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Writer's pictureSarah Marchesi
Nov 2, 20204 min read

How to move to Canada: tips and processes for the uninitiated

Updated: Dec 7, 2020

Firstly, I would like to apologize to everyone wishing to move out of their home countries (especially the UK and US) for not publishing this post sooner. While we are living in stressful and unprecedented times, it is not too late to research your options for moving out. I will also be updating this article with more information as it arises. While there are several ways to move to Canada, this article will mainly focus on the International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday experience. The article will also touch on studying in Canada as an immigration platform, as well as sponsorships.


In October 2016, I applied for a Working Holiday visa to Canada a few short months after the UK declared it would leave the EU. While this was not the main reason why I chose to leave, it turned out to be a major motivator for my decision. Every reason for leaving a country is varied and different; I am not here to judge, but some of the information I give has been derived from personal experience.


The first step is to answer a set of questions on the cic.gc.ca website regarding eligibility to Canada. This will be different for everyone depending on the circumstances, but for the Working Holiday program, you will need to state that you plan to reside temporarily in Canada. If eligible, you should receive a code in order to start registering for a Working Holiday visa.


The next step is to fill out your information (passport, current address, etc.) in order to be entered into the pool. You will be randomly invited to complete your application process; this can take either a few hours to several months. My advice: don't give up on your chances and wait it out. If you do not get selected that year, there is always next year. You will not be charged for entering the pool, and you only need to pay once your application is complete. No harm, no foul. It costs $250 CAD to complete your application, plus additional fees for your police/medical certificate. If you arrive in Canada, you are expected to carry a minimum of $2,500 CAD; if you budget accordingly, you should have no issues.


If you do get an invite, congratulations! You will receive an email asking you to accept within 10 days of the invite. Once accepted, the application time is extended, and you will be able to gather/apply for your documents. Some documents, such as the police certificate, may not be ordered in time for the application; in that case, make it visible on your application that your police certificate is ordered and on the way. CIC will send an email to you to complete the application as soon as they receive confirmation that your police certificate is delivered. Depending on the pandemic situation, biometrics may/may not be offered to you; this was introduced in 2018, and was not offered to me at the time of my application. Depending on the industry you are working in, you may also need to apply for a medical certificate. This is important if you plan to work with children or vulnerable adults; you have proof that you are fit and healthy enough to work with those demographics.


If you receive a port of entry letter, congratulations! Your letter should be valid for exactly one year. If not, contact CIC and they should extend it for you.


The study permit takes on a similar approach; while the pool requirement is omitted, a student still needs to apply for a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), submit an acceptance letter from that DLI, and prove they can financially support themselves. [3]


The more grueling part of your move begins soon after. Where will you live? What will you take with you? For the first month of my move, I stayed at a hostel and Airbnb until I could find a job and an apartment. Before the pandemic, finding a job was significantly easier once you landed in the country; now the opposite may be coming true. While virtual interviews have long been a staple for some companies, the rise of virtual interviews during the pandemic have made it significantly more viable for potential immigrants to obtain work. [4]


Finances are crucial for surviving in another country; thankfully, Canadian banks have made it easy for newcomers to settle in. Many offer newcomer packages that include a chequing, savings and credit card account; a car or apartment may be difficult to obtain without a decent credit score, so building it up is important. Transferring your funds will also be crucial for settling in; TransferWise and CurrencyFair have received rave reviews, and they are easily the cheapest and fastest money transfer services for those living abroad. [5] There will be a lot of trial and error, but keep persevering and you will go far!


If there is any valuable information that I am missing, please let me know in the comments. Thank you for reading, and I hope this will help plan your move!


Useful links/references:

[1] All of the information regarding Working Holiday, or other immigration methods, can be found on cic.gc.ca and https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html


[2] A list of eligible countries for IEC Working Holiday, Young Professionals: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/eligibility.asp?country=all&cat=NA&#country_category_name_cont




[5] Transferwise and CurrencyFair:


[6] hostelworld.com is great for those looking to stay at a hostel before moving somewhere more permanent.

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