US Green Card vs Canadian permanent residency for skilled workers

If you’re a foreign skilled worker with the intention of immigrating, you might be deliberating between the US green card and Canadian permanent residency (PR).

The primary economic immigration pathway for skilled workers interested in immigrating to the US is through the employment-based green card.

When it comes to Canada, Express Entry is the predominant immigration pathway for skilled workers.

Both countries offer economic immigration pathways and programs for skilled workers, valuing arranged employment and/or work experience, among other factors.

This article will consider the pros and cons of each immigration pathway to help you make an informed decision in comparing your options.

Green card vs Canadian PR comparison chart

The table below provides various comparisons for US green cards through employment and Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry.

Advantages of US Green Card – Employment

• If you qualify for an EB-1 visa, you can get much higher priority.
• Unskilled workers can still qualify under the EB-3 visa.
• Age does not affect competitiveness.

Disadvantages of US Green Card – Employment

• Decades-plus long wait times for foreign nationals from certain source countries.
• Job offer usually required.
• PERM labour certification often required.
• Visa bulletin waiting period may be required.
• Difficult-to-navigate process.

Advantages of Canadian PR – Express Entry

• Job offer not required.
• Objective scoring system, in which the highest-ranking candidates go to the front of the line.
• Can typically be obtained much more quickly, especially for foreign nationals of certain source countries.
• Easy to get a clear understanding of your chances of success.
• Source country does not affect wait time.
• Your occupation is less important.
• Candidates who are not favoured by the Express Entry scoring system can still obtain an invitation by getting a provincial nomination through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
• Candidates aged 20-29 have an advantage.

Disadvantages of Canadian PR – Express Entry

• Must do language tests.
• Must obtain Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for foreign credentials.
• May take several years of Canadian work experience to become a competitive enough candidate.
• Competitive system—high cut-off scores for certain draw types.
• Unskilled workers do not qualify.
• Can typically obtain PR significantly faster.
• Candidates above age 29 are at a disadvantage, as they receive fewer points, on a sliding scale as their age increases.

Examples

To gain an understanding of the immigration system in both countries, see the fictional examples provided below.

US employment green card

This is a fictional example of a foreign national’s journey through the Green Card through Employment category, specifically as a third-preference worker.

Susan is a single 35-year-old from Sweden who went to school to become a plumber.

It took her two years of training as an apprentice to become a licensed plumber, and she has been working as one in Sweden for five years.

A US employer has offered her a full-time, permanent job offer. She proved her eligibility by providing academic records and a letter from a former employer.

Susan’s employer files a Form I-140 petition for employment-based immigration status on her behalf, and it is approved within seven months.

There is an available visa, and she files a green card application (Form I-485) with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which takes 13 months to be processed.

She attends an interview with an immigration officer (scheduled by the National Visa Center), and within the month, she learns she is approved for an employment-based green card.

Canadian PR through Express Entry

This is a fictional example of a foreign national’s journey through the Express Entry system.

Roger is a single 40-year-old engineer from India and has completed a PhD in Engineering at a Canadian university.

Roger takes a language test from an approved testing provider, and submits an online profile in the Canadian federal government’s Express Entry system.

The Express Entry system gives Roger a score based on his age, education, language skills, and work experience.

After waiting for three weeks, Roger receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system.

He responds with an application for permanent residence. After five months, his application is approved, he receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), and then has an interview with an immigration officer to officially receive his PR status.

Steps and typical timelines

Below you can find a table outlining the general steps and the expected processing or wait time for each in both the US and Canada.

US – Employment-based green card

*The length of time you must wait for a visa number is dependent on one’s country. Nationals of certain countries, such as India, Mexico, or the Philippines can expect longer wait times.

Canada – Express Entry PR status

*The amount of time it can take to receive an ITA can vary significantly, particularly when it comes to category-based draws. However, a highly competitive candidate can expect to receive an ITA within around two to six weeks.

US employment-based green card eligibility requirements

Skilled foreign nationals can obtain a US green card if they fall under one of three worker preference categories. There are three in total:

• First preference (EB-1) – Individuals who’ve received recognition for their work in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, outstanding professors, and certain multinational managers or executives.
• Second preference (EB-2) – Individuals who hold advanced degrees or display exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business.
• Third preference (EB-3) – Skilled workers and professionals.

The table below expands on what is required to qualify for an EB-1, E-2, or EB-3 green card.

*EB-1 – Extraordinary ability workers must have three or more of the following achievements:

• Nationally or internationally recognized awards for excellence.
• Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement.
• Have published material about you in major media or trade publications.
• Were invited to judge others’ work, individually or on a panel.
• Authored articles in major trade or professional publications.
• Made original, significant contributions (scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business) to your field.
• Had work displayed at notable exhibitions or showcases.
• Held a critical or leading role in distinguished organizations.
• Command a significantly higher remuneration than peers.
• Demonstrated success in the performing arts.

**EB-1 – Outstanding professors/researchers must have two or more of the following achievements:

• Receipt of significant awards or prizes for outstanding achievement.
• Membership in associations requiring outstanding performance.
• Material in professional publications about your work by others.
• Served as a judge (individually or on a panel) for others’ work in your field.
• Contributed original scientific or scholarly research.
• Authored books or articles in internationally circulated journals in your field.

***EB-2 – Exceptional ability workers must provide evidence for three of the following:

• Degree, diploma, certificate (or similar award) from a learning institution, relating to your field.
• Letters your current or former employer (s) proving 10+ years of full-time experience in your occupation.
• Valid license or certification for your occupation.
• Salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability.
• Membership in one or more professional associations.
• Acknowledgement of achievements or contributions to your field by peers, government entities, or organizations.
• Other comparable evidence of eligibility.

****Workers in unskilled occupations requiring less than two years of training may also be eligible for an EB-3 green card. A labour certification and job offer is required to be considered.

Schedule A designation identifies high-demand occupations pre-certified by the United States Department of Labour as having insufficient available US workers, exempting them from labor certification requirements.

You may apply for an EB visa from within the country or outside the US through a US consulate or embassy. Both those already in the US seeking to adjust their status and those outside the US (seeking to obtain PR status) must submit Form I-485 to US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Obtaining a US employment-based green card typically involves the following:

• An employer filing a labor certification (somewhat similar to Canada’s Labour Market Impact Assessments);
• Submitting an immigrant petition;
• Waiting for a visa number to become available; and
• Applying for permanent residency either through adjustment of status (if in the US) or consular processing (if abroad).

Express Entry requirements for Canadian PR status

Skilled foreign workers may qualify for Canadian permanent residency through one of three federal Express Entry programs. The three Express Entry programs include:

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – Foreign nationals with Canadian work experience gained in the past three years.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) – Foreign nationals with work experience gained in Canada or abroad in the past 10 years.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) – Foreign tradespeople with work experience in a skilled trade within the past five years.

Foreign nationals must submit an Express Entry profile to be considered. Based on your profile, you will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score dependent on factors such as age, work experience, language proficiency, and education.

Your profile will be entered into the candidate pool, receive a CRS score, and be ranked against other candidates. Top-ranking candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in an upcoming draw. As of late, the federal government has been having category-based, provincial nominee, and CEC draws.

*If you are applying under the FSWP or FSTP and have a valid job offer, you are not expected to meet the settlement funds requirement.

Other pathways to permanent residence

Both Canada and the US have a variety of other permanent residence pathways, which are beyond the scope of this article.

Sponsoring your spouse as a permanent resident

Both US green card holders and Canadian PR card holders can sponsor their spouse for permanent residence.

View the table below for a comparison of spousal sponsorship requirements and considerations.