Canada
America’s closest cultural cousin offers universal healthcare, world-class cities, and a points-based immigration system that rewards skills and education. If you want to leave the US without feeling like you’ve left home, Canada is the answer.
North AmericaPros
- Universal healthcare covers all residents with no out-of-pocket costs for doctor visits, emergency care, and hospital stays
- Extremely close to the US with easy flights and even driving distance from many border states, making visits home simple and affordable
- One of the most multicultural and welcoming countries in the world, with strong immigrant communities and diverse neighborhoods
- Among the strongest LGBTQ+ protections and rights globally, with same-sex marriage legal since 2005 and comprehensive anti-discrimination laws
Cons
- Winters are extremely cold in most of the country, with months of sub-zero temperatures, heavy snow, and limited daylight
- High cost of living especially in Toronto and Vancouver where housing prices rival or exceed major US cities
- Healthcare wait times for specialists and non-emergency procedures can stretch to weeks or months depending on the province
- The immigration process is highly competitive and slow, with Express Entry draws favoring candidates with Canadian experience or job offers
Cost of Living
Monthly estimates in USD for a single person. All figures are approximate.
| Expense | Canada | US Average | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR, city center) | $1,600 | $1,800 | $200 |
| Rent (1BR, outside center) | $1,100 | $1,200 | $100 |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | $0 |
| Dining out | $300 | $300 | $0 |
| Transportation | $100 | $200 | $100 |
| Internet | $65 | $70 | $5 |
| Healthcare | $0 | $450 | $450 |
| Total | $3,565 | $4,420 | $855/mo |
Visa Options for Americans
Express Entry
Remote work OK Family eligibleCanada’s flagship skilled immigration program uses a points-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates on age, education, work experience, and language ability. Successful applicants receive permanent residency directly.
- Cost
- $1,000 USD
- Processing time
- 6–8 months
- Duration
- Permanent residency
- Path to residency
- Yes
- Path to citizenship
- Yes
- Family
- Spouse and dependent children can be included in the Express Entry application as accompanying family members.
Tips
- Maximize your CRS score through language tests (IELTS or CELPIP for English, TEF for French), credential assessments (ECA), and provincial nominations
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) add 600 points to your CRS score and virtually guarantee an invitation; research which provinces align with your skills
- The total cost is approximately $1,525 CAD (~$1,100 USD) for the primary applicant including processing fees and right of permanent residence fee
Official source · Last verified August 2026
Work Permit (Employer-Specific)
Family eligibleA temporary work permit tied to a specific Canadian employer who has obtained a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The employer must prove no qualified Canadian was available for the role before hiring a foreign worker.
- Cost
- $115 USD
- Processing time
- 2–4 months
- Duration
- Tied to job offer duration
- Path to residency
- Yes
- Path to citizenship
- Yes
- Family
- Spouse can apply for an open work permit; dependent children can attend school in Canada.
Tips
- Your employer must obtain a positive LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) before you can apply, which adds time and cost to the process
- Canadian work experience significantly boosts your Express Entry CRS score, making a work permit a strategic stepping stone to permanent residency
- The application fee is approximately $155 CAD (~$115 USD); the employer pays the separate LMIA fee of $1,000 CAD
Official source · Last verified August 2026
Startup Visa (CLOSED)
Remote work OK Family eligibleNOTE: This program is closed. It was paused January 1, 2026, and the final deadline for applications with existing commitment certificates passed on June 30, 2026. A replacement entrepreneur pilot has been announced but is not yet open. Historically, the program granted permanent residency to founders backed by a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel group, or incubator.
- Cost
- $1,600 USD
- Processing time
- 12–16 months
- Duration
- Permanent residency
- Path to residency
- Yes
- Path to citizenship
- Yes
- Family
- Spouse and dependent children are included in the permanent residency application.
Tips
- This program is closed — the June 30, 2026 deadline for remaining applications has passed. Watch IRCC announcements for the replacement entrepreneur pilot
- You must secure a letter of support from a designated Canadian venture capital fund ($200K+), angel investor group ($75K+), or business incubator
- The total cost is approximately $2,140 CAD (~$1,600 USD) including processing fee and right of permanent residence fee
- Up to 5 co-founders can be included in a single Startup Visa application, each receiving permanent residency
Official source · Last verified August 2026
Healthcare
- System type
- Universal
- Quality rating
- 4/5
- GP visit
- $N/A
- ER visit
- Free (public)
- Dental cleaning
- $120
- English-speaking doctors
- Everywhere
You'll need health insurance as an expat. SafetyWing is popular with American expats — plans start around $45/month.
Tax Implications
- US tax treaty
- Yes
- Local income tax
- 15%–33% federal + provincial
As a US citizen, you'll still file US taxes from abroad. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) lets you exclude up to ~$130,000 (2025 tax year) of foreign earned income. The US-Canada tax treaty may help avoid double taxation on certain income types.
This is not tax advice. Consult a tax professional who specializes in expat taxation.
Filing US taxes from abroad? MyExpatTaxes is built specifically for Americans overseas, or use Greenback Expat Tax Services if you want a CPA to handle everything.
American Expat Community
Estimated American expats: 300,000+ Americans
Key cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa
Expat Resources
Planning your move to Canada?
Spend a month in Canada first. Find a short-term rental on Airbnb or book a longer hotel stay on Booking.com.
You'll need to transfer funds internationally. Wise offers the best exchange rates with low transparent fees.
You still owe Uncle Sam from abroad. MyExpatTaxes (DIY) or Greenback (full-service CPA) specialize in American expats.
A VPN keeps your US streaming services working abroad.
Need legal help with your move to Canada?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with the right attorney — whether that's someone in Canada for visa and residency paperwork, or a US-based expat specialist for tax and asset planning.
Free, no obligation. We'll reach out within a few business days.