Moving to Canada from the UK: a 2027 guide

Moving to Canada from the UK in 2027 is very achievable for most people, as long as you secure the right immigration status first and then plan your shipment around it. In short, you need a visa or permit that matches your plans (work, study, family or permanent residence), a list of everything you are shipping for Canadian customs, and a moving date that gives your belongings time to cross the Atlantic.

This guide explains how to move to Canada from the UK step by step: the main immigration routes, shipping options and timescales, customs rules for personal belongings, healthcare, tax, banking, driving and pets. At Pickfords we have been moving families for over 400 years, and our international removals to Canada service handles everything from the first survey to delivery at your new home.

Why so many people are moving from the UK to Canada

Canada remains one of the most popular destinations for British movers. A shared language, familiar legal and parliamentary systems and strong family links make the move feel less daunting than many others. Cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Halifax have large British communities, and the country offers a mix of busy urban life and wide open space that is hard to find in the UK.

Practical reasons matter too. Canada actively recruits skilled workers through its immigration system, many professional qualifications have recognised routes to Canadian accreditation and the time difference with the UK (from four and a half hours in Newfoundland to eight hours in British Columbia) is manageable for keeping in touch with family.

How to move to Canada from the UK: choosing your immigration route

Your first step is to work out which route fits you. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes every programme, eligibility rule and fee on canada.ca, and you should always apply directly through the official site.

Express Entry (permanent residence)

Express Entry is the main route for skilled workers who want permanent residence. You create a profile, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System score based on factors such as age, education, language ability and work experience, and wait to be invited to apply. Draws take place regularly and the minimum score changes from draw to draw.

Provincial Nominee Programs

Most provinces and territories run their own nominee programmes to fill local skills gaps. A nomination can significantly strengthen an application for permanent residence, so it is worth checking the programmes in the province you are most interested in.

International Experience Canada (working holiday)

If you are a young British citizen, International Experience Canada lets you live and work in Canada on an open work permit. Following an expanded agreement between the UK and Canada, British citizens can apply up to the age of 35 and stay for up to three years. Places are limited each season, so check the current rules and pool dates on canada.ca before you plan your moving date.

Work permits, study permits and family sponsorship

You can also move with a job offer and an employer supported work permit, as a student with a study permit or through sponsorship by a spouse, partner or parent who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Processing times vary widely, so build them into your plans before booking your removal.

Whichever route you choose, a British passport holder flying to Canada as a visitor needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). If you are given a work or study permit, an eTA is usually issued with it.

Shipping your belongings to Canada

Once your visa is in progress, start planning the physical move. Most people moving from the UK to Canada ship by sea, with a smaller air freight consignment for items they need quickly.

Full container or shared groupage

• Full container load: your belongings travel in a 20ft or 40ft container used only for your move. This suits a full family home and gives you more control over the timing.
• Groupage (shared container): your belongings share space with other customers' shipments. This is a cost effective option for a smaller move, such as a flat or a few rooms of furniture, although the transit time can be longer while the container is filled.
• Air freight: quicker but more expensive by volume, so it is best kept for essentials such as clothes, documents and work equipment.

Sea freight to the east coast (Halifax or Montreal) is quicker than to Vancouver, which means a much longer voyage. As a guide, door to door times for sea shipments are usually measured in weeks rather than days, and groupage takes longer than a full container. Your Pickfords move manager will give you a realistic timescale for your route when you book.

What does it cost to move to Canada from the UK?

International removal costs depend on the volume you ship, your collection address, your destination in Canada and the services you choose (packing, crating, storage and insurance, for example). Rather than relying on general estimates, we recommend a free survey, either in person or by video, so your quote reflects exactly what you are taking. Our guide to removal costs in the UK also explains the main factors that affect any move.

What to take and what to leave

Shipping by volume means it pays to be selective. Canadian homes use 120V electrics, so many UK appliances will need transformers or replacing. Large items such as wardrobes may not suit North American room layouts. Many people choose to sell or donate bulky furniture and keep sentimental items, artwork and quality pieces. Our guide on downsizing your home has practical tips for sorting your belongings.

Canadian customs rules for personal belongings

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) allows new residents to bring "settlers' effects" into Canada without paying duty, as long as you follow the rules.

• Goods must be owned, possessed and used by you before you arrive in Canada.
• You list everything you are bringing, including goods arriving later, on CBSA form BSF186 (Personal Effects Accounting Document), usually in two copies.
• Present this list to the border officer when you first arrive, even if your shipment follows weeks later. Goods not declared at first arrival may not qualify for the exemption.
• Some items are restricted or need extra paperwork, including firearms, certain foods, plants, alcohol and tobacco above set limits, and vehicles (which must meet Canadian safety standards and go through the Registrar of Imported Vehicles).

Check the latest CBSA guidance on cbsa-asfc.gc.ca before you pack, and ask your move manager about any items you are unsure of.

Healthcare in Canada

Canada has publicly funded healthcare, but it is run by each province or territory. Once you are a permanent resident (or, in many provinces, hold a qualifying work permit) you apply for a provincial health card. Some provinces apply a waiting period before cover starts, so arrange private health insurance for your first months. Prescriptions and dental care are generally not covered in the same way as in the UK, and many employers offer extended health plans to fill the gap.

Tax, banking and money

Tax residency

In the UK, HMRC uses the Statutory Residence Test to decide whether you are still UK resident for tax. Tell HMRC you are leaving (for example with form P85 if you do not complete a Self Assessment return) so your tax position is settled. In Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency decides residency based on your residential ties, such as a home, spouse or dependants in the country. The UK and Canada have a double taxation agreement, so you should not be taxed twice on the same income, but take advice from a qualified cross border adviser on pensions, ISAs and property.

Banking

Several major Canadian banks offer newcomer accounts that you can open soon after arrival, sometimes with credit options for people without Canadian credit history. Keeping one UK account open can help with pension payments and any UK commitments.

Cost of living

Housing is the biggest cost to plan for, and rents in Toronto and Vancouver are among the highest in the country. Statistics Canada publishes up to date consumer price and rent data, which is the most reliable way to compare provinces before you choose where to live.

Driving in Canada with a UK licence

You can usually drive on your UK licence for a short period after arriving, but you must then exchange it for a provincial licence. Several provinces, including Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, have agreements that let UK licence holders exchange without a full test, while others may ask for a knowledge or road test. Check the rules with the licensing authority in your province and bring a DVLA check code or driving record as proof of your experience.

Moving pets to Canada

Dogs and cats can travel to Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) sets the import rules. In most cases a valid rabies vaccination certificate is the key document for dogs and cats over three months old, and some airlines have their own rules on breeds, crates and seasonal travel. Our pet shipping service can arrange approved travel for your pet, and the pet shipping FAQs cover common questions.

Storing your belongings in the UK while you settle in

Many people moving to Canada keep some belongings in the UK, either because they are renting at first or because they are not yet sure the move will be permanent. Self storage with Pickfords starts from £18, with 24/7 access at selected facilities. For longer stays, long-term storage in a drive-up self storage unit is a practical choice. Choose a secure facility to keep your belongings safe at all times.

If you are keeping your UK property, our guide on how to rent out your house in the UK explains the steps.

Your moving to Canada from UK checklist

• Confirm your immigration route and apply through canada.ca
• Book a free removal survey at least three months before your planned date
• Decide what to ship, sell, donate or store
• Prepare your CBSA BSF186 list, including goods to follow
• Arrange temporary private health insurance
• Tell HMRC, your bank, pension providers and who to notify when moving
• Organise pet travel early
• Book temporary accommodation for your first weeks

For a full timeline, see our moving abroad checklist.

Frequently asked questions

• How can I move to Canada from the UK without a job offer?

Express Entry, International Experience Canada (if you are within the age limit) and some Provincial Nominee Programs do not require a job offer, although one can improve your chances. Study permits and family sponsorship are other options. Check current eligibility on canada.ca before you start.

• How long does it take to ship furniture from the UK to Canada?

Sea shipments usually take several weeks door to door, with the east coast generally quicker to reach than Vancouver. Groupage tends to take longer than a full container because it waits for space to be filled. Your move manager will confirm a timescale when you book.

• Is it worth shipping furniture to Canada or buying new?

It depends on the quality and sentimental value of what you own. Many people ship good quality furniture, artwork and personal items, and sell older or bulky pieces that may not fit North American homes. A survey helps you compare the cost of shipping against replacing.

• Do I pay duty on my belongings when moving to Canada?

Personal and household goods you have owned, possessed and used before arriving can usually enter duty free as settlers' effects. You must list them on CBSA form BSF186 and declare any goods to follow on first arrival. Some items, such as vehicles, alcohol and firearms, have extra rules.

• Can I take my UK pension to Canada?

You can usually receive your UK State Pension in Canada, but under current rules it is not uprated each year for people living there. Private and workplace pensions have their own rules, so speak to a regulated adviser before transferring anything.

• Do I need to tell HMRC I am moving to Canada?

Yes. Let HMRC know you are leaving the UK so your tax position is correct, and keep records of the date you left. You may also be due a tax refund for the part of the year you worked in the UK.

• Can I keep my things in storage in the UK while I move?

Yes, and many people do while they find a permanent home in Canada. Pickfords self storage starts from £18, and drive-up self storage suits longer term needs.

Moving from the UK to Canada is a big step, and the right support makes it far easier. Request a free quote for your international move, or get in touch with our expert team for personalised advice on your move to Canada.