Moving to Canada from UK: Complete Guide for Brits

TL;DR: Moving to Canada from the UK is very possible, with popular routes including the Express Entry system for skilled workers, often processed in 6 months. While some costs like groceries can be 10-15% higher, utilities and public transport are typically cheaper in Canada. You’ll need a visa, a Social Insurance Number (SIN), and will likely need private healthcare for up to 3 months upon arrival. Plan your finances carefully, noting that non-Canadians cannot buy residential property until January 1, 2027, with some exceptions.

Imagine landing in Canada, ready for a new chapter, but your UK phone number stops working, or you can’t access your bank. Staying connected and managing your finances across borders is often overlooked but crucial when moving to Canada from the UK. Many UK citizens dream of Canada’s vast landscapes and lively cities, with over 530,000 British expats already calling it home. This guide will help you prepare for a seamless move, covering everything from Canadian visas for UK citizens to settling in, ensuring you keep important connections active.

Can UK Citizens Move to Canada?

Yes, people from the UK can definitely move to Canada. The most common reasons for people to make a permanent move are to join family or for work opportunities. If you have a partner or a parent who is already a permanent resident or citizen of Canada, they might be able to help you move through a family sponsorship program. This also applies if they are registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act, according to IAS Services.

What are the Main Ways to Move to Canada from the UK?

Canada is a popular choice for Brits, partly because of similar cultures and because English is one of its official languages. It’s often seen as one of the best countries to move to from the UK. Many ways exist to move, but the Express Entry system is a very popular route. This system ranks eligible candidates using a points-based system.

Under the Express Entry system, there are three main programs:

• The Federal Skilled Worker Programme
• The Federal Skilled Trades Programme
• The Canadian Experience Class

You must meet strict requirements for your skills, work experience, and education. You also need to show good language skills, a clear criminal record, and proof that you have enough money to support yourself. While this might sound like a long process, Express Entry applications are usually processed quite quickly, often within 6 months. When planning your move, it’s a good idea to sort out how you’ll keep your essential services active. For example, keeping your home phone number active from the UK while you wait for visa processing can prevent issues with two-factor authentication for online applications or banking. This is where services that let you keep your UK number abroad are vital.

How to Get a Canadian Visa for UK Citizens

Canada has many immigration programs, but most people move there for work, especially through the Express Entry program. For instance, the Federal Skilled Worker program requires you to have experience in specific jobs, at least a secondary education, and ideally, a job offer.

If your main goal is to study in Canada, you should apply for a study permit. To get this, you’ll need an acceptance letter from a Canadian school or university, proof that you have enough money to live there, and a certificate showing you don’t have a criminal record.

Other ways to immigrate include the Start-up visa, the Self-employed Persons Programme, and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. For example, the Start-up visa requires you to have a business that qualifies and enough money to settle in Canada. The best way for you to move depends entirely on your personal situation and what you plan to do in Canada.

How Can I Get to Canada from the UK Affordably?

The most common and cheapest way to get to Canada from the UK is by plane. Right now, the cheapest month to fly is September, when you might find tickets for as little as £140. Flight prices can change a lot and be much higher, especially if you can’t be flexible with your travel dates. For instance, flying in August can mean a one-way ticket from London to Toronto costs well over £1,000, according to Skyscanner.

When you arrive, you might need a local Canadian number. If you have an important number from another country, like your US number, check out how to keep your US number abroad too.

Shipping Belongings to Canada from UK

The simplest way to send your belongings to Canada is by using a professional moving company. These companies stay updated on the latest import rules, which saves you a lot of hassle. You have two main options for shipping: sea freight or air freight. Air freight is much faster, but sea freight is usually more budget-friendly. If you’re looking to save money, you can choose shared containers, where you only pay for the space your items take up.

Here are some companies you might want to contact for quotes:

• 1st Move International
• PSS Removals
• Britannia Movers
• Pickfords

Professional movers like Pickfords can make the process much smoother by handling customs and logistics.

What Do I Need to Know About Living in Canada?

Let’s look at some important facts about Canada that newcomers should know:

• Currency: The Canadian dollar (CAD) is the local currency.
• Main Languages: English and French are the official languages.
• Population: Canada’s population is around 40,547,071 people, according to Worldometers.
• British Expats: Over 530,000 British people have moved to Canada, as reported by Global Citizen Solutions.
• Popular Expat Cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and areas in Ontario are common choices for people moving there.

Cost of Living Canada vs UK

One of the most important things to figure out before moving to Canada from the UK is how much money you will need and how far it will go. Generally, prices in Canada are similar to those in the UK. However, groceries and meals at restaurants can be 10-15% more expensive in Canada, according to Numbeo.

To give you a better idea, here’s a comparison of average prices for some common items:

Item	Canada (approx. £)	UK (approx. £)
Three-course meal for two	£53	£65
Monthly public transport pass	£55	£76
1-bedroom city centre apartment rent	£959	£1,005
Monthly basic utilities	£112	£243

As you can see from the table, a three-course meal for two in Canada is around £53, which is less than the £65 it would cost in the UK. A monthly public transport pass is also cheaper in Canada, costing about £55 compared to £76 in the UK. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is slightly less in Canada at around £959 versus £1,005 in the UK. A big difference is in monthly utility costs, which average around £112 in Canada but are significantly higher at £243 in the UK. These figures highlight that while some daily costs might be higher, others, especially utilities, can be much lower, helping with the overall cost of living Canada vs UK.

Opening a Bank Account in Canada

Newcomers and people who are not yet citizens should be able to open a bank account in Canada. You don’t necessarily need to have a job or a regular income, but you will need to prove your identity and open your account in person. Most banks in Canada ask for two types of identification documents to open an account. One document should show your address, and the other should confirm your date of birth.

These documents should come from an approved list, which includes:

• ID card issued by a provincial or national Government
• Your passport
• Recent tax assessment notices
• Recent statements of benefits
• Recent utility bills
• Recent bank account or credit card statements

Sometimes, you might need someone else to confirm your identity. This person is usually a customer who has a good standing with the community or the bank you choose, as detailed by Canada.ca. It’s important to consider that you might be able to keep your UK bank account after moving, but this depends on your specific bank’s policies. For example, some banks like Barclays will generally close both your current and savings accounts once you move abroad. It’s important to keep your original phone number if it’s tied to your UK bank account for verification purposes, as banks often use it for security. If you also manage finances in other countries, you might be interested in options like keeping your Nigerian number abroad or your French number abroad.

Finding a Job in Canada

Before you can start working in Canada, you’ll need to apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN). It’s a good idea to do this almost as soon as you arrive in the country. Once you have your SIN, you can begin your job search. Canada is generally a good place to find a job because its unemployment rate is fairly low. However, among the G20 countries, Canada ranks 6th for the number of unemployed individuals.

The Canadian Government website offers many tips to help you find a suitable role. Here are a few places to start your job hunt:

• Job Bank
• Government of Canada federal jobs website
• Indeed for Canada
• Canada Jobs

You can also get help from newcomer services in your local province, which offer advice and resources to assist you in finding a job. Checking out the current in-demand jobs in Canada might also be very helpful for your search. If you are a digital nomad, you might be interested in the best eSIMs for digital nomads to stay connected while searching for a job.

Renting or Buying Property in Canada

The most popular places for new arrivals to Canada are big cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, followed by the province of Quebec and the capital city, Ottawa. However, there are many other more affordable options, such as New Brunswick or Newfoundland. For example, rent costs in St. John’s, Newfoundland, are 52% lower than in Vancouver.

To find a place to rent, you can look at listings on websites like rentals.ca or Rent Canada, or use a local rental agent specializing in the area you are interested in. When you rent, you will sign a lease agreement and likely pay a security deposit, but this deposit cannot be more than one month’s rent, as stated by Canada.ca.

However, buying property in Canada is a bit more complicated for people who are not Canadian citizens due to a new law. If you are an expat or not a Canadian citizen, you generally won’t be able to buy Canadian residential property until January 1, 2027. This is because of the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as for certain property locations, so make sure to check if you might be eligible. Current exemptions include those with refugee status, those with temporary work permits, and international students, but they must all meet certain additional criteria.

Canada Healthcare for UK Expats

Citizens and permanent residents in Canada have access to the country’s excellent universal healthcare system through public health insurance. If you qualify, you’ll need to sign up for a health insurance card and show it every time you use healthcare services. It’s important to know that each province and territory has its own health plan, and the services covered can vary.

However, if you are a newcomer and do not yet have permanent resident status, you will need to get private health insurance in your province or region. Getting your public health card can take up to three months, so private coverage is very important during this waiting period. You can still access emergency medical services for free, even without a health card, as confirmed by Canada.ca. This ensures that while you navigate the public system, you are not left without essential medical care.

Moving to Canada with Family: What to Expect?

If you are moving to Canada with family from the UK, here’s what you should know to help everyone settle in.

Schools and Education

Education in Canada is compulsory and free for children between the ages of 5 and 18. If you are a temporary resident, you will need to provide some extra documents to the school board for your child to access free public school education. This ensures that your children can continue their schooling without interruption once you arrive, according to information from Canada Visa.

Having a Baby in Canada

Giving birth in Canada can be expensive if you don’t have insurance. The costs can vary depending on the hospital. For example, Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa charges around 400 CAD for each hospital appointment, while the delivery itself costs approximately 4,850 CAD, as per their childbirth fees. These costs can be avoided if you have proper health insurance, either through a private provider or Canada’s public Medicare system, so it’s crucial to arrange coverage before or upon arrival.

Bringing Your Pets to Canada

If you plan on bringing your pet, it will need proof of rabies vaccination or a health certificate to enter Canada. While a microchip isn’t mandatory, it’s highly recommended for identification. Some provinces and cities have rules that ban certain dog breeds from entry. For example, the American Staffordshire Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier breeds are not allowed into the province of Ontario, according to Pet Travel. Always check the specific rules for your destination before you travel.

Financial Checklist for Moving to Canada

Planning ahead is key to avoid unexpected costs when moving to Canada from the UK. Use this checklist to identify potential expenses and create a budget that covers everything before you relocate:

• Visa application and processing fees
• Travel costs to Canada
• Shipping or removal expenses for your belongings
• Temporary accommodation while you look for a permanent home
• Security deposit and advance rent payments
• Furniture and other household essentials
• Private health insurance for your initial period
• Pet transport costs
• Local transport costs, such as buying a car or public transport passes
• Costs for cancelling UK contracts and subscriptions
• Currency exchange and international transfer fees
• Emergency savings for unforeseen circumstances

It’s crucial to settle your finances and ensure your phone number still works for any important calls. Planning ahead with a detailed moving abroad checklist can help you manage all these steps effectively.

Retiring in Canada from UK: Your Options

Let’s look at the best visa options for retiring in Canada from UK. Many of Canada’s visa programs are designed for people who can contribute to the country’s economy, which unfortunately doesn’t directly include most retirees. However, there are specific options for those who wish to spend their later years in Canada.

You can apply for permanent residency through:

• Family sponsorship
• The Super Visa
• A work-related program (if you are not yet fully retired)

A Super Visa allows UK citizens who have children or grandchildren in Canada to visit them for up to 5 years at a time, as explained by Canada.ca. If you are not yet retired and possess skills that are in demand, you could also apply for one of Canada’s work-related visa or permit programs and use that route to settle in the country.

Transfer UK Pension to Canada

If you retire in Canada, you can still claim your UK state pension there. You have the option to have it paid into a UK bank account or directly into a Canadian bank account, in which case you will receive it in Canadian dollars. You can also choose how often you get paid, with options ranging from every 4 to 13 weeks. For the most current information and to arrange your payments, you should contact the International Pension Centre.

Your Moving to Canada from the UK Checklist

To help make your move as smooth as possible, here’s a final checklist of the most important steps for moving to Canada from the UK:

• Research visa options, gather all your necessary documents, and apply for the correct visa.
• Find somewhere to live before or shortly after your arrival.
• Find a job by applying for your Social Insurance Number and exploring job websites.
• Get quotes for shipping your belongings to Canada.
• Start researching Canadian banks and prepare to open an account.
• Get your private healthcare insurance coverage sorted for your initial months.
• Tell HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) that you are leaving the UK to sort out your tax situation.
• Book your flight to Canada.

Related reading

• Cost of Living in Canada: An Expat’s Financial Guide