Moving to Canada from Dubai and The UAE

If you are considering making the move from Dubai and The UAE to Canada, this guide will tell you everything you need to know – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick Canada Facts:

Population: 38.25 million (2021 estimate)
Official Language: English (de facto) spoken by 75% of the population, with French being the second-most spoken language at 21%
GDP Per Capita: $55,021 USD (2022 estimate)
Random Fact: Canada has six different time zones due to the sheer size of the country
Currency: Canadian Dollar ($ CAD). As of early 2024, $1 CAD = $0.72, $1 CAD = £0.58, $1 CAD = €0.67, $1 CAD = $1 AUD 1.11

Sections

1. Moving Costs to Canada from Dubai and The UAE

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from various ports around the UAE and shipping it to different cities in Switzerland:

UAE Port	Canadian City	20-foot Container	40-foot Container
Abu Dhabi	Calgary	$7,000 - $7,500	$12,000 - $13,000
	Edmonton	$7,100 - $7,600	$12,200 - $13,200
	Montreal	$6,200 - $6,700	$10,800 - $11,800
	Toronto	$6,300 - $6,800	$11,000 - $12,000
	Vancouver	$6,600 - $7,100	$11,400 - $12,400
Ajman	Calgary	$7,000 - $7,500	$12,100 - $13,100
	Edmonton	$7,100 - $7,600	$12,300 - $13,300
	Montreal	$6,200 - $6,700	$10,900 - $11,900
	Toronto	$6,300 - $6,800	$11,100 - $12,100
	Vancouver	$6,600 - $7,100	$11,500 - $12,500
Dubai	Calgary	$6,900 - $7,400	$11,900 - $12,900
	Edmonton	$7,000 - $7,500	$12,100 - $13,100
	Montreal	$6,100 - $6,600	$10,700 - $11,700
	Toronto	$6,200 - $6,700	$10,900 - $11,900
	Vancouver	$6,500 - $7,000	$11,300 - $12,300
Fujairah	Calgary	$7,200 - $7,700	$12,200 - $13,200
	Edmonton	$7,300 - $7,800	$12,400 - $13,400
	Montreal	$6,400 - $6,900	$11,000 - $12,000
	Toronto	$6,500 - $7,000	$11,200 - $12,200
	Vancouver	$6,800 - $7,300	$11,600 - $12,600
Sharjah	Calgary	$7,100 - $7,600	$12,100 - $13,100
	Edmonton	$7,200 - $7,700	$12,300 - $13,300
	Montreal	$6,300 - $6,800	$10,900 - $11,900
	Toronto	$6,400 - $6,900	$11,100 - $12,100
Sharjah	Vancouver	$6,700 - $7,200	$11,500 - $12,500
Ras al-Khaimah	Calgary	$7,300 - $7,800	$12,400 - $13,400
	Edmonton	$7,400 - $7,900	$12,600 - $13,600
	Montreal	$6,500 - $7,000	$11,200 - $12,200
	Toronto	$6,600 - $7,100	$11,400 - $12,400
	Vancouver	$6,900 - $7,400	$11,700 - $12,700
Umm Al Quwain	Calgary	$7,200 - $7,700	$12,300 - $13,300
	Edmonton	$7,300 - $7,800	$12,500 - $13,500
	Montreal	$6,400 - $6,900	$11,100 - $12,100
	Toronto	$6,500 - $7,000	$11,300 - $12,300
	Vancouver	$6,800 - $7,300	$11,600 - $12,600

All figures are in Canadian dollars;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (June 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, iContainers, or SeaRates;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to Canada from Dubai and The UAE?

Let’s take a look at some sample flight times and costs to give you an idea of move time to Canada’s main airport, Toronto Pearson International, as well as Vancouver and Montreal, from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Dubai to Toronto Pearson International – 17 hours, 49 minutes – 3,330 AED
Abu Dhabi to Toronto Pearson International – 18 hours, 20 minutes – 4,060 AED
Dubai to Vancouver – 22 hours, 55 minutes – 5,377 AED
Abu Dhabi to Vancouver – 19 hours, 45 minutes – 7,679 AED
Dubai to Montreal – 19 hours, 25 minutes – 4,754 AED
Abu Dhabi to Montreal – 17 hours, 40 minutes – 6,837 AED

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to Canada from Dubai and The UAE

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements, which we will cover in the next section. One common route is via Express Entry – this is an application process for ‘skilled immigrants’ who want to settle in Canada permanently.

There are strict customs rules, and you must declare any goods that may be deemed as prohibited or subject to tax or duty. For more information on this, and on any banned substances, take a look at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

You’ll need to show proof of address when you arrive, and also prove that you have enough money to sustain yourself for the duration of your visit, however long or short that may be. It’s important that you’re clued up on up-to-date information regarding emergencies, local laws and customs to ensure you have a smooth transition from country to country.

At the time of writing, there are no COVID-19 travel restrictions, although these can change at short notice so it’s best to check at your exact time of travel.

4. Visa Requirements to Canada from Dubai and The UAE

To enter Canada from Dubai and The UAE you will need a valid passport at the time of entry, with at least one blank page, as well as a valid visa that is suitable for your visiting purpose.

Most visitors will need a visitor visa (or temporary resident visa), which can allow you entry into Canada for the purpose of visiting friends, and family, or for tourism or business purposes. To get this, you will need to supply:

Proof of your valid passport
Proof of funds sufficient for the length of your stay
Itinerary for your duration
Letter of invitation (if travelling for work purposes)
Biometric appointments may also be necessary

If you already have a Canadian visa or are a permanent resident, you only need to apply for eTA (electronic travel authorisation). This is only valid for a short period of time, of up to five years, and is suitable for those travelling to Canada by air.

Study permits are available for those wishing to further their education in Canada for a duration of six months or longer. This application will be completed through the Visa Application Centre (VAC), and will require:

An acceptance letter from a Canadian education institution
Proof of financial support or stability for the duration of the education period

For individuals wishing to conduct business in Canada, a work permit will be required. This will need:

A job offer from a Canadian employer
Information on the work and job
Duration of contract/stay
Canadian employers may need to have a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) produced

If you are unsure about the type of visa or permit you might need, Canada.ca has a handy tool to help you understand what type of documentation you need – take a look at the questionnaire here.

In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules. Take a look at Canada.ca for the most useful information.

5. Cost of Living Differences in Canada

While this article is covering Canada as a whole, house prices will vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in Toronto is 10% higher than that of Dubai, with rent being around 10.4% lower, while groceries are 50.8% higher than in Dubai.

Monthly Rental Prices in Canada:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: C$1,700+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: C$1,500+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: C$2,800+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: C$2,500+

Canada Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: C$9,200+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: C$6,600+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in Canada

One of the biggest differences between Canada and Dubai and The UAE is the taxation status. In The UAE, there is no personal income tax, whereas Canada has a progressive tax system which increases as your income does.

At the time of writing, the current tax rates in Canada are:

15% on the first $50,197 CAD
20.5% on taxable income between $50,197 CAD to $100,392 CAD
26% on taxable income between $100,392 CAD to $155,625 CAD
29% on taxable income between $155,625 CAD to $221,708 CAD
33% on taxable income over $221,708 CAD

Tax rates vary depending on the exact territory you occupy, with each province having different tax brackets. Taxes need to be filed to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) by April 30th, or June 15th if self-employed, and Canadian employers will withhold taxes from pay cheques to pay the CRA directly.

For the most up-to-date information, it’s best to consult a tax authority in Canada to get clued up on everything you need to know if you’re planning on living and working in Canada, and what that means for you concerning taxation.

7. Working Rules in Canada

You will likely need a work permit to work in Canada. These can range from:

An employer-specific work permit
An open work permit

The former covers a specific employer you can work for, how long you can work for, and where this work is carried out. The latter allows you to work for any employer in Canada, give or take a few restrictions, such as employers who are non-compliant – these are outlined on the Canada.ca website.

Canada.ca also has a handy tool to help you understand what type of work permit you may need for any work you carry out in Canada, which can be accessed here.

The average work week in Canada is around 40 hours spread across five days, typically Monday to Friday. Public holiday entitlements vary depending on the jurisdiction you are working in, with each province having slightly different regulations.

Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to have your visa ironed out before entering the country to ensure a smooth transition. It’s also important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes so that you are completely clued up on your rights.

8. Healthcare in Canada

Canada has a publicly funded healthcare system, named Medicare. This means that Canadian residents can access medical aid when deemed ‘medically necessary’ for both hospital and physician services.

The federal government of Canada is responsible for ensuring that national standards for healthcare are continually met, as well as providing funding support for both provincial and territorial healthcare services.

For any health care insurance plans taken out, they must comply with the standards as outlined in the Canada Health Act. This covers topics from accessibility to portability of cover and the level of comprehensiveness involved in the plan.

Before you travel to Canada, you must look into their healthcare system to be fully informed in the event of an accident or medical emergency.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in Canada

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you need to move to Canada with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

To move your pet from Dubai and The UAE to Canada, you will likely need to ensure that your pet is:

Microchipped
Vaccinated against rabies, at least 21 days before the date of entry, and tapeworm for dogs (a rabies antibody titration test (RATT) may be required to show this has been administered successfully)
Issued with a ‘health certificate’ from a veterinarian to state that the pet is fit to travel

You may also need an import permit, but the need for this varies on your exact animal type. More information can be found at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Additionally, there may be extra restrictions for specific states or provinces, so it’s best to check on a local level if your pet is permitted entry before attempting to travel with them.

10. Similar Cities

Dubai and Toronto can be compared due to their vibrant, multicultural cities. Both areas are cosmopolitan, known for being economic hubs in their own rights, driven by finance and technology.

Both areas have a high cost of living, with housing being the highest expense. Dubai is renowned for its luxury shopping areas, and has zero personal income tax – in stark contrast to Canada.

The climates in both areas differ – Dubai has a hot desert climate, whereas Toronto has a more continental climate with warm summers and cooler winter periods.

In terms of cost of living, Toronto sees higher restaurant and grocery prices (7.4% and 50.8% respectively), while the rent is slightly cheaper (10.4%) when compared to Dubai.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to Canada from Dubai and The UAE

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from Dubai and The UAE to Canada, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving to Canada from Dubai and The UAE	Disadvantages of Moving to Canada from Dubai and The UAE
Quality of Life: Canada is known for scenic, beautiful landscapes, adding to the overall happiness experienced in the country	Tax: Canadian citizens need to pay personal income tax, a big difference when compared with The UAE where there is zero personal income tax
Strong Economy: Canada's economy is healthy, benefitting from a strong tourism trade as well as in the finance and technology industries	Climate: Canada's cold winters can be a shock to the system for those used to The UAE's desert conditons
Multicultural Society: Canada's population is diverse, welcoming those from all walks of life	Distance from Home: It's a long flight to and from Canada and The UAE, which can add to feelings of homesickness

Whatever you decide, you must understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to visit the Canadian Government website for all the information you need.