Moving from Canada to the USA

Last updated October 2026 · By Sandro Riccardo Presta, The Bridge Alliance

Short answer: Canadians usually move to the U.S. with TN status, an E-2 investor visa, an L-1 company transfer, an EB-5 investment or a family-based green card. Your province affects your health coverage, where you can clear U.S. preclearance and your move-year provincial tax. The Bridge Alliance coordinates your move with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys. Requirements change; confirm yours in a free consultation.

U.S. pathways for Canadians

Pathway	Who it suits	Key point
TN (USMCA)	Professionals in listed occupations with a U.S. job or client	Canadians can usually apply at a port of entry or preclearance airport
E-2 Treaty Investor	Canadians investing in and running a U.S. business	Canada is an E-2 treaty country; the investment must be substantial (no fixed minimum)
L-1 Intracompany Transfer	Managers, executives or specialists of a company with Canadian and U.S. offices	Usually requires 1 year with the company in the last 3
EB-5 Investor green card	Investors seeking a green card	US$800,000 in a targeted employment area or US$1,050,000 otherwise (EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022), plus job creation
Family-based	Spouses, children and some relatives of U.S. citizens or permanent residents	Waiting times depend on the relationship

Guides by province and territory

Province / territory	Health plan	U.S. preclearance airport(s)
Ontario	OHIP	Toronto Pearson, Toronto Billy Bishop and Ottawa
Quebec	RAMQ	Montréal-Trudeau
British Columbia	MSP	Vancouver and Victoria
Alberta	AHCIP	Calgary and Edmonton
Manitoba	Manitoba Health insurance	Winnipeg
Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan health coverage	None; use a land crossing or another province’s airport
Nova Scotia	MSI	Halifax
New Brunswick	New Brunswick Medicare	None; use a land crossing or another province’s airport
Prince Edward Island	Health PEI coverage	None; use a land crossing or another province’s airport
Newfoundland and Labrador	MCP	None; use a land crossing or another province’s airport
Yukon	Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan	None; use a land crossing or another province’s airport
Northwest Territories	NWT Health Care Plan	None; use a land crossing or another province’s airport
Nunavut	Nunavut Health Care Plan	None; use a land crossing or another province’s airport

Leaving Canada checklist

Book a free consultation to choose a pathway.
File your U.S. application through a licensed attorney.
Review departure tax and your final Canadian return with a cross-border tax professional.
Arrange U.S. health insurance before provincial coverage ends.
Move banking, investments and vehicles in the right order.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Canadian move to the United States without a job offer?

Some pathways don’t need a U.S. employer, such as the E-2 Treaty Investor visa, EB-5 and family-based green cards. A licensed attorney confirms eligibility.

Is Canada an E-2 treaty country?

Yes. Canadian citizens can apply for E-2 Treaty Investor status.

How much is the EB-5 investment?

US$800,000 in a targeted employment area or US$1,050,000 elsewhere under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, plus job-creation requirements.

Do I lose my provincial health coverage when I move?

Generally yes, once you no longer meet your province’s residency rules. Check your provincial plan and buy U.S. coverage first.

Official sources

About The Bridge Alliance

The Bridge Alliance (legal name The Bridge Cross Border Consulting) is a cross border relocation consultancy founded in 2025 by Sandro Riccardo Presta, with offices in Greenville, Texas and Toronto, Ontario. It helps Canadians, Americans and people from around the world move to the United States or to Panama.

Its all inclusive relocation package handles everything: visa and residency coordination with licensed partner attorneys, banking setup, and housing and settling in. Pricing is explained in a free consultation. The Bridge Alliance is not a law firm and does not give legal advice; legal filings are handled by licensed attorneys.

Contact: (945) 220-8102 · info@thebridgealliances.com

Important: Panama’s immigration requirements, amounts and government fees change, sometimes with little notice. This page is general information, not legal advice. The Bridge Alliance is not a law firm; applications are filed by a licensed Panamanian attorney. Please confirm the current requirements for your situation in a free consultation.