The truth - is Canadian citizenship impossible for Americans to attain

[Wisteria]

Originally Posted by Wisteria
But it is almost impossible for an American citizen to move to another country.

minibrings :
not true. There is no law in other countries specifically discriminating against US citizens. It depends on the laws of the individual country, your age, education, skills. Some countries want immigrants (including Canada, NZ or Australia).

For me it was easy to qualify to migrate to Australia or New Zealand (I qualified) as a software engineer with the work experience and right age (under 45). I was accepted by NZ but decided not to pursue it and decided to stay in Canada.

so nothing is impossible. The answer it depends on your circumstance. And you do not have to be super-rich to migrate to Canada. Just go to the Canada immigration website and take the skills assessment to see if you qualify; if you do you make an application and wait to be told to go for your medical exam and once that is complete you will hear yes or no. Should take 1-2 years, but again, the CIC website has the processing time information.

I agree -- that's a good lesson to not ever use, "never," "always," and "impossible." Sorry about that.

However, I do not qualify -- and when I was younger I did not have the skill set nor money necessary to enter on that basis.

My daughter would love to have dual citizenship with another country, and because of my own experience at not obtaining any, and waiting too long so that I no longer qualify, I am urging her to try to do it younger and with a very, very good education early-on. And to save her money!

For me, I have an issue with so many people have come here, and yet it is very difficult for an American, who does not have your qualifications or income potential, to even get into third world countries! Most countries are very careful about immigration policies, America was not.

For the original poster who is younger, is obtaining a desireable degree (R.N.), then he should be able to do it. Of if he has friends there who might sponsor him, that would help. When I asked my friend if $60,000 to come into the country would be enough, he said, "Probably not...."

There are ways to live in other countries, however, I prefer the legal way, or not having to run out of the country every six months or so and then coming back, and then going back out, and back in, etc.

The rule of thumb I have noticed in most countries is that to try to obtain citizenship there, one must be highly educated, have a needed skill, have enough money to get into the country, be of a younger age, or looking for refugee status. The people I have known who have lived in other countries for decades did not do so legally -- they either didn't have the skill set, the money, or relatives, or spouse, or whatever was necessary at the time. I actually knew quite a few people who did move to Canada during the Vietnam war -- and they're still there.

So, yes, if you are young, healthy, well-educated and have a skill that country can use, then you have a chance to do so.

Sorry, I should not have used the word "impossible," as that alludes to nothing can happen. I'll just reword it to "difficult" if one is not in a particular group that meets the standing criteria.

[ajau]

Originally Posted by Wisteria

For me, I have an issue with so many people have come here, and yet it is very difficult for an American, who does not have your qualifications or income potential, to even get into third world countries! Most countries are very careful about immigration policies, America was not.

That's because in the US the majority of immigrants get in chain migration. One family member marries an American citizen and then they sponsor the parents and brothers/sisters from the old country. Canada has the same thing going on, but at least Canada has the "points system" as well to bring in a greater percentage of skilled people vs. family.

The US needs a "points system" immigration visa because currently many needed skilled immigrants that are being displaced by the family immigration tsunami...