Moving to Canada Guide: Relocation & Essentials

Canada stands as one of the world’s most desirable destinations for immigrants, offering a high standard of living, diverse opportunities, and a welcoming multicultural society. Whether you’re seeking permanent residency, temporary work opportunities, or planning to study, this guide will navigate you through every aspect of moving to Canada and settling into Canadian life.

Immigration Pathways to Canada

Canada’s immigration system is designed to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, students, and families whilst addressing regional labour market needs. The country offers multiple pathways to accommodate different circumstances and goals, making it accessible to a wide range of applicants who wish to move to Canada.

Express Entry System

The Express Entry system represents Canada’s flagship immigration programme, using a points-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates. This competitive system assesses factors including age, education, work experience, and language proficiency in English or French.

The Federal Skilled Worker Programme (FSWP) targets educated professionals with at least one year of continuous work experience in a primary occupation within the last ten years. Candidates must meet minimum education requirements and demonstrate language proficiency. Meanwhile, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) serves skilled workers who have gained at least one year of Canadian work experience, recognising the value of Canadian experience and helping temporary workers transition to permanent status.

The Federal Skilled Trades Programme (FSTP) caters to qualified tradespersons with at least two years of full-time work experience in the past five years. Applicants need either a job offer or qualification certificate, along with demonstrated language ability. Top-ranked candidates in the Express Entry pool receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Provincial Nominee Programmes

Each Canadian province and territory operates its own Provincial Nominee Programme, allowing regions to select immigrants based on local labour market demands. These programmes often require connections to the area through family ties, education, or work experience, making them ideal for candidates with regional preferences or connections when considering moving to Canada.

Family Sponsorship

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency. This programme covers spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents, emphasising Canada’s commitment to family unity for those looking to move to Canada together.

Atlantic Immigration Programme

The Atlantic Immigration Programme serves graduates from schools or workers in specific Atlantic provinces, including New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. This programme addresses regional labour shortages whilst providing pathways for those with connections to Atlantic Canada.

Business Immigration

Canada welcomes entrepreneurs and investors through various programmes. The Start-up Visa Programme targets entrepreneurs with job-creating business ideas, whilst Provincial Entrepreneur and Investor Programmes offer alternatives for business-minded immigrants considering moving to Canada.

Quebec Immigration

Quebec maintains its own immigration system with programmes for skilled workers, those with Quebec experience, and business immigrants. These programmes reflect Quebec’s unique linguistic and cultural requirements for those planning to move to Canada.

Temporary Work and Study Options

International Experience Canada

The International Experience Canada programme enables young citizens (generally 18-35, some countries 18-30) from eligible countries to live and work in Canada for up to two years. This programme provides valuable Canadian experience that can enhance future permanent residence applications for those initially moving to Canada temporarily.

Work Permits

Temporary work permits provide opportunities to gain Canadian experience whilst potentially transitioning to permanent status. The Temporary Foreign Worker Programme often requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), demonstrating that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact the Canadian labour market.

Spouses and partners of foreign workers and students may be eligible for open work permits, allowing them to work for any Canadian employer without restrictions when moving to Canada.

Study Permits

Study permits grant permission to study at approved Canadian institutions, with opportunities to work during studies and after graduation through the Post-Graduation Work Permit. Students who complete at least two years of study may transition to permanent residency through various programmes.

• See more: Visa Types and Application

Application Process and Requirements

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) oversees all immigration matters, including processing applications and setting policies. The application process requires determining eligibility, gathering necessary documents, and submitting complete applications.

All applicants must undergo medical examinations and criminal background checks after submitting their applications. Canadian visa validity periods range from 90 days to several years, depending on the entry pathway. Processing times vary significantly from one to seventeen months, influenced by personal circumstances, visa type, country of residence, and IRCC staffing levels.

Canadian visa application fees range from CAD 100 to CAD 2,140, with an additional CAD 85 for biometrics required for citizens from certain countries. Unlike some countries, Canada does not operate diversity visa or lottery systems. All immigration programmes are merit-based, focusing on factors like skilled work experience, education, language ability, and family connections.

Becoming a Canadian Citizen

Canadian citizenship represents the ultimate goal for many immigrants, offering full participation in Canadian society and the right to vote, travel with a Canadian passport, and access all government services. Canadian residents can apply for citizenship after obtaining permanent resident status and meeting specific conditions.

Citizenship applicants must have lived in Canada for at least three of the past five years. The citizenship test is a 30-minute, 20-question multiple-choice examination covering Canada’s geography, government, and laws, requiring 15 correct answers to pass. Applications cost CAD 630 for adults and CAD 100 for minors.

Cost of Living and Housing

Canada’s cost of living is considered high, particularly in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver. However, this reflects the high standard of living, low crime rates, and strong economy that residents enjoy after moving to Canada.

The average home price is CAD 487,540, whilst rental costs average CAD 2,149 per month. Utilities, especially winter heating, food, and transportation constitute significant ongoing expenses. Canada’s minimum wage is CAD 16.65 per hour, providing a baseline for earning potential.

New immigrants typically need approximately CAD 15,500 for single individuals and CAD 21,000 for couples to cover initial settlement costs, though requirements vary by immigration programme. Renting is often recommended for newcomers to allow acclimatisation before committing to property purchases.

Landlords typically require employment verification, proof of income, previous landlord references, personal references, and credit reports. Newcomers without Canadian history may need to demonstrate sufficient funds for several months’ rent or provide local guarantors.

Home purchases require down payments of 5-20%, with mortgage default insurance required for payments below 20%. Banks conduct credit score assessments and stress tests to ensure borrowers can handle potential interest rate increases.

Banking and Financial Services

Establishing banking relationships is essential for successful settlement after moving to Canada. Major banks including RBC, TD Bank, Scotiabank, BMO, and CIBC offer dedicated newcomer accounts with reduced or waived fees.

Opening a Canadian bank account is advisable before or immediately after arrival, as proof of funds may be required for entry or renting. International fund transfers can be accomplished through wire transfers, online platforms like PayPal, Wise, or Revolut, or international bank drafts.

Royal Bank of Canada offers the RBC Newcomer Advantage programme, providing specialised products and services including potential credit limits up to CAD 15,000 on new credit cards for eligible newcomers, helping establish Canadian credit history.

Employment Opportunities

Canada’s strong job market offers over 700,000 vacancies across various sectors. Success in finding employment depends on understanding the market, adapting to Canadian workplace culture, and leveraging available resources after moving to Canada.

Finding employment in high-demand roles often provides the best opportunities. The Canadian job market favours skilled workers in technology, healthcare, trades, and professional services. Canadian resumes typically span two pages or less with accompanying cover letters.

Job seekers should utilise online portals like Monster, Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn, whilst attending networking events and improving English or French language skills. Canadian employees are entitled to minimum annual leave of two weeks after one year of employment, increasing to three weeks after five years.

Education System

Canada’s education system provides excellent opportunities from primary school through higher education, with each province managing its own curriculum and standards. Compulsory education typically runs from ages 6 to 16 or 18, depending on the province.

Public education is free for permanent residents, with instruction available in English, French, or both languages, reflecting Canada’s bilingual heritage. Colleges focus on vocational training, certificates, and diplomas, whilst universities emphasise research, academic theory, and degree programmes.

Top institutions include the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, and McMaster University, making Canada an attractive destination for families moving to Canada with school-age children.

Healthcare System

Canada’s publicly-funded healthcare system, known as Medicare, provides universal access to essential medical services through taxation funding. Medicare covers doctor visits, hospital stays, and surgeries, representing one of the country’s most valued social programmes.

However, Medicare typically excludes prescription medications, vision care, dental care, and some mental health services, requiring supplementary private insurance. New residents may experience waiting periods up to three months before provincial Medicare benefits begin, which is important to consider when planning your move to Canada.

Transportation

Major Canadian cities offer extensive public transit systems including buses, subways, trams, and trains. These systems provide efficient urban transportation and reduce reliance on private vehicles for those moving to Canada’s urban centres.

Foreign driving licences or international driving permits may be used initially, but provincial testing is eventually required. Canada’s national rail network and intercity bus services connect major cities and towns, whilst air travel is often necessary for cross-country trips due to Canada’s vast distances.

Culture and Lifestyle

Canadian culture emphasises multiculturalism, politeness, and inclusivity, creating a welcoming environment for immigrants from diverse backgrounds. Canada’s multicultural society includes approximately 23% immigrants, creating a diverse and inclusive environment for those moving to Canada.

Canadians are known for their politeness and frequent use of phrases like “eh” and “sorry,” reflecting cultural values of respect and consideration. Whilst major cities enjoy warm summers, Canadian winters can be extremely cold, particularly in northern regions. Ice hockey serves as the national winter sport, alongside soccer, basketball, and Canadian football.

Canadian cuisine features distinctive dishes like poutine, butter tarts, Nanaimo bars, BeaverTails, tourtière, pouding chômeur, and bannock. Iconic Canadian landmarks include the CN Tower in Toronto, Niagara Falls in Ontario, Banff National Park in Alberta, and Old Quebec City in Quebec.

Planning Your Move

Successful immigration requires careful planning and preparation. A thorough pre-arrival checklist covers actions from three months before arrival through to final weeks before departure. This includes evaluating credentials, collecting documents, estimating expenses, opening bank accounts, arranging medical insurance, and preparing customs documentation.

International removal companies offer services for shipping household goods using self-loading containers. The BSF186 form must be stamped at the RED customs channel upon arrival to avoid taxes and duties, requiring the applicant’s presence in Canada when shipments arrive.

Moving to Canada represents a significant life decision that can provide tremendous opportunities for personal and professional growth. Individual circumstances vary considerably, so consulting with immigration professionals and thoroughly researching specific programmes ensures the best chance of successful immigration and settlement when you move to Canada.