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Answered August 2026

Yes—keep your Canadian number during the move, use a separate U.S. line for daily life, and only port or cancel the Canadian line after every critical login works without it.

“I am moving to the US from Canada. Should I keep my Canadian phone number, and what are my options for doing so?”

Summary

You do not need to settle this permanently before moving. A supported unlocked iPhone can hold both lines, so you can preserve the Canadian number while establishing your U.S. service.

Keep the Canadian number through your move, add a U.S. number for daily life, and then choose how much Canadian-number reliability you still need.

Keep the Canadian mobile linesafest first

Leave your Canadian service active and add a U.S. SIM or eSIM. On a compatible unlocked iPhone, lets both numbers share one phone, and Apple says both can call and text; this preserves the strongest chance of receiving Canadian account messages while you transition (Apple Dual SIM; CRTC Wireless Code).

Port the number to JMPlower cost

For a lower-cost long-term Canadian number, create and test a temporary JMP number, then request the with the `lnp` command. JMP lists $4.99 USD or $6.59 CAD per month, normally takes 1–2 weeks, works over an internet connection, and supports most Canadian regions—but it does not provide 911 (JMP FAQ and porting page).

Retire the Canadian number latersimplest later

If you no longer need it after moving every important contact and login, cancel it only after the transition is complete. The CRTC says cancellation takes effect when the provider receives notice and an early cancellation or device-balance charge may remain; canceling before a planned port risks losing the number (CRTC transfer guidance and Wireless Code).

Exact Canadian-carrier pricing and long-term U.S.-use terms depend on the carrier and plan you already have.

Read the full explanation

Watch out for

Do not cancel before a portKeep the Canadian line active until the receiving provider completes the transfer. The CRTC says not to cancel first and says the new provider should initiate the transfer; canceling first can cost you the number (CRTC transfer guidance).
Your number may not be portableThe CRTC says a move to a different province or may require a new number, and JMP says it supports most—not all—Canadian regions. Confirm eligibility through the receiving provider before changing your old service.
Bank codes may failInternet-number services are not accepted uniformly. JMP says it supports most Canadian and U.S. short codes, while Hushed expressly says its own numbers are not guaranteed for banking, apps, or other third-party verification. Test critical logins on the required temporary number and change vulnerable accounts before porting.
Keep a 911-capable lineJMP states that it does not provide 911 or other emergency service by voice or SMS. If you use JMP, keep your U.S. cellular line as the emergency line.
Roaming can become expensiveA Canadian line works as a short transition, but daily roaming can add up. Bell, for example, lists U.S. Roam Better at $13 per day and caps the daily charge at 20 days per line in one billing period; your own carrier and plan may differ.

Next steps

These steps preserve access during the move and prevent an accidental loss of your Canadian number.

Before changing anything

Keep the Canadian service active

Do not cancel the line. The CRTC directs you to keep the service active and have the receiving provider start any transfer; make a list of every bank, government, email, messaging, and recovery account that still uses the number.

Requirements

Active Canadian phone account
Access to the carrier account

Before or just after arrival

Unlock the phone and add a U.S. line

If the phone is locked, request a free unlock under section F.1 of the CRTC Wireless Code. On an iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, or later with carrier eSIM support, add the U.S. plan under Settings > Cellular/Mobile Data; Apple requires the phone to be unlocked when the two plans use different carriers.

Requirements

Unlocked phone
U.S. cellular plan
Dual-SIM/eSIM-capable phone if using one device

During the transition

Use the U.S. line for data and daily calls

Label the lines Canada and US, select the U.S. line for cellular data, and leave the Canadian line available for incoming calls and texts. This avoids making daily Canadian roaming your default while preserving access to messages sent to the old number.

Requirements

Both lines activated

After your U.S. line works

Choose the permanent Canadian-number route

For maximum reliability, keep the Canadian mobile line on a suitable plan. For lower cost, create a temporary JMP number, test it, then send `lnp` in JMP account settings; JMP lists $4.99 USD or $6.59 CAD monthly and a normal port time of 1–2 weeks. Keep the old Canadian service active throughout.

Requirements

Successful test calls and texts
Critical verification codes tested

Only after testing

Finish the transfer or cancel safely

If porting, let the receiving provider complete the transfer and cancellation. If retiring the number, cancel only after all accounts and contacts are updated; settle any remaining device balance or permitted early-cancellation charge. If using JMP, make the U.S. cellular line your emergency line because JMP does not provide 911.

Requirements

Confirmed working destination line
All critical accounts updated
Final carrier bill reviewed

Others who faced this

You are not the first to go through this. Here is how it went for others who asked the same thing.

Having a Canadian cell number while living abroad for receiving authentication texts purposes

u/Koreancaisbabyr/expatsOct 21, 2025

Freedom Mobile, $99/year and use with wifi calling feature, you get calls and sms as if you were in Canada. Look into the wifi feature. I can also do Voip.ms + Groundwire but that is a VOIP solution. Works with TD for login/getting sms however if buying a plane ticket or something, sometimes Visa would launch their 3D secure, pull all your numbers from the bank profile, your VOIP is present but will not work, seems Visa does not deal in VOIP, but Freedom Mobile does.
2 View on Reddit

Legal sources

The answer is based on CRTC transfer guidance and the Wireless Code, plus current Apple, JMP, Hushed, and Bell service documentation.

CRTC Switch providers and keep your number

The old Canadian service must remain active while the new provider starts a number transfer.

 CRTC Switch providers and keep your number

Most importantly, do not cancel your service before you switch to the new provider. Tell your new phone provider that you want to keep your number.

Read the full text

CRTC Wireless Code

A Canadian provider must supply an unlocked device or unlock a locked one without charging you.

 CRTC Wireless Code

F.1 Unlocking

Any device provided by a service provider to the customer for the purpose of providing wireless services must be provided unlocked. If a device is, or becomes, locked to a service provider’s network, that service provider must unlock the device, or give the customer the means to unlock the device, upon request, at no charge.

Read the full text

Apple Support: Using Dual SIM with an eSIM

A supported unlocked iPhone can carry separate Canadian and U.S. lines.

 Apple Support: Using Dual SIM with an eSIM

You can use Dual SIM by using a physical SIM and an eSIM. iPhone 13 models and later also support Dual SIM with two eSIMs. To use two carriers, your iPhone must be unlocked, or both plans must be from the same carrier.

Read the full text

JMP FAQ

JMP publishes its price, Canadian coverage, and normal porting time.

 JMP FAQ

JMP is $4.99 USD / month or $6.59 CAD / month, billed out of the balance on your account, for unlimited incoming and outgoing text and picture messages, and calling credit equivalent to 120 minutes of voice to the USA or Canada per calendar month. We support most regions in Canada and the US. The process normally takes 1-2 weeks, depending on the number being ported in.

Read the full text

JMP Bring your own number

JMP requires a temporary number before beginning a Canadian-number port.

 JMP Bring your own number

To bring your own US or Canadian number, you first need a temporary JMP number so we know JMP works for you. If you have a JMP number already, you can use the bot and send the command `lnp` to start the porting process.

Read the full text

JMP service page

JMP cannot replace a cellular line for emergency calling.

 JMP service page

Note: While JMP does provide phone numbers and voice/SMS features, it does not provide 911, 112, 999 or other emergency services over voice or SMS.

Read the full text

Hushed verification-code policy

At least one internet-number provider expressly warns that banks and other services may block verification codes.

 Hushed verification-code policy

For this reason, Hushed phone numbers are NOT guaranteed to work with third-party verification due to blocks implemented by certain services, for example, Social Media, Banking, Email, Apps, etc.

Read the full text

Bell Roam Better FAQ

Bell's current page illustrates why keeping a full Canadian line on daily U.S. roaming may be costly.

 Bell Roam Better FAQ

You’ll only be charged for a maximum of 20 days per line within the same billing period, after which you can continue enjoying unlimited talk and text and continue to use the data from your account at no additional cost for the rest of the billing period. the 20-day maximum Roam Better fee applies separately to the U.S. ($13 a day) and all other eligible destinations ($16 a day).

Read the full text

These are the official rules and provider terms as published on the cited dates; rules, prices, and service coverage can change.

This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.

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