Angela777:

This is true, in America we have better opportunities and better pay than in Canada but it depends of the job you find in Canada, it could be sometimes better and it's easy to move to Canada and back to US if you don't like it. Very good healthcare and education for kids are 2 strong points in Canada.

And yes, I agree, if the person is illegal or applying not from US but from Africa and was denied the US visa, 2nd choice should be Canada to immigrate

Yes, you are very correct with that highlighted point.

Beautyaddy:


Huh

But why not Canada?

It's a very peaceful and immigrant friendly country.

They also practice more of a Socialist way of government than the US.

One of the of their Socialist support that comes to mind in Canada is that they pay women who just after giving birth 6 months to one year maternity leave with pay.

Based on the op background , I don’t recommend it . Although Canada has it pros , it’s has negatives which have prevented more people from immigrating there that’s why the government is inviting more people.

Babyvet:


Based on the op background , I don’t recommend it . Although Canada has it pros , it’s has negatives which have prevented more people from immigrating there that’s why the government is inviting more people.

Huh, the Canada of five years ago is no longer the case now.

The current Prime minister existing now is changing all that restrictions with immigration and development that the past prime minister subjected Canada to in the past.

I know a number of people even with their US citizenship made the move to Canada.

Angela777:

Not true. What for you is a lot of money to invest, for us are peanuts. What for you is hard to find a job or to pay a lawyer to extend stay or to get a work permit, for an American is a common sense and not expensive. There are countries which ask for $800-2,500 USD monthly income for to show and get your visa long term or residence, any average American can show more than that and move and also work online or from home which many of us do. Any monthly income working from home or online covers this kind of income for to live in any other country. So easy to move abroad but many of us have family, kids studying in US, our property, house, car, all kind of comfort and a better job in US, so not everybody wants to move to another country.

The bolded portion of your response is indecorous considering that you know absolultely nothing about me. Why would you assume what I can or cannot afford and presume that an American would consider something common sense vs. a Nigerian citizen? Please desist from making this discourse personal. I will only discuss facts and figures and encourage you to do the same.

What makes you think that the average American can come up with $2,500 at the drop of a hat? Lots of stats out there that show that an average American is hard pressed to come up with even $400 for an emergency. Most will lean on their credit cards and that's a fact!
You keep glossing over the legality of what you have described. It is illegal to work in a foreign country without a work visa or permit. The purpose of proving you have a steady income of $2,500 is to ensure that you can survive without working. Income from working online will be illegal and does not qualify unless you are a permanent resident.

So far, I have spoken from my direct experience in similar situations not online articles written by travel agents. If you go back a few posts, you will see where I mentioned that I manage people in several countries and have experience moving them around, including to and from the U.S. And BTW, I am both an American and a Nigerian and know for a fact that your assertions are not entirely acccurate.

Beautyaddy:


Huh, the Canada of five years ago is no longer the case now.

The current Prime minister existing now is changing all that restrictions with immigration and development that the past prime minister subjected Canada to in the past.

I know a number of people even with their US citizenship made the move to Canada.

I agree that the OP should not consider Canada. There are lots more diverse opportunities in the U.S.
Jobs in certain fields tend to be concentrated in few locations in Canada and if and when there is a recession, it will be difficult to find another.
The only situation when I recommend anyone with a professional degree to migrate from the U.S. is when you are sent by an American company as an Expat worker.

Mancala:


The bolded portion of your response is indecorous considering that you know absolultely nothing about me. Why would you assume what I can or cannot afford and presume that an American would consider something common sense vs. a Nigerian citizen? Please desist from making this discourse personal. I will only discuss facts and figures and encourage you to do the same.

What makes you think that the average American can come up with $2,500 at the drop of a hat? Lots of stats out there that show that an average American is hard pressed to come up with even $400 for an emergency. Most will lean on their credit cards and that's a fact!
You keep glossing over the legality of what you have described. It is illegal to work in a foreign country without a work visa or permit. The purpose of proving you have a steady income of $2,500 is to ensure that you can survive without working. Income from working online will be illegal and does not qualify unless you are a permanent resident.

So far, I have spoken from my direct experience in similar situations not online articles written by travel agents. If you go back a few posts, you will see where I mentioned that I manage people in several countries and have experience moving them around, including to and from the U.S. And BTW, I am both an American and a Nigerian and know for a fact that your assertions are not entirely acccurate.

when you talk about very expensive investment or lots of money for Americans to move to live abroad, you sound like a poor fellow, sorry. The income of $2,500 is a very low income in US and anybody can earn that.
Another thing I mentioned is a FREELANCER visa, means you can work online or for an American company living abroad and it is LEGAL. Illegal is to accept the employment without work permit. Freelance visa is for independent workers, if you have your blog or job online, you are authorized to do see and you get a self independent Freelancer visa which doesn't need the job sponsor. If you show you make $800-2.500 USD (depends of the country) working online or painting art, making crafts, writing books, etc., you qualify for a Freelancer visa as you don't take jobs from local people and you earn to support yourself being independent. I lived in so many countries and visited even more, so I am speaking from my own experience as well yet publishing some links as to show it works.

BTW I wasn't speaking about YOU as a person, it was a figure of speach saying to all who thinks it's impossible for Americans to go to live in so many countries. It wasn't anything personal, anything about YOU.

Angela777:

when you talk about very expensive investment or lots of money for Americans to move to live abroad, you sound like a poor fellow, sorry. The income of $2,500 is a very low income in US and anybody can earn that.
Another thing I mentioned is a FREELANCER visa, means you can work online or for an American company living abroad and it is LEGAL. Illegal is to accept the employment without work permit. Freelance visa is for independent workers, if you have your blog or job online, you are authorized to do see and you get a self independent Freelancer visa which doesn't need the job sponsor. If you show you make $800-2.500 USD (depends of the country) working online or painting art, making crafts, writing books, etc., you qualify for a Freelancer visa as you don't take jobs from local people and you earn to support yourself being independent. I lived in so many countries and visited even more, so I am speaking from my own experience as well yet publishing some links as to show it works.

BTW I wasn't speaking about YOU as a person, it was a figure of speach saying to all who thinks it's impossible for Americans to go to live in so many countries. It wasn't anything personal, anything about YOU.

The income of $2,500 you speak about is mostly tied to soc sec earnings for retirees. And BTW, freelancer permits, like applies in Dubai are meant for residents who are already there legally. I may sound like a poor fellow to you when I speak of investments. But since you are speaking in generalities, I'm sure you know that the average American cannot afford the types of investments that qualify for visa status. $250k, $500k. The average American cannot even afford to miss one pay check, case in point what's going on with the govt shut down.

Nothing to gain by continuing this back and forth. Neither is oblidged to accept the others point of view. But you do talk a big game, mostly generic. I've been around long enough to recognize a Texan!

Mancala:

The income of $2,500 you speak about is mostly tied to soc sec earnings for retirees.

False. I am talking about income, working online or as an artist or as a worker. Retirees have much easier way to go to live abroad.

Mancala:
And BTW, freelancer permits, like applies in Dubai are meant for residents who are already there legally.

Try Spain, Germany, Ecuador, Malaysia, etc. Dubai gives very good pay jobs to Americans paying over 100K

Mancala:
I may sound like a poor fellow to you when I speak of investments. But since you are speaking in generalities, I'm sure you know that the average American cannot afford the types of investments that qualify for visa status. $250k, $500k. The average American cannot even afford to miss one pay check, case in point what's going on with the govt shut down.

Nothing to gain by continuing this back and forth. Neither is oblidged to accept the others point of view. But you do talk a big game, mostly generic. I've been around long enough to recognize a Texan!

We don't need to invest large capitals for to go to live abroad, much cheaper going as a tourist and apply for Freelancer. Big capital investment is mostly required for to get the US investor visa for foreigners.

feellike:


So things are better here? Poster am sure there is something u not saying here......first time I am hearing us citizens complaining of paying bills...pls come out plane

You've never been there . One step at a time then you will understand better .

What do you do currently now... What's your skill set?
If you have a sizeable savings in the order of $50k above you can definitely relocate and get a business up and running, get a good apartment in a good area in Lagos and enjoy a cheaper Life albeit very stressful as you'll have to figure out how to get adequate supply issues. Before you get an apartment though, ask an experienced person to direct you to a location with good power supply. I live in Lagos and I know a few places where power supply is magnificent and you just need back up power in some instances. I plan to relocate to Canada if business isn't up and running properly by next year as my skillset is now suited for the somewhere like Canada or the US. Traffic is also serious if you plan to come to Lagos and security is very subpar. It all depends on you though. Nigeria can also annoy you seriously with the myopic views and mentality.

Mancala:


I agree that the OP should not consider Canada. There are lots more diverse opportunities in the U.S.
Jobs in certain fields tend to be concentrated in few locations in Canada and if and when there is a recession, it will be difficult to find another.
The only situation when I recommend anyone with a professional degree to migrate from the U.S. is when you are sent by an American company as an Expat worker.

Exactly, he can also try moving to another state if he is not happy with his current situation. If he still wants to move out of the country, as am American citzen , he should be able to visit these countries, first before making such big decision.

Mancala:


I am interested to know under what visa category these Americans are living and working or running a small business? I maintain that it is not easy for an individual, except you are on an international transfer from a local American company that will get you a work visa or you are a retiree. I work for a global company with presence in 160 countries around the world. I manage people all around the world including folks who are transferred back and forth. There is no easy legal route. And note that you are only allowed to visit for a finite amount of time on the VWP. You will need an actual visa to stay and work. No job offer in the foreign country, no visa. And note that it is illegal for an individual to work online for renumeration while on the vwp except it is on a business visit tied to an American company. I know the games Americans play with extending their visit/stay in Thailand and oither Asian countries. It's still illegal to work. If you are caught, you will be deprted and forever inelligible for vwp in the future.

You guys should please stop spreading false news. As an American citizen, you can only visit Europe or even Mexico for some days..Maximum three months. Anything longer than that will warrant you to apply for a legal stay of the particular country or you face the wrath of the law for staying illegal. The Americans you guys hear their stories living peacefully abroad either had a partner with the abroad residence citizenship, Once worked as an expatriate there and fell in love with the local national or invested in the country's economy.

I live in Germany and I cannot simply say that I want to pack my load and start living in America without appropriate documentation, I can only visit and enjoy and it is vice versa. My elder brother is currently in the US army, he served four years in Germany, He would love to stay back in Europe but was forced to leave after his contract expired!! For more enlightenment, you can check many of these western countries foreign affairs website to filter out the number of Americans and other nationals staying in the country illegally. Last time I checked the USCIS website, you wouldn't believe thousands of Canadians staying in the USA illegally and vice versa. Free movement is different from free residency.

This is a lesson to people who forget about communicating with their families or friends back home. How safe is it to rely on the opinion of strangers behind keyboards, some of whom may even be foreign based or foreigners in making such a key decision in ones life? OP, contact your friends or family back home, don't rely on decisions of random strangers. I don't know why people continue making this mistake, the fact that you're relocating doesn't mean you should cut all contacts back home, you never know when you'll need someone's help

Godson201333:


You guys should please stop spreading false news. As an American citizen, you can only visit Europe or even Mexico for some days..Maximum three months. Anything longer than that will warrant you to apply for a legal stay of the particular country or you face the wrath of the law for staying illegal. The Americans you guys hear their stories living peacefully abroad either had a partner with the abroad residence citizenship, Once worked as an expatriate there and fell in love with the local national or invested in the country's economy.

I live in Germany and I cannot simply say that I want to pack my load and start living in America without appropriate documentation, I can only visit and enjoy and it is vice versa. My elder brother is currently in the US army, he served four years in Germany, He would love to stay back in Europe but was forced to leave after his contract expired!! For more enlightenment, you can check many of these western countries foreign affairs website to filter out the number of Americans and other nationals staying in the country illegally. Last time I checked the USCIS website, you wouldn't believe thousands of Canadians staying in the USA illegally and vice versa. Free movement is different from free residency.

Thank you my brother for saying this , some Canadians are here illegally because they thought they did not not have to go through the immigration process because they are Canadian.

Babyvet:


Thank you my brother for saying this , some Canadians are here illegally because they thought they did not not have to go through the immigration process because they are Canadian.

Sad thing is that most of them already know that staying in the US beyond the given time allocated to them by the US customs and border is illegal.

Most of them are afraid to go back because they already know that moving forward they will need to visit the US embassy in Canada before they can get back into the US and due to being exempted from using the visa-free privileges...and that is if they have not already trigged the 10 years ban.

Beautyaddy:


Sad thing is that most of them already know that staying in the US beyond the given time allocated to them by the US customs and border is illegal.

Most of them are afraid to go back because they already know that moving forward they will need to visit the US embassy in Canada before they can get back into the US and due to being exempted from using the visa-free privileges...and that is if they have not already trigged the 10 years ban.

It would soon catch up with them , they are policies that are taking effect soon that will make it harder for people without status in the U.S to move around.

Babyvet:


It would soon catch up with them , they are policies that are taking effect soon that will make it harder for people without status in the U.S to move around.

Some people are bold regardless of what immigration policies comes into effect.

Do you hear about the rapper 21 Savage who was recently arrested by ICE?

The News reported that the guy has been claiming that he was born in Atlanta while in actual sense he has been living in the US illegally for decades.

Evidence found out about him that the guy was actually a British and not American contradicting his claim of being born in Atlanta.

Reeses:
Have a BS in computer science works as a supply chain Data analyst.The pay is good no doubt but my body and soul can't accept this lifestyle of sleep, wake up and work then repeat the same thing every week.

More than 22 million Nigerians are wishing they have a job they can go to when they wake up every morning, but alas: they have none. Many people despise what they have until they lose it. Then they know the worth of what they have. You are in a country where Donald Trump has driven down unemployment to the lowest levels in decades. We are stuck with a president who is out of touch with any reality in Nigeria.

Beautyaddy:


Some people are bold regardless of what immigration policies comes into effect.

Do you hear about the rapper 21 Savage who was recently arrested by ICE?

The News reported that the guy has been claiming that he was born in Atlanta while in actual sense he has been living in the US illegally for decades.

Evidence found out about him that the guy was actually a British and not American contradicting his claim of being born in Atlanta.

Yes , I heard about the story. Lots of missing details missing from his story. Regardless of boldness those policies are going to make it harder to move around , especially day to day . The story also highlights Americans ignorance toward their immigration system.

Reeses:
I will need you guys honest answer to this my desperate questions. I am 32yo us citizen and married and I have a CS degree. I miss Nigeria so much and would like to know if it is advisable to move back from America to Nigeria because I am very tired of working and paying bills it's becoming a nightmare that might not end soon. Thanks

it's good you said you miss Nigeria. If I might ask what do you miss about Nigeria ? If you want to come back fine but make sure you also have a plan to go back abroad.