Canada may be the USA's next-door neighbor, but emigrating there is no easy feat. Obtaining residency in Canada can be a complex, lengthy process – but it's possible for U.S. citizens to make it happen, as long as they can find an immigration program that works for them. The most sure-fire methods of moving to Canada are through work, school or family sponsorship.

Working in Canada

Workers who want to obtain permanent residency in Canada can do so through any of several programs, including the following:

Express entry, for skilled workers

Startup visa for entrepreneurs who can create jobs

Self-employed people who work in cultural or athletic activities, or as a farmer.



The express entry system requires aspiring immigrants to create a profile that gives information about their skills, education, language ability and work experience. The Canadian government will assess your profile to see if you're eligible for the express entry immigration program; if so, you'll be included in the pool of program candidates, and you can begin your job search. The highest-ranking candidates will also be invited to apply for permanent residence.

The startup visa program prioritizes entrepreneurs who are innovative, can create jobs for Canadians and can compete in a global market. You're eligible to apply for this program if you can:

Prove your business is supported by a designated organization



Show your business meets ownership requirements (up to five people can apply for this startup visa program as the owners of a single business)



Meet language requirements, meaning you can communicate and work in English, French or both



Bring enough money to financially sustain you while you settle.



To apply through this program, simply fill out an application package, pay the application fee and submit your application.

Finally, if you're self-employed, you might apply to immigrate to Canada as a self-employed person. You're eligible for this if you:

Have relevant experience, meaning you've taken part in world-class cultural activities or athletics, been self-employed in cultural activities or athletics, or had experience managing a farm



Intend and are able to be self-employed in Canada



Meet the selection criteria for self-employed people



Meet medical and security conditions.



If you meet these eligibility requirements, complete and submit a permanent residence application packet, and pay your application fee to get the process rolling.

Studying in Canada

American students who are interested in moving to Canada to study can do so via a study permit. Before applying, all you need is an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution in Canada and a valid passport or travel document. You also have to:

Prove that you can pay your tuition, living expenses and return transportation



Be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record, not posing a risk to Canada's security



Be in good health



Convince a Canadian immigration officer that you'll leave Canada after your studies have ended.



If you can meet the above requirements, you're eligible to apply for a study permit. Gather your proof of acceptance, proof of identity and proof of financial support, as well as a letter of explanation as to why you want to study in Canada and proving that you understand your responsibilities as a student in Canada. Then you can apply for your study permit by obtaining the application package, paying your application fees and submitting your application either on paper or online.

Family Sponsorship

If you have relatives who are citizens, native Indians or permanent residents of Canada, they might sponsor you to come live, study and work in Canada as a permanent resident, as well. These relatives can be spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners or dependent children. To sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner, your partner must be at least 18 years old and your relationship must be genuine (not for the purpose of obtaining permanent resident status).

A relative who's eligible to sponsor you can start the process by submitting an online interest to sponsor form to the Canadian government, and the government randomly selects potential sponsors and invites them to submit a complete application. Selected sponsors can then apply to bring their family members over to Canada.

Disclosure Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.