The British community in Canada has been rapidly growing over the past few years thanks to more and more relocating from their homeland
Approximately 6,320,000 British Canadians claim partial or full British ancestry in Canada. They make up about 18.3% of Canada’s total population.
From Quebec, British settlers spread to different parts of Canada, providing cheap labor and settling primarily in western Canada. Each Canadian province has been impacted differently by the Britishh, and today, the Anglo-Canadians are most numerous in the following five provinces:
- Ontario
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Quebec
- Nova Scotia
Moving to Canada from the UK
Canada has become the destination of choice for many British in search of a better quality of life and security. That’s why many of the British that immigrate to Canada from UK intend to stay permanently by getting a Canadian visa.
By the way, it’s possible to see permanent residency as “tentative citizenship” for British foreign nationals in Canada due to a few differences between being a Canadian citizen and being a Canadian permanent resident. The law states, for example, that permanent residents cannot vote and that they may still be sent back to their country if they commit a serious crime.
A Canadian permanent residency can be obtained through employment or from sponsorship by a family member.
What are the legal requirements for moving to Canada from the UK?
Canadian immigration is growing faster than that of other countries, which are tightening their controls on immigrants. Although Canada welcomes immigrants from around the world, you will still need a visa to enter the country.
For British citizens, there are a lot of popular visa programs that lead into Canada:
- International Experience Canada (IEC)
People between the ages of 18 and 35 can apply for this working holiday visa. If you have this visa, you can stay in Canada for a maximum of two years and get a work placement or participate in an internship.
Each year, a limited number of places are given to British applicants for this immigration program. So, you will have to meet specific eligibility criteria if you’re applying from UK.
- Express Entry
Immigrants and their families can take advantage of this fast-track pathway to enter Canada. It’s a skill-based competition that is managed by ranking the skills of workers against each other and inviting those with the highest scores to apply for permanent residency. It may seem challenging, but you could be settled in Canada permanently in a few months if you succeed.
- Start-up Visa Program
Are you considering starting a business in Canada? Start-up visas could be available for you. To qualify, you must have a business idea or business model that is backed by a designated business organization. Upon successful completion of this process, you could obtain permanent residency in Canada.
- Temporary Work Permit
To work in Canada, you’ll need a work permit. Several different types exist, including open work permits and work permits specific to individual employers.
The former allows you to work in Canada provided you comply with certain requirements, such as working for a particular employer for a specific period. On the other hand, the latter allows you to work for any Canadian company, but you can only use it in specific circumstances.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
You can apply for permanent residency through the CEC program if you have worked as a skilled worker in Canada (for at least 12 months) in the past three years.
What are the requirements for students?
For those that want to study in Canada, a Student Permit is required. As your study permit is granted, you will automatically be issued an electronic travel authorization or visitor visa.
Cost of living in Canada
The culture shock of moving to a new country is inevitable, but you need to make sure that it doesn’t entail a financial shock as well. That’s why it’s essential to understand how much things cost in your new country. Generally, Canada is cheaper than UK for most items.
Finding a Job in Canada
Canadian Immigration’s website is a great place to start if you’re interested in getting a job before moving to Canada. It has lots of information on the Canadian workplace culture and standards, as well as tips for foreigners on finding a job in Canada.
Additionally, Job Bank, Career Builder, jobs.gc.ca, Eluta, Indeed, Glassdoor, and Jobboom are good resources for people seeking jobs in Canada.
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot of ground here, from how to get a Canadian visa and find a job to cost of living, employment, and healthcare. But moving to a new country is a pretty big deal, and there’s always going to be a lot to think about.
After reading this guide, we hope that you will be more prepared to handle the upcoming planning and preparations.
