Moving to Canada from UK

Emigrating to Canada from the UK

Canada is said to be one of the most beautiful and picturesque countries in the world, so it is little wonder that it attracts so many people emigrating from the UK each year.

There are several immigration routes to entering Canada. The most common two ways of staying in this country are work visas and family reunification. In both cases, a visa is required, meaning that applicants must meet specific requirements.

IAS has an in-depth knowledge of the processes involved in emigrating to Canada and, alongside our carefully chosen experts worldwide, we have the experience and the means to help you from the comfort of your current home in the UK.

Call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244 to find out more about IAS’ dedicated emigration services. One of our lawyers will be happy to assist you with your case and advise you on how to proceed to submit a succesful application.

Moving to Canada Through Family Reunification

If you have a family member who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act, you could be eligible to join them on the basis of family reunification, otherwise known as family sponsorship.

The sponsor must live in Canada, unless they are a Canadian citizen who lives abroad and plans to return to Canada when their relative relocates to Canada AND they are sponsoring a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner OR dependent children who have no children.

It is important to note that there are slightly different rules around family reunification if the Canadian resident lives in Quebec.

Family Reunification Application Process

Usually, the application process for family reunification is as follows:

1. Get the application package. This includes all the forms which both you and your sponsor will need to complete and a full personalised document checklist
2. Pay the application fees. This includes the application fee, biometrics fee and the rights of permanent residence fee
3. Submit the completed application.
4. Send all additional information. When the application is being processed, you will need to have your biometric information taken and possibly undertake certain medical tests

It costs Can$1,205 to apply as an adult through the family sponsorship route, and Can$175 for those classed as dependent children. In most cases, you will need to pay Can$575 for a right of permanent residence and Can$85 for the biometric information to be taken.

Moving to Canada as a Spouse/Civil Partner of Canadian Resident

The most common family reunification route is through being the spouse/partner of a Canadian resident.

In order to be eligible as the spouse, you must be at least 18-years-old and legally married to your partner.

A ‘common-law partner’ is someone who:

• Is at least 18-years-old
• Isn’t legally married to their sponsor in Canada
• Has been living with their partner for at least 12 consecutive months and without any long periods apart

You will need to provide certain information to prove the common-law relationship such as rental agreements with both of your names on, and accounts from shared utility bills.

In certain circumstances, if your partner is not living in Canada at the time of the application, you could still be eligible to join them in Canada as the ‘conjugal partner’.

Moving to Canada as Dependent Child

You could be eligible to emigrate to Canada if you are the child of a Canadian citizen permanent resident or as the child of the spouse/civil partner who the Canadian resident is sponsoring. In most cases, you must be under 22 years old and must not have a spouse or common-law partner yourself.

If you are 22 years old or older, you could still be eligible to emigrate to Canada if:

• You are unable to financially support yourself because of a mental or physical condition
• You have depended on your parents for financial support before you were the age of 22

The sponsor must:

• Be able to prove that they are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability
• Be able to provide the basic needs of any persons they want to sponsor

If the sponsor is a Canadian citizen and they are living outside of Canada at the time of the application, they must show that they have a plan to live in Canada when the person they want to sponsor becomes a permanent resident.

Emigrating to Canada as Parent or Grandparent of Canadian Resident

You could be eligible to apply to emigrate to Canada as the parent or grandparent of a Canadian resident, whether you are related by blood or adoption.

Also, if you have divorced or separated from the Canadian resident’s other parent and entered a new relationship, your new partner can be sponsored too.

In this situation, the Canadian resident’s brothers and sisters or half brothers and sisters can only emigrate to Canada if they are classed as dependent children.

Emigrate to Canada as the Relative of a Canadian Resident

Certain other family members of a Canadian resident may also be permitted to emigrate to Canada through the family sponsorship route. If you are the uncle, auntie, brother or sister of the Canadian resident you could be eligible.

A Canadian resident can sponsor one relative, related by blood or adoption, if they have not already adopted one of the following family members:

• Aunt
• Uncle
• Spouse
• Common-law partner
• Conjugal partner
• Son or daughter
• Parent
• Grandparent
• Orphaned brother or sister
• Orphaned nephew or niece
• Orphaned grandchild

Also, the Canadian resident must not have any relatives from the list above who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents or registered Indian under the Indian Act.

Canada Family Sponsorship Financial Requirements

If you want to emigrate to Canada through the family sponsorship route, the sponsor will need to provide evidence of their finances to demonstrate that they meet the income requirements.

Ultimately, they need to be able to prove that they have enough money to support themselves and the people they wish to sponsor.

The income which they need to have depends on the number of people they wish to sponsor.

The sponsor will need to provide details of their income for each of the three taxation years before the date of the application.

The minimum income threshold changes every year, so it is important to consult official guidance or an immigration advisor to be aware of what the requirements will be at the time of your application.

Moving to Canada from UK Through Employment

The other main route for emigrating from the UK to Canada is through employment. If you are classed as a skilled worker, you will be able to emigrate to Canada through the Express Entry.

The Canadian government choose skilled workers based on their skills and ability to contribute to the Canadian economy.

To prove that you are eligible for Express Entry, you will need to provide certain information. It is recommended that you begin the process of collating your information before you begin the official profile (more below).

There are three economic immigration programmes under the Express Entry route:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class

The Canada National Occupation Classification

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a list of all the occupations in the Canadian labour market, categorised according to skill level and skill type.

The main job groups include:

• Skill Type (0): This is for management jobs such as shore captains, restaurant managers and mine managers
• Skill Level A: Professional jobs which typically require a degree, such as doctors, dentists, architects, IT professionals
• Skill Level B: Technical jobs and skilled trades which usually require apprentice training or a college diploma such as plumbers, chefs and electricians
• Skill Level C: Intermediate jobs which usually require high school and/or job-specific training. This includes workers such as long-haul truck drivers, food and beverage servers and industrial butchers
• Skill Level D: Labour jobs which usually give on-job training such as cleaning staff, fruit pickers and oil-field workers

Different Economic Immigration Programmes

What is the Express Entry Profile in Canada?

The Express Entry profile is where you give information about yourself and any dependents who will be joining you in Canada.

Canadian immigration officials will consider your profile and if they deem you to be eligible for the Express Entry, you will be accepted into the pool of candidates. You will be ranked in the Express Entry pool according to a points-based system.

Your score will be based on the information which you provide in your profile. Invitations to make permanent residence applications are given to the candidates with the highest scores in the pool.

When you receive your invitation, you must complete an online application form. It is important to note that you must submit a permanent residence application within 60 days of your invitation.

Canada Express Entry Required Documents and Fees

Once you have received the invitation to apply, you will need to upload certain documents to your profile.

The system will provide a personalised document checklist when you have completed the permanent residence application form.

When you have completed the online application form and uploaded your documents, you will be notified of the fees which you will need to pay.

Permanent residence application fees (all in Canadian dollars):

• Application: Can$1,525
• Application without permanent residence fee: Can$950
• Include spouse/partner: Can$1,525
• Include spouse/partner without permanent residence: Can$950
• Dependent child: Can$260

When Will I Receive a Decision?

Canadian immigration officials will assess your application to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and that you have submitted all necessary documents.

After your applications has been assessed, you will be contacted through your online account about the next steps in the emigration process. One of the requirements is providing your biometric information (fingerprints and photo). You will be notified of where you need to go to provide your biometric information.

You might be requested to provide additional documentation or to possibly attend an interview if immigration officials deem it to be necessary.

In most circumstances, a decision will be reached on your application within six months, and you will be kept updated throughout on your application’s progress.

Can Direct Family Members Join Me if I Emigrate to Canada?

Certain relatives can join you in Canada if you want to emigrate through the Express Entry route. They will be able to live, study and work in Canada on the basis of their relationship to you.

If you wish to act as the Canadian sponsor of your relative/s, there are a number of requirements which you must fulfil. One of the main requirements is being able to demonstrate that you have the financial means to support yourself and your family member in Canada.

In most cases, you will be able to sponsor the following relatives:

• Spouse/partner
• Dependent child
• Parents of you
• Grandparents of you

Can Other Family Members Join Me if I Emigrate to Canada?

As a permanent resident, you will usually be able to sponsor other relatives in certain circumstances too.

Your can sponsor an orphaned brother, sister, nephew niece or grandchild if the following applies:

• They are under 18 years of age
• They are related to you by blood or adoption
• Their mother and father have passed away
• They are single (not married or in a common-law or conjugal relationship)

If you have not sponsored any relatives, you will be able to sponsor one relative of any age who is related to you by blood or adoption.

In order to be eligible to sponsor a relative, you must not have any other relative who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian under the Indian Act.

Canada Study Visas

If you intend to study at a Canadian educational institution, you must apply for a study permit. This will allow you to live and study in Canada for the duration of your course or program.

To be eligible, you must:

• Have been accepted by a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada
• Prove that you have enough funds for your tuition fees and living expenses
• Provide a police certificate to demonstrate that you have no criminal record.
• Be in good health.

Nevertheless, you may not require a study permit to go to school in Canada if:

• Your course or program lasts least than 6 months
• You are a family member or staff of a foreign representative to Canada
• You are a member of a foreign armed force

Emigrating to Canada Through Investment

Canada offers a wide range of investment-based immigration programs which can lead to permanent resident status.

This includes:

• The Quebec Immigration Investor Program (QIIP), for those who have a personal net worth of $2 million and two years of management experience.
• The Quebec Entrepreneur Program, for foreign investors with a personal net worth of $10 million.
• The Quebec Self-Employed Programs, which are aimed at ambitious individuals with a mid-range personal net worth who intend to establish and operate their business in Canada.

If you wish to investigate the Canadian business visa which fits your needs, you can seek the professional advice of one of IAS’ immigration lawyers.

Call us now on +44 (0)333 414 9244 to find out more about how we can help you to emigrate from the UK to Canada as an investor.

What are the Other Routes Towards Permanent Residence in Canada?

Aside from the family reunification and skilled worker emigration routes, there are other routes which enable you to emigrate from the UK to Canada and gain permanent residency in the country.

• Atlantic Immigration Program. For skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to work and live in one of Canada’s four Atlantic Provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia or New Brunswick
• Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots. For immigration to one of 18 selected Canadian provinces
• Provincial nominees. For those who have been nominated by a Canadian province or territory
• Quebec-selected skilled workers. For those who hold a Quebec Selection Certificate from the Government of Quebec and wish to become permanent residents of Quebec
• Caregivers. The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot scheme enables those who qualify to become permanent residents in Canada
• Self-employed Persons Program. For those who are self-employed. In order to be eligible, you must have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics. You must be willing to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada

What is the Canada Electronic Travel Authorization?

You will need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) if you are travelling to Canada by air from a visa-exempt country. This permit is mandatory whether you intend to visit Canada directly or only to pass through in transit.

You are exempt from requiring an ETA if you:

• Have already obtained a valid visa to enter Canada
• Are entering Canada by land or sea
• Are a member of the Armed Forces on official duty
• Are a member of a flight crew
• Are a Canadian citizen or dual citizen, or permanent resident
• Are a US citizen

Moving to Canada: Lifestyle and Cost of Living

Canada is a popular destination for expats to move to due to its low crime rate, low rates of unemployment, relatively high quality of life and historically welcoming and inclusive community.

Canada ranks 26th overall in Numbeo's Quality of Life 2026 ranking, which is lower than countries such as the US, UK and Australia, but higher than France, Portugal and Ireland. However, it should be noted that this average ranking is not reflective of how much quality of life can differ within Canada itself, as Ottawa is ranked 26th overall in Numbeo's global ranking of quality of life for cities, which is the highest ranking for any city outside of Europe.

Canada is a vast country with a highly varied landscape and styles of living. Its largest cities such as Toronto and Vancouver offer modern, metropolitan lifestyles with all the amenities one would typically expect of large urban areas. However, the cost of living is correspondingly very high in these locations, which may mean that individuals and families on low incomes may find it difficult to establish themselves there.

The cost of living in Canada is slightly above average for a developed first-world country. Numbeo's 2026 ranking places it 31st overall in the world, which is lower than more expensive countries such as the US, UK and France, but slightly more expensive than South Korea, Italy and Spain.

There are opportunities to live in smaller, more rural communities in Canada, where the cost of living and pace of lifestyle are lower and slower, respectively. However, the cast majority (83%, according to the World Bank Group) of the Canadian population live in urban areas, and the country's population is highly concentrated towards the south of the country, nearest to the US border.

Job Opportunities and Taxes

The unemployment rate in Canada is around 6.8% as of 2025, with the country seeing fluctuations across various industries in regards to dwindling vacancies and a slow, but steady increase in wage offerings. The most common sectors seeing skills shortages in Canada include construction, engineering, IT, healthcare and senior manager roles in business, with vacancies generally being more common (but also more often to be oversubscribed) in large urban areas.

Canada's economic immigration pathways may typically require applicants to have a valid job offer with a Canadian employer or previous work experience in Canada, which may limit the types of work that immigrants will be able to apply for. However, programs such as the Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots are specifically designed to accept immigrants working in professions that are in high demand within rural and sparsely-populated areas of Canada, which may make it easier for those in lower-income roles or certain trades to immigrate.

Canada's income tax vary from 15% for income between 0 – 55,867 CAD$ and 26% and higher for income above 111,734 CAD$ (as of 2024). Non-residents in Canada are only taxed in Canada for Canadian source income, whereas residents are liable to be taxed on all worldwide income.

Generally, anyone living in Canada for 183 days or longer in a single year is considered to be a resident, unless they have non-resident status under a tax treaty. Similarly, factors such as place of dwelling, family, social ties, property and economic interests are taken into account when determining if someone is a resident in Canada for tax purposes.

Canada has double taxation treaties with 94 countries internationally, with 3 having been signed off but not yet in force.

General Pros and Cons of Moving to Canada

Below are a list of general pros and cons of moving to Canada, allowing you to see a balanced view of the country's strengths and weaknesses for expats at a glance.

The pros of moving to Canada include the following:

• Universal healthcare system, with many services being free at the point of use for permanent residents and citizens
• Low crime rates
• Free education for children up to the age of 18
• Generally stable economy
• Multicultural and historically welcoming communities, particularly in more urban areas
• Impressive natural scenery and ample opportunities for travel to parts of the US, South America and beyond

The cons of moving to Canada include the following:

• Increasing cost of living, which may make the prospect of moving to larger cities untenable for some
• Long and cold winters, with significant amounts of snowfall in some areas
• High concentration of the population living in urban areas means that alternatives outside of the major cities can be few in number, or solely limited to small and isolated communities
• Healthcare, while easily accessible for most, can suffer from lengthy wait times and backlogs, particularly for conditions that require long-term care

Seeking professional help for moving to Canada

If you wish to relocate to Canada, IAS’ experienced immigration lawyers can assist you and your family, or your business.

We offer a wide range of comprehensive emigration services to help you identify the best route to visit, study, work or live in Canada.

One of our immigration professionals will evaluate your case and guide you through the best route to enter Canada. We will also help you build a strong portfolio of supporting document, and complete your application forms.
Most importantly, we will liaise with the Home Office and the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) until your case is solved, and to avoid any delay in your application process.