Immigrating from Canada to the UK Guide

The UK is reportedly one of the countries with the biggest Canadian communities.

Statista logged roughly 75,000 Canadians living in the UK in 2021.

I’ll discuss the requirements, visa options, costs, taxes, and pros and cons of moving from Canada to the UK, among other things.

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Some of the facts might change from the time of writing, and nothing written here is formal advice.

For updated guidance, please contact me.

Can Canadians move to the UK?

Yes. They can do so without a visa for up to six months. However, they’re limited to tourist activities within that time frame. No employment is allowed.

A visa must be secured for those planning to move there longer or for good.

Moving Overseas Checklist

Travel Requirements Canada to UK

The passport must remain valid throughout the entire stay in the UK. The recommended validity left is at least six months.

Electronic Travel Authorization will be mandatory for entering the UK as of January 8, 2025. Such rule applies to all travelers who are not from Europe, even to those who are just passing through.

ETA applications for Canadians commenced November 27, 2024.

Multiple entries are OK under the ETA for stays of up to a half year over a two-year period or until passport expiration, whichever comes first.

UK border officials may seek proof of having enough funds to sustain life in the European country.

Visa for Moving to the UK

· Ancestry Visa. Applicants for this five-year option must have a UK-born Canadian grandparent. It lets holders work and study there. This visa can lead to indefinite leave to remain.

· Youth Mobility Scheme Visa. This is for those between 18 and 35 if from Canada, and it permits them to reside and work in the UK for two years at most. Candidates do not need an employment offer, but they must show evidence for having savings worth at least 2,530 pounds.

· Skilled Worker Visa. This five-year visa uses a points system and requires 70 points based on factors like compensation, skill level, and job offer. It is for those who have a job offer from a UK employer, with a valid sponsorship authorization. It can result in ILR.

· Student Visa. Available to 16 years and older who were accepted at accredited UK institutions. It allows stays of not more than five years for degree-level studies. Candidates must prove their English proficiency level and capacity to pay.

· Visa for Spouses or Partners. This is for those married to or have a long-term relationship with a British citizen or permanent resident. Applicants need sizable savings or revenue worth at least 29,000 pounds annually.

· Global Talent Visa. Individuals acknowledged as leaders or have the potential to be in disciplines like tech and the arts are the target market for this visa. It offers a route to settlement three or five years later.

· Graduate Visa. It’s accessible to foreign students who have earned a degree from the UK. It permits them to remain and work or look for work for two years max. PhD graduates can stay a year longer.

· Innovator Founder Visa. Used to be dubbed Innovator visa, this one is open to business owners who want to roll out a venture in the UK. They must have at least 1,270 pounds worth of savings.

How do I permanently move to UK from Canada?

The ancestry visa is a way to secure permanent residency. You can apply for indefinite leave to remain five years later and, eventually, British citizenship.

The spouse/partner visa ca be prolonged and lead to ILR after five years.

Those on a skilled worker visa are also eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years.

How much does it cost to relocate to UK?

Applying for the ETA is worth 10 pounds.

Meanwhile, visa costs range from more than 200 pounds to over 4,000 pounds. The actual costs vary based on the type availed.

Moving to UK Tax Implications

For tax purposes, an individual will be considered a UK resident after arriving in the country and remaining for more than 183 days during a tax year.

Unless there’s a tax treaty, they will be liable for UK levies on all income as a resident, including whatever’s earned in Canada.

In essence, a departure tax is a CGT on the deemed disposition of assets at fair market value, which an individual may be subject to when they leave Canada. So, taxes may be assessed on any gains even if they decide not to dispose of their assets.

As per Canadian law, some accounts might be given special exemptions or be treated differently.

Is it worth moving from Canada to UK?

The merits for relocating from Canada to the UK depends on lifestyle choices, employment prospects, and financial pursuits. The cost of living should be carefully considered too, besides any taxes involved.

Pros and cons of migrating to UK

Benefits of Immigration to the UK

· Residents can get healthcare services from the UK National Health Service for little to no cost.

· Enjoy new cultures and flourishing artistic communities.

· Travel to many European countries is relatively simpler and more reasonably priced.

· The job market is robust, especially in the fields of healthcare, tech, and finance.

· Some locations may have lower rent and grocery prices than major Canadian cities.

Disadvantages of moving to the UK

· It can take a lot of effort and time to understand visa requirements.

· The UK’s often cloudy skies and rainy weather might be a turnoff.

· The living expenses are quite high in places like London.

· Long waiting lists are common for non-emergency clinical procedures.

· It can be tough to adjust to new social norms and workplace culture.

Is it worth moving to UK from Canada?

Certain policies that restrict care workers’ and international students’ ability to bring dependents were reportedly rolled out by the previous Conservative government. Visa grants plunged 27% year over year in the first half of 2024, with noteworthy declines in the said categories.

The general salary condition for granting skilled worker visas has also been raised from 26,200 pounds to 38,700 pounds to give preference to local hires.

It’s very important to mull over immigrating to the UK from Canada at this time given the recent revisions to the country’s immigration laws, particularly the rise in the salary thresholds for those applying for skilled worker visas.

Talking to experts might help you decide and handle any complexities.