Trump causes rise in Americans wanting to move to Canada
As Donald Trump continues to gain traction in his bid to be U.S. republican party leader in the upcoming election, Americans are taking to social media to declare that they will move to Canada if Trump is elected president. Recently, after Trump won the delegates of seven states, giving him a lead over his opponents, some Americans began looking at the option of moving to Canada in earnest.
Rudolf Kischer, who specializes in counselling people on the ins and outs of immigrating to Canada at MKS Immigration and Citizenship Law in Vancouver, spoke to the Globe and Mail about the firm’s recent experience with Americans wanting to move to Canada.
In a normal day, MKS will receive a call or two from Americans looking for advice on relocating to Canada. However, Rudolf tells the Globe and Mail, that number spiked after Trump’s recent delegation wins. As Rudolf recalls, a similar situation occurred after George W. Bush was re-elected for a second term in 2004, but many didn’t follow through.
“The people that do actually end up coming here usually are people that already have a connection to Canada,” Rudolf tells the Globe.
Americans wanting to move to Canada
Americans moving to Canada will find it even more difficult this time around, as immigration rules have become more strict since the Bush administration. Whereas before one could immigrate based on academic merits, now you need to have a secure job lined up.
“You had to be educated, you had to have a degree,” Rudolf tells the Globe. “Now you need to have an actual employer that can show that they can’t find an actual Canadian for the job.”
Not only that, but for Americans moving to Canada, it’s an expensive and long-drawn out process that sometimes takes up to two years, reports the Globe. For people that do decide to move, Rudolf notes that many have already worked in Canada or have Canadian relatives.
As much as this situation has similarities to the Bush re-election, there is a significant difference in the timing of the spike in calls, Rudolf notes, as Trump has yet to even secure the nomination, let alone be elected president.
“It will make some people move, but you know, it is a democratic situation that could correct itself,” Rudolf tells the Globe.
Americans looking for information on moving to Canada should contact MKS Law for immigration and citizenship advice.