Thinking of moving to Canada?

Why move to Canada?

Canada is one of the top three most popular countries globally and ranked #1 for quality of life*. With its ten provinces and three territories extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, it’s the second largest country on earth - covering 9.98 million square kilometres.

Despite its great size, it’s one of the most sparsely populated countries on earth. This, together with the immense grandeur of its landscape, really gives you a sense of freedom and space. It’s a country that allows you to draw breath.

Although Canadians are comparatively few in number, they’ve created a truly multicultural society, welcoming immigrants from every other continent. Plus, Canada harbours and exports a wealth of natural resources, as well as being rich in intellectual and cultural property. So, there really are many benefits of moving to Canada.

Moving to Canada - what are the requirements?

Moving to Canada shouldn’t pose too many problems for you. Canada welcomes new immigrants and offers several immigration programs. So, it should be easy for you to qualify for one immigration stream. Still, you have to meet the requirements for the pathway you want to apply for. Here are the things you should consider:

Visas

The first thing you need to do when you plan your move to Canada is to check whether you need an entry visa or not. Some specific groups of people can enter without a visa or with only an electronic authorization. US citizens moving to Canada don’t need a visa to enter for up to six months.

Immigration pathways

Canada offers several programs to help you immigrate into Canada. From the fast Express Entry Program to the business Start-Up visa,find the program that suits you best.

Permits

Once you know what type of visa you want, you can begin the application process. First, you need to create an online account on Canada’s immigration website, and then answer a few questions to determine your eligibility. If you’re eligible, you have to provide your email so you can receive instructions, a list of required documents, and a reference code. Take note of the reference number, since you’ll need it for the remainder of your application.

The process of moving to Canada

After you submit your application, it may take several weeks to get an answer. The average waiting time is around six months, but it can take up to 18 months if you apply in person. Make sure that during this time, you prepare everything you need to begin the move to Canada.

• Shipping - make two copies of a detailed list for all your belongings. Include items that are coming with you and items which will arrive later. And, for those goods where applicable, include the value, make, model, and serial number.

• Taxes - you aren’t expected to pay taxes for everyday goods and services such as clothing, furniture, jewellery, silverware, family heirlooms, books, computers, musical instruments, etc. But, do check the entry requirements to make sure that you have nothing to worry about.

The move

Once your application is approved, you’ll get an email with a COPR (confirmation of permanent residence) and a permanent residence visa (if an entry visa is required) to be able to move to Canada.

Where to live in Canada

There‘s a great deal to consider when choosing a place to live in Canada. Do you want the great outdoors or a bustling thriving city? Where will you find the most affordable cost of living, better quality of life and most job opportunities. Here are a few of its major cities worth considering:

Toronto

Situated on Ontario’s northwest shore, the East-Central part of Canada which borders the USA, Toronto is Canada’s most populous city. In fact, it’s the most multicultural city in the world - with half its population born outside Canada. People really gravitate towards this beautiful city - 25% of Canada’s population live within 160Km of it and over 40 million people visit it a year.

Ontario itself as a province is a major manufacturing and trade hub with extensive links to the northeastern and midwestern United States.It also has the highest GDP in Canada.

Ottawa

Ottawa, also in Ontario, is Canada’s capital city and the 4th largest in the country. Famed for its quality of life and clean living - Ottawa is a real draw. Not only is it the country’s political centre it also offers amazing educational opportunities with two fantastic universities.

It really offers a feeling of space - thanks to its low population density. With a population of just 934,243 it’s really not as busy as you’d expect a capital city to be.

Vancouver

Situated in British Columbia on Canada’s western coastline bordering the Pacific, Vancouver is a city surrounded by water and is a gateway to some of the country’s most stunning landscapes. So, not surprisingly there’s something of an obsession with keeping fit and eating well here. And it shows in the residents’ waistlines - the city boasts a very low obesity rate.

Vancouver also has a thriving arts and film industry and often serves as a backdrop to many film shoots. However, it does have one of the highest average costs of living in the country at CA $4,557.

Montreal

Say “Bonjour’ to Montreal in the heart of French Canada, and you’ll be in good company - 57.4% of the population are able to speak both English and French.

Montreal is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec and sits on an island in the St. Lawrence river. It’s made up of several diverse boroughs that were once independent cities. It also has the second-largest economy of Canadian cities based on GDP and the largest in Quebec. The city is today an important centre of commerce, finance, industry, technology, culture and world affairs.

Montreal offers a blend of an old European historic city with a contemporary North American atmosphere.  With its freedom of diversity, creativity, bilingualism, and vibrant neighbourhoods, it’s undoubtedly one of the most unique places you can live.  Plus, it’s very affordable in terms of living costs compared to the other major provinces.

Cost of living in Canada

According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Canada is, on average, 10.45% higher than in the United Kingdom. Plus, rent in Canada is, on average, 7% higher than in the United Kingdom. The average monthly cost of living in Canada for a single person is CA $ 1,171.13 (US $916).

For a more in-depth article on the cost of living in Canada, don’t miss this interesting article. It’s most informative. Here’s a breakdown of the cost of living by city.

Finding a job in Canada

The good news is that if you're wanting to move to Canada and look for a job, there’s a wealth of opportunities. According to Investopedia, Canada has the ninth-largest economy in the world as of 2020, with a GDP of $1.64 trillion in USD. And its unemployment figure is very low at present: in March 2022 it reached a record low of 5.3%.

The top 10 industries employing people at the moment are and in this order:

• Hospitals

• Full-service restaurants

• Supermarkets and grocery stores

• Fast food restaurants

• Colleges and universities

• IT

• Commercial banking

• Engineering

• Janitorial services

• Pharmacies and drugstores.

Here are some useful websites to help you find a job in Canada.

How to open a bank account in Canada

Even if youʼre not a Canadian citizen, you can open a bank account when moving to Canada, as long as you have the proper documentation and meet the bankʼs requirements. Plus, if youʼre planning to move to Canada permanently, then the process becomes a lot easier.

Some Canadian banks do require you to show up in person when opening a bank account. However, this isnʼt always required.

Whether you want to open a personal bank account or a business bank account, youʼre required to provide proof of specific documents. These documents will vary from bank to bank. You may be asked for the following documents:

• Your valid, current/unexpired passport

• A copy of your driverʼs licences

• Other identifying documents issued by a governmental agency

• Verification of your residence or physical address (having a Canadian address makes this process run smoothly, but itʼs not always a requirement)

• Financial reference documents or bank statements

Please note that opening a business account may have different requirements.

Having access to Canada’s healthcare system

If you move to Canada and become a permanent resident, you’ll have access to Canada’s universal health care system, which is funded through taxes. It has also been named the 14th best healthcare system in the world.

Each province and territory has a different health plan that covers different services and products. There are some important differences between each plan so make sure you know what your plan covers.

Once your province or territory adds you to their health system, you’ll get a health card. Show this card at hospitals or medical clinics to get non-emergency services.

In general, with public health insurance, you won’t have to pay for:

• most health care services

• emergency medical services, even if you don’t have a health card (there may be some restrictions depending on your immigration status)

If you do have an emergency, go to the nearest hospital. A walk-in clinic might charge fees if you don’t live in that province or territory.

Accessing public health insurance

To access health care in Canada, you need to apply for a health card from your province or territory. When you go to see a doctor or other medical professional, you have to show your health card to prove that you’re registered.

Prepare for the waiting period before you’re covered

In some provinces, you may be waiting up to 3 months for your public health insurance to start. So, make sure you have private health insurance to cover your health care needs during this waiting period.

The education system in Canada

If you’re thinking of starting a family or already have children and need to consider their education, then Canada is a wonderful choice. It has the 3rd best education system in the world. It boasts an impressive record of nearly 100% enrolment in both primary and secondary school, meaning there are almost 0% of children out of education at both levels, too.

Canada is also ranked the 4th best country in the world for international students. Students travel to Canada from far and wide to gain an internationally-recognised education.

The country gets a gold star for its impressive higher-education system, as many of Canada’s universities feature in global rankings. Canada’s University of Toronto and McGill University are listed in the top 30 universities in the world by QS World University Rankings.

WorldRemit is there for you, every step of the way

Once you’ve settled in the country and have started working, you will, of course, never forget home. If you need to send money back to family and friends, we’ll be there for you with an excellent low cost, online money transfer service. WorldRemit allows you to send fast, secure transfers that arrive within minutes. Happy transfers!

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**https://www.narcity.com/canada-has-ranked-1-in-the-world-for-best-quality-of-life