If you’re a Canadian professional working in the United States on a TN or H-1B visa, you’ve probably heard conflicting advice about getting a green card. Some colleagues say it takes forever. Others insist it’s not worth the hassle. But here’s the reality: Canadians are actually in one of the strongest positions to secure permanent residency quickly, especially in 2026, if they understand their options and act strategically.
The hesitation is understandable. Many Canadians feel comfortable with the TN visa’s simplicity and assume that permanent residency is either unnecessary or impossibly complex. But waiting too long can cost you career opportunities, job mobility, and peace of mind. The good news? With the right employment-based (EB) pathway, you could have your green card in hand far sooner than you think.
Why Canadians Have a Strategic Advantage
Canadians don’t face the extreme backlogs that plague applicants from countries like India and China, where wait times for certain green card categories can stretch into decades. For most employment-based categories, Canadians fall under the “Rest of World” quota, which typically has minimal backlog.
This means that once your case is approved, you’re not stuck in a decades-long line. You can move forward almost immediately. But speed isn’t the only advantage. Canadian professionals often have strong educational credentials, significant work experience, and employment in high-demand fields, all of which make them excellent candidates for the faster employment-based green card categories.
The challenge isn’t whether you qualify. It’s choosing the right pathway and timing your application correctly.
Understanding Your Employment-Based Options
Not all green card pathways are created equal, and the differences matter significantly for Canadians. Let’s break down the three most relevant options for cross-border professionals.
EB-1: The Premium Express Lane
The EB-1 category is designed for individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, or multinational executives and managers. For Canadians in senior leadership roles or those with exceptional achievements in their field, this is often the fastest route.
EB-1 applications don’t require labor certification, which cuts months or even years off the timeline. If you have a track record of major contributions to your industry, national or international recognition, or you’ve been transferred to the U.S. in an executive capacity with a multinational company, EB-1 could get you to permanent residency in as little as 12 to 18 months.
The key is demonstrating sustained achievement. This isn’t about being famous. It’s about showing a pattern of impact in your profession through awards, publications, patents, leadership roles, or significant contributions that have been recognized by others in your field.
EB-2 NIW: Independence Without an Employer Sponsor
The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) is a game-changer for Canadians who want control over their immigration status without being tied to a specific employer. Unlike traditional EB-2 applications, the NIW doesn’t require a job offer or labor certification. You’re petitioning based on the national importance of your work.
This pathway is ideal for professionals in STEM fields, healthcare, business, education, or any area where your work has broad implications for the U.S. economy, public health, infrastructure, or innovation. If you can show that your contributions benefit the United States on a larger scale and that waiving the usual job-offer requirement serves the national interest, you can self-petition.
The NIW typically takes 18 to 24 months, and because you’re not tied to an employer, you have complete job mobility during the process. That’s a significant advantage in today’s fluid employment landscape.
Schedule A: The Fast Track for Specific Professions
If you’re a Canadian working in certain high-demand occupations, Schedule A could be your fastest route to a green card. Schedule A is a pre-certified list of occupations that the U.S. Department of Labor has determined face shortages of qualified U.S. workers. This means you can skip the lengthy labor certification process entirely.
Currently, Schedule A includes two main categories: registered nurses (Group I) and individuals with exceptional ability in the sciences or arts (Group II), which includes physical therapists. If you qualify, your employer can file your green card petition immediately without proving there are no available U.S. workers, cutting six to nine months off the typical timeline.
For Canadian nurses and physical therapists, this pathway typically takes 12 to 18 months total, significantly faster than standard PERM. You’ll still need an employer sponsor, but the streamlined process and predictable timeline make Schedule A an excellent option for these professions. The trade-off is that you remain tied to your sponsoring employer until approval, similar to traditional PERM.
PERM Labor Certification: The Traditional Route
For many Canadians, the PERM process through an employer remains the most straightforward option, especially for those in EB-2 or EB-3 categories who don’t qualify for EB-1, NIW, or Schedule A. PERM requires your employer to prove that no qualified U.S. workers are available for your position.
The process takes longer, typically two to three years from start to finish, and it locks you to your sponsoring employer until your green card is approved. But for Canadians working for established companies willing to sponsor them, it’s a reliable path with predictable outcomes.
The downside? Lack of flexibility. If you want to change jobs or if your employer faces financial difficulties, your application can be jeopardized. That’s why many Canadians are increasingly exploring EB-1, NIW, or Schedule A alternatives.
Strategic Timing: Why 2026 Matters
Immigration policy doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Changes in administration, shifts in priority processing, and evolving backlogs all affect timelines. Right now, certain categories are moving faster than they have in years, and processing times for premium services have become more predictable.
But policy can shift. What’s fast today may slow down tomorrow. That’s why acting now, while the current environment is favorable, makes sense. Waiting for the “perfect” time often means missing the window entirely.
Additionally, the longer you wait, the more you limit your career options. Without a green card, you can’t easily switch employers, start your own business, or take advantage of opportunities that require permanent residency. Every year you delay is a year of restricted mobility.
Making the Right Choice for Your Situation
The best pathway depends on your specific circumstances: your role, qualifications, employer relationship, and long-term goals. EB-1 offers speed but requires strong credentials. NIW provides flexibility but demands a compelling case for national interest. PERM is reliable but restrictive.
The mistake most Canadians make isn’t choosing the wrong path. It’s not choosing at all. They assume the process is too complicated, too slow, or unnecessary. But permanent residency isn’t just about immigration status. It’s about career freedom, security, and building a future without restrictions.
Canadians Have an Advantage in Green Card Pathways
Canadians have a real advantage in the green card process, but only if they act strategically and understand their options. Whether you pursue EB-1, EB-2 NIW, or PERM, the key is starting now and choosing the pathway that aligns with your professional profile and goals.
The green card process doesn’t have to take forever. For Canadians in 2026, with the right approach, it can be faster than you think. If you’re considering U.S. immigration options, but have questions, the team at Berardi Immigration Law is here to help! Book a consultation online today to learn your first steps in the immigration process.
Canadian-to-American Green Card FAQs
Can I apply for a green card while on a TN visa?
Yes. You can pursue a green card while on TN status, but you need to be strategic. TN is a non-immigrant visa, so if you apply for a green card through your employer using PERM, it could complicate future TN renewals because you’re showing immigrant intent. EB-2 NIW or EB-1 applications are often better choices for TN holders because they don’t require employer sponsorship and reduce complications at the border.
How long does each employment-based green card category actually take for Canadians?
Timelines vary, but for Canadians: EB-1 typically takes 12 to 18 months; EB-2 NIW usually takes 18 to 24 months; and PERM (EB-2 or EB-3) generally takes two to three years from labor certification to green card approval. These are estimates and actual times depend on processing speeds, case complexity, and whether premium processing is available.
Do I need to stay with my current employer throughout the entire green card process?
It depends on the pathway. With PERM-based applications, you need to stay with your sponsoring employer until your green card is approved, though you may have some flexibility once you reach the adjustment of status stage. With EB-2 NIW or EB-1A (extraordinary ability), you have complete job mobility because these applications aren’t tied to a specific employer.
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