Manuel Garrido Canada’s stable economy, growing start-up ecosystem, and extensive healthcare coverage make it a popular immigration destination for British people. Canada has the same language, culture, and similar weather as the UK. Moving to Canada from UK provides many job opportunities.
Canada’s immigration programs have a comprehensive ranking system, which attracts skilled workers from different industries, such as tech, healthcare, and real estate. UK citizens can apply for work permits, paving the way for Canadian permanent residency.
Navigating the Canadian immigration programs can be time-consuming, but we can help. This guide offers professional advice for British citizens on how to immigrate to Canada. It provides a detailed analysis of work permits and business immigration programs.
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Moving to Canada from UK – Quick Overview
Canada creates the perfect setting to start a new life. It has a stable job market, welcoming immigration policies, quality education, and affordable health insurance. There is a large community of British expats in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.
British citizens are moving to Canada often to gain permanent residency (PR) for long-term use. A permanent resident status allows UK citizens to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada without being a Canadian citizen.
Canada permanent residency can be obtained through various immigration programs, such as Express Entry, Startup Visa, Business Immigration, Atlantic Immigration, and Provincial Nominee programs. Canada and the UK are part of the Commonwealth and share a similar political structure, history, and cultural influence, even though they are independent nations.
Category | Details |
Currency | Canadian dollar (CAD) |
Official languages | English and French |
Population | 40.1 million |
British expat population | Over 530,000 |
Most popular destinations for British expats | Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, and Nova Scotia |
Cultural similarities | High—both countries share Commonwealth ties |
Benefits of Moving to Canada from UK
Moving from UK to Canada can have many advantages, such as:
- Work opportunities: Canada has many available jobs for skilled workers across different fields. The industries with a high demand for UK citizens are the tech industry, retail skilled trades, medical, business management, and real estate.
- Educational system: Canada’s education system is renowned for its high academic standards. It has one of the most well-funded public schools.
- Cultural diversity: The Canadian government provides many Canadian immigration programs. This increases diversity and creates a top destination for skilled workers.
- High quality of life: Canada is a good place to start a new life. It offers career growth, high living standards, work-life balance, and extensive health insurance.
- Ability to bring family members: Successful applicants may be able to sponsor family members to move to Canada.
- Stable political environment: Canada offers political stability across various provinces.
- Ease of travel: British citizens with work permits or Canadian permanent residence can easily travel in and out of the country.
- Social benefits: Canadian permanent residence provides many social service benefits such as family support programs, lower education costs, and public assistance for childcare.
- Path to citizenship: A permanent resident (PR) can become a Canadian citizen. British citizens can receive Canadian citizenship through three main pathways: citizenship by birth, descent, or naturalization.
- Potential for dual citizenship: The United Kingdom recognizes a dual nationality with Canada. Brits can hold dual citizenship Canada without losing their British citizenship.
How to move to Canada from the UK?
British citizens can move to Canada in four different ways. These include work visas, study permits, business immigration programs, or family sponsorship. Here is a quick look at each process of moving to Canada from UK.
Work visa
The work visa Canada, also known as a work permit, is a legal document that allows UK citizens to work in Canada. Foreigners can choose between two main visa options, such as the employer-specific work visas or open work permits.
The work visa is a temporary document for short-term use. Brits need a valid job offer from a Canadian employer to obtain this Canadian visa. The most popular skilled worker programs for UK citizens are:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP)
The Canadian government uses the Express Entry online system to manage applicants for various skilled worker immigration programs, such as the FSWP, FSTP, and CEC.
Study permit
To move to Canada from the UK, international students can apply for a study visa. Successful applicants receive an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada, like a college or university. Study permits last for the duration of the courses plus one year.
Business immigration programs
Canada doesn’t provide direct citizenship by investment, as some other countries do. However, the government offers various programs for immigration that can lead to permanent residency and, potentially, Canadian citizenship.
To become a Canadian citizen, a British national must first become a permanent resident, which offers long-term benefits. The Canadian government website offers various immigration pathways through investment, each with different processing times.
The main routes for business immigration Canada include:
- The Start-Up Visa program – for British entrepreneurs with enough settlement funds to start a business and live in Canada.
- The Self–employed persons program – for Brits with particular talents, such as artists, athletes, experts in agriculture, etc.
- Québec Immigration Investor Program – for high-net-worth individuals who want to earn a passive income and settle in Québec.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) – for UK citizens who want to migrate to a specific province or territory.
Business immigration programs are constantly evolving. It’s important to keep up with Canadian citizenship by investment changes and see if you are eligible for immigration applications or applying for permanent residence.
Family sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their family members to move to Canada. The sponsors must have enough money to support themselves and their dependent children, common-law partners, or spouses.
Requirements for Moving to Canada from the UK
The general requirements for UK nationals to move to Canada may include:
Valid passport- Valid visa or permit
- Proof of funds
- Medical insurance
- Police certificate
- Medical exam
- Proof of immigration program eligibility (e.g., Express Entry, Provincial Nominee, work permit, etc.)
- Language proficiency test
- Other supporting documents (e.g., proof of relationship, a letter from a job offer, labor market assessment, etc.)
Valid passportCost of Living in Canada Versus UK
Living in the UK is slightly more expensive than living in Canada, especially considering the cost of rent and eating out. Cities in the United Kingdom, like London, Cambridge, and Brighton, are some of the most expensive places to rent.
Canada’s small towns and rural areas tend to have low housing and rent prices. They also offer plenty of employment opportunities and a lower cost of living. The cost of moving to Canada from UK can vary between CAD$ 18,500 to $37,000, depending on the visa type, immigration program, or accommodation.
Average cost of living in Canada (in Canadian dollars) | |
Apartment (1 bedroom) in city center | $1,841.72 |
Apartment (1 bedroom) outside of center | $1,643.93 |
Average monthly net salary (after tax) | $3,929.77 |
Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $25 |
One-way ticket (local transport) | $3.50 |
Utilities monthly cost (water, garbage, electricity) | $205.79 |
Where do Brits like to move to Canada?
Big cities like Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto offer a massive job market with potential career growth. Brits who prefer to invest in business immigration programs, like the Start-Up Visa, often choose major cities to open a business. A Canada Startup Visa lawyer can help streamline the immigration process and collect the necessary documents.
Provinces like Québec are also popular with Brits who have high French proficiency. Québec has an excellent capacity for innovation, especially in high-tech industries. Québec also offers the only passive investment-based immigration program.
However, skilled workers who prefer a more affordable location can start their Canadian adventure in places like Newfoundland and New Brunswick.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Canada from UK
Wondering “is it worth moving to Canada from UK”? Look at the pros and cons below so you can decide for yourself.
Pros
- Good work-life balance
- High quality of life
- Strong job market
- Quality education system
- Multicultural society
Cons
- Colder winters
- Big time zone difference
- Long flights from the UK to Canada
Frequently Asked Questions about moving to Canada from UK
How can UK citizen move to Canada?
To relocate to Canada from the UK, you can apply for a work visa, student visa, business immigration program, or working holiday visas, and receive sponsorship from a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Pathways like Express Entry are popular for skilled workers.
Can Brits move to Canada by buying property?
You don’t automatically receive permanent residency if you purchase a property in Canada. To live and work in the country, you must apply through different routes, such as getting a work, study, or business visa.
Can I move to Canada as a student and get work experience?
Absolutely! Canada offers an International Co-op (Internship) stream under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. Successful applications allow students to gain valuable work experience in their field of study.
Do you need a Canadian bank account to move to Canada?
You don’t need to set up a Canadian bank account before moving. But you will need one after you arrive. Setting up a bank account in Canada can help you build credit, rent a home, make daily payments, send money, and avoid foreign transaction fees.
How long can I stay in Canada on a temporary work permit?
There is no set time limit for how long Brits can work in Canada as temporary workers. But the work permit usually lasts up to two years. You can also extend the work permit before it expires if you want to continue working in the country.
How often can I send money from Canada to the UK?
You can send money as often as you like. Choose any preferred service and pay attention to the fees and exchange rates.
