Moving to Canada is a big decision, and everyone has different reasons for moving. Whether you’re planning on studying in Canada or want to experience the culture, many tips will help you prepare for your move. In this blog post, we’ll talk about how to get a Canadian visa, what it’s like living in Canada, and if it’s worth all of the trouble.
Canada has many incredible benefits, but it can also be different than what you are used to. To help you decide if moving is right for you and some great tips for moving to Canada, we’ve compiled tips from experts and people who have already made the journey themselves:
Tips for Moving to Canada:
#What to do before you move?
Before you start packing, make sure to read the tips on Canadian culture for tips on how to do things right. It can be hard to navigate customs and other unfamiliar cultural aspects, so it’s best to prepare beforehand.
*Money: Exchange your passport before leaving with US dollars or Euros as cash is not accepted everywhere.
*Transportation: Find out what type of driving license will work (if any) in Canada and check that your car has a valid registration.
*Phone line/Internet access: Most cell phone plans cannot be used outside the country. But if there are people who want more coverage than they already have, they may consider buying a pay-as-you-go SIM card while still in the United States
#Decide on your reason for moving
Do you want a better quality of life, or will this allow you more opportunities in your career? The answer may affect which province or territory within Canada would work best for you.
One thing is for sure: whatever decision makes sense to YOU, it’s worth considering carefully before packing up and moving across the world!
#Knowing how much money
Find out how much money will change hands when changing currencies – knowing how much money that means in Canadian dollars will make your budgeting easier once there!
#Process for getting a Canadian Visa:
The process of obtaining a visitor visa to Canada is the same as in most other countries. Typically, you’ll need to fill out an application with your personal information and work history, pay the required fees, get fingerprinted by authorities at your embassy or consulate, then complete all necessary medical examinations and wait for the visa to be approved.
Depending on your current immigration status, you might need a valid passport and proof of financial stability for all applicants over age 18 before being granted a visitor visa for Canada.
Once in Canada, you’ll need to apply as soon as possible for permanent residency if this is your ultimate goal- it’s not easy to transition between visitor visas while living in Canada.
#How to find a place to live in Canada?
When moving to Canada, you’ll need to find a place to live. There are many tips for finding housing in Canada, and we have included some below:
*Start looking early! It can take up to six months or more to get an apartment through the Canadian government’s public housing program.
*Check out online sources such as Craigslist.ca, Kijiji.com, and Helpx.net, where people list their homes for rent or offer services like childcare while they’re away on vacation
*Visit the local city hall during office hours (normally weekdays from around noon until four o’clock) which is usually well-marked with signage near major intersections, so it should be easy enough to spot.
*Start a conversation with your potential landlord in person. This is how most Canadians find places to live, and landlords are generally more likely to rent out an apartment if they can meet you in person first
*Ask for help from the local Canadian embassy or consulate about renting. These offices often have lists of apartments that people looking for new tenants will post on their bulletin boards. They may also assist you in learning essential tips like what kind of lease agreement should include, etc. If possible, arrange this before arriving, so you’re not waiting until after moving!
The list goes on: be sure to read our other tips below for some great advice about living here once you manage to get over the border!
#What are the costs of living in Canada?
If you’re moving to Canada from the US, many living costs in Canada will be different. The Canadian dollar is worth about $0.75 at writing this post – so make sure your budget takes this into account!
*Food: Expect things like milk and bread to cost more in Canada than in America because some foods here need more processing before being sold.
*Transportation: Not only does gas cost quite a bit more, but insurance rates might be higher as well if you have an American driver’s license.
#Getting a job in Canada and what it’s like to live and work there
You’ll need to find a job in Canada before you can get permanent residency. This is not as easy as it may seem – the Canadian government’s statistics office reports that over 460,000 people were unemployed nationwide when writing this post!
*It might be best to have your resume posted online on sites like LinkedIn or Monster.ca, so employers searching for new talent in their area will know about you when they’re looking for new employees.
*Apply directly with companies hiring for positions matching your skillset (or even better- call them!) if possible rather than going through an agency because the paperwork involved makes it less likely a company will hire you outright without meeting face-to-face.
*The Canadian government has a list of tips for new immigrants on their website- be sure to check it out!
If you have any questions about moving here, don’t hesitate to contact your local Canadian embassy or consulate with these tips in mind. They are all volunteers, and they may not know the answer to every question but will do the best they can base on what’s available online or from other contacts in Canada.
#Apply for Permanent Residency
Apply for Permanent Residency as soon as possible after arriving if this is your ultimate goal–it isn’t easy to move between visitor visas while living in Canada.
*If applying for permanent residency without employment in Canada, it’s essential to bring documents that show what kind of person you are: volunteer work; school transcripts; letters from friends or family members who can vouch for you. These will all help prove that Canada would be better off having someone like yourself moving here if the application process is successful! The more supporting documents you have on hand when applying, the better your chance of success, so make sure not to forget anything!
#What do I need to move?
When applying, make sure that you bring everything listed below with you:
-Valid Passport
-Proof of Financial Stability (bank statements)
-A Record of Employment (you can leave this out if you have no job to show)
-Other records that prove employability, such as a list of skills or qualifications.
#The school system
If you’re moving to Canada with children, the school system will be slightly different from what they are used to. For example, in some provinces, like Quebec, there is no standardized curriculum, and each child learns at their own pace!
*The Canadian government has information on this on their website: have your kids take a look since they must understand how things work here before arriving in person.
If you have any questions about applying for permanent residency, please contact your local Canadian embassy or consulate with these tips in mind. They are all volunteers, and they may not know the answer to every question but will
#Finding healthcare
Healthcare in Canada is free- so even if you don’t have a job lined up, it’s still worth moving to this country because of the excellent coverage that will be available for your family.
*If you are coming from another nation where healthcare isn’t as accessible or affordable, please take some time before arrival to learn about how public healthcare works here–there may be surprises! For example, there are no emergency rooms, and doctors can refuse service (or charge) based on circumstance.
*Arrange basic health insurance coverage with either private insurance through work (if applicable), an online plan like Blue Cross Provincial Services, or by purchasing a high deductible individual healthcare package such as those offered at Healthcare Insurance Programs Inc.
*If you are from the US, then be sure to apply for provincial health insurance coverage before arriving–it can take up to a month, so it’s best to do this well in advance.
FAQ’s
How do I prepare to move to Canada?
Items to take with you:
– Canadian passport or other identification documents;
– Birth certificate;
– Marriage license, if applicable; and
– Health insurance information. This will be needed for your visa application process. You can also bring a digital copy of these documents on an SD card compatible with Canada’s ID scanning system called ICES (Integrated Customs Enforcement System). Proof of funds may be required as well–if they are not already available in the electronic document copies provided by financial institutions. If you don’t have all the documentation listed above, it might affect getting your immigration status resolved quickly once you move over–so plan! A checklist like this one from Expat Exchange helps make sure you don’t forget anything!
– Other things to be aware of: if you’re not a citizen, your spouse will need an actual or digital passport from his/her country. You might also want to bring some family photos and keepsakes with you too–Canada has strict customs laws that can sometimes limit how much luggage is allowed in the country.
-Compare prices for furniture and housing costs (including rent vs. mortgage) before moving over, so you know what kind of lifestyle you’ll have when it’s all said and done. Housing tips include looking into student residencies because they provide everything, including dorm rooms, food services, on-campus recreation facilities, and proximity to the school. As for furniture tips, one tip would be only to buy used furniture because it is cheaper than buying new.
– Get your vaccinations before moving to Canada if you need them, and check for any other immunizations that are recommended in the country of origin or intended destination. You can find tips on how to get immunized here:
– Health tips for living in Canada include taking precautions against colds and winter illnesses like frostbite by wearing appropriate clothing (layering up) and getting a flu shot every year! To learn more about what things might be different going from one climate zone to another, read the “What’s Different” section at this link–it has lots of tips for coping with changing climates too:
– Know your surroundings when moving to Canada, so you know what to expect. You can find tips about the Canadian lifestyle here:
– If you are planning on driving in Canada, make sure that your vehicle is registered with ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) and purchase a minimum $200K third party liability coverage. This is required by law for all drivers in BC who do not have adequate insurance–in other words, if you’re caught without it, you could be fined up to $2000! To learn more about this topic and get tips from others who have already made a move across the border, read “What’s Different” at this link:
– Be prepared financially before moving because there might not be many opportunities for work until after settling in.
How much money should I save to move to Canada?
Or How much money should I save up?
This will depend on your individual circumstances. If you have savings, you may not need to withdraw any money from your current account or retirement funds. Some people might be able to use their credit cards and take out a loan for the rest of it–but keep in mind that interest rates on those loans are usually higher than what they would be paying if they had just saved up more from the beginning! The minimum amount of settlement funds needed is $10000 including:
– $1000 for the initial payment of rent or mortgage when moving into your new home
– $3000 to pay for living expenses for one year (approximately)
– $1000 as a reserve emergency fund
– $1000 for medical, dental, and vision
– $750 to pay for the cost of your flight (round trip) from one country to another
-$1000 if you do not already have legal status in a receiving country or can’t prove enough funds. This must be done through an immigration lawyer. Some tips on finding a good one: use their website to list testimonials about themselves; ask around with family/friends who may know someone who went through this process recently; check trusted websites like Yelp–they might also have reviews; that mention migration lawyer! If possible, speak with at least two different professionals before deciding which is right for you.
– You may also want to set aside a little money in case you need it during your first few months living in Canada.
On average, it will take about six months before receiving any income or employment, so plan accordingly. This means that some people might not be able to afford their move until they have saved enough funds on their own–while others are lucky enough to get help through work visas (such as working remotely). As always with finances, speak with an expert if you’re unsure!
Is it a good idea to move to Canada?
Moving to Canada is an excellent decision for many people–it’s an opportunity that doesn’t come around often. If you’re interested in moving, do your research first and then read tips on how to adjust here:
Are there any other tips for adjusting?
The Canadian culture has some unique qualities that newcomers might not be aware of before they move! If you haven’t already had the chance to live abroad or experience another country firsthand, jump into your new life with enthusiasm–have fun exploring this wonderful place and being open-minded about all the differences you’ll find! Some tips for adjusting include using English as much as possible, understanding that Canadians have certain social customs (which are different than what we may see at home), and understanding that Canadians will often want to know the how and why of your decision before they give their opinion (rather than just giving an answer).
What tips do you have for adapting?
Keep in mind these tips about Canadian culture: Canadians are very friendly, but even more so when you greet them with a smile–remembering this simple gesture can go a long way! When speaking English, it’s always good practice to speak slowly. And be sure not to make any comments about being cold–even if we might sometimes complain about our weather here! Finally, try not to compare Canada with other countries because there is no point in doing that unless someone specifically asks.
You’ll find many different tips for adapting in our tips section–but some of the most important ones are understanding that Canadians live with a “live and let live” mindset, actively learning English to fit into their culture better, not being afraid to ask questions (which is different than what we might experience back home), and finally that Canadian’s manners include saying sorry all the time.
What tips do you have if I want to work remotely from Canada?
If this sounds like something you’re interested in doing, be aware of these tips: Canada doesn’t usually allow people who just enter the country without legal status or paperwork to get around things by working remotely—unless it was already agreed on beforehand! That means many newcomers won’t have any option but to work in Canada.
That being said, some people will be able to get around things by working remotely, but it’s all about whether they have a job offer or the proper visa (like an “intra-company transfer,” for example). It is usually possible if you’re transferring from another country and your employer has already agreed on this beforehand with Immigration Canada so that when you apply here, everything should go smoothly!
The process of moving as part of an intracompany transfer begins before entering the country: The Canadian sponsor needs to complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment application that requires industry experience and current salary. This assessment determines how many points they qualify towards immigration Canada’s point system under their current skillset and work experience.
Conclusion
I hope I’ve given you some tips for how to move to Canada and make the journey easier. Don’t forget to do your research and tips before you leave (or if you’re not leaving just yet, don’t forget these tips for future reference)!
If you have any queries, comment below!
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