Since the 1980’s around 250,000 people a year have chosen to move to here in search of a better quality of life.Due to the cultural and linguistic similarities, British migrants have long made up a large proportion of the population, with over half a million Canadian residents naming the UK as their birthplace. In the last decade alone, around 75,000 Brits have made a new life for themselves in Canada, exploring new opportunities and exciting adventures.
Employment and Wealth
Canada’s stable economy meant it felt the repercussions of the 2007 financial crash far less than its southern neighbour and recovered well. Canada’s wealth of natural resources have created hundreds of thousands of jobs in the engineering and energy sectors while financial services and IT are booming in the big cities.
The economy continues to grow and Canada’s gross domestic product is a healthy $1.8 trillion USD, more than double the 2000 figure.
Canada also offers reasonably priced housing and access to world class education and healthcare systems, so achieving a high standard of living is affordable for the vast majority of expats.
Travel Prospects
While it is easy to spend your holidays skiing, whale watching and chasing the northern lights around your new home country, there are also some great travel options nearby.
The big cities of the US, including New York, LA and Chicago are just a road trip away, or hour or two by plane. You can also fly to the stunning beaches and perennial sunshine of the Caribbean in just a few hours. Central America is also very accessible with regular flights to Mexico City or Cancun taking only 4 hours from Toronto
Rekjavik, Iceland is roughly five hours flight from Eastern Canada, with mainland Europe around 8-10 hours from Montreal or Toronto, ideal for a quick trip home, an extended city break or a visit to the Mediterranean.
But how easy is it to move there?
Anyone moving to Canada will, of course, need to apply for the appropriate visa. Most opt for a skilled workers visa which will allow you to live and work in Canada providing you meet the appropriate requirements in terms of age, occupation and financial security.
If you’re under 35, you could travel on a temporary worker visa which allows you to work in Canada for a year. There are also family visas for those joining close relatives already living in Canada and investor visas for anyone with enough money to support themselves and invest money in the economy.
Those moving to Canada at retirement age will need to prove they either have family to support them or enough savings to live on when they arrive. You are still entitled to a state pension, although you won’t be eligible for any increases to the amount after you have left the UK.
For more information and to see which visa you are eligible for, visit the immigration service Visa Wizard at http://www.cic.gc.ca/app/ctcvac/english.
Now all that’s left to do is get packing and have your belongings shipped to your new home.
Have a look at our Canadian city guides:
