Moving to the USA from Canada - Costs, Visas and CAD to USD Transfers

Can Canadians move to the US?

Canadians have several options for moving to the US. The good news is that Canadian citizenship can make certain parts of the process easier. However, having a Canadian passport doesn't automatically give you the right to live or work permanently in the United States. You'll still need to qualify for the appropriate immigration status.

If you're thinking about moving to the USA from Canada, it helps to understand a few key differences before getting started:

• Visiting and relocating are two different things: Canadian citizens generally don't need a visa for ordinary visits to the US. However, this visa exemption doesn't give you permission to take up employment or settle permanently. Your immigration status needs to cover what you plan to do in the country.
• Canadian citizenship and permanent residence aren't the same: Your eligibility for US immigration programs depends on your citizenship and the route you're applying under. For example, Canadian permanent residents who aren't Canadian citizens don't qualify for TN professional status.
• TN status is for temporary employment: If you're coming to the US under a TN visa, you can work there for as long as you maintain your eligibility. If you eventually want to settle in the country permanently, you'll need to explore other immigration options, such as employer-sponsored or family-based green cards.

So, can a Canadian citizen work in the US? Yes. There are several options, depending on your profession, qualifications and circumstances. Once you've identified the right route, you can start making practical plans for your move, from finding a place to live to arranging the transportation of your belongings. Getting the immigration side sorted out early will make the rest of the process much easier.

Your options for working or immigrating to the US

Your route depends on what’s taking you south: a job, a company transfer, family, study or a business opportunity. Think of it as choosing the right door before arriving with all your boxes.

If you’re exploring how to work in the US as a Canadian, start with your occupation and employer. If you’re planning a permanent move, consider the family or employment-based immigration options separately.

For US visa options for Canadians, remember that the visa document and the status you need are separate questions. Canadian citizens can generally seek TN admission without first obtaining a visa, while E-2 investors need one. Canadian students generally do not require a student visa, but must present a valid Form I-20 when seeking admission.

If you're moving as a couple, don't assume both of you will be able to work once you arrive. Your partner's employment rights depend on the visa you hold, and some dependent visas don't permit work. That's worth looking into before you start planning your finances around two paycheques. The same applies if one of you is moving to study. Student visas come with their own employment restrictions, so it's worth knowing what you can and can't do before making the move.

Can you move to the US from Canada without a job?

Moving to the US from Canada without a job may be possible through qualifying family sponsorship, investment or study. Certain employment-based applicants, including eligible national interest waiver applicants, may also qualify without a conventional employer-sponsored job offer. Each option has its own requirements; none is a general permission to arrive and figure things out later.

Having enough savings can help you cover your moving expenses, but it won't replace the need for an immigration plan. The same goes for keeping your Canadian remote job. Working for a Canadian employer doesn't automatically give you permission to live and work in the US. Get your immigration status sorted out before signing a lease or making other major commitments. It's much easier to deal with the paperwork before the packing begins.

Is moving to the US from Canada worth it?

A bigger salary is exciting. What’s left after rent, healthcare, and the occasional flight home is the number that deserves your attention.

If you’re asking, “Is it worth moving to the US from Canada?”, start with two household budgets: what life costs you now and what it could cost in your chosen US city. Use expected take-home income rather than comparing headline salaries, and build the US budget around income your household will actually be authorized to earn.

Separate the cost of getting there from the cost of staying:

A simple hypothetical comparison: Suppose your expected US take-home household income is US$7,000 a month and planned expenses total US$5,800. That leaves US$1,200 for savings and unexpected costs. Compare that with what you currently retain in Canada, using the same currency for both figures. Keep one-time moving expenses separate so they don’t disappear inside an otherwise appealing monthly budget.

How much will your moving budget be worth in US dollars? Enter the amount you plan to bring from Canada and use the currency calculator to see what it converts to in USD.

Keep in mind that this is an estimate. Check the available exchange rate and any applicable fees before arranging your transfer.

The pros and cons of moving to the USA from Canada go beyond the spreadsheet. Career prospects, being closer to family, climate and the lifestyle you want all deserve space in the decision. So do leaving your support network and starting again somewhere unfamiliar. A financially workable move should leave room for a life you’re looking forward to living.

Compare the USD available for your move. Compare CAD to USD exchange rates and estimated recipient amounts for the same CAD transfer, accounting for applicable fees.

Popular US states for Canadians to consider

Your best destination is the one that fits your work, household budget and everyday life, rather than the one with the most convincing holiday photos.

The following states have the largest estimated Canadian-born populations in the 2024 American Community Survey five-year data. That makes them a useful starting point, rather than a ranking of where Canadians are moving this year.

Once you've got a shortlist, price a realistic month in each location. A scouting visit is also a good excuse to test the commute and find your future coffee spot.

Arrange health coverage before you move

Health insurance deserves a place near the top of your moving list, somewhere above choosing a sofa and below securing your immigration route. Having coverage arranged means one less thing to worry about while you’re finding your feet.

If your employer offers insurance, request the plan details before accepting the package. You’ll want to know when coverage starts, what you’ll contribute and how much it costs to include your partner or children.

Look beyond the monthly price when comparing health insurance costs:

• Premium: What you pay regularly to maintain coverage.
• Deductible: What you pay for certain covered services before the plan begins sharing those costs.
• Copayments and coinsurance: Your share of costs when you receive care.
• Out-of-pocket maximum: The annual limit on your spending for covered, in-network care, excluding premiums and expenses the plan does not cover.

Review the plan’s provider network and covered prescriptions for access to doctors, nearby facilities and regular medication. Bring medical summaries, vaccination records and prescription details to support the handover.

Check when your provincial or territorial health coverage will end and when your US insurance will kick in. Canadian public health plans generally provide little or no coverage for medical care in the US, so you'll want to avoid any gaps between the two.

Speak to an insurer about temporary coverage for the transition, taking your family's medical needs into account. If you won't have health insurance through an employer, you may be eligible for a special enrolment period to sign up for a US Marketplace plan. Make sure you have your coverage in place before leaving Canada.

Review your Canadian taxes and accounts

Your moving boxes can cross the border in a day. Your financial ties may take a little more untangling. A review with a tax adviser experienced in both countries can help you decide what to keep, change or report before departure.

Moving does not automatically make you a Canadian non-resident: your home, family ties and applicable treaty rules matter. US tax residence follows separate rules and generally brings worldwide income into scope.

You don’t need to close everything simply because you’re moving. Bring an account list, recent statements and your plans for the Canadian home to the review. The aim is to make deliberate decisions before departure, with fewer surprises waiting at tax time.

Prepare your housing, banking, and everyday finances

Having somewhere to sleep and a way to pay for breakfast makes the first week feel considerably more manageable. Arrange these essentials before departure so you can spend more time settling in.

Give yourself room to find the right home

Temporary accommodation can let you explore neighbourhoods before committing to a lease. For rental applications, prepare identification, an employment letter, recent statements and landlord references. Tenant screening can include credit, rental and employment history, so if you haven’t established US credit, ask which alternative documents the landlord will consider before paying application fees.

If purchasing is part of your plan, explore buying a home in the US as a Canadian before committing to a property budget.

Choose a bank account around your arrival plans

Ask the bank which identification, address and tax details it requires, whether you can start the application from Canada and when the account can receive funds. Compare monthly fees, minimum balances and payment access. Once it’s ready, give your employer the correct payroll details, then confirm your first pay date.

Make your initial funds accessible

Coordinate deposits, moving invoices and everyday spending with your account setup. When you transfer relocation funds to your US bank account, confirm payee details, applicable costs and anticipated delivery before scheduling a payment. Keep enough accessible money for the period before your first paycheque.

Before transferring funds, check your US bank’s routing number and confirm with the bank that it is appropriate for the payment method.

Retain a practical way to cover Canadian bills that will continue after departure, while following the account and residency arrangements established in your tax review.

Keep an eye on your moving-money rate. For expenses with variable timing, set a CAD to USD rate alert to notify you when your target is reached. Your target may not be reached, so keep firm payment deadlines in charge of the plan.

Move your furniture, car, and pets across the border

A little preparation assists everyone in arriving with fewer surprises, including the family member travelling in a pet carrier.

Furniture and household belongings

When moving furniture from Canada to the US, take some time to work out what you actually want to bring. Moving everything can get expensive, particularly when it comes to large furniture. Get a few shipping quotes and compare them with the cost of buying replacements in the US. Also think about where you'll store your belongings if your new home isn't ready when they arrive.

Household goods you've owned and used abroad for at least a year and intend to keep for personal use may qualify for duty-free entry into the US. If you're shipping your belongings separately, you'll generally need to file CBP Form 3299 for unaccompanied articles, along with the required supporting documents. Check the paperwork with your moving company before shipping so there are no surprises when your belongings reach the border.

Bringing your car

Taking your Canadian car with you? Check whether it meets US safety and emissions standards before arranging transport. A Canadian registration doesn't automatically make it eligible for import. Depending on the vehicle, you may need an emissions certification label or a letter from the manufacturer. The EPA's guide to importing Canadian vehicles explains what documentation may be required. You'll also need to check the separate US safety requirements.

If your car is financed or leased, speak to your lender before making arrangements. You'll need your ownership documents and US auto insurance, too. Your destination state's motor vehicle department can tell you how long you have to register the vehicle after arriving.

Bringing pets

Your dog or cat will need some preparation before joining you in the US. If you're bringing a dog, the CDC has specific entry rules depending on where it has spent the previous six months.

For dogs arriving from countries classified as dog-rabies-free or low-risk, the requirements include a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a readable microchip and a minimum age of six months. Your dog must also appear healthy when it arrives. Different rules apply if it has travelled through a high-risk country.

Give yourself enough time to arrange a vet visit and check any additional requirements in your destination state. If you're flying, check the airline's pet policy separately. Carrier sizes, booking arrangements and health documents can vary between airlines.

Your cross-border moving checklist from Canada to the USA

With the main decisions covered, it’s time to put them in order. This cross-border moving checklist from Canada to the USA keeps the essentials together, so your departure week doesn’t become a treasure hunt for paperwork.

Keep secure digital copies of important records, with originals accessible during travel rather than packed in the moving truck. If you’re moving as a household, give each task an owner and a deadline. “I thought you were doing that” is best kept out of the moving-day vocabulary.

Get your finances ready for the move

Your money has a moving checklist too. Before departure, decide how much to convert, what to keep in Canada and how you’ll cover expenses until your US income begins.

• Match conversions to upcoming expenses. Before you convert Canadian dollars to US dollars, separate the amount needed for upcoming payments from savings you can leave untouched.
• Keep an accessible cushion. Allow for delayed payroll, unexpected purchases and changes to your moving schedule. Avoid committing every available dollar upfront.
• Compare the total conversion cost. Look at the USD you’ll receive after exchange-rate margins and applicable fees, rather than judging a transfer by its advertised fee alone.
• Plan for expenses in both countries. Keep sufficient CAD for continuing Canadian bills and USD for your new household, lowering unnecessary back-and-forth conversions.
• Give flexible funds more time. You don’t have to convert all your savings at once. Consider staged transfers where practical, recognizing that exchange rates can move in either direction.

The aim is to have money available when you need it, with enough breathing room to enjoy your new beginning.

How can MTFX help with your move to the US?

Between finding a home and deciding what deserves space in the moving truck, you’ll have plenty to organize. An MTFX currency specialist can help you work through your relocation transfers with personal support.

• Discuss rates around your moving dates. Talk through your transfer amounts and payment deadlines, with guidance on available CAD-to-USD rates.
• See what will arrive in USD. Compare exchange rates and estimated recipient amounts before committing funds, accounting for applicable transfer costs.
• Get help preparing your transfer. Receive support with receiver details and the steps involved in sending money to your US bank account.
• Follow a target exchange rate. Get help understanding rate alerts for transfers with a variable schedule, while keeping payment deadlines in view.

Whether you’re funding the first few weeks or transferring a larger portion of your savings, you’ll have someone to discuss the currency side of the move with. That leaves a little more headspace for the exciting part: making yourself at home.

Your next chapter starts with a plan. Your USD transfers can too. Speak with an MTFX currency specialist about funding your move.

Make room for your next chapter

Moving to the USA from Canada is a big decision, but you don’t have to solve everything at once. Establish your immigration route, work through the household budget and give yourself time to arrange the essentials. A little breathing room makes it easier to enjoy what comes next.

When you’re ready to organize your relocation funds, create your MTFX account for your relocation transfers. Then you can get back to the more enjoyable decisions, like which neighbourhood might feel like home.

FAQs

1. What if my spouse and children move to the US after me?

You don't have to move the entire family on the same day. Some families prefer to move first, get settled and find suitable housing before bringing their partner or children over. The paperwork will depend on your immigration status and each family member's citizenship.

For example, if you're moving under TN status, your dependants will need to show your valid Form I-94 when applying for dependent status, as explained in the US State Department's TN visa guidance. Make sure everyone's documents are ready and account for health insurance and school enrolment dates before booking their flights.

2. What happens if my US job ends after I relocate?

If your right to stay in the US is tied to your job, losing that job can complicate your immigration status. TN, H-1B and L-1 workers may qualify for a grace period of up to 60 consecutive days, or until their authorized stay expires, whichever comes first. The grace period is discretionary, and it doesn't automatically allow you to start working for another employer. Check your options with an immigration professional as soon as possible. Your next steps will depend on your visa category and individual circumstances.

3. Can my household belongings arrive in separate shipments?

Yes, household belongings do not have to arrive together. Separate shipments still need appropriate customs clearance and must meet any applicable duty-free conditions. Give your mover an inventory identifying each shipment, and coordinate delivery with your accommodation dates so your furniture doesn’t arrive before you have somewhere to put it.

4. What if my US move is delayed after I have booked services?

If your moving date changes, start by contacting anyone you've already booked, particularly your moving company, accommodation provider and insurance company. Some bookings come with cancellation fees or fixed start dates, so find out what can be changed and what it'll cost. Get any revised arrangements confirmed in writing. Check your scheduled payments as well. Some expenses will still need to be paid on time, while others can wait until your plans are back on track. It's also worth keeping some money aside for unexpected costs.