Can Americans move easily to Canada? (apartments, to rent, utilities)

[LucaBella]

I am thinking about spending a year in Vancouver or Toronto (possibly even montreal to force myself to learn french), and I'm searching trying to find out what you have to do to move there. It seems that Americans don't need a temp residency visa, so does that mean I could just show up and move there as easily as i could, say chicago? I'm looking on Craigslist and searching online, and I can't find anything dealing with American's moving to Canada and their requirements for a temporary stay. It's all about immigration and citizenship.

What does an American, who wishes to stay for about a year, do? I have about 20K in savings, so I'm not moving there to work, I'd just like a change of scenery.... I want to rent a place and get to know the area. So where do I begin?

[ButterflyUK]

I would look at the Canadian embassy but you just can not move to another country and work. That is illegal immigration. Canada has a points system and you will have to meet those requirements to get a visa. If you try and to without a visa and work they will deport you and you wont ever be able to go to Canada again.

Go to the Canadian embassy website or find a forum for expats in Canada. You can find out the requirements and if you meet them. Then expect to fill out a lot of paperwork and spend a lot of money on a visa. That is how you legally do it.

Good luck. Being an expat can be a wonderful adventure.

[LucaBella]

I don't plan to work, and you don't need a visa from America....

[evanusc]

Nevertheless, if you plan to stay in Canada for a year, you will need a visa, just like the Canadians can't just go to the US and stay for a year.
My guess is you can stay in Canada for a maximum of 3 month, but better try to make sure before you go.

Originally Posted by LucaBella

I don't plan to work, and you don't need a visa from America....

[carp killer]

Originally Posted by evanusc

Nevertheless, if you plan to stay in Canada for a year, you will need a visa, just like the Canadians can't just go to the US and stay for a year.
My guess is you can stay in Canada for a maximum of 3 month, but better try to make sure before you go.

Yes they can, and anyone else can too. You just have to get here. No one will question you once past the border. Look at all the illegal Mexicans that live in the US for their whole lives. Immigration laws in the US are a sham. If you can support yourself some way, anyone can come to the US.

[evanusc]

sorry, I meant to say you can't just go and stay LEGALLY for a year.

Originally Posted by carp killer

Yes they can, and anyone else can too. You just have to get here. No one will question you once past the border. Look at all the illegal Mexicans that live in the US for their whole lives. Immigration laws in the US are a sham. If you can support yourself some way, anyone can come to the US.

[ButterflyUK]

If you want to LIVE in Canada and not just be a tourist then you do need a visa. Dont kid yourself. Unless you plan on not following the immigration rules. If you dont then you are doing it illegally. Just because you can drive over the boarder doesnt mean you dont need a visa to live there.

[ZX14TJ]

Lots of bad info so far. Here is the real story...

No visa is required for a US citizen to visit Canada. Most people are allowed to visit for up to six months before an extension is needed. Here is the scoop on visiting Canada...

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/apply-who.asp

Things to consider:
1) You must be admissible to gain entry
2) You cannot work or attend an education institution without a proper permit
3) You will not have any sort of provincial health coverage

There really is no distinction between living in Canada temporarily and "visiting". Most answers to these questions are available at the CIC website...

Welcome to Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Originally Posted by LucaBella

I have about 20K in savings, so I'm not moving there to work, I'd just like a change of scenery.... I want to rent a place and get to know the area. So where do I begin?

All considered, I would suggest $20K won't last even close to a year in Canada.

[LucaBella]

Originally Posted by ZX14TJ

Lots of bad info so far. Here is the real story...

No visa is required for a US citizen to visit Canada. Most people are allowed to visit for up to six months before an extension is needed. Here is the scoop on visiting Canada...

Temporary resident visa: Who can apply

Things to consider:
1) You must be admissible to gain entry
2) You cannot work or attend an education institution without a proper permit
3) You will not have any sort of provincial health coverage

There really is no distinction between living in Canada temporarily and "visiting". Most answers to these questions are available at the CIC website...

Welcome to Citizenship and Immigration Canada



All considered, I would suggest $20K won't last even close to a year in Canada.

Thanks for this, I guess it's the lack of distinction between living and visiting temporarily, because I couldn't get a solid answer... and the bad info and opinions in this thread were not helping, I don't know why people who really don't know things respond...


I think i'd be fine on the money, I don't live extravagantly, and I've seen apartments go for 800 canadian with utilities included... so.. if I spend 10K on rent/bills a year, I still have a decent monthly amount... and i can make more money here anyway...

ty.

[juliek4]

I did the opposite, moved to US from canada 10 years ago. This much i do know.

With a passport, you can stay in Canada for 6 months before you must cross the border into US, then re-enter back into canada. Thats how a lot of the snowbirds do it here. That seems to be your easiest choice, since you dont plan to work.