International Removals: UK to Canada

International Removals: Moving UK to Canada

Moving from the UK to Canada as a permanent resident offers opportunities and challenges, shaped by Canada’s diverse culture, robust economy, and welcoming immigration policies. This guide provides a detailed roadmap for navigating this transition, ensuring you are well-prepared for your new life in Canada.

Immigration and Visas

The cornerstone of moving to Canada is obtaining permanent resident status, which grants the right to live, work, and study indefinitely. The primary pathways include:

Express Entry System: Managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), this online system handles applications for three federal economic programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): For skilled workers with significant foreign work experience and education.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For individuals with at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For skilled tradespeople in specific occupations.
- Eligibility is assessed through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores candidates based on factors like age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. Successful candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and must submit a complete application within 60 days. For details, visit Immigrate through Express Entry.
Family Sponsorship: Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor close relatives, including spouses, children, parents, and grandparents, to immigrate. The process involves filing an application with IRCC, with processing times varying by category.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): Each province and territory can nominate candidates who meet local economic or social needs, offering an alternative route for permanent residence. For example, Alberta’s Express Entry Stream targets candidates with in-demand skills.

Given the complexity, consulting IRCC resources or immigration experts is advisable, especially considering current processing times and policy changes.

Legal and Documentation

As a permanent resident, several legal and documentation steps are necessary to establish residency:

Social Insurance Number (SIN): Essential for employment, taxes, and government benefits, you can apply at a Service Canada office with your permanent resident card and proof of identity. The process is detailed at Social Insurance Number – Apply. Children 12 and older can apply, and parents can apply for younger children.
Driver’s License: Each province has its own requirements, typically involving a written knowledge test and a road test. For example, in Ontario, you must apply within 60 days of residency. Your UK license may be valid for a short period, but conversion or testing is usually required.
Health Insurance: Canada’s universal healthcare system, Medicare, covers permanent residents, but coverage starts after a waiting period that varies by province (e.g., three months in Ontario, none in Alberta). Apply through your province’s health plan. During the waiting period, consider private insurance for emergency coverage.
Tax Obligations: Permanent residents are considered residents for tax purposes and must file annual returns with the CRA, reporting worldwide income. Obtain a SIN for tax filing, and consult Benefits, credits, and taxes for newcomers for guidance, especially given the UK-Canada tax treaty for avoiding double taxation.
Permanent Resident Card (PR Card): Carry your PR card at all times, as it’s required for re-entry to Canada and proves your status. Renew it before expiry.

Housing and Cost of Living

Research suggests the cost of living in Canada is about 9% higher than in the UK, with significant regional variations. Major cities like Toronto and Vancouver are more expensive, while smaller cities and rural areas offer affordability.

Housing Options: Renting is advisable initially to explore areas, with options ranging from apartments to houses. Websites like Zillow Canada and Rentals.ca are useful. Buying requires understanding local real estate markets and mortgage options, with costs varying widely.
Cost Comparisons: Consumer prices including rent are higher in Canada, with groceries 26.9% more expensive. Housing in Toronto averages CAD 2,485 monthly for a three-bedroom apartment, compared to lower costs in smaller cities like Winnipeg.
Affordable Areas: Consider provinces like Manitoba or Atlantic Canada for lower living costs.

Healthcare

Canada’s universal healthcare system, funded by taxes, provides coverage for permanent residents, but specifics vary by province.

Eligibility and Coverage: Permanent residents qualify for provincial health insurance, with services like doctor visits and hospital care free at the point of use. However, medications and dental care often require private insurance.
Waiting Periods: Some provinces, like British Columbia and Manitoba, impose a three-month waiting period, while others, like Alberta, offer immediate coverage. Apply as soon as possible, and consider private insurance during the wait, see more here: Health insurance in Canada for New Immigrants.
Accessing Care: Obtain a health card from your province, and find a family doctor, which can be challenging due to wait times. Resources like Get Healthcare in Canada help locate providers.

Education

Canada’s education system is decentralized, with each province managing its own schools, offering free public education for children of permanent residents.

Structure: Typically, education includes kindergarten (ages 4-5, optional), elementary (ages 6-12, grades 1-6), middle school (ages 12-14, grades 7-8), and high school (ages 14-18, grades 9-12, varying by province). Quebec has a unique system with CEGEP post-secondary.
Enrolling Children: Contact local school boards with proof of residence, child’s birth certificate, and immunisation records. Permanent residents face no additional documentation.
Higher Education: Universities and colleges offer programs, with permanent residents paying domestic tuition rates, accessing scholarships, and benefiting from government subsidies.

Culture and Social Norms

Canada’s multicultural society, influenced by British, French, and Indigenous cultures, differs from the UK in several ways.

Social Interactions: Canadians are often more outwardly friendly, with a culture of politeness and small talk, contrasting with the UK’s reserved nature.
Language and Etiquette: English and French are official, with regional accents and vocabulary differences. Tipping is standard (15-20% in restaurants), unlike the UK, and multiculturalism is emphasised, with events celebrating diversity.
Adaptation Tips: Join local community groups, attend cultural festivals.

Employment and Finance

Finding employment is key to settling in, with permanent residents able to work anywhere in Canada without a work permit.

Job Search: Use platforms like Indeed Canada, LinkedIn, and Job Bank at Find a job in Canada as a newcomer. Tailor your CV to Canadian standards, emphasising skills and experience, and network through local events.
Tax System: File annual taxes with the CRA, reporting worldwide income. Obtain a SIN for tax purposes, and consult Taxes for non-residents and residents of Canada for details, especially given the UK-Canada tax treaty.
Banking: Open an account with major banks like RBC, TD, or Scotiabank, requiring your PR card, SIN, and proof of address.

Transportation

Canada’s vast geography means transportation options vary by region, with public transit robust in cities and driving common elsewhere.

Public Transportation: Major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have bus systems, subways, and rail. Buy tickets or passes, and use apps like Google Maps for planning.
Driving: Obtain a Canadian driver’s license, with processes varying by province. Your UK license may be valid for up to 90 days, but conversion or tests are required.

Safety and Crime

Canada is generally safe, with research suggesting low crime rates compared to global averages, though urban areas may have higher incidents.

Crime Rates: In 2023, Canada’s homicide rate was 1.94 per 100,000, lower than the US, with cities like Winnipeg having higher violent crime rates.
Safety Tips: Be aware of surroundings, especially in urban areas, avoid poorly lit areas, and do not display valuables. Community policing and public awareness initiatives enhance safety.

Settling In

Integrating into Canadian society involves building connections and engaging with the community.

Community Involvement: Join local clubs, volunteer at organisations, and attend events like farmers’ markets.
Settlement Services: Utilize government-funded services like settlement agencies, offering language classes, job search help, and community integration.
Building Connections: Get to know neighbors, participate in block parties, and explore local shops. It can take six months to feel part of the community, so patience is key.

This guide covers the essentials for moving from the UK to Canada, providing a foundation for a successful transition. For detailed, province-specific information, always refer to official government websites and seek professional advice where needed.

International Removals: Moving UK to Canada – Guide