Moving to the USA from Canada is one of the most common cross-border relocations, helped by the close geography, the USMCA trade deal and the TN visa for many professions. Relocating to the United States from Canada usually means a road move rather than ocean freight, plus a US Customs and Border Protection declaration of your household goods and clean CRA non-residency planning. This guide walks Canadians through every step of a Canada-to-US move, from visa to first home.
Moving to the USA from Canada: overview
Canadians move to the US for career opportunities in tech, finance, healthcare and entertainment, for warmer Sun Belt living, or to join family. Because the two countries share a land border, most moves go by truck rather than sea, which makes timing and the border crossing the key logistics points.
The biggest planning items are securing the correct work-authorising visa before you go and declaring your household goods properly at the border. Sort your CRA non-residency position with a cross-border accountant, as US federal and state taxes will apply once you are resident.
Visa & residency basics
Canadians do not need a visa to visit the US, but living and working there requires the right status. Confirm current rules with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and a licensed immigration attorney before committing.
- TN status — under USMCA, for Canadians in dozens of listed professions with a US job offer.
- H-1B — specialty-occupation work visa, subject to an annual cap and lottery.
- L-1 — intracompany transfer for employees moving within the same company.
- O-1 — for individuals with extraordinary ability in their field.
- Family-based green cards — for spouses and close relatives of US citizens or permanent residents.
Cross-border moving of household goods from Canada
Most Canada-to-US moves travel by road, with a mover who is bonded for cross-border transit handling the customs paperwork at the border. Distances vary hugely — Toronto to New York is a short haul, while Vancouver to Florida is a multi-day trip — so get quotes based on your exact route.
Prepare a detailed inventory and a CBP declaration of goods. Used personal effects you have owned and used are generally admissible without duty, but vehicles, food, plants, alcohol and firearms have specific rules and may require additional agencies' clearance.
Customs clearance at the US border
Household goods entering the US are declared to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), typically via Form 3299 (Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles) plus a valued inventory. Your mover or customs broker prepares these so the truck clears without delay.
Have your passport, visa/I-94, inventory and Form 3299 ready. Importing a vehicle involves EPA and DOT requirements; alcohol, food and plants are regulated separately, so flag these to your coordinator in advance.
Banking in the USA for newcomers
You can usually open a US bank account (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) once you have a US address and SSN or ITIN; some Canadian banks (RBC, TD, BMO) have US arms that ease the transition and let you start before the move.
Build US credit early — your Canadian credit history does not transfer automatically, though some cross-border products help. On the Canadian side, plan RRSPs, TFSAs and non-registered accounts before departure, as a TFSA is not recognised by the IRS and can create US filing complications.
Schools in the USA for expat families
Public schools are free and assigned by the address where you live, so your choice of neighbourhood determines the school district — research district ratings before you rent or buy. Private and international schools charge fees that commonly range from roughly US$15,000 to US$40,000+ per year. Apply early for private schools and competitive districts.
Housing & where expats live
US leases are typically 12 months with first month's rent and a security deposit; landlords usually run a credit check, which can be harder without US credit history. Canadians cluster in border-adjacent metros and Sun Belt cities — New York, Seattle, Austin, Dallas, Miami and Los Angeles — chosen for jobs, climate and cost.
Bringing your pet from Canada
Dogs and cats generally enter the US from Canada with proof of rabies vaccination; the CDC has specific dog-import rules that change periodically, so check current requirements before you travel. Some states and airlines add their own paperwork. Start 1–2 months ahead and use a pet-relocation specialist if your pet is flying or the route is long.
Destination charges explained
For a road move, your quote should cover origin packing, line-haul transport and delivery, but border brokerage, storage-in-transit and any shuttle or long-carry fees at the US address can be billed separately. These are normal but should be disclosed upfront; surprise destination charges are the most common complaint in cross-border moves.
Ask for a written quote that itemises packing, transport, brokerage and estimated US delivery charges so you can compare movers fairly. Our destination charges guide explains each line item.
Plan your move to the USA from Canada
Tell us your origin city in Canada and your US destination. A move coordinator will reply with a verified, written cross-border quote and a clear breakdown of charges within one business day.
Request relocation guidanceFrequently asked questions
How long does a cross-border move from Canada to the USA take?
Most Canada-to-US moves go by road, so transit depends on distance — from a day or two for Toronto to the northeast US, up to about a week or more for coast-to-coast routes like Vancouver to Florida, plus packing and border clearance.
What visa do Canadians need to move to the USA?
It depends on your work. Common routes are TN status under USMCA for listed professions with a job offer, H-1B for specialty occupations, L-1 intracompany transfers, O-1 for extraordinary ability, and family-based green cards. Get advice from a US immigration attorney.
Do I declare my household goods at the US border?
Yes. Household goods are declared to CBP, usually on Form 3299 with a valued inventory. Used personal effects you already own are generally admissible without duty, but vehicles, alcohol, food, plants and firearms have separate rules.
Do I need to be a non-resident of Canada before moving to the USA?
To stop being taxed in Canada you generally need to sever Canadian tax residency, which can trigger a CRA departure tax on certain assets. US federal and state taxes apply once you are resident, so get cross-border advice before you leave.
Will my Canadian credit history transfer to the USA?
Not automatically. You typically start building US credit from scratch, though some cross-border banking products let Canadians establish US credit faster. Open a US account and a credit-building product early.
How much does it cost to move to the USA from Canada?
Cost depends on your route and distance, shipment volume, brokerage and any US delivery surcharges. There's no single figure — request a verified written quote based on a confirmed inventory and your exact origin and destination.