Relocating from the US to Canada? - What you need to know and Expect.
- Lola Oduwole
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Relocating from the United States to Canada often raises quiet questions — about process, timing, communication, and whether support will feel familiar from a distance.
These questions are rarely dramatic. They’re practical. And they usually surface once someone has already decided that a move might make sense, but wants clarity before taking the next step.
This post is meant to offer that orientation.
How do you address:
SCHOOL SYSTEMS
Structure and pathways
Canada: Typical structure is elementary (grades 1–6), junior high/middle (7–9), and high school (10–12), with Quebec using a unique CEGEP step between high school and university.
USA: Commonly elementary (K–5), middle (6–8), and high school (9–12), with mandatory schooling usually starting a bit earlier (age 5) and going to about 18, depending on the state.
DRIVING
Rules and environment
Canada: Uses kilometres per hour, bilingual or French‑only signage in Quebec, and generally tighter rules on winter tires and vehicle safety inspections in many provinces.
USA: Uses miles per hour, with more variation in road rules and inspection requirements across states; some states have no mandatory safety inspections at all.
Healthcare and premiums
Basic model
Canada: Healthcare is publicly funded and administered at the provincial level. Provincial health insurance plans cover medically necessary hospital and physician services for residents. Some provinces charge no monthly premium, while others apply modest health premiums or income-based tax surcharges. New residents may experience a short waiting period before coverage begins.
United States: Healthcare operates through a mix of employer-sponsored plans, individual private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA marketplace. Most people are accustomed to paying monthly premiums, along with deductibles and copays, in order to access care.
SSN vs SIN
Purpose and structure
United States:The Social Security Number (SSN) functions as a federal tax and benefits identifier, but is also widely used across the private sector. Banks, employers, landlords, and utility providers routinely rely on it, making it a de facto general-purpose identification number.
Canada:The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is the closest equivalent, but its use is more limited. It is primarily required for employment, income tax reporting, and access to government benefits such as the Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance.
Cost Experience for Families
Canada: Out-of-pocket costs for core hospital and physician care are generally much lower than in the United States. However, newcomers must plan for provincial health coverage waiting periods and typically need private insurance for services such as dental care, prescription drugs (coverage varies by province), and vision care.
United States: Healthcare costs are driven by a combination of insurance premiums, deductibles, copays, and administrative overhead. Overall per-person healthcare spending is significantly higher than in Canada. Many Americans experience culture shock when they encounter a system where medically necessary doctor and hospital services are not typically billed at the point of care once public coverage is in place.
Is Dual Citizenship Possible?
Yes. Both Canada and the United States allow dual (or multiple) citizenship.
Canada does not require you to renounce your US citizenship to become Canadian.
The US does not revoke your citizenship if you acquire Canadian citizenship.
So yes — you can legally hold both passports.
Can you keep your U.S. passport?
Yes. Absolutely.
If you become a Canadian citizen:
you keep your US passport
you also obtain a Canadian passport
you remain a US citizen under US law
There is no automatic loss of rights on either side simply because you hold two citizenships.
Which passport do I use when I travel?
How Does This Affect Travel In and Out of Canada?
Entering Canada
As a Canadian citizen, you are expected to enter Canada using your Canadian passport
Airlines and border officials look for proof of Canadian citizenship when boarding flights to Canada
Entering the United States
As a US citizen, you are required to enter the US using your US passport
US law expects US citizens to present a US passport when entering the country
Practical reality
Most dual citizens:
travel with both passports
present the appropriate one depending on which country they’re entering
This is normal and routine — not unusual or problematic.
Practical impact on travel
Most dual U.S.–Canadian citizens simply carry both passports and present whichever the officer expects: U.S. passport at U.S. immigration, Canadian passport at Canadian immigration.
As a citizen of each country, you have the right to enter that country and are not treated as a foreign national (no visas or eTAs needed for each “home” side).
Does Dual Citizenship Complicate Things?
Structurally? No.Administratively? Sometimes — but predictably.
Common considerations include:
Tax obligations (the US taxes based on citizenship, not residency)
Border questioning (usually minimal if documents are in order)
Consistency in travel documentation
These are manageable with good planning — not dealbreakers.
Can I vote in Canada? What This Does Not Mean
Dual citizenship does not mean:
double voting in elections
automatic double taxation on the same income
losing the right to live or work in either country
Those are common fears — and largely misconceptions.
Is My credit score good in Canada?
A U.S. credit score does not automatically carry over into the Canadian system, but it can still be leveraged informally with some lenders.
How “valid” is a U.S. score in Canada?
Canada and the U.S. use similar concepts (credit bureaus, scores, reports), but the systems are legally and technically separate.
Your American credit file is not imported into Canada, so you effectively start with no Canadian credit history and must build a new Canadian score.
What happens when you move?
Canadian lenders and landlords generally cannot see your U.S. credit report through normal checks.
Some institutions, especially cross‑border banks or global brands (e.g., certain card issuers), may manually review your U.S. reports or history to approve a product, but that does not create or update a Canadian score.
Which Canadian banks accept US credit history for new accounts
Banks that can use U.S. credit history
Scotiabank
Through its StartRight program and partnership with Nova Credit (Credit Passport), Scotiabank can pull foreign credit files (including U.S.) to help set higher credit limits for newcomers.
RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)
RBC’s “Global Credit Connect” with Nova Credit is designed so newcomers can leverage foreign credit histories when applying for Canadian credit products, reducing the “new to credit” barrier.
Other big banks via newcomer programs
RBC, TD, CIBC, BMO, and others all run newcomer programs that may consider foreign credit history, income, or assets when offering unsecured cards and limits, even if they cannot formally import a U.S. score into the Canadian bureaus.
Taxation
Taxation systems:
The United States taxes based on citizenship, while Canada taxes based on residency. This means US citizens living in Canada may have ongoing US filing obligations even after becoming Canadian residents, while Canadian taxes are generally tied to where you live and earn income.
Real Estate and Withholding Tax (Non-Residents)
US citizens purchasing property in Canada should be aware that Canada applies a withholding tax when non-residents sell Canadian real estate. This is not a penalty, but a mechanism to ensure capital gains tax is collected.
In many cases, a portion of the sale proceeds is held back at closing until the appropriate filings are completed with the Canada Revenue Agency. Any excess tax withheld is returned once the correct amount is determined.
This differs from US practice and is something buyers should plan for early, particularly when considering future resale or investment properties.
Relocating from the United States to Canada isn’t about learning a single new rule — it’s about understanding where systems differ so you can plan without surprises. Schools, healthcare, banking, taxation, and everyday administration follow different structures, and knowing those differences early makes the transition far smoother.
This overview is meant to orient, not overwhelm. For more detailed answers to common questions, visit our US Relocation FAQ, where we’ve organized practical information for individuals and families planning a move from the United States to Canada.
For more info on US -Canada Relocations
Dop by our Website at https://www.ahomrmc.com/relocating-from-the-usatocanada and stay tuned for our FAQ - Relocating from the USA to Canada where we cover these topics extensively.
If you have a question for us... you can simply dop us an email at info@ahomrmc.com
Distance can make it unclear whether that same clarity will carry over when working with a Canadian-based relocation provider.
That hesitation is reasonable.
Relocation is not just logistical — it’s personal, time-sensitive, and often happening alongside work, family, or major life changes. No one wants to feel like they’ve entered a slow or opaque process.
Comments