Comparing US Green Card and Canadian Permanent Residency for High Skilled Workers

1. Overview

Nếu bạn là một lao động tay nghề cao đang tìm kiếm cơ hội định cư nước ngoài, chắc chắn bạn sẽ phân vân giữa việc định cư tại Mỹ thông qua thẻ xanh (Green Card) hay định cư tại Canada thông qua chương trình permanent residence (Permanent Residence – PR).

This article will help you clearly compare the two most popular options:

• Thường trú nhân Canada theo hệ thống Express Entry
• US Green Card theo diện việc làm (employment-based green card)

2. Overview comparison: US Green Card vs Canadian PR

Criteria	US Green Card (Employment)	PR Canada (Express Entry)
Do I need a job offer?	Yes	Optional
Do I need a guarantor?	Yes	No
Average processing time	1 – 20 years (depending on nationality)	6 – 18 months
Age priority	No	Yes (20 – 29 years old get full score)
Average cost	2,000 – 5,000 USD	1,525 – 2,000 CAD
Is language required?	No	Yes (IELTS/CELPIP required)
Do I need proof of funds?	No	May be required (depending on program)
Does nationality affect the profile?	Yes	No
Objective scoring system?	No	Yes

3. Advantages and disadvantages of US Green Card through labor

Advantage:

• No age limit.
• There is a pathway for unskilled workers (EB-3).
• If EB-1 (exceptional talent) qualifies, expedited processing may be available.

Disadvantages:

• Must have job offer and sponsor company.
• Processing time is very long for people from India, Philippines, Mexico,…
• Complicated process: need labor certification (PERM), visa bulletin tracking.
• There is no clear scoring system.

4. Advantages and disadvantages of Canadian PR under Express Entry

Advantage:

• No job required to qualify.
• Transparent Scoring System (CRS).
• Applications are processed quickly (5 – 6 months after receiving ITA).
• Nationality does not affect eligibility.
• Can receive provincial nomination (PNP) if not enough federal points.
• Advantageous for age 20 – 29.

Disadvantages:

• Must take English or French test.
• Must undergo an ECA assessment.
• Unskilled workers are not eligible.
• High competition, the cut-off score is sometimes very high.
• Points will be deducted from those outside the ideal age range.

5. Specific conditions for each country

United States – EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 categories:

Priority area	Typical applicant	Main requirements	Is an invitation letter/PERM required?
EB-1	Outstanding talent, professor, international manager	Evidence of outstanding achievement	PERM may not be required.
EB-2	Highly qualified, exceptionally capable	Advanced degree or equivalent experience	Yes
EB-3	Skilled worker or college degree	Training or experience >2 years	Required

Note: Unskilled workers (less than 2 years of experience) can still be considered for EB-3 but often have a very long wait.

Canada – Express Entry Programs:

Program	Experience	Language	Education	Finance
CEC (Canada Experience Class)	1 year in Canada in the last 3 years	CLB 5 – 7	Not required	Optional
FSWP (Federal Skilled Worker)	1 year continuously within 10 years (inside/outside Canada)	CLB 7	Canadian high school or equivalent	Yes
FSTP (Federal Skilled Trades)	2 years in the last 5 years (tradesman)	CLB 5 – 4	Not required	Yes

CLB stands for Canadian Language Benchmark – a standardized scale for English/French language proficiency.

6. Process & Processing Time

United States – Employment-Based Green Card

Stage	Processing time
I-140 filed by company	5 – 21 months
Waiting for visa (if not yet available)	0 – 15+ years
File I-485	15 – 38 months
Total time	20 months – 20 years

Canada – Express Entry

Stage	Processing time
Receive ITA (Invitation to Apply)	1 week – 12 months
PR processing after submission	5 – 6 months
Total time	5 – 18 months

7. Compare spousal sponsorship

Criteria	US Green Card	PR Canada
Who is sponsored?	Legal spouse only	Spouse, cohabiting partner, conjugal partner
Processing time	2.5 – 4 years	11 – 28 months
Need financial sponsorship?	Yes	Yes
Can I sponsor someone who is abroad?	Yes	Yes
Need an interview?	Usually yes	Sometimes
Can work be done while pending?	Yes	Yes

8. Where should I choose to settle?

Depending on personal circumstances, professional qualifications, language proficiency and long-term settlement desires, each country has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Choose US if:

• You have a company ready to sponsor you.
• You have an outstanding record in priority occupations (EB-1).
• You don't have problems with long waiting times.

Choose Canada if:

• You are good at English/French and want to apply independently.
• You want transparent, fast processing.
• You come from countries that are often delayed in US visa processing.

9. Contact settlement support

If you need advice on immigration to Canada or the US, please do not hesitate to contact us immediately. TTN immigration for:

• Support documents from A to Z.
• Detailed profile analysis.
• Strategic direction is appropriate to goals and timeframe.