Moving To Puerto Rico From Canada – Your Guide To The Process
Puerto Rico has sunny weather and a unique culture that’s quite distinct from Canada, but most people still speak English, and it’s technically part of the United States, so you won’t experience that much culture shock.
But how do you move to Puerto Rico from Canada? What visa do you need? How can your personal items be sent to the island? Find out in this quick guide now.
How Do I Get A Visa Or Permit To Move To Puerto Rico?
Though Puerto Rico is not a U.S. state, it’s still part of the United States as an “unincorporated territory.” This means that you do not need a Puerto Rican visa, but a United States visa and immigration permit. Typically, you can get a US visa for work, if you’re starting a business, if you’re a student, or if you are moving to the US to be with a family member who is a resident or citizen.
Canadians typically have an easy time getting US immigration permits, due to the close relationship between the two countries. To see your options in further detail, you can look at this webpage from the U.S. Department of State.
Can I Ship My Household Goods To Puerto Rico From Canada?
Yes. When you move to Puerto Rico, you can bring your household goods and personal items with you duty-free as long as you own them and have used them for at least a year. Items owned for less than a year will be subject to duties and taxes. The most common way to send your items is by ocean freight, but air freight may also be used in some cases.
Ocean freight is the cheapest way to ship your household goods to Puerto Rico when you move, but can take several weeks or longer. Air freight is much more expensive, but you can ship your items in just a few days.
Can I Bring A Car To Puerto Rico From Canada?
Yes. Both Puerto Rico and Canada drive on the same side of the road (the right side), and cars that are approved by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) can be imported to Puerto Rico from Canada. However, you will have to pay an excise tax.
Typically, this tax is at least 5% of the total value of the car, so this can be quite expensive. However, it still may be worth bringing your car from Canada if you already own a car you like, because cars are much more expensive to buy in PR than they are in the United States, and the selection of cars for sale is usually more limited.
Get Help Moving To Puerto Rico From Canada!
Ready to make a change? No matter where you are in the process of moving to Puerto Rico from Canada, A-1 Auto Transport can help you transport your vehicle and household goods when you make your move. Our experienced international moving partners will help you through every step of the process. Contact us online or call us to get a quote today.
Written By:Joe Webster
Joe Webster began his journey in the auto transport field by attending the University of Southern California (USC), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Marketing.
After college, he started his career in the auto transport industry from the bottom up and has done virtually every job there is to do at A-1 Auto Transport, including but not limited to: Truck Driver, Dispatch, Sales, PR, Bookkeeping, Transport Planner, Transport Manager, International Transport Manager, Brokering, Customer Service, and Marketing. Working with his mentor Tony Taylor, Joe Webster has learned the ins and outs of this industry which is largely misunderstood.
With over 30 years experience in the industry, we've been helping people ship their vehicles, motorcycles, RV's, heavy equipment, household goods and more across the country or overseas without a hitch. Ask us anything.
