Moving to Canada from the UK

Cost of moving to Canada from the UK

Regardless of the cost it will take 9-12 days for your belongings to arrive.

Cost of moving from London to Toronto:

* The rates shown above are just estimates. Costs will vary depending on your actual point of departure and service rates of the company.

Best removal companies: UK to Canada

Sirelo Top Mover

9.6261 reviews

Cos Freight

Luton

We aim to take the hassle out of moving, whether it is the home or the office.

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Sirelo Top Mover

9.5570 reviews

Total Moving Solutions

Walsall

Total Moving Solutions offer clients a full move management service and with a combined team…

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Sirelo Top Mover

9.5371 reviews

JCL Transport Group

Folkestone

JCL Transport Group - Moving You Forward, Wherever You Go.

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Sirelo Top Mover

8.9255 reviews

Traslo Service

London

Traslo Service provides professional removal services; known in the industry as the Italian moving…

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Sirelo Top Mover

8.8121 reviews

Bournes Moves

Rye

Bournes has been helping people move home since 1875.

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Request free removal quotes

To find an international removal company to Canada as easily as possible, just fill in the form and get up to 5 free removal quotes today to start your move to Canada.

Visa requirements for Canada

Regardless of the pathway or situation you’re in, all Brits must follow the general Canadian requirements to emigrate:

• Valid passport
• Language test results demonstrating proficiency in English or French
• Evidence of your education qualifications
• Police clearance as you have no criminal records
• Proof of financial means to support yourself

Remember that the procedure and requirements can differ depending on the visa you’re applying for.

Visa types and pathways to Canada

To enter Canada as a British citizen, there are three main avenues to do so:

1. Express Entry System: Ideal for skilled workers, this system evaluates candidates based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language skills.
2. Family Sponsorship: If you have family in Canada, they may be able to sponsor your move.
3. Business Immigration: This could be a viable option for those looking to start a business in Canada.

How to move to Canada permanently

1. Express Entry – You may be eligible for one of their three programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program: You have foreign experience, language proficiency, and education.
• Canadian Experience Class: You have at least 1 year of work experience in Canada.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: Experienced tradespeople with a job offer or qualification certificate.

2. Provincial Nominee Program(PNP): Applying directly for a province, you may be selected depending on your education, skills, and work experience.

Jobs in Canada

The Canadian job market is diverse, with opportunities varying by region. Key industries include Agriculture, Technology, Services, Energy, and Manufacturing.

The best places to look for jobs in Canada are often online:

• Job Bank
• Monster
• SimplyHired
• Linkedin
• Indeed

Working requirements

Before applying for jobs, ensure you’re eligible for a work visa. The process is straightforward, but having relevant work experience, language proficiency, and educational credentials are the three main factors you must meet.

Find all the information about immigration for skilled workers on the government page on Immigrate through Express Entry.

Income tax rate in Canada

The income tax rate in Canada ranges from 15% to 33% and the exact rates vary across provinces. You can find the details of province rates on the government website.

You can find all information on the tax treaties between Canada and the UK on the British government site.

Cost of living in Canada vs the UK

However, expenses such as healthcare or leisure can be cheaper than in the UK. In the following table you’ll find a comparison of both countries:

Source: Cost of Living Comparison Between the United Kingdom and Canada, Numbeo

Living in Canada

From managing expenses to understanding cultural nuances you’ll want to be prepared for your new experience in Canada.

Health insurance in Canada

Canadian citizens and permanent residents are entitled to public healthcare. Around 70 percent of the healthcare system is free, the rest you have to pay a fee.

For foreigners, the best choice is often getting international healthcare. Private healthcare in Canada is more effective and less crowded, making in a more reliable options for expats.

Education system in Canada

The education in Canada is slightly different from the UK. It’s divided into primary and secondary education and the curriculum and graduation requirements can differ in each province.

How does it work? We’ll briefly explain to you in the table below:

Education in Canada vs the UK: equivalents

• Primary and secondary education have a similar structure. However, Canada uses a grade system (K to 12) while the UK uses key stages (1 to 4).
• Curriculum: Canada focuses on bilingual education and multicultural. The UK is more national-oriented and prepares for GCSEs and A-levels.
• Undergraduate programs in Canada typically last 4 years, while British universities offer 3-year programs.

Canadian culture: 7 Facts

• Mountainous tap water often tastes like bottled water and is free in most cities.
• Temperatures can extremely fluctuate from -25°C to 35°C
• Officially bilingual, French and English are spoken frequently.
• Ice Hockey is the national sport and obsession of the Canadians.
• They have a strong respect for nature.
• Hiking, snowboarding, skiing, and many outdoor activities are popular year-round.
• The coffee chain Tim Hortons, known for Timbits (bite-sized donut holes), is a cultural icon.

Pros and cons of living in Canada

Relocating to Canada

Relocating to Canada from the UK is an exciting journey and once you know what city you want to live in the process will kick off easily.

Best cities to live in Canada

• Vancouver, BC
• Toronto, ON
• Victoria, BC
• Calgary, AB
• Hamilton-Burlington, ON

Moving to Canada with a family

As a British family moving to Canada, all the members will need an entry visa. Your spouse, common-law partner, or children can be processed as your dependents.

Upon your arrival, arrange all the logistics around schooling, healthcare, and housing. Your children must be registered in a Canadian school and carry all the study permits necessary. Ensure to apply for provincial health insurance and secure permanent or temporary housing.

Moving to Canada with your pets

We know how important furry friends are. To make sure you don’t have to leave them behind, take note. When moving to Canada from the UK with a cat or dog you need:

• Valid Rabies Vaccination Certificate
• Veterinary Certificate

To learn more about the specific criteria for other pets, check out the Canadian Government’s page on import requirements.

Moving to Canada: full checklist

• Gather all important documents – Passport, Visa and Work Permits, Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Medical Documentation (including dental and immunizations), University Degree(s), and Police Background Check.
• Find a Removal Company – Research international moving companies that cover your move from the UK to Canada. Compare their prices, reputation, and services. Find the best UK international moving companies here.
• Packing Your Belongings – Be selective with what you bring with you to Canada as the more you bring the higher the costs will be.
• Finding Healthcare Insurance – The Canadian equivalent to the NHS is Medicare. Apply for a national healthcare card upon arrival.
• Arrange Taxes – You must inform HMRC when you move abroad. Apply for a social insurance number through the Canadian government as it’s necessary to work and pay taxes.
• Open a Canadian Bank Account – Some renowned banks are CIBC, Scotiabank, BMO, and National Bank of Canada.

Shipping a car from Canada to the UK

In general, cars sold in countries other than the United States and Mexico cannot be imported to Canada, so it’s unlikely you’ll be able to bring your car. However, there are some exceptions which are listed below:

• It is 15 years or older
• The vehicle is a bus manufactured before January 1, 1971
• The car is non-regulated
• The vehicle is bought new from the manufacturer and meets all Canadian standards, the manufacturer must provide proof to the Canadian government

How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Canada?

Driving license in Canada

You can use your UK driver’s license for the first 6 months, but you’ll need to exchange it for a regional license to keep driving.

For more information check out the Canadian government’s page on driving.

Ready for your move to Canada?

We hope our advice on removals to Canada and how to move to Canada has made you an expert on the whole process. If you’re still curious check out the links below and the FAQs section. Good Luck with your move to Canada.