Your Guide to Moving to Canada from the UK

If you are planning on moving to Canada, the first thing to consider is the length of your relocation. You can move to Canada temporarily for work or study through applicable visas, but moving to Canada as your permanent residence is more difficult and will require you to meet certain criteria.

You can move to Canada from the UK permanently using their immigration system, based on points earned through family connections, your skills, or qualifications you can prove to the government. The most common way to move to Canada from the UK is through a Skilled Worker Visa. You can also gain residency through family members and other routes. The most common routes include:

• Federal Skilled Worker: Ideal for those with proven work experience outside their home country.
• Federal Skilled Trade: For people qualified in a skilled trade, able to prove a qualification or a job offer in that field.
• Canadian Experience Class: Designed for those with Canadian work experience under their belt.
• Provincial Nomination Program: This is a more province-specific skilled worker visa route.
• Family Class: This is a route into Canada for those with family relations already in Canada.

When moving to Canada, it is crucial to make sure that you are being compliant with its unique laws and requirements. A current passport is needed and has to be valid for the whole duration of your stay. A visa will also be required, including a work permit and authorisation to import your car or home belongings if you wish to do so. If in any doubt, your employer should provide you with assistance. You can read more about the visa, travel authorisation, and Immigration services specific to Canada’s requirements.

The two predominant languages in Canada are English and French, and it is strongly recommended to learn them both if you are planning on moving to Canada for work or on a permanent basis. There are several different ways you can go about learning Canada’s languages. The Languages Canada programmes are a great option, and many schools can support learning the languages if you are bringing children with you to Canada. Note that French spoken in Canada may differ slightly from that spoken in mainland France.

Canada is well–known for being an extensive country. It spans six different time zones, including Newfoundland Standard, Atlantic Standard, Eastern Standard, Central Standard, Mountain Standard, and Pacific Standard. Find out more about what time zone you might be moving to in Canada.

Transferring your goods to Canada is relatively easy – although there will be a variety of charges and formalities to deal with. Make sure to avoid bringing prohibited items such as handguns and pay close attention to restrictions on plants, meat, seeds, and syringe imports. If you arrive with over $10,000 in cash, also be prepared to declare it to the authorities. For further questions, you can contact CBSA – Canada Border Services Agency.

Many of us have four-legged family members who can often bring a lot of anxiety when relocating abroad. To put you at ease, Canada offers a lot of services to support pet owners. You should, however, keep in mind that the climate in Canada is very different to that of the UK, with winters often reaching temperatures well below 0℃. Make sure that your pet is healthy enough to deal with and adapt to extreme cold weather.

Once you have agreed to bring your pet with you, make sure that cats and dogs have a Health Certificate issued a week before travel. They should also have an original certificate of rabies vaccination and wear identification and rabies vaccination tags. For any other information about bringing your pets to Canada, check out the Canadian government website.

As previously mentioned, Canada is huge. Because of that, having a car can be extremely convenient. Given its more extreme climate and cold winters, you are best off with a four-wheel-drive car or, at the very least, a car with excellent snow tyres. If you already have one of these at home, you might be considering bringing it with you. Make sure to check with your employer first and if you manage to get a green light, you will need to know the following:

• The vehicle has to meet Canadian safety requirements and emission standards
• The vehicle has to be at least one year old – Canada prohibits current-year car imports

The Canadian dollar is the national currency of Canada. Cents (¢) include a nickel (5¢), dime (10¢), quarter (25¢), half a dollar (50¢), dollar (C¢1), and two dollars (C¢2).

Canadian money can be purchased at Canadian banks, airports, hotels, and travel agencies, or you can opt to take advantage of our International Money Transfers.

To benefit from Canadian medical services, you will need to get a Social Insurance Number upon entry. Be prepared to show the immigration officer your employment authorisation and order of employment forms. After that, you should receive forms requesting proof of identity which, once filled in, will allow you to obtain a SIN. For more information, visit the Service Canada Centre.

Like everywhere else, real estate agents are there to help you find a rental or to purchase a property on Canadian soil. Unsure of what option to go for? Learn more about mortgages and rentals in Canada to make an informed decision.

If you’re moving to Canada temporarily, short-term rental is ideal. It is offered in many Canadian cities, suburbs, and even rural areas, and is available for durations between one day to over a year. You’ll often be able to find short–term rentals that are either furnished or unfurnished so that the accommodation can meet your specific needs.

• Calgary – furnished property is difficult to find and the costs are relatively high.
• Edmonton – high availability of both rental and mortgage properties, though costs in the area are beginning to rise.
• Halifax – this and surrounding cities Dartmouth, Bedford, and Sackville are popular with expatriates. There is a ferry service between the towns and a wide diversity of new builds and older homes.
• Montreal – affordable accommodation, with a particular focus on new-build complexes.
• Ottawa – great area for rental properties, with various property types at a lower price.
• Toronto – Canada’s most expensive city, with high accommodation costs and difficulty finding a furnished property.
• Vancouver – East Vancouver has a good variety of houses, however, commuting can be difficult. West End mainly has one to two-bedroom apartments with limited space. These often prohibit children and pets.

One of the perks of moving to Canada is the country’s excellent road network. The regions are well-connected, offering great connectivity and ease of access. Canada, however, is a vast country, and the winters here are often extreme, so having a car is recommended. You can opt for public transport, but it is very limited in the far north and can be inconvenient in many major cities.

Driving Conditions

Canada is one of the best-rated countries in the world for road safety, with the lowest fatality rates in North America. Due to the extreme weather, it is key for expats to familiarise themselves with winter driving conditions – including the potential of whiteouts and black ice. Moreover, distances on roads are mainly displayed in kilometres – something to familiarise yourself with if you hail from a country that makes more regular use of miles.

Driver’s Licences in Canada

Did you know that it is illegal to drive in Canada without a driving licence? You are also expected to carry your vehicle registration, permit, and insurance certificate at all times. Depending on the area you are staying in, your national country licence will only be valid for anywhere between 30 days to 6 months. Therefore, you should obtain a local licence within the given timeframe of your destination. Make sure to schedule your test early in advance as the testing centres tend to be booked out.

Vehicle Insurance

Upon entry to Canada, your vehicle has to be insured. Depending on your home country, insurance may or may not be valid, therefore, make sure to check with your provider before leaving.

British expats moving to Canada often favour it due to the positive work-life balance Canada’s residents enjoy. The country’s socio-cultural scene is diverse and lively with recreational pursuits ranging from ice hockey to river rafting. Furthermore, with a strong expat community and cultural events such as the Stratford Festival, it’s not going to be easy for Brits to feel homesick in Canada.

Expatriate Community in Canada

There are a wide variety of expatriate communities in Canada. Sign up for a local civic organisation, place of worship, a club, or get involved with school projects to meet fellow expatriates. Alternatively, join the Newcomers Association, which has now spread to most areas of Canada.

Your social life upon moving to an entirely new country can make or break your assimilation. Therefore, it’s key to be prepared to put yourself out there. There is a lot to do and see in Canada – including community leisure activities, camping and hiking in 38 national parks, or sightseeing at 131 natural historic sites. Depending on your location, we highly recommend Gatineau Park in Montreal, Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, and Glenbow Museum in Calgary.

Canada’s National Sport

Sport is a big part of life in Canada, and there’s no shortage of different sports to enjoy. Canada’s national sports are split into summer and winter seasons. Ice Hockey is the Canadian winter national sport – with Canada being crowned the gold medallist. Lacrosse is the summer national sport, with evidence suggesting that Canadians first played it over 500 years ago.

Religious Worship

Given the diversity of Canada, there are plenty of places of worship in all major towns. Whether you are Muslim, Christian, Catholic, Jewish, or have any other faith, there will be a place of worship available, or at the very least – a like-minded group you can meet up with.

Social Customs

Greetings vary in different areas of Canada – anywhere from “Hello” to “Bonjour” or even “Salut”. When meeting someone new, it is expected to greet them by their title and last name, until the most senior person of the group greets them by their first name. There shouldn’t be many social norms that appear out of the ordinary when moving from the UK.