Moving to CanadaMoving to Canada
Are you moving to Canada and looking for more information about your relocation? On this page you can find information about the prices of shipping belongings, moving pets as well as a checklist of valuable information. Below you will find an overview of the information we will discuss on Sirelo:
- Cost of Moving to Canada
- Visa
- Request a FREE Removal Quote
- Moving Tips
- Living Costs
- Housing in Canada
- Working in Canada
- Healthcare
- Education in Canada
Canada is known for having something to offer for everyone. Do you want access to the great outdoors? They’ve got it. A diverse, thriving city filled with unique cultures and cuisine? Take your pick!
Cost of Moving to Canada
Depending on where you will be living in Canada, the cost of shipping your furniture varies. However, there are four major ports in Canada, in the east and the west coast, so getting your items shipped isn’t too difficult. The cost also depends on the volume that you are taking with you, you can use our removal volume calculator to save time when requesting removal quotes.
The table below shows how much different sized households will cost for a move from London to Toronto on average and the timing when shipping to Canada by sea:
| Household size | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bed flat | 9 – 12 days | £5,877 – £6,075 |
| 3 bed house | 9 – 12 days | £6,888 – £7,192 |
| 5 bed house | 9- 12 days | £8,332 – £9,788 |
If you would like additional information about moving costs or the price of shipping a 20ft or 40ft container, visit our dedicated pages: International Moving Costs and Container Shipping Costs.
Visas
If you’re visiting Canada for a short period of time, you won’t need a visa. However, you will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you go.
You can apply for one on the Government of Canada website.
However, if you are moving to Canada permanently, you will need a visa. There are a number of permanent immigration visa’s that you can apply for, depending on the reason of your stay. These include:
- Federal skilled workers
- Provincial Nomination Program (PNP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Family Sponsorship
- Business Class
After you have received a permanent residency, you can live, work and go to school anywhere in Canada. You can also sponsor family members who may have not yet received their visa. After 3 years, you can apply for a Canadian Citizen.
For more information about Visas and Immigration when Moving to Canada, visit these pages on Government of Canada website.
Request a FREE Removal Quote
Are you interested in moving to Canada? If you are, fill out our quick and easy form to receive a FREE removal quote from up to five removal companies. It takes only a few minutes and could save you up to 40% on your move!
Moving Tips
Moving your pets to Canada
If you’re interested in bringing your pet with you, here is a list of requirements that are necessary in order to bring them to Canada:
- Original International Health Certificate issued by an Accredited Vet
- Original Rabies Vaccination Record
- Printed History of Pets Vet Records
- A print of Customs Clearance Form
- Copy of Owner’s Original Passport
- Visa or Work Permit copy
Pets can also be taken on the aircraft, depending on the size of the pet of course. But check with your aircraft carrier as they will have their own rules and requirements for taken pets on board.
For more information about transporting pets, you can take a look at the Government of Canada website.
Moving your car to Canada
Most cars that are sold in countries other than the United States cannot be imported into Canada. However, there are some special circumstances that allow you to bring certain vehicles into Canada. They are as followed:
- It is 15 years old or older
- The vehicle is a bus manufactured before January 1, 1971
- The car is non-regulated.
- The vehicle meets all Canadian standards
- The car is a returning Canadian specification vehicle
For more information about importing your vehicle to Canada, click here.
Living Costs in Canada
Compared to the UK and Europe in general, living in Canada’s largest cities is actually not as expensive. Canada’s two biggest cities: Toronto and Vancouver unsurprisingly have the highest costs of living. They are equally both expensive with rent in Vancouver being higher, while consumer prices are more in Toronto. Victoria is the third city with the highest cost of living.
If you’re considering living in more rural areas, the price of living will be much lower than the cities. Here are some figures to give you a rough idea of the costs per city:
| City | Quality of life | Purchasing power | Safety | Health care | Cost of living | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal | 70 | 68 | 74 | 70 | 50 | 34 |
| Toronto | 72 | 74 | 76 | 72 | 52 | 46 |
| City | Cappuccino price | 1L milk price | One dozen eggs price | Three room apartment rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal | £ 1,43 | £ 0,87 | £ 1,36 | £ 592,53 |
| Toronto | £ 2,06 | £ 1,33 | £ 1,86 | £ 1.319,00 |
Housing in Canada
Similarly to the UK, the price of houses fluctuate depending on where you move. The capital cities, for example, will be a lot costlier than a small rural village in the middle of nowhere. So, to give you a rough idea, the table below shows how much the rent of a two-bedroom apartment in different cities will cost.
| City | Average rent |
|---|---|
| Toronto | $2,520 |
| Vancouver | $3,200 |
| Burnaby | $2,150 |
| Montreal | $1,580 |
| Barrie | $1,610 |
| Kelowna | $1,600 |
| Ottawa | $1,340 |
| Quebec | $1,000 |
If you’re interested finding a real estate agent, reading this page on the 200 largest real estate brokers in Canada will be sure to help you.
Working in Canada
The Job Market:
The unemployment rate is at the moment the lowest it’s been in four decades (5.7%, 2018), which has resulted in high amounts of expats being able to find employment when moving over to Canada. If you are able to speak both French and English, you will find it considerably easier to get a job, especially in areas like Quebec. Employers will expect a high level of education more than anything.
The strongest industries range from financials, science and technology and energy. International trades are also major part of the Canadian economy.
However, there are also high paying careers that don’t require a degree. Certain professions offer on the job training to counteract for the work being so specialised.
Finding Jobs in Canada:
It can be hard to find jobs somewhere that it so far away from the UK. So, here is a list of some of the best job search websites:
You can find more information on our Working in Canada page.
Healthcare in Canada
Canada offers their citizens and permanent residents universal public health insurance, which covers low-cost access to doctors and health practitioners. Therefore, if you have a temporary residency, you are unfortunately not eligible for same benefits.
Medicare is like Canada’s version of the NHS, which can give you access to a range of basic health services. In order to receive Medicare, you can apply for a medical card online, at the Régie as well as local pharmacies and doctors’ offices.
For more information about healthcare in Canada, click here.
Education in Canada
Every province is responsible for creating its own curriculum and educational system. There are private schools on offer, however, most families choose the public schools.
Like we said previously, French is the mother tongue of around 7.2 million Canadians, which has resulted in both English and French schools being established. In most parts of Canada, students are able to earn their high school diploma at the end of grade 12, but only if they have accumulated enough credits.
The province of Quebec has a different school curriculum than the others. Students graduate high school at the age of 16, and instead then move onto two or three years of CEGEP.
For more information about the education in Canada, click here.
