Moving to Canada from the US

[pkfinn]

Originally Posted by rosweed

Thanks Bev. Good information.

There is a work possibility for your wife. It will depend on what she does. But if she is in a high demand field (IT, health care) she can get a work visa first. The process is similar to what you are familiar with in the States. To work legally in the U.S.A., one needs an H1B visa which can lead to a U.S. Green Card. To work legally in Canada, one needs a work permit/visa which can lead to Landed Immigrant/Permanent Residency status.

In other words, if she can find a job (she can come to Canada for up to six months with no restrictions to look), she can apply for a work visa which will allow her to work here while her permanent residency application is in process. Since you are married, your application can be expedited.

On another note: the first 80k is excluded from U.S. taxes (with or without the extension), but a U.S. citizen still has to file a 1040 each and every year. The foreign tax credit will kick in---but you will still have to file, should you choose to move here.

Good luck....I know it's a complicated process. But depending on your situation, it can be worthwhile.

[rosweed]

pkfinn, thank you. Where can I find a list of the high demand fields?

Originally Posted by pkfinn

There is a work possibility for your wife. It will depend on what she does. But if she is in a high demand field (IT, health care) she can get a work visa first. The process is similar to what you are familiar with in the States. To work legally in the U.S.A., one needs an H1B visa which can lead to a U.S. Green Card. To work legally in Canada, one needs a work permit/visa which can lead to Landed Immigrant/Permanent Residency status.

In other words, if she can find a job (she can come to Canada for up to six months with no restrictions to look), she can apply for a work visa which will allow her to work here while her permanent residency application is in process. Since you are married, your application can be expedited.

On another note: the first 80k is excluded from U.S. taxes (with or without the extension), but a U.S. citizen still has to file a 1040 each and every year. The foreign tax credit will kick in---but you will still have to file, should you choose to move here.

Good luck....I know it's a complicated process. But depending on your situation, it can be worthwhile.

[pkfinn]

Originally Posted by rosweed

pkfinn, thank you. Where can I find a list of the high demand fields?

ALL the information you need to apply is found at cic.gc.ca (place the world wide web symbol in front, this posting won't let me do so)

* 0111 Financial Managers
* 0213 Computer and Information Systems Managers
* 0311 Managers in Health Care
* 0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers
* 0632 Accommodation Service Managers
* 0711 Construction Managers
* 1111 Financial Auditors and Accountants
* 2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists
* 2143 Mining Engineers
* 2144 Geological Engineers
* 2145 Petroleum Engineers
* 3111 Specialist Physicians
* 3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians
* 3141 Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists
* 3143 Occupational Therapists
* 3142 Physiotherapists
* 3151 Head Nurses and Supervisors
* 3152 Registered Nurses
* 3215 Medical Radiation Technologists
* 3233 Licensed Practical Nurses
* 4121 University Professors
* 4131 College and Other Vocational Instructors
* 6241 Chefs
* 6242 Cooks
* 7213 Contractors and Supervisors, Pipefitting Trades
* 7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
* 7217 Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews
* 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System)
* 7242 Industrial Electricians
* 7251 Plumbers
* 7252 Steamfitters, Pipefitters and Sprinkler System Installers
* 7265 Welders and Related Machine Operators
* 7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
* 7371 Crane Operators
* 7372 Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction
* 8221 Supervisors, Mining and Quarrying
* 8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service
* 9212 Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities