Will Trump’s Election Cause a Passport Rush?

In the wake of Donald Trump’s election, we’ve been asked if we expect to see a surge in passport applications from people who want to leave the country. It’s true that many peoplealways talk about moving to Canada or other international destinations if the election doesn’t go their way. Very, very few people actually follow through on it, though!

Although we don’t expect to see a passport rush from people fleeing the US, some political analysts are urgingcertain groups of Americans to acquire passports now.

 

Transgender Americans

Trump’s election has alarmed many people in the LGBT community, who are concerned that they may lose many of the rights that have been gained over the last decade. Trans people feel particularly vulnerable. The rights of trans people have already been the subject of fierce battles across the United States, even during the Obama administration. Transgender activists have been making suggestions of concrete actions that trans people can take now to protect themselves from the possible consequences of the coming Trump/Pence administration. Chief among those suggestions – get a passport now!

It’s important for transgender people to have identification that correctly lists their legal name, gender, and shows their current appearance. Every state maintains different rules about the issuance of driver’s licenses, so it may be difficult for some trans people to update their driver’s license to reflect their gender transition. The rules for passport issuance for trans people are the same from coast to coast. Under the current rules, trans people can have a passport issued with an appropriate gender marker if they submit documentation from their doctor showing that they are in, or have completed, gender transition. The name can be updated by submitting the original court order for name change. This original document is returned when the passport is issued, but the letters from the doctor or medical records will be retained by the State Department.

With a valid US passport, trans people will be able to continue to travel freely both inside and outside the United States. This will be particularly important as of 2018, when the REAL ID act will be enforced at all US airports for domestic flights.

Transgender passport applicants may also want to consider getting a passport card in addition to a passport book. Having a card-sized federal ID showing the current name and gender will be essential for anyone who has trouble updating their driver’s license.

How to Move to Canada

Every election year, we hear the same thing -- people threatening to move to Canada if their favored candidate doesn't win. Maybe you've even said it yourself! But moving to Canada isn't as simple as packing up the minivan and driving to Ontario. If you're serious about wanting to move to Canada, you're going to need to get a residence visa for Canada. Today, we'll explore what it takes to legally live in Canada, so the next time one of your friends says they are going to move to Canada, you can tell them exactly what they'd need to do!

Temporary Residence in Canada

 

If today's presidential election doesn't go the way you want it to, and you want to go chill out in Canada until after the inauguration, all you need is your valid US passport. US citizens are allowed to stay in Canada for up to 180 days without a visa. That's six full months that you can enjoy poutine, curling, and Canadian weather with no visa required!

Six months a year in Canada isn't enough for you? You're going to need a visa if you want to move to Canada on a long-term basis.

Visas for Residence in Canada

There are two ways to move to Canada - on a temporary basis, with a residence-type visa, or on a permanent basis as an immigrant.
Residence visas are available to US citizens who will work or study in Canada.

• Student Visas require that you have been accepted into a "designated learning institution" in Canada. Designated learning institutions are schools and universities that have been authorized to host international students. Along with your student visa, you can also apply for a student work permit so that you can get a part-time job. (Poutine doesn't pay for itself, you know.)
• Work Visas allow you to live and work in Canada, receiving a salary from a Canadian employer. There are two types of work permit available
  
  
  • Open Work Permits, which allow you to look for work in Canada and take a job with any employer, and
  • Employer-Specific Work Permits, which require you to already have a job offer from a specific Canadian employer.

Your student visa or work permit will only be valid for a certain period of time, so you will need to extend your visa if you want to remain in the country. You would need to still be attending the same school or working for the same employer in order to extend your visa.