Relocation plan: Canada

Do you need a visa?

Yes, a work permit, for every nationality. The main routes:

• Work permit with a job offer: the employer usually needs a labour market assessment (LMIA). For many highly skilled jobs (mostly in technology) it uses the Global Talent Stream, and the work permit can then get faster processing (target: 2 weeks) under the Global Skills Strategy.
• Express Entry: permanent residence from abroad, by points (age, education, experience, languages); a job offer helps but is not always needed.
• International Experience Canada: working holiday for young people from partner countries (age limits apply); check whether your country takes part.

Global Talent Stream · Global Skills Strategy · Express Entry · International Experience Canada

Documents and where to get them

In your country, before you leave

• Passport, valid for the whole move; the visa is issued in the passport.
• Birth certificate (and marriage certificate, if married). Usually with an apostille (or legalisation) and a certified translation; check with the embassy.
• Criminal record certificate from your country of nationality and, if different, from where you lived recently: visa applications often require it. Request it close to the date it will be used.
• Degree, transcript and references from previous jobs, digitally, with certified translations if the visa asks for them.

In Canada

• Social Insurance Number (SIN): needed to work and be paid; requested from Service Canada (canada.ca).
• Provincial health card: public health care is managed by each province, and some have a waiting period for newcomers; take private insurance for that time.

Step by step

Before you leave

1. Confirm in writing the gross annual salary (in Canadian dollars), the start date, the relocation support and how the employer will handle the permit.
2. Apply for the work permit (or Express Entry) and give your biometrics quickly when asked.
3. Taxes are federal and provincial, so the net pay depends on the province: ask the employer for a net estimate.
4. In your country, tell the authorities you are moving: update your registered address and your tax residence. In the year you leave, tax may be due for the part of the year you were still resident.

First week

1. Apply for your SIN.
2. Open a bank account and give the details to your employer.

First month

1. Apply for the provincial health card and check whether there is a waiting period.
2. Check the tax withholding on your first payslip.