There are over 500,000 British expats living in Canada, the world’s second-largest country. Drawn to a shared language, universal healthcare and a better way of life, it’s easy to see why thousands emigrate to Canada each year.
Moving to Canada from UK destinations is on the rise, and it’s one of our most in-demand locations to emigrate to. Read on to find everything you need to know about your removals to Canada, including getting the right visa, the average salary and moving your pet.
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Can I Just Move to Canada from the UK?
Despite being a popular country to emigrate to with one of the highest per capita immigration rates in the world, Canada does have a challenging immigration process.
You can move to Canada from the UK permanently with the right visa. You’lll have to get accepted for a visa that allows you to live and work in the country for longer than 6 months.
We recommend sending your applications as early as possible to avoid any delays.
Types of Canadian Visas
If you are visiting Canada for up to 6 months, you’ll only need the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTa). The eTA is digitally linked to your passport, so if you get a new passport you will also need to reapply for your eTA. To apply for an eTa, you’ll need; a valid passport, an e-mail address, a valid credit or debit card and payment of CA$7. Once approved, your eTA is valid for up to 5 years.
If you are moving to Canada to live and work longer than 6 months, you can apply for the following visas:
- Work Permit
- Study Permit
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Family Sponsorship
What documents do I need to apply for a visa?
You might need to provide further documents depending on the type of visa, but the following are typically required:
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
- Proof of employment
- Proof of income
- Relevant medical examination forms
Express Entry
A popular route for permanent residency in Canada is through the Federal Skilled Worker Program via an Express Entry profile.
The eligibility criteria for this visa is:
- Minimum of 1 year’s experience of full-time skilled work in a single occupation.
- Be proficient in either French or English
- Have completed education equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma
- Meet a minimum score of the Federal Skilled Worker Points Grid
You can create an Express Entry profile if you meet the eligibility and have a valid passport and your language proficiency test results. You then wait for an invitation to apply if successful and will be asked to complete a medical exam and provide security background checks.
Work and Salaries in Canada
The average monthly salary in Canada is $3,942.31 (£2,213.26). This is 7.9% lower than the UK’s average of £2,402.09. There is a demand for healthcare professionals as well as roles in the technology sector.
We’ve listed some popular jobs from the top sectors in Canada to compare salaries with the UK.
| Job | Canada Salary | UK Salary |
| Electrical engineer | $135,777 (£76,138.78) | £41,035 |
| Graphic Designer | $49,969 (£28,122) | £27,958 |
| Software Developer | $116,794 (£65,571) | £46,343 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $120,368 (£67,568) | £40,383 |
| Midwife | $94,648 (£53,116) | £41,334 |
| Accountant | $75,000 (£42,108) | £36,736 |
| Retail Manager | $53,988 (£30,297) | £29,479 |
| Chartered Surveyor | $84,406 (£50,644) | £42,535 |
| High School Teacher | $57,500 (£34,500) | £21,613 |
On average, you’ll pay approximately 3% more in income tax in Canada compared to the UK, but sales tax (VAT in the UK) is lower at between 5% and 17% depending on the province. Often the sales taxes are combined into a single Harmonised Sales Tax (HST).
Cost of Living in Canada
In 2024, the cost of living in Canada is 2.3% higher than in the UK. Restaurant prices in Canada are lower and so is the average salary. Below we compare the cost of living with everyday items in Canada to the United Kingdom.
| Item | Canada | UK |
| Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in city centre | $1,903.54 (£1,068.67) | £1,062.88 |
| Price per m2 to buy apartment in city centre | $9,778.47 (£5,489.75) | £5,004.01 |
| Monthly salary after tax | $3,942.31 (£2,213.26) | £2,398.78 |
| 3 course meal for 2 people, mid-range restaurant | $100 (£56.14) | £60 |
| 1 litre of milk | $2.95 (£1.66) | £1.24 |
| 1kg chicken fillets | $16.87 (£9.47) | £6.57 |
| Monthly travel pass | $104.90 (£58.89) | £70 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for 85m2 apartment | $207.78 (£116.65) | £248.30 |
| Monthly gym membership | $56.95 (£31.97) | £32.66 |
| Monthly private preschool | $1,128.79 (£633.72) | £1,265.43 |
Property Prices in Canada
Rental prices are 3.1% higher in Canada than in the UK, with the average city centre apartment costing $1,903.54 (£1,068.67). It’s $9,778.47 (£5,489.75) per square metre to buy a city centre apartment, which is 10% more expensive in Canada compared to the UK.
| Item | Canada | UK |
| Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in city centre | $2,237.76 (£1,155.15) | £1,062.88 |
| Monthly rent for 1-bedroom apartment outside of centre | $1,767.61 (£912.46) | £859.29 |
| Price per m2 to buy apartment in city centre | $10,940.35 (£5,647.51) | £5,004.01 |
| Price per m2 to buy apartment outside of city centre | $7,986.53 (£4,122.72) | £3,769.14 |
Where to Live in Canada
Below we’ve listed some popular destinations in Canada to help you decide where to live.
- Toronto – One of the most multicultural cities in the world, Toronto sits on Lake Ontario’s northwestern shore. English is primarily spoken in the city, making it a welcoming location for British expats. Property prices remain high due to demand and low supply.
- Vancouver – Famous for its breathtaking natural beauty, Vancouver lies on the west coast of Canada. Vancouver has a temperate maritime climate, but does suffer from more rainfall than other Canadian cities. House prices are high in Vancouver, higher than in Toronto.
- Montreal – Montreal has a lower cost of living compared to Vancouver and Toronto with the same offerings. The education and healthcare systems are excellent and the city boasts a rich culture. French is the main language, but English is still widely spoken.
- Ottawa – A bilingual city, Ottawa provides great access to nature and offers an excellent balanced lifestyle. House prices and living costs are more affordable than other Canadian cities, but still reasonably priced and are on the rise. As the capital of Canada, Ottawa is a political and cultural hub.
Lifestyle and Culture in Canada
Canada is a culturally rich country, home to a mix of cultures and languages. It’s known for its inclusive society and high quality of life. There is more of an importance placed on a work-life balance in Canada compared to the UK, which sees many workplaces offering flexible hours.
Offering beautiful scenery in the form of mountains, lakes and forests, outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking and fishing are popular in the country. The national winter sport is Ice Hockey, with the national summer sport being lacrosse, although soccer is becoming a lot more popular, especially with children. Baseball is also popular, but the Toronto Blue Jays are Canada’s only Major League Baseball team.
Education in Canada
One of the reasons people are emigrating to Canada is because of the high ranking education system. The literacy rate in Canada is 99% with 90% of residents aged 25 to 64 having at least a high school education.
Education in Canada is a high priority for the Government. It has a strong and well-funded system, which is managed provincially. This does mean though, that there are a few differences between the provinces such as the compulsory education age. It starts at 5 years old in most provinces and ends at 16, with Ontario and New Brunswick being 18.
International students may choose to study in either English or French, although they’re not required to be fluent in either to be allowed to study in Canada.
Private Schooling in Canada
There are also thousands of private schools across Canada, some religious-based. Both private and public schooling are at a high standard due to the level of Government funding.
Universities
Universities tend to rank higher in the UK than in Canada, although the cost of university education is lower in Canada compared to the UK. Courses usually run for 4 years instead of 3.
According to topuniversities.com, the best universities in Canada are the University of Toronto, McGill University and the University of British Columbia.
Healthcare in Canada
Canada’s healthcare system is very similar to the UK’s. The government uses tax income to provide essential medical services for free. This is known as Medicare. Again, as with education, this is managed provincially meaning that the standard of care, and the services you receive, can vary depending on where in Canada you live.
Once you are a permanent resident, you can apply for a public health insurance card, which you must show when you use public health care services. Even if you do not have a health card, all provinces will provide free emergency medical services, although this could depend on your immigration status.
What Isn’t Covered by Medicare?
There are limitations to the tax-funded Medicare in Canada, and the coverage can differ depending on the province in question. In general, items not covered by Medicare include prescription drugs, dental treatment and ambulance services. Private medical insurance is available and widely used by Canadians as a top-up to the cover given via the tax-funded Medicare system.
Retiring in Canada
If you have paid enough UK National Insurance, you should be able to still receive your state pension in Canada. Your pension will be “frozen” at the time you leave the country and you will not receive the inflation increase that UK residents are given.
For more details on receiving your UK state pension whilst living overseas, you can contact the International Pension Centre.
Government in Canada
One of the many things that the UK shares with Canada is our King, Canadian Head of State. Canada is a Constitutional Monarchy much like us, and they too have a Prime Minister who is generally the leader of the political party that holds the most seats in the House of Commons. Similarly to the UK, Canadians vote for the local Member of Parliament in a national election, and the 338 members of the House of Commons are elected for a maximum of four years.
The political parties currently represented in the House of Commons in Canada are the Liberal Party of Canada, Conservative Party of Canada, Bloc Quebecois (Quebec Nationalist Party), New Democratic Party, Green Party of Canada and People’s Party of Canada.
Driving in Canada
If you are planning to visit Canada on a temporary basis, you can drive on a UK licence for 3-6 months (depending on the province). You should also apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) that once issued is valid for one year.
If you are planning on moving to Canada as a permanent resident, you would need to apply for a Canadian driver’s licence. The process differs depending on the province but may include a written exam and up to 2 driving tests.
Driving Laws in Canada
It’s compulsory for seat belts to be worn, and if you get caught not wearing one there will be a fine. As with driving in the USA (and the majority of other countries around the world), you need to drive on the right-hand side of the road in Canada.
In some provinces, headlights are required to be switched on during the day and the night. Throughout most of Canada, turning right is permitted on a red light, unless a sign tells you otherwise.
Motorway limits differ and can be up to 120km/h or 75mph down to 90km/h (55 mph) depending on the province.
Shipping Your Car to Canada
If you’d prefer to ship your car or motorbike to Canada rather than buy one when you are there, you can do so as long as it meets the Canada Border Services Agency and Transport Canada regulations. It will need to be in excess of 15 years old and not of a “regulated class”.
Our sister company Autoshippers can safely and quickly ship your vehicle to Canada. They’ve been exporting cars and other vehicles to Canada for over 25 years.
Check out their Canada Car Shipping and Import Guide or for more information call 0800 389 0784 / +44 117 982 8123 to speak with one of their experienced team.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Canada From UK
Here we summarise the pros and cons of moving to Canada from the UK to help you make your decision.
Pros
- The public healthcare system – Canada has a government-funded public healthcare system. This shares many similarities with the NHS in the UK and gives you peace of mind that you’ll be in good hands in the event of any emergencies.
- The Canadian education system – Canada is ranked very highly for its education system, with many prestigious universities available.
- Strong employment market – There is high demand for a wide variety of jobs in Canada and there are many thriving industries that are looking for new skilled workers.
- Friendly people – Canada is known for its friendly culture. In combination with the low crime rate and high standard of education, it’s the perfect destination for families looking for a new life outside of the UK.
- Beautiful scenery – The Canadian scenery is breath-taking, so if you enjoy nature, stunning mountain ranges and picturesque lakes, Canada is the perfect place for you.
Cons
- Very cold weather during winter – Due to its position in the northern hemisphere, the winter months in Canada can be extremely cold. The temperature ranges from -30 during the winter to above 30 in the summertime.
- Expensive imported foods in the supermarkets – Generally, the cost of food in the UK is around 18-19% cheaper when compared to Canada.
- Challenging immigration process – The process of immigrating to Canada can be a challenging one, which may be a factor in deciding if it’s the right place for you.
- Minimal annual leave – On average, Canadians receive 10 paid vacation days a year, compared to the average of 28 days in the UK. These figures do vary across occupations.
Removals to Canada
Once you have found somewhere to live, have gone through the Visa applications and potentially found yourself gainful employment, your next step is your move. At 1st Move International, we have been safely and securely shipping furniture and personal belongings to Canada for over 25 years. Check out our international removals to Canada services for more information on how we can make your move a reality.
If you are moving to Canada, there are a few Customs matters to contend with, forms to fill out etc, but with our expert team guiding you through the steps, the process is very straightforward.
And, with our unique palletised removals we can use commercial consolidators with regular departures, meaning that your personal effects are securely shipped door to door, minimising delays and damages.
FAQs
How much does it cost to move to Canada from the UK?
In 2024, it’ll cost between £875 and £1,350 for a small move to Canada via shared container. You can expect to pay between £3,900 and £4,250 for a 3-bed house in a 20ft container. The cost of living in Canada is higher than the UK, so remember to factor that in for your move. To find out more about shipping costs to Canada, check out our removals to Canada page, where you can also get a free and tailored quote.
Is it cheaper to live in Canada or the UK?
It’s 2.4% more expensive to live in Canada than in the UK. For many people, the way of life, culture and natural beauty outweigh the slight increase in living costs.
Can I legally work in Canada as a UK citizen?
Yes, but you will need a work visa permit to work in Canada as a UK citizen. You’ll need to get a temporary work permit if you’re working for less than 6 months.
Can I take my pet to Canada?
As long as you meet the requirements, the answer is yes. As the UK is considered rabies-free, the requirements for flying your dog or cat to Canada are fairly simple. You’ll need to get your pet microchipped, a rabies vaccination and a health certificate issued within 5 days of the flight. Even without a vaccination, you can have DEFRA documentation to show that you are moving from the UK, being rabies-free. Some provinces have banned Staffordshire Bull Terriers and their crosses from entering or transiting, so check this in advance as well. For more information check out the Government of Canada guide on bringing your pet to Canada.
About 1st Move International
1st Move International are a specialist international moving and shipping company offering packing, shipping and insurance for shipping household goods and personal effects overseas. We have a global reach covering over 80 countries and 6500 worldwide destinations. You can get an international removals quote here or find more information on our international removals UK to Canada service here.
