the visa type. For example, family-sponsored visas may have fees…
- Q&Ahow long does us visa take to expire
The EB-5 Investor Visa is generally valid for two years from the date it is issued. This visa allows foreign investors…
- Q&Awhat documents do i need for pakistan visa
When applying for a Pakistan visa, you need to gather several important documents. The exact requirements can vary…
- ArticleUS Requires New Form I-129 Edition From 9 November 2026
From 9 November 2026, USCIS accepts only the 09/09/26 edition of Form I-129 and closes the grace period for old mailing addresses. Here is what H-1B, L-1 and other workers need to check before an employer files.
- ArticleCanada Extends Low-Wage LMIA Duration to Two Years from 6 November 2026
ESDC on 6 November 2026 raised Low-Wage Stream LMIA employment duration to two years and added early childhood educators to priority-sector exceptions in high-unemployment CMAs. March 2027 regional reforms still need provincial opt-in.
- ArticleCanada Moves Asylum Claims Online With a 60-Day Deadline From 3 November
Canada's new asylum rules took effect on 3 November 2026. Every claim now runs through one online application, with 60 days to finish once you get a due date and a single 30-day extension. Miss a step and your claim goes to the IRB for abandonment.
- ArticleCanada Fines Immigration Representatives up to $1.5 Million From 28 October 2026
Canada now fines paid immigration and citizenship representatives who break the law, from $5,000 per violation up to $1.5 million. Here is how the IRCC penalties work and how you check a representative before you pay.
- ArticleUS Makes End of Automatic EAD Extensions Final From 14 October 2026
DHS has finalized the end of automatic work permit extensions, effective 14 October 2026. If you file an EAD renewal now, your card stops on its printed end date unless USCIS approves the renewal first. Here is who is affected and how to plan.
- ArticleCanada Adds High-Wage CRS Points in Express Entry From 3 November 2026
IRCC announced on 16 October 2026 a new Labour Market Integration CRS factor from 3 November. High-wage Canadian experience or a qualifying high-wage job offer earns extra points, and LMIA no longer supplies job-offer CRS points.
Grounded advisor
Ask about this page
Answers cite MigrantIQ pages first — not legal advice.
Canada
🇨🇦Country migration profile
canada
View country guide
United States
🇺🇸Capital: Washington, DC · Americas
united-states
View country guide
Move Timeline
- - 6-12 months: choose visa pathway, budget, and document plan
- - 3-6 months: gather proof of funds, translations, employment or study evidence
- - 1-3 months: confirm housing, insurance, travel, and arrival documents
- - First 30 days: complete local registration, banking, healthcare, phone, and safety setup
Official corridor links
- Canada official immigration source
Use for departure, passport, and local exit obligations where relevant.
- United States official immigration source
Use for visa eligibility, forms, fees, appointments, and entry rules.
Assumptions & Limits
- - Corridor guidance combines structured country, visa, law, cost, and scam-alert data.
- - Official government portals override MigrantIQ summaries for eligibility, fees, forms, and appointments.
- - Cost and salary deltas are directional signals, not personal budget guarantees.
- - Use licensed advice for case-specific immigration or legal decisions.
Sources & Official Links
- MigrantIQ country and corridor data
Structured data from country, visa, law, and scam alert records.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Official destination source for current visa and entry rules.
Continue with official planning
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Plan Canada → United States
Quick links from MigrantIQ for this corridor — visas, tools, Q&A, and stories.
Tools
Visas in United States
- B-1 / B-2 Visitor Visatourist
- CR-1/IR-1 Spouse of US Citizenmigration
- Diversity Visa Lottery (DV)migration
- E-1 Treaty Tradermigration
- E-2 Treaty Investormigration
- EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Cardmigration
- EB-2 Advanced Degree or Exceptional Abilitymigration
- EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionalsmigration
United States embassies & consulates in Canada
Where to apply from Canada for visas and consular services to United States. 8 active missions listed. Always confirm with the mission before you apply.
- Consulate General of Unitedstates in Calgary, Canada — Consulate General, Calgary
- Consulate General of Unitedstates in Halifax, Canada — Consulate General, Halifax
- Consulate General of Unitedstates in Montreal, Canada — Consulate General, Montreal
- Embassy of Unitedstates in Ottawa, Canada — Embassy, Ottawa
- Consulate General of Unitedstates in Quebec, Canada — Consulate General, Quebec
Partners for this move
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United States: US planning checklist →Build your US move checklist before paying for services.
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Summarize this page with AI
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Not affiliated with any AI platform. Always verify immigration rules on official government sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Canadians have several visa options for moving to the U.S. Common choices include the B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa for tourism, CR-1/IR-1 for spouses of U.S. citizens, and E-1/E-2 for treaty traders and investors. The Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) is another option, though it is limited and competitive. Research each visa type thoroughly and verify requirements on official government sites.
The required documents vary by visa type but generally include a valid passport, a completed application form, and a visa fee payment. Additional documents may include proof of financial support, employment letters, or marriage certificates for family-based visas. Always check the specific requirements for your chosen visa on official government portals.
Budgeting for your move involves considering visa fees, travel costs, and initial living expenses. The cost of living in the U.S. is about 5.8% higher than in Canada. Include housing, groceries, healthcare, and transportation in your calculations. It is wise to have several months' worth of living expenses saved before your move.
Be cautious of scams such as overcharging for document translation, notary, or apostille services. Watch for fake assistance fees at borders or airports. Also, be wary of rental scams that require deposits before viewing properties. Always verify offers through official sources to avoid fraud.
In your first month, focus on finding permanent housing, obtaining a U.S. bank account, and understanding local laws. Register your address, apply for a driver's license, and learn about the community. You should establish a support network and seek local resources to ease your transition.
You can verify your visa application status through the U.S. Department of State's Consular Electronic Application Center website. Keep your receipt number handy for tracking. If you have questions, consider consulting with an immigration attorney or a licensed immigration consultant for guidance.
More corridor answers in Q&A for United States.