Moving to Canada: A UK Expat's Practical Relocation Guide

Canada is one of the world's most straightforward countries for skilled British migrants to move to. Shared language (in English-speaking provinces), a familiar legal tradition, high living standards, and an openly welcoming immigration policy combine to make it a perennial top choice. As of 2026, under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada targets approximately 380,000 new permanent residents per year (down from 395,000 in 2025 after the post-2024 tightening), with economic immigration the core focus. The British-born community in Canada is substantial — an estimated 600,000 UK-born residents as of 2026.

Immigration Pathways

Express Entry System. Canada's primary points-based immigration pathway, covering three main streams:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) — for skilled workers with at least one year of qualifying work experience, education credentials, and strong English proficiency (tested via IELTS). The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score determines selection.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) — for qualified tradespeople.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) — for those who have already worked in Canada on a temporary permit and have at least one year of Canadian skilled work experience.

CRS scores are based on age, education, language, Canadian work experience, arranged employment, and other factors. Minimum CRS scores to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) fluctuate — check IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) draw results for current thresholds.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Each Canadian province and territory runs its own immigration stream targeting workers with skills in demand locally. Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan are among the most popular with UK applicants. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points — essentially guaranteeing selection in the next Express Entry draw.

Atlantic Immigration Program. For those moving to the Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland). Lower CRS thresholds; employer must be Atlantic-based.

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot. For those willing to settle in smaller communities; designated communities sponsor applicants.

Investor/Start-Up Visa. The Start-Up Visa Program allows entrepreneurs with support from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator to obtain permanent residence. No specific investment amount; focus is on the business idea's potential. Note: as part of the immigration tightening, intake has been constrained — new commitment certificates from designated organisations were paused to fresh applications after 31 December 2025, so check current availability before relying on this route.

Intra-Company Transfer. For those transferring within a multinational employer to a Canadian branch. Straightforward and commonly used by UK employees of firms with Canadian operations.

UK Tax on Departure

The same SRT rules apply as for any destination — you must meet the UK non-residency conditions. Canada and the UK have a comprehensive double tax treaty that covers most income types. Key points:

• UK rental income remains taxable in the UK.
• UK pension income: under the UK-Canada treaty, UK private pensions paid to a Canadian resident are taxable in Canada. UK government pensions remain taxable only in the UK.
• There is no UK exit charge on becoming non-resident (unlike the Canadian "deemed disposition" on departure — see below).

Canadian Tax

Canada taxes residents on worldwide income. The tax year follows the calendar year; the filing deadline is 30 April.

Canadian federal tax rates (as of 2026): 15% on the first CAD 57,375; 20.5% from $57,376 to $114,750; 26% from $114,751 to $158,519; 29% from $158,520 to $220,000; 33% above $220,000.

Provincial taxes are additional and vary. Ontario adds 5.05–13.16%; British Columbia 5.06–20.5%; Quebec (French-speaking, different immigration system) has the highest combined rates.

Deemed Disposition on Arrival. When you become a Canadian tax resident, you are deemed to have disposed of and reacquired most of your non-Canadian assets at fair market value on the date of arrival. This "resets" your cost base for Canadian CGT purposes — generally beneficial for assets with low UK cost base. Plan your arrival timing carefully.

RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan). Canada's equivalent of a pension — contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-deferred, withdrawals are taxed as income. You can contribute 18% of prior year earned income (up to a maximum, approximately CAD 33,810 in 2026). Building RRSP contribution room is important for long-term Canadian tax planning.

TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account). Annual contribution room accumulates from age 18 (for Canadian residents). As of 2026, total cumulative TFSA room available since 2009 (for someone resident and over 18 throughout) is approximately CAD 109,000. Growth and withdrawals are tax-free — an excellent vehicle for Canadian residents.

Banking

Canada's "Big Six" banks dominate: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), TD Bank, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC, and National Bank. All have good English-language service; most have UK expat communities and online account-opening processes.

HSBC Canada (now sold to RBC, with the transition ongoing as of 2026 — check current status) was historically the most natural landing point for UK expats. TD Bank has a long-standing relationship with the UK market. Opening a Canadian account before arrival is possible via online application with your passport and visa documentation.

Healthcare — Provincial Health Systems

Canada's healthcare is publicly funded at the provincial level. The federal Canada Health Act sets standards; provinces administer. You are covered once you are a permanent resident and have served a waiting period (up to three months in some provinces — Ontario has a waiting period; BC and Alberta eliminated theirs).

Quality of care is good but wait times for specialist and elective procedures are a known issue in Canada's publicly funded system. Most professional expats in Canada have extended health and dental benefits through their employer, and some purchase supplemental coverage for prescription drugs, dental, and vision not covered by provincial plans.

Cost of Living

Canada's cost of living varies enormously by city:

• Toronto: rent for a three-bedroom apartment: CAD 4,000–7,000 per month in central areas. Rapidly become one of the more expensive cities in the world for housing.
• Vancouver: comparable to Toronto; housing costs are very high relative to local salaries.
• Calgary and Edmonton: significantly cheaper — three-bedroom house rent: CAD 2,500–4,000.
• Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg: more affordable; lower salary levels in some sectors.

The harsh winter climate (especially in Ontario, Alberta, Quebec) is a practical consideration that affects energy costs. Canadian winters can be -20°C and below for extended periods outside British Columbia.

Popular Destinations for UK Expats

• Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area — the most popular; finance, tech, diverse multicultural city.
• Vancouver and the Lower Mainland — Pacific coast, milder climate, stunning scenery; very expensive.
• Calgary — oil and gas sector; lower taxes (Alberta has the lowest provincial income-tax rates in Canada and is the only province with no provincial sales tax), outdoors lifestyle.
• Ottawa — government sector, bilingual city, growing tech scene.
• Halifax, Nova Scotia — Atlantic coast, more affordable, strong UK heritage.

How Global Investments Can Help

The UK-Canada move involves several financial planning triggers — deemed disposition on arrival, RRSP and TFSA structuring, UK pension treatment under the treaty, and managing UK retained assets. Global Investments advises clients on the financial planning aspects of UK-to-Canada relocation in coordination with qualified Canadian advisers, ensuring your affairs are set up correctly from the date of arrival rather than retro-fitted later.

This guide is for general information only. Tax rules, immigration thresholds, and regulations change frequently. Always seek professional legal and financial advice tailored to your circumstances before making relocation or investment decisions. Investments can fall as well as rise in value.