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.

To move to Canada, prepare a valid passport, language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF or TCF Canada), a foreign diploma assessment (ECA), police certificates, a medical exam and proof of funds: CAD 15,263 for a single person under Express Entry.

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.

Before you leave, review your vaccinations with your doctor.

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 (prices vary with the season and departure city)
• 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.)

Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are the best times to settle in Canada; for driving, how long a foreign licence remains valid depends on the province.

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: how long a visitor may use a foreign licence, and whether an International Driving Permit is required, depends on the province. Once settled, it is your national licence, not the international permit, that you exchange for a provincial licence, within the deadline the province sets.

In Canada, rents vary widely from one city to another; until January 1, 2027, the law generally prohibits non-Canadians from buying residential property.

• 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

• Compare rents across several neighbourhoods before setting your budget: they vary widely from one city to another.

Book your temporary accommodation before arrival.

Canada has two official languages, English and French, but most of the country is anglophone, except Quebec and some regions; Canada Day falls on July 1st.

• 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
• Montreal International Jazz Festival
• Calgary Stampede
• Toronto International Film Festival

Each province offers its own cultural events throughout the year.

Canada's typical dishes are poutine (fries, cheese curds, brown gravy), Quebec tourtière meat pie, bannock, an Indigenous bread, smoked salmon from British Columbia and maple syrup, used in many desserts.

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

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

Canada's must-sees are Niagara Falls, Banff National Park, Old Quebec, Vancouver Island, Toronto's CN Tower and the Old Port of Montreal; off the beaten path, try the Magdalen Islands (Îles de la Madeleine) or whale watching in Tadoussac.

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

• Magdalen Islands (Îles de la Madeleine)
• 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: 911 reaches police, ambulance and fire services, and in several provinces 811 connects you to a nurse for non-urgent health advice (a provincial service: Info-Santé 811 in Quebec, Health811 in Ontario). Beware of fake rentals and fraudulent calls from fake immigration officers.

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 health advice from a nurse, 24/7; a provincial service (Info-Santé 811 in Quebec, Health811 in Ontario), so check your province's number
• Call the embassy or consulate of your country in case of serious problems

In Canada, your monthly budget depends first on housing, then on food, transport, phone and insurance; amounts vary widely with the city and your lifestyle.

• Housing: the largest item, varying widely by city
• Food
• Transport: monthly pass in large cities
• Phone and Internet
• Health and insurance
• Leisure and miscellaneous

• 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 widely accepted (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!