How Much Does it Cost to Move to Canada From the UK in 2024?

It’ll cost between £10,000 and £20,000 to move to Canada from the UK in 2024. Your total costs will vary depending on your requirements and circumstances such as visa types and flight costs. 

It’s essential to understand the costs that come with moving to Canada so you can create a budget. Setting a budget and using our handy guide will help you avoid any hidden fees or surprise costs during your move.

Breakdown of the Costs of Moving to Canada

Visa and Document Costs

1. Skills Assessment – You’ll need to prove your language skills by taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) which costs CAD $300 to CAD $350 (£174 – £203). You’ll also need to pass the Test D’évaluation De Français (TEF) which is around CAD $300 to CAD $400 (£174 – £232).
   
   
2. Authentication Fees – It’ll cost CAD $20 (£11.60) per document to authenticate a document via Global Affairs Canada. Costs to get a document certified by a notary or lawyer in Canada will cost between CAD $50 (£29) and CAD $100 (£58).
   
   
3. Mandatory Medical Check – You’ll need to pass a medical exam to ensure you’re don’t post a health risk to people living in Canada. Medical exam costs typically cost between CAD $100 (£58) and CAD $300 (£174). Costs vary depending on requirements.
   
   
4. Police Clearance Certificate -If you’re moving to Canada from the UK, you’ll need a certificate from the police to prove you don’t have a criminal record. Costs vary but are typically between £60 and £90.
   
   
5. Visa Application Fee – For Express Entry via the Permanent Residency visa, the application fee is CAD $1,365 (£792.70) for the main applicant, CAD $1,365 for a spouse/partner, and CAD $230 (£133.40) per child.
   
   
6. Visa Assistance –  It’s not mandatory, but hiring a solicitor to help with the visa process can help. They take care of document preparation and submission of your visa application. Costs vary depending on the complexity and type of visa but can cost between CAD $2,500 (£1,450) to CAD $5,500 (£3,190).

Travel and Relocation Costs

1. Flights from the UK to Canada: A one-way flight to Canada flying economy starts from around £250-£500. Premium economy ranges from £600 to £900 and business class can cost upwards of £2,500.
   
   
2. Shipping Your Belongings: Cost of removals to Canada from the UK typically cost from £4,020 to £5,630 for a 3-bedroom house move in a 20ft container. Budget more for insurance and any further services. Costs vary depending on destination, size and requirements. 
   
   
3. Rental Deposits & Advance Rent: Deposit and advancement costs will vary by territory, but you’ll be typically expected to pay half a month’s rent in a deposit and the first and last month’s rent in an advance payment. The average rent cost for a 3-bed apartment in Canada is CAD $2,562.30 (£1,487.13), so you should budget around CAS $6405.75 (£3,710.34) for moving in costs.
   
   
4. Health Insurance: There is typically a wait of up to 3 months after you’ve become a permanent resident before you can access free healthcare in Canada. In this time you’ll need valid private health insurance. 
   
   
5. Shipping Your Car: Shipping your car to Canada starts from around CAD $2,108.43 (£1,233) to ship a standard saloon car to Halifax. 
   
   
6. Shipping your Pet: It costs between CAD $1,720 to CAD $6,880 (£1,000 to £4,000) to ship your pet to Canada. This is the cost for a large dog and costs will vary depending on the type and size of pet, location and requirements.
   

Average Salaries in Canada

The average salary in Canada for 2024 is $60,000 to $65,000 (£34,800 – £37,700) per annum. This is just an average, and salaries vary by province and territory and by expertise. Here’s a breakdown of average annual salaries for skilled workers in different regions using data from Statistics Canada:

• Vancouver: CAD $70,000 – $75,000 (£40,600 – £43,500)
• Toronto: CAD $75,000 – $80,000 (£43,500 – £46,400)
• Montreal: CAD $55,000 – $60,000 (£31,900 – £34,800)
• Calgary: CAD $65,000 – £70,000 (£37,700 – £40,600)
• Edmonton: CAD $60,000 – $65,000 (£34,800 – £37,700)

Final Thoughts

It may seem expensive to move to Canada, but once you’ve paid the upfront costs and settled in, you can begin your new adventure abroad. Canada offers an excellent quality of life, healthcare, education and career opportunities, which is why many Brits move there each year.

Use this cost guide to know what to expect throughout the immigration process, from the visa fees to relocation expenses. You can also get a free tailored quote for your removals to Canada with 1st Move International. This will give you an accurate price to add to your budget. Simply complete our form and our team of experts will be in touch. 

Moving to Canada – We Can Help

Get in touch if you need 1st Move International to help with your move to Canada from the UK. We are specialists in international removals with over 25 years in the industry and provide a full moving experience. We’ll handle the packing, shipping, insurance and customs to get you moved safely to Canada. Find out more about shipping furniture to Canada.