Canada PR for US green card holders
Green card holders moving to Canada: why CUSMA usually doesn't apply, how Express Entry treats US experience, ECA, language tests and what happens to US permanent residence.
A US green card gives no special advantage in Canadian immigration. Canada assesses you on your citizenship, age, education, language results and skilled work experience. That means CUSMA work permits are not open to you unless you are a US or Mexican citizen. Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs are, and skilled experience gained in the United States counts as foreign work experience under the rules in force.
Key facts
| CUSMA | Not available on a green card alone — citizenship decides |
|---|---|
| US work experience | Counts as foreign skilled experience if it meets the program rules |
| US degree | Needs an Educational Credential Assessment for Express Entry |
| Visa to visit Canada | Depends on citizenship; green card holders may need an eTA or visa |
| Police certificates | Usually needed from the US and other countries of long residence |
Who may qualify?
- Green card holders with at least one year of continuous skilled work experience
- Holders with a degree who can get an Educational Credential Assessment
- People able to reach the required English or French test results
- Applicants whose occupation fits a provincial stream or a category-based draw
Eligibility requirements
- A valid passport from your country of citizenship
- Approved language test results
- An Educational Credential Assessment for degrees earned outside Canada
- Reference letters describing duties, hours and dates of US employment
- Proof of settlement funds unless an exemption applies
How it works: step by step
- 1
Check your citizenship-based options
Work out what your passport allows for travel and work permits, since the green card itself does not change that.
- 2
Estimate your CRS score
Use your age, education, language results and US experience to see where you would rank.
- 3
Book tests and the ECA early
These usually take the longest and every later step depends on them.
- 4
Create the Express Entry profile
Enter information you can prove with documents; a mismatch after invitation can lead to refusal.
- 5
Plan the US side
Speak to a US immigration professional about what moving abroad means for your green card.
Expert insight
The most common surprise we see is a green card holder who assumes they can use CUSMA. They can't unless they hold US citizenship. The good news is that years of solid US experience often make for a competitive Express Entry profile, so the real work is getting clean reference letters and the ECA done properly.
Alternative pathways
Frequently asked questions
Immigration programs, fees and processing times change frequently. This page is general information, not immigration advice. Verify current requirements with official Government of Canada sources or speak with our RCIC.