Country Guide Living in Canada as an Expat
0 businesses across 4 cities — curated by the expat community
Settling in Canada
Canada admits around half a million permanent residents a year and, unlike most countries, treats settlement as a policy objective rather than an afterthought. Newcomer services are funded, immigration consultants are regulated, and the paperwork is more predictable than the American equivalent. That does not make it simple, but it does mean the steps are knowable in advance.
The first-week list is short and the order matters. A Social Insurance Number, which you need before you can be paid and which is issued quickly at a Service Canada office. A bank account, which most major banks will open for a newcomer on a passport and landing document. And provincial health coverage, which is the one people underestimate: it is administered by the province, not the country, and several provinces impose a waiting period of up to three months during which you need private cover.
Where you land changes the experience more than most arrivals expect. Toronto and Vancouver have the largest established communities and the highest housing costs in the country. The Provincial Nominee Programs and the Atlantic Immigration Program exist specifically to route newcomers elsewhere, and cities like Halifax and Calgary offer a materially lower cost of living with a faster path to permanent residence for many applicants.
Language is a practical matter rather than a formality. English is sufficient almost everywhere, but French is the working language of Quebec, and federal immigration scoring rewards proficiency in either official language. Language schools are worth treating as part of the settlement budget rather than an optional extra, particularly for applicants whose points total sits near a threshold.
Expat cities in Canada
Frequently asked about living in Canada
What are the main immigration routes to Canada? +
Express Entry covers the federal economic streams, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, and is scored on the Comprehensive Ranking System. The Provincial Nominee Programs let individual provinces select candidates they need, often with lower thresholds than the federal pool. The Atlantic Immigration Program serves Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Family sponsorship, study permits and employer-specific work permits are the other common routes. Canada has no digital nomad visa, though it has run targeted tech talent streams.
How much does it cost to live in Canada? +
A comfortable single-person budget runs roughly C$2,200 to C$3,000 a month in Halifax, Calgary or Winnipeg, and C$3,500 to C$4,500 in Toronto or Vancouver, where housing is the dominant cost. Groceries and mobile plans are expensive by international standards. Income tax is levied federally and provincially, so the effective rate depends on where you live.
How does healthcare work for newcomers to Canada? +
Healthcare is public and administered by each province rather than nationally. Permanent residents and many work permit holders are eligible, but several provinces apply a waiting period of up to three months from the date you establish residence. Arrange private cover for that gap. Note that public coverage generally excludes dental, prescription drugs and vision, which is what most employer benefit plans and private insurers are for.
Do I need French to move to Canada? +
Not for most of the country. English is sufficient in every province except Quebec, where French is the working and official language and where employment outside it is limited. Federal immigration scoring awards points for proficiency in either official language, and French ability can materially improve an Express Entry score, including for applicants settling outside Quebec.
Should I settle in Toronto or a smaller Canadian city? +
Toronto and Vancouver have the largest established communities and the deepest job markets, and also the highest housing costs in the country. The Provincial Nominee Programs and the Atlantic Immigration Program are designed to direct newcomers to other provinces, frequently with lower selection thresholds. Cities such as Halifax, Calgary and Winnipeg offer a lower cost of living and, for many applicants, a faster route to permanent residence. The trade-off is a smaller labour market in specialised fields.
