2016: The First Wave
When Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election in November 2016, Canada’s immigration website crashed under the weight of American traffic. In the weeks that followed, Toronto immigration lawyers were fielding calls from Americans with advanced degrees, established careers, and a genuine desire to explore what it would take to leave.
Global News covered both stories – the surge in immigration inquiries and the parallel spike in American university applications to Canadian schools and quoted Daniel Mandelbaum in both.
On the profile of Americans seeking immigration advice, he observed:
“These are people who tend to have multiple degrees, they’re well-established in the United States. One common thread that I’ve noticed is that a lot of them tend to be minorities, in one way or another.”
On the study-to-PR pathway, which was becoming more viable following changes to immigration rules announced quietly in the days after the election, he explained:
“People who have studied in Canada are eligible, after they have studied, for a post-graduation work permit. That’s a work permit that is not employer-specific, that will allow them to work anywhere in the country for any employer to acquire Canadian work experience.”
He added: “The system is competitive, and it gives you the tools to be more competitive than a foreign national who studied elsewhere and has not worked in Canada.”
Read the original articles: New Immigration Rules Make It Easier for Americans to Work and Stay in Canada and U.S. Applications to Canadian Universities Soar After Trump’s Election – Global News, November 2016.
2023: The Question Has Not Gone Away
By 2023, the conversation had broadened. A growing number of Americans were not just reacting to a single election result they were making deliberate, considered decisions about where to build their lives.
The Jewish News explored this trend in depth, speaking with Americans who had relocated to Canada, the UK, and Australia. Daniel Mandelbaum provided the legal perspective on what it actually takes to make the move to Canada.
He divided prospective immigrants into two groups: those who are fortunate enough to already meet the criteria of an existing immigration program, and those who are willing to take a calculated risk to get there.
“Fortunate refers to those who, by circumstance, meet the criteria of an immigration program.”
For the second group, he described a path that requires real commitment:
“Individuals with considerable savings and a willingness to take risks might take a significant risk to move to Canada as a temporary resident, spending substantially to facilitate permanent immigration through routes like education or business investments.”
He also flagged something that catches many applicants off guard: “the complexity of Canada’s immigration system can catch clients off guard, including the unexpected language assessment requirements.”
Read the original article: Crossing Borders: Why More Americans Are Choosing to Live Abroad – The Jewish News, October 2023.
2026: The Pattern Continues
The same questions Americans were asking in 2016 and 2023 are being asked again today, and in larger numbers. What has changed is the Canadian policy context. Programs that were widely available two years ago have been significantly tightened, and navigating the current landscape requires a clear-eyed assessment of your specific situation.
If you are an American considering permanent residency in Canada, exploring work permit options, or trying to understand how your professional background fits into the current system, our team of immigration lawyers in Toronto can help you assess your options honestly.
To start the conversation, fill out our immigration questionnaire or call us at (416) 646-3523.
