In this living blog, I go over the things I needed upfront to really consider immigration to Canada. Information here is based on moving from the U.S. to Canada pursuing permanent residency.
Hey everyone, quick update. First off I want to say I am really happy to see so many positively appreciate this article and its starting to be seen not only in Substack but in first page results of certain internet searches. Honestly intimidating as I think about it. Unfortunately this has also attracted a few people who either want to troll, or post inflammatory comments that don't help everyone. If that happens, I will hide the comment from public view. If you provide critical feedback that is constructive, I promise to keep it up no matter how much you disagree with anything I write. Just be nice and civil.
I also want my series of blogs to serve as a reality check as I explore my own path to immigration. There is no magic trick to immigrating. Trust me, I am constantly trying to find easier pathways, but the reality is that there are not many. One commentor that I had to remove was so upset that I listed out that you need lots of money, but, let's be real... You need LOTS of money. I also acknowledge a lot of trans folks including myself, are broke AF. Unfortunately that doesn't matter, unless you already have family in your destination country, or you are in a position where applying for asylum is the ONLY real option for safety, you're gonna need to lots of cash to pursue any form of proper immigration to most safe countries. Its sucks.
Again over 99% of you have been incredibly civil and supportive, and if any of you have questions or critical comments, you are welcomed to share them with me. We are in this together.
Thanks for writing this helpful article. I appreciate the effort and wish you all the best luck in accomplishing your goal.
I looked at the CRS site and found they’d just updated the points system:
We no longer give points for job offers
As of March 25, 2025, we’re removing job offer points from the Comprehensive Ranking System for current and future candidates in the Express Entry pool.
Thank you very much for bringing this information. I have confirmed this and this does appear to be brand new today. Unfortunately, this may have impacted my own goals, and Canada may no longer be on the board for me. I'll have to figure out what this means and how to adapt my situation. I might have to resort to my plan B (something I am talking about in a future blog).
This is actually the worst article I’ve ever read in my life, and I’m not even joking. You are the least resourceful person I’ve ever had the misfortune of noticing, and on top of that you make it seem like getting out of here is only for the rich. You should’ve binned this article the moment you began estimating the cost, as if the only way to leave here is having a lot of money. You reek of privilege and your useless article is not going to help ANYONE. It’s actually infuriating that you took the time to write this because it is truly the path of least resistance. Anyone can Google how to emigrate to Canada and the answer is always money. But us trans people are poor and we don’t have a lot of money. We need creative, outside of the box solutions that you’re not clever enough to come up with. All you’ve done is discourage people as much as possible, I guess that’s why you turned off the comments.
Good morning, thank you for this great information! My family and I are wanting to possibly immigrate to Canada, my son is Trans and we live in NC. I can probably get in because I'm an RN and as a backup I've applied to the Ontatio College of Nursing (Ontarios licensing agency). My question is, how difficult will it be to get my kids in? They are both grown (23 and 25) but still dependent on us. My husband would probably just retire (I'm 56 he's 66). Would I be able to get my family in if I got a nursing job?
Hello Amy. First, I want to apologize for my delayed response. The weekend was a rough one for me, and just now getting back to focusing on my work here on Substack. First I am going to provide some general and sourced information that should be helpful to you, however, I will emphasize that you will definitely want to consider an immigration attorney for assistance. From what I can tell it might be possible, but it takes a long time to transfer your license from the U.S. to Canada (like a year), even if there is demand for the role. There are other complicated factors including your age and your partner being retired. These will be factors that would have to be considered when you reach out for legal aid. I hope this gives insight, but again, I would strongly implore seeking out immigration legal aid.
Thank you, sounds like i should try an immigration attorney. First i need to figure out if it is a good idea. I am trying to figure out how difficult it is going to be for a trans adult in NC. NC is usually one of rhe last southern states to jump on a new conservative bandwagon, bit they always jump....
Not everyone needs a passport, an enhanced ID works too if traveling by car or boat. Another thing, at least temporarily, is people can go in as a Digital Nomad and work their U.S. based remote job for 6 months at a time, then go back to the U.S. for a weekend and go back for another 6 months.
Everyone's situation is going to be uniquely different. In states where trans rights are compromised or existence is at severe risk such as Florida, Texas, or what is likely to be Iowa, I would judge certain trans, nonbinary, gender non-conforming individuals may want to consider at least getting to another state if not start planning for asylum options. For some like me, who live in state that are safe for the moment like New York, Maryland, or California we have time to resist, but its still really going to come down to how Trump's attempted executive orders survive in the courts, and furthermore, be reinforced through legislation in Congress.
My blogs are intended to drive LGBTQ+ individuals to consider their future plans and prepare for all aspects, furthermore, I hope they inspire everyone to do what they think is the right thing to do. For some, that might mean staying and for others, it might mean getting out. Do what you think is right.
Hey everyone, quick update. First off I want to say I am really happy to see so many positively appreciate this article and its starting to be seen not only in Substack but in first page results of certain internet searches. Honestly intimidating as I think about it. Unfortunately this has also attracted a few people who either want to troll, or post inflammatory comments that don't help everyone. If that happens, I will hide the comment from public view. If you provide critical feedback that is constructive, I promise to keep it up no matter how much you disagree with anything I write. Just be nice and civil.
I also want my series of blogs to serve as a reality check as I explore my own path to immigration. There is no magic trick to immigrating. Trust me, I am constantly trying to find easier pathways, but the reality is that there are not many. One commentor that I had to remove was so upset that I listed out that you need lots of money, but, let's be real... You need LOTS of money. I also acknowledge a lot of trans folks including myself, are broke AF. Unfortunately that doesn't matter, unless you already have family in your destination country, or you are in a position where applying for asylum is the ONLY real option for safety, you're gonna need to lots of cash to pursue any form of proper immigration to most safe countries. Its sucks.
Again over 99% of you have been incredibly civil and supportive, and if any of you have questions or critical comments, you are welcomed to share them with me. We are in this together.
Thanks for writing this helpful article. I appreciate the effort and wish you all the best luck in accomplishing your goal.
I looked at the CRS site and found they’d just updated the points system:
We no longer give points for job offers
As of March 25, 2025, we’re removing job offer points from the Comprehensive Ranking System for current and future candidates in the Express Entry pool.
Thanks again!
Thank you very much for bringing this information. I have confirmed this and this does appear to be brand new today. Unfortunately, this may have impacted my own goals, and Canada may no longer be on the board for me. I'll have to figure out what this means and how to adapt my situation. I might have to resort to my plan B (something I am talking about in a future blog).
Thx
This is actually the worst article I’ve ever read in my life, and I’m not even joking. You are the least resourceful person I’ve ever had the misfortune of noticing, and on top of that you make it seem like getting out of here is only for the rich. You should’ve binned this article the moment you began estimating the cost, as if the only way to leave here is having a lot of money. You reek of privilege and your useless article is not going to help ANYONE. It’s actually infuriating that you took the time to write this because it is truly the path of least resistance. Anyone can Google how to emigrate to Canada and the answer is always money. But us trans people are poor and we don’t have a lot of money. We need creative, outside of the box solutions that you’re not clever enough to come up with. All you’ve done is discourage people as much as possible, I guess that’s why you turned off the comments.
Good morning, thank you for this great information! My family and I are wanting to possibly immigrate to Canada, my son is Trans and we live in NC. I can probably get in because I'm an RN and as a backup I've applied to the Ontatio College of Nursing (Ontarios licensing agency). My question is, how difficult will it be to get my kids in? They are both grown (23 and 25) but still dependent on us. My husband would probably just retire (I'm 56 he's 66). Would I be able to get my family in if I got a nursing job?
Hello Amy. First, I want to apologize for my delayed response. The weekend was a rough one for me, and just now getting back to focusing on my work here on Substack. First I am going to provide some general and sourced information that should be helpful to you, however, I will emphasize that you will definitely want to consider an immigration attorney for assistance. From what I can tell it might be possible, but it takes a long time to transfer your license from the U.S. to Canada (like a year), even if there is demand for the role. There are other complicated factors including your age and your partner being retired. These will be factors that would have to be considered when you reach out for legal aid. I hope this gives insight, but again, I would strongly implore seeking out immigration legal aid.
Thank you, sounds like i should try an immigration attorney. First i need to figure out if it is a good idea. I am trying to figure out how difficult it is going to be for a trans adult in NC. NC is usually one of rhe last southern states to jump on a new conservative bandwagon, bit they always jump....
Not everyone needs a passport, an enhanced ID works too if traveling by car or boat. Another thing, at least temporarily, is people can go in as a Digital Nomad and work their U.S. based remote job for 6 months at a time, then go back to the U.S. for a weekend and go back for another 6 months.
Seems there’s not enough time for most people to get all this done
Everyone's situation is going to be uniquely different. In states where trans rights are compromised or existence is at severe risk such as Florida, Texas, or what is likely to be Iowa, I would judge certain trans, nonbinary, gender non-conforming individuals may want to consider at least getting to another state if not start planning for asylum options. For some like me, who live in state that are safe for the moment like New York, Maryland, or California we have time to resist, but its still really going to come down to how Trump's attempted executive orders survive in the courts, and furthermore, be reinforced through legislation in Congress.
My blogs are intended to drive LGBTQ+ individuals to consider their future plans and prepare for all aspects, furthermore, I hope they inspire everyone to do what they think is the right thing to do. For some, that might mean staying and for others, it might mean getting out. Do what you think is right.
(Sources: Florida: https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/transgender-adults-being-cut-from Texas: https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/republicans-file-32-anti-trans-bills Iowa: https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/iowa-legislature-votes-to-strip-trans)