Moving From Canada to the US: 2026 Guide (Visas, Tax)

Key takeaways

Work routes: TN (for listed professions, Canadian and Mexican citizens only), L-1 (company transfer), H-1B (lottery), O-1 (extraordinary ability), E-2 (investors)
Your visa options depend on your citizenship, not your PR status: Canadian PRs who are not citizens cannot use TN
The US taxes its residents on world income; Canada charges departure tax on some gains when you leave
Your RRSP can keep growing tax-deferred under the treaty; your TFSA is taxable in the US
Report foreign accounts on an FBAR if they total more than US$10,000 at any time in the year

Who this guide is for

Who this page is for: Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents planning to work or live in the US for more than a winter. If you only spend winters in the US and keep your home in Canada, see the snowbird day tracker instead.

The US is home to 61.4% of Canadian-born people living abroad (Statistics Canada, 2020 data). But moves through US permanent residence have slowed: 11,870 Canadian-born people got green cards in 2023, compared with 21,752 in 2001.

Visa routes for Canadians

Status	Who it fits	Key points
TN (USMCA professional)	Canadian citizens with a job offer in a listed profession	Apply at the border or pre-clearance; up to 3 years at a time, renewable; not meant for people intending to immigrate. See our TN visa guide.
L-1	Employees transferred by the same company	Usually need 1 year with the company abroad in the last 3. L-1A for managers, L-1B for specialized knowledge. Allows a green card application.
H-1B	Specialty occupations with a degree	Yearly cap and lottery. Allows a green card application. In September 2025 the US added a large payment for some new H-1B petitions; it has been challenged in court, so check USCIS for the current rule.
O-1	People with extraordinary ability (science, arts, business, athletics)	Needs strong evidence of awards, publications or recognition.
E-2	Canadian citizens investing in and running a US business	Canada is a treaty country. The investment must be substantial. Renewable.
Green card	Family sponsorship, employer sponsorship, or the diversity lottery	Permanent status. Wait times depend on your country of birth, not your citizenship.

Born in India or China? Even with Canadian citizenship, US employment-based green card queues follow your country of birth, and those queues are much longer.

Compare destinations with the visa finder. Immigration law changes fast: speak with a US immigration lawyer before you quit your job.

Leaving Canada: the Canadian tax side

You become a non-resident of Canada on the latest of the day you leave, the day your family leaves, or the day you become a US resident.
File a final Canadian return with world income up to that date.
Pay or defer departure tax on gains in non-registered investments.
After you leave, Canada withholds Part XIII tax on Canadian dividends (15% for US residents under the treaty), rent (25%), and periodic pensions (15%). CPP and OAS paid to US residents are taxed only by the US. Try the withholding tax calculator.
Canadian real estate is not deemed sold, but selling it later as a non-resident needs a section 116 certificate.

US tax basics for new arrivals

Who is taxed: green card holders and people who meet the substantial presence test are US tax residents, taxed on world income. Many states also have income tax; some, such as Florida, Texas and Washington, do not tax wages.
RRSP and RRIF: the Canada-US treaty lets you defer US tax on income earned inside the plan until you withdraw. Since 2014, this deferral is automatic for most people.
TFSA and RESP: the US does not treat them as tax-advantaged. Income is taxable in the US each year, and extra US forms may apply. Many people close their TFSA before moving. See TFSA after leaving Canada.
Canadian mutual funds and ETFs: the US treats many as passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), with harsh tax and reporting. Get advice before you move.
FBAR: if your foreign accounts total more than US$10,000 at any time in the year, file FinCEN Form 114 by April 15 (automatic extension to October 15).
Double tax: the US gives a foreign tax credit for Canadian tax paid on the same income.

Health insurance

Your provincial health plan stops soon after you leave Canada. There is no public plan for most working-age people in the US. Your options are:

Employer coverage: most common. Check when it starts; some plans have a waiting period.
Marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act: moving to the US usually opens a special enrollment period.
Short-term travel or bridging insurance for the gap between your provincial plan ending and US coverage starting.

Plan the gap with the health coverage gap calculator and read health insurance when leaving Canada.

Your first months in the US

Social Security number (SSN): apply once you have work authorization. You need it for payroll, banking and credit.
Bank account and credit: your Canadian credit history does not move with you. Some banks and card issuers accept foreign credit reports; otherwise start with a secured card.
Driver’s licence: each state sets its own rules for new residents. Some exchange a Canadian licence without a road test; others require tests. Check your state’s motor vehicle agency.
Pensions: CPP can be paid in the US. The Canada-US social security agreement lets US credits count toward OAS eligibility.
Employment Insurance: if you lose a Canadian job and move to the US, EI regular benefits can still be paid to US residents if you qualify.

Budget the move with the move abroad budget and the ship or sell calculator.

Moving money and belongings

Money: banks report international transfers of $10,000 or more to FINTRAC as a routine matter. Compare bank and transfer service rates before moving large amounts; see compare money transfer options.
Cash at the border: you must declare CAN$10,000 or more in cash or monetary instruments when leaving Canada, and the US has its own US$10,000 reporting rule on entry.
Household goods: US Customs generally lets you bring used personal and household effects duty-free when you move. Make a list with values.
Car: importing a Canadian car into the US needs US safety and emissions compliance. Selling it and buying in the US is often simpler. Compare with the ship or sell calculator.
Pets: check US entry rules for dogs and cats before you book. See the pet export planner.

If you are a Canadian PR, not a citizen

US visa options depend on your citizenship. A Canadian permanent resident who is a citizen of another country cannot use TN or E-2 under Canada’s treaty, and may need a US visa even to visit. If you move to the US, you also risk losing Canadian PR if you are outside Canada too long: see will I lose my PR?

Common questions

Do Canadians need a visa to move to the US?

Canadians do not need a visa to visit, but you need a work status (such as TN, L-1 or H-1B) or a green card to live and work there. For TN and L-1, Canadian citizens can often apply at the border or at airport pre-clearance.

Can I keep my RRSP if I move to the US?

Yes. Under the Canada-US tax treaty, income inside the RRSP is not taxed in the US until you withdraw. Canada withholds tax on withdrawals.

Is my TFSA tax-free in the US?

No. The US does not recognise the TFSA. Its income is taxable for US residents, and extra forms may apply.

Can I get EI if I move to the US?

Possibly. EI regular benefits can be paid to people living in the US if they meet the rules. In other countries, only special benefits such as maternity and parental benefits can be paid.

Does my Canadian credit score transfer to the US?

Not automatically. US credit bureaus do not use Canadian credit files. Some lenders accept international credit reports, but many newcomers start with a secured credit card.

Sources

Checked against these sources on October 5, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Moving from Canada to the United States: the 2026 guide