Complete Guide for Expatriation to Canada in 2026

Canada attracts hundreds of thousands of new arrivals every year thanks to a high quality of life, a dynamic job market, a multicultural society, and breathtaking nature. Whether you're an employee, entrepreneur, student, or seeking a better quality of life for your family, moving abroad to Canada is a challenging but achievable project when well-prepared. This general guide, updated for 2026, will accompany you at every step of your expatriation, regardless of your country of origin.

All these pieces must be provided when applying for a visa or permanent residence. It is crucial to verify the validity and compliance of each document.

For a scouting trip before you settle, visa-exempt travellers such as French citizens apply for an eTA (CAD 7, see our Canada eTA guide), while most African nationals need a visitor visa (CAD 100, plus CAD 85 for biometrics), for example from Nigeria.

Costs to anticipate:

• Immigration application fees: CAD 150 for a study permit, CAD 155 for a work permit, CAD 284.75 for the IEC working holiday, CAD 1,590 for the principal applicant for permanent residence (Express Entry, right of permanent residence fee included), plus CAD 85 for biometrics
• Plane tickets (between €500 and €1,500 depending on the season and departure)
• Funds required by immigration (for example, 15,263 CAD for a single person under Express Entry according to the latest grid published by IRCC, revised every year, more for additional family members)
• Temporary accommodation upon arrival (Airbnb, hotel)
• Additional expenses (translations, language tests, ECA, moving, etc.)

If possible, avoid winter (December-February) for your first steps, especially in the colder provinces.

Remember to book your tickets in advance and compare airlines to get the best fare.

• Public transport: effective in major cities (subway, bus, tram)
• Car: essential outside urban centers
• Train: Via Rail connects major cities, but the network is limited
• Plane: for long distances (the country is vast)

To drive: as a visitor, a foreign licence is valid for 6 months in Quebec and British Columbia and 3 months in Ontario (beyond that, an International Driving Permit is required there). Once settled, it is your national licence, not the international permit, that you exchange for a provincial licence, within the deadline the province sets.

• Furnished Rental (apartments, condos): ideal for the first few months
• Shared Accommodation: economical, promotes social encounters
• University Residence: for students
• Buying a home: until January 1, 2027, the law generally prohibits non-Canadians (neither citizens nor permanent residents) from buying residential property in Canada, with limited exceptions; wait for permanent residence or check your case on canada.ca

• Montreal: CAD 1,000 to 2,000/month for a 2-room apartment downtown
• Toronto/Vancouver: CAD 1,800 to 3,000/month for similar accommodation
• Medium-sized cities: CAD 900 to 1,500/month

Book your temporary accommodation before arrival (1 to 3 months). Agencies and platforms like Realtor.ca, Kijiji, Padmapper are references.

• Bilingualism: English and French are the two official languages, but the majority of the country is anglophone (except Quebec and some regions)
• Accent and expressions vary significantly across provinces
• To integrate, it is recommended to achieve an intermediate level in one of the two languages

• Canada Day (July 1st)
• Quebec Winter Carnival (February)
• Montreal International Jazz Festival (June-July)
• Calgary Stampede (July)
• Toronto International Film Festival (September)

Each province offers its own cultural events throughout the year.

• Poutine: fries, cheese curds, brown gravy
• Tourtière: Quebec meat pie
• Bannique: Indigenous bread
• Smoked salmon from British Columbia
• Maple syrup: used in many desserts

• Montreal: Schwartz’s (smoked meat), Toqué! (fine dining)
• Vancouver: Miku (sushi), Vij’s (Indian cuisine)
• Toronto: Richmond Station, Canoe
• Major cities also offer a diverse international cuisine (Chinese, Indian, Italian, Lebanese, etc.)

• Food trucks: ubiquitous in summer, great diversity
• Local markets: to discover for tasting fresh products and regional specialties

• Niagara Falls
• Banff National Park
• Old Quebec
• Vancouver Island
• CN Tower (Toronto)
• Old Port of Montreal

• Madeleine Islands
• Kluane National Park (Yukon)
• Tadoussac (whale watching)
• Boreal forests of Saskatchewan

• Nature and hiking: national parks, lakes, mountains
• Winter sports: skiing, snowboarding, ice skating
• Culture: museums, galleries, concerts
• Nightlife: bars, microbreweries, clubs

Canada is generally very safe. However, in some large cities, avoid disadvantaged or poorly reputed neighborhoods, especially at night. Ask locally upon arrival.

• Fake rentals: never send money without visiting the accommodation or going through a recognized agency
• Fraudulent calls: fake immigration officers, fake bank calls
• Too-good-to-be-true classifieds: beware of offers that are too good to be true

• 911: police, ambulance, fire emergencies
• 811: non-urgent medical advice (certain provinces)
• Call the embassy or consulate of your country in case of serious problems

• Prioritize shared housing or outskirts neighborhoods
• Cook at home instead of eating out often
• Use public transportation or bike
• Buy second-hand (furniture, appliances, clothes)
• Take advantage of student cards or provincial aid programs

• International bank cards are accepted everywhere (Visa, Mastercard)
• Open a Canadian bank account upon arrival to avoid fees
• Cashless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are very common
• Some stores still accept checks or cash payments but they are decreasing in use

Emigrating to Canada in 2026 is a demanding project, but extremely rewarding, provided you are well prepared. This comprehensive guide has given you all the keys to succeed in your settlement: choice of immigration program, documents, budget, integration, daily life… Canada offers a unique quality of life, an open society, and countless opportunities. Embark with confidence, curiosity, and an open mind: your new life awaits you!