Here's some quick facts about Canada:
Thinking of moving to Canada? Discover everything you need to know in our Ultimate Canada Relocation Guide.
Planning a relocation to Canada? You're joining thousands of expats every year who move to Canada, drawn by its outstanding quality of life, breathtaking natural landscapes, welcoming immigration policies, and reputation as one of the world's most diverse and inclusive nations. It's easy to see why so many people choose to make Canada their new home.
Canada consistently ranks among the globe's most desirable destinations, offering an exceptional blend of economic opportunity and social stability, world-class healthcare and education systems, and stunning geography from Pacific coastlines to Rocky Mountain ranges, vibrant cosmopolitan cities to pristine wilderness. From the multicultural streets of Toronto to the bilingual charm of Montreal, the tech hub of Vancouver to the historic beauty of Quebec City, Canada provides expatriates with a unique living experience that combines North American opportunity with a distinctly Canadian emphasis on community, safety, and work-life balance.
This ultimate relocation guide for Canada will walk you through every essential aspect of the moving process, from immigration pathways to settling into Canadian life. We'll show you how to move to Canada step by step - including what to know about shipping your luggage or personal belongings safely overseas. Whether you're planning to work, study, retire, reunite with family, or start a business, we'll provide the practical insights needed to make your transition as smooth as possible.
This ultimate guide covers all the essential aspects when you move to Canada, including:
We hope this guide both inspires and informs you. Since information may vary based on individual circumstances, we strongly recommend conducting your own research alongside this guide to ensure your move to Canada goes smoothly.
Here's some quick facts about Canada:
When considering the best way to relocate to Canada, proper planning makes all the difference. The first step is determining the right immigration pathway for your situation, as this forms the foundation of your entire move. Once your immigration status is secured, you can focus on the practical aspects - organising moving services to Canada for your belongings, finding temporary or permanent accommodation, and setting up essentials like banking, healthcare registration, and mobile phone services.
It's also wise to research different regions and cities beforehand to find areas that match your lifestyle preferences. Whether you're drawn to vibrant metropolitan centres like Toronto and Vancouver, prefer bilingual environments such as Montreal and Ottawa, want access to mountain recreation in Calgary, or are seeking more affordable cities in the Atlantic provinces, each region offers distinct advantages. By addressing these key details early, from flights to finances, you'll ensure a smoother transition and more time to settle into your new Canadian adventure.
Yes, you'll need the appropriate immigration status to move to Canada. Choosing the right pathway is crucial, and starting early gives you time to gather documents and meet requirements.
Your eligibility depends on factors like education, work experience, language skills (English/French), age, family connections, or job offers. Canada's immigration system uses a points-based approach for many programmes, favoring younger applicants with strong language skills, education, and relevant experience.
Popular immigration pathways include:
Whether you’re relocating to Canada temporarily or permanently, learn which visa you’ll need.
Processing times range from several months to over a year, so apply well before your intended move date. Temporary work permits are also available. Always check official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) guidelines or consult an immigration professional.
When you relocate to Canada, it's essential to look beyond visas and moving logistics to fully understand daily life in this vast and diverse nation. From education and healthcare to housing options and managing finances, many key factors influence how successfully you'll settle in. Whether you're moving to Canada for work, to start a business, study, or reunite with family, these are some of the most common questions and topics people explore when planning their new life in Canada.
Canada offers an exceptional quality of life for those considering moving to Canada after retirement, with universal healthcare, safe communities, stunning natural beauty, and four distinct seasons. However, Canada doesn't have a straightforward retirement visa. Retirees typically need to qualify through other immigration streams, such as having children who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents (Super Visa or family sponsorship), sufficient funds for investor programmes, or accumulating enough Comprehensive Ranking System points through Express Entry despite their age. Provincial Nominee Programs in some regions also welcome retirees with sufficient financial resources. The country's excellent healthcare system, welcoming attitude towards immigrants, and high quality of life make it particularly attractive for those who can navigate the immigration requirements.
Canada welcomes entrepreneurs through various immigration programmes including the Start-up Visa Program, Provincial Nominee Programs with entrepreneur streams, and self-employed person programmes for those in cultural or athletic fields. The country offers access to NAFTA/USMCA markets, highly educated workforce, government support through numerous grants and incentives, and a stable political and economic environment. The Start-up Visa requires support from a designated organisation (venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator), whilst Provincial Nominee entrepreneur streams typically require minimum net worth and investment amounts varying by province. Canada's diverse economy and multicultural markets provide excellent opportunities for international business ventures.
Finding a job before moving to Canada can significantly strengthen your immigration application and ease your transition. Canada's robust economy offers excellent employment opportunities across numerous sectors including technology, healthcare, natural resources, finance, education, and engineering. The job market is particularly strong in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal. Most skilled worker immigration pathways require either a valid job offer or substantial Canadian work experience. The country maintains strong workplace protections, generous holiday entitlements (typically two weeks minimum, increasing with tenure), comprehensive employment standards, and a minimum wage that varies by province. Canadian workplace culture emphasises punctuality, politeness, and work-life balance, with less hierarchical structures than many countries.
Canada provides universal healthcare coverage to all permanent residents and citizens through a publicly funded system known as Medicare, managed provincially and funded through taxation. Basic medical services including doctor visits, hospital care, and emergency services are free at point of use for residents, though services like prescription medications, dental care, and vision care typically require private insurance or out-of-pocket payment. New permanent residents should apply for their provincial health card immediately upon arrival, though there may be a waiting period of up to three months in some provinces (during which private insurance is recommended). Each province operates its own health insurance plan - Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), Medical Services Plan (MSP) in British Columbia, Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), and others - with coverage that extends across Canada.
Canada's education system is highly regarded internationally, consistently ranking among the world's best for both primary/secondary schooling and post-secondary education. Public education is free from kindergarten through secondary school (typically ages 5-18) and funded through provincial taxes, with curriculum standards set by each province or territory. The system offers instruction in English, French, or both depending on location and school type. International schools are available in major cities with annual fees typically ranging from CAD 15,000-30,000. Canada is home to world-renowned universities including University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, and many others, offering excellent opportunities for higher education. Post-secondary education costs vary significantly, with domestic students paying CAD 6,000-15,000 annually for undergraduate programmes, whilst international students face higher fees.
Housing markets vary dramatically across Canada, with Toronto and Vancouver consistently ranking among North America's most expensive cities, whilst Atlantic provinces and Prairie cities offer more affordable options. The national average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is approximately CAD 1,900 monthly, though this ranges from under CAD 1,000 in smaller cities to over CAD 2,500 in Toronto and Vancouver. Property purchase prices similarly vary widely, with average home prices around CAD 700,000 nationally but exceeding CAD 1 million in Toronto and Vancouver whilst remaining under CAD 400,000 in many Atlantic and Prairie locations. Rental markets typically require employment verification, references, first and last month's rent upfront, and credit checks. As a newcomer, building Canadian credit history and securing employment are crucial steps before attempting to purchase property.
When planning your relocation to Canada, living costs vary dramatically by location, with major cities like Toronto and Vancouver significantly more expensive than smaller centres and Atlantic provinces. According to recent data, average monthly expenses for a single person (excluding rent) are approximately CAD 1,200-1,500, whilst families of four can expect CAD 4,000-5,000 monthly before housing costs. Housing represents the largest expense for most families, with rent or mortgage payments consuming 30-50% of income in expensive markets. Other costs include groceries (CAD 300-500 monthly per person), utilities (CAD 150-250 monthly depending on season and province), internet and mobile phones (CAD 100-150 combined), and transportation. Canada's sales taxes (GST/HST) vary by province, ranging from 5% to 15%, which affects overall purchasing power.
New residents can typically drive on foreign licences for 60-90 days (varies by province) before requiring conversion to a Canadian licence. The process and requirements vary significantly by province - some have reciprocal agreements with certain countries allowing direct exchange, whilst others require written knowledge tests, vision tests, and full road tests. Car insurance is mandatory and varies considerably by province and city, with Ontario and British Columbia having particularly high rates (CAD 1,500-3,000 annually). Canada's vast distances mean many families outside major cities rely heavily on vehicles, though urban centres offer public transportation. Winter driving conditions require appropriate tyres and experience with snow and ice, which can be challenging for newcomers from warmer climates.
Establishing Canadian banking relationships is crucial for newcomers, with major banks including RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, and CIBC all offering newcomer packages with reduced fees and easier account opening requirements. Most banks require two pieces of identification (passport and immigration documents) to open accounts, though building Canadian credit history takes time. Canada uses the Canadian Dollar (CAD), and the progressive tax system includes both federal and provincial income taxes, ranging from approximately 15% to over 50% depending on income level and province. Opening a bank account, obtaining a Social Insurance Number (SIN), and understanding tax obligations including annual filing requirements are essential first steps. Many newcomers benefit from consulting with accountants familiar with international taxation to understand obligations in both Canada and their home country.
Canada's major cities offer comprehensive public transportation including buses, subways/metros (in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver), light rail systems, and commuter trains that are generally reliable and safe. Monthly transit passes cost approximately CAD 100-150 in major cities. Between cities, options vary significantly - VIA Rail connects major centres in Central and Eastern Canada, whilst Western Canada relies more heavily on bus services (Greyhound, though reduced service) and domestic flights. Canada's immense size means intercity travel often requires flights, with distances between major cities sometimes exceeding 1,000 kilometres. Many smaller communities have limited public transport, making vehicle ownership more essential outside metropolitan areas.
One important consideration when you move to Canada is understanding the climate, which varies dramatically across the country's vast geography. Canada experiences four distinct seasons with regional variations - coastal British Columbia enjoys mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers; Prairie provinces have extreme temperature swings with very cold winters (reaching -40°C) and hot summers; Central Canada experiences cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers; Atlantic provinces have moderate but variable weather with significant precipitation year-round; and Northern regions endure long, extremely cold winters with short, cool summers. Most of Canada experiences significant snowfall and freezing temperatures from November through March, requiring appropriate clothing, winter tyres, and home heating. The country's seasonal changes offer unique opportunities for winter sports, autumn foliage viewing, and summer outdoor activities, though newcomers from warmer climates often require time to adjust to harsh winter conditions.
Major international airports in Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), and Calgary (YYC) serve as primary gateways, with direct flights from most global destinations. Additional international airports in Ottawa, Edmonton, Halifax, and Winnipeg provide regional access. Upon arrival, new permanent residents complete immigration procedures including confirmation of permanent residence status and may receive their Permanent Resident card by mail within weeks. Temporary visitors go through standard customs and immigration processing. Some newcomers, particularly from the United States, choose to drive across land borders, taking advantage of excellent highway connections. Upon arrival, new residents must complete several administrative tasks including applying for provincial health coverage, obtaining a Social Insurance Number, opening bank accounts, and registering for essential services.
If you're planning to bring your pets when you move to Canada, it's certainly possible, but requires careful preparation and advance planning. Canada maintains strict import regulations to protect both animal health and its domestic livestock industry, so early preparation is essential for a smooth process.
Most people relocate with cats and dogs, but requirements vary based on several factors including the animal type, country of origin, vaccination history, and health certificates. All dogs require proof of current rabies vaccination (administered at least 30 days prior to entry for animals over 3 months old), whilst cats are not required to have rabies vaccination but it's highly recommended. Birds, reptiles, and other exotic pets have additional specific requirements.
Dogs and cats from rabies-free or low-risk countries have simplified entry requirements, whilst those from high-risk rabies countries face more stringent documentation needs. All pets require health certificates from accredited veterinarians issued within specified timeframes before travel. Commercial animals and certain breeds may face additional restrictions.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) oversees pet importation procedures, and starting this process at least 4-6 months before your move is highly recommended to ensure all requirements are met and avoid any delays or complications that could separate you from your beloved companions. Airlines also have specific requirements for pet travel, including approved carriers and seasonal restrictions, which should be arranged well in advance.
Moving personal belongings to Canada traditionally meant relying on slow sea freight or expensive traditional removal companies. Today, My Baggage offers a faster, more affordable alternative using air freight courier services, ensuring your items reach Canada quickly and securely.
Whether shipping luggage, boxes, golf clubs, or bikes to Canada, My Baggage provides reliable international removals with door-to-door delivery, full online tracking and dedicated customer support. From a few bags to larger shipments, their service ensures your belongings are handled with care throughout the journey, giving you complete peace of mind during your relocation process.
Moving to Canada doesn't have to mean paying excessive airline baggage fees or waiting weeks for sea freight. With My Baggage, you can send your belongings ahead or shortly after your arrival, allowing you to travel light and focus on settling into your new Canadian home.
My Baggage specialises in shipping personal effects to Canada, offering a great alternative to paying excess baggage fees with airlines, making it an excellent choice for your move to Canada.
