Moving to Canada in 2026: Visas, Costs and First Steps
Moving to Canada comes down to four decisions: which permit or program lets you in, how much money you must show, what you carry across the border, and what you set up in your first weeks. This guide takes them in order, using the Government of Canada's own pages as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
To move to Canada you need a work permit (CAD 155, usually with a job offer), a study permit (CAD 150, with a letter of acceptance and CAD 23,448 in living funds for one person outside Quebec), or permanent residence, most often through Express Entry (CAD 1,590 per adult). Express Entry currently takes about 6 to 7 months after you apply. When you arrive, declare any funds over CAD 10,000 and hand over a list of the goods you are bringing. In your first weeks, apply for a Social Insurance Number, which you need to work, and for provincial health insurance, which in some provinces does not cover newcomers for the first three months. Budget for housing first: the government says most Canadians spend 35% to 50% of income on housing and utilities.
Step 1: choose your route in
| Route | What you need | Government fee (CAD) | Current processing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer-specific work permit | A job offer; most jobs also need a labour market impact assessment from the employer | 155 | 4 to 11 weeks from the six countries we checked |
| Open work permit | No job offer, but only in specific situations, such as graduates and spouses of some workers and students | 155 plus 100 open work permit holder fee | Depends on the situation |
| Study permit | Letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution, proof of funds, usually a provincial attestation letter | 150 | 4 to 10 weeks from the six countries we checked |
| Express Entry (permanent residence) | Skilled work experience, language test, a high enough ranking score | 1,590 per adult; 270 per child | About 6 to 7 months |
| Provincial nomination (permanent residence) | Nomination by a province or territory | 1,590 per adult; 270 per child | About 7 months via Express Entry; about 13 months otherwise |
| Spousal sponsorship (permanent residence) | Sponsorship by your spouse or partner | 1,260 | About 18 months for a partner outside Canada, outside Quebec |
Biometrics cost a further CAD 85 per person, or CAD 170 for a family applying together. The details of each route are in our guides to Canada work permits, the study permit and permanent residence, and current timings for more countries are in our processing times guide.
Which route fits you
- You have a Canadian job offer: an employer-specific work permit. Your employer finds out whether the job needs a labour market impact assessment and gives you the documents for your application.
- You are a skilled worker without an offer: Express Entry does not require a job offer for the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
- You want to study first: a study permit lets you work up to 24 hours a week off campus during regular terms, and a post-graduation work permit may follow, depending on your program.
- Your partner is in Canada: family sponsorship, or an open work permit in some situations.
Step 2: know how much money you must show
| Route | One person (CAD) | Family of four (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Study permit, living costs for a year, outside Quebec (applications from 1 September 2026) | 23,448 | 43,572 |
| Express Entry settlement funds, where proof of funds is required | 15,263 | 28,362 |
The study permit figure excludes tuition and transportation. Work permit applicants must show enough money to support themselves and their family during their stay and to return home; the government gives no single figure and points to its low income cut-offs as a guide.
Before you move, check whether your home country limits how much money you can take out. The government suggests asking your lawyer, banker or financial adviser.
Step 3: prepare for the border
Documents to carry with you
- a valid passport or travel document for each family member travelling;
- your Canadian immigrant visa, if one applies, and a Confirmation of Permanent Residence for each family member, if you are landing as permanent residents;
- two copies of a detailed list of the personal and household items you are bringing, and two copies of a list of items arriving later, with their money value.
Do not pack these in your luggage; keep them with you at all times. The goods list should show each item's value, make, model and serial number. You hand it to the border services officer when you first arrive, even if you are not bringing any goods at that time. Filling out form BSF186 before you travel makes this quicker.
The government also suggests bringing vaccination records, which children need to enrol in school, plus marriage and birth certificates, your driver's licence with an International Driving Permit, letters of reference from former employers, and school records, diplomas and degrees.
Declaring money
Tell a Canadian official when you arrive if you are carrying more than CAD 10,000. That includes cash, cheques, bankers' drafts, money orders and securities. If you do not declare it you may be fined and the funds could be seized.
The two interviews
New permanent residents go through two screening interviews on arrival. The first checks your visa and travel documents and asks questions like those on your application: who you are travelling with, how much money you have and whether you are healthy. The second covers the goods you are bringing. If there are no issues, the officer signs your Confirmation of Permanent Residence and authorises your entry as a permanent resident. Answer truthfully: a false statement is a serious crime and you may not be allowed to stay.
Step 4: your first weeks
Get a Social Insurance Number
You need a Social Insurance Number (SIN), a 9-digit identifier, to work in Canada or access government programs and benefits. For citizens and permanent residents the SIN is permanent. For temporary residents it starts with a 9 and expires with their immigration documents. Service Canada no longer issues plastic SIN cards.
Sort out health insurance
Canada has a universal health care system funded through taxes, and all citizens and permanent residents can apply for public health insurance through their province or territory. Some provincial and territorial programs may not cover newcomers for the first three months. Check with your province's ministry of health as soon as you arrive to see whether you need to buy private insurance for the gap. Prescription medicine is an expense public insurance does not cover.
Find somewhere to live
Many newcomers rent an apartment on a monthly basis. The government's own rough guide is at least CAD 350 a month for a room and at least CAD 2,000 a month for a larger apartment or a house, with lower costs outside large cities. Current averages by city are in our cost of living in Canada guide. An immigrant-serving organisation where you settle can help you find a home you can afford.
Driving
You need a driver's licence issued by your province or territory. A valid licence from your home country will probably let you drive for a short time after you arrive; the period depends on the province. Getting a Canadian licence may involve a written exam and one or two driving tests. It is illegal to drive without car insurance.
What daily life costs
- Housing takes the largest share. Most Canadians spend 35% to 50% of their income on housing and utilities.
- Pay cheque deductions for income tax, the Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan and Employment Insurance can reduce your pay by as much as 25% to 35%.
- Sales tax is added at the till. The federal Goods and Services Tax is 5%. Most provinces add a provincial sales tax of 7% to 10%, or combine the two as a Harmonized Sales Tax. Alberta, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon have no provincial or territorial sales tax.
- Your first job may pay less than you expect. The government warns newcomers that they may have to take lower-paid work while they upgrade skills or gain Canadian experience.
A simple order of operations
- Pick the route and check its requirements on the official page.
- Take the language test and gather documents if you are going for permanent residence.
- Apply, pay the fees and give biometrics.
- Use the wait to research the city, the rent and the health coverage rules of your province, and to look at the free pre-arrival services the government offers to help you prepare.
- Prepare the border paperwork: goods lists, funds declaration if over CAD 10,000, vaccination and school records.
- On arrival, apply for your SIN and provincial health insurance, then set up housing and a driver's licence.
Frequently asked questions
How can I move to Canada?
With a work permit, a study permit, or permanent residence. Most skilled workers apply for permanent residence through Express Entry; others come first on an employer-specific work permit, which needs a job offer, or a study permit, which needs a letter of acceptance and proof of funds.
How much money do I need to move to Canada?
It depends on the route. A single study permit applicant outside Quebec must show CAD 23,448 for living costs, excluding tuition. A single Express Entry applicant who needs proof of funds must show CAD 15,263. Government fees are CAD 150 for a study permit, CAD 155 for a work permit and CAD 1,590 for permanent residence.
Can I move to Canada without a job offer?
Yes. Express Entry does not require a job offer for the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and a study permit does not need one. An employer-specific work permit does.
How long does it take to move to Canada?
IRCC currently estimates about 6 months for the Canadian Experience Class and about 7 months for federal skilled workers after you apply. Work and study permits from outside Canada took 4 to 11 weeks from the six countries we checked in October 2026.
How much cash can I bring into Canada?
There is no limit stated, but you must tell a Canadian official if you are carrying more than CAD 10,000 in cash, cheques, drafts, money orders or securities. If you do not, you may be fined and the funds could be seized.
Is health care free for newcomers to Canada?
Citizens and permanent residents can apply for public health insurance, which is funded through taxes. Some provinces and territories may not cover newcomers for the first three months, so check with your province and consider private cover for that period.
What should I do first after arriving in Canada?
Apply for a Social Insurance Number, which you need to work, and for your province's public health insurance. Then arrange housing and check how long you can drive on your foreign licence.
Sources (official only)
- Government of Canada — Settling in Canada
- Government of Canada — Prepare financially
- Government of Canada — Prepare to cross the border
- Government of Canada — Health care in Canada
- Service Canada — Social Insurance Number
- Government of Canada — Driving in Canada
- IRCC — Work in Canada
- IRCC — Study permit
- IRCC — Express Entry
- IRCC — Fee list
- IRCC — Check processing times
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. Fees, funds and processing times change, so check the official page before you apply. Information, not legal advice.