Moving to Canada From The UK

Moving to Canada from the UK can be a culture shock – and a size shock – with at least 40 United Kingdoms being able to fit inside the country of Canada! Upping sticks to a new climate, time zone and landscape can be daunting – but there are ways to make the move much smoother.

If you are considering making the move from the United Kingdom 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) is spoken by 75% of the population, with French being the second-most spoken language at 21%
GDP Per Capita: $51,987 USD (2021 estimate)
Random Fact: Canada has six different time zones due to the sheer size of the country
Currency: Canadian Dollar ($ CAD). As of late 2023, $1 CAD = $0.72, $1 CAD = £0.58, $1 CAD = €0.67, $1 CAD = $1 AUD 0.90

Sections

1. Moving Costs to Canada from the UK

The table below shows a sample moving costs of a 1-2 bed flat to Canada from the UK assuming you use container shipping. Larger and/or faster moves are likely to cost more as are those at peak times.

	London	Manchester	Birmingham	Liverpool
From / To
Toronto	£2240.00	£2360.00	£2296.00	£2320.00
Vancouver	£2320.00	£2440.00	£2376.00	£2400.00
Montreal	£2280.00	£2400.00	£2336.00	£2360.00
Calgary	£2224.00	£2344.00	£2280.00	£2304.00

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to Canada from the United Kingdom?

Let’s take a look at some common capital locations in both Canada and the United Kingdom to give you an idea of flight time from place to place, looking at areas in the west and east of Canada.

London Heathrow to Montreal – 6 hours, 56 minutes – £450
London Heathrow to Vancouver – 9 hours, 53 minutes – £480
London Gatwick to Montreal – 6 hours, 59 minutes – £455
London Gatwick to Vancouver – 9 hours, 56 minutes – £440
Edinburgh to Montreal – 6 hours, 30 minutes – £430
Edinburgh to Vancouver – 9 hours, 14 minutes – £505

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 the UK

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. For Canada in particular, you will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to enter the country, or a visa – it’s unlikely that you will need both.

It’s important that – wherever you travel to – 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.

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.

4. Visa Requirements to Canada from the UK

Alongside a valid passport, Gov.uk states that you will need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to gain entry to Canada from the UK.

For short visits of 6 months and under, an eTA will be required, and not a visa. There are exemptions for those getting to Canada by land or sea – including driving, bus, train or boat.

If you are looking for a permanent residence, or are travelling with a work permit, you will most likely need to provide fingerprints and photos at the point of application.

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 individual 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 obviously 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 Canada is 5.1% higher than that of the United Kingdom, with rent being around 8.7% higher.

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

There is a tax treaty in place between Canada and the United Kingdom to avoid double taxation on any income. The tax you will be required to pay will differ depending on if you are classed as a citizen of Canada or the UK.

As there is a treaty in place between the two countries, you will not be taxed on your worldwide income – which would mean that your income streams would be taxed twice by both countries – instead, you would pay your tax at the source of income.

For full information, take a look at the Gov.uk page on Canada’s tax treaties.

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 non-compliant employers – 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.

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

The regulations surrounding bringing domestic cats and dogs into Canada from the UK are fairly straightforward. As the UK is rabies-free, it is usually a painless process for both owner and pet.

You will need to ensure that:

Your pet has a microchip fitted
Your pet has a valid rabies vaccination record
Your pet has a health certificate which has been issued within 5 days of your flight

At the moment, there is no quarantine period for dogs or cats entering Canada from the UK, but as always it’s best to keep up-to-date with the latest information for any changes to the regulations and rules.

10. Similar Cities

If we want to compare cities, a good like-for-like pairing would be between Canada’s Toronto and the UK’s London as metropolitan, active cities.

Consumer prices are 13.9% lower in Toronto as opposed to London, and rent in Toronto is around 30.6% lower than what you’ll find in London. However, groceries are 9.3% more expensive than in London, with local purchasing power being 4.7% higher in Toronto than in London.

It’s typically more expensive to live in London than it is in Toronto, with the average 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costing £2,300+ in London versus Toronto’s £1,500+. Salaries are typically higher in London to compensate for this, though, which is why consumer prices in Toronto are lower than in London.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to Canada from the United Kingdom

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 the UK to Canada, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving from the UK to Canada	Disadvantages of Moving from the UK to Canada
Scenic beauty - Canada is famed for its diverse landscapes and breathtaking vistas, spanning lakes, mountains and forests	Vast size - while travel in the UK may be possible in the same day, getting from one side of Canada to the other will take a considerable amount of time - and money!
Quality of life - Canada has a high quality of life rating, comprising the healthcare, safety and education systems	Distance from friends and family - perhaps an obvious point, but if your relatives are in the UK, it'll be a big trip to go back and forth if needed
Outdoor activities - due to the varied landscapes, Canada has plenty of outdoor activities on offer	Climate differences - depending on the area of Canada, you may experience harsh winters and heavy snowfall which you may not be accustomed to

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