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🇨🇦 Moving to Canada: what you actually need to know

Canada has one of the most transparent skilled immigration systems in the world through Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Programs. The system is points-based and predictable: if you know your CRS score, you know roughly where you stand. The challenge is that cut-off scores have risen significantly and processing times vary. Understanding which stream to target for your profession and location is the most important first decision.

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Visa routes

Your main options for moving to Canada

Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)

Points-based system (CRS score) drawing from a pool of candidates every 2–4 weeks. Invitations to Apply (ITAs) go to the highest scorers. Recent cut-off scores: 470–530 for general draws. Processing target: 6 months after ITA. Age, education, language, and job offer are the main scoring factors.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Each province nominates candidates matching its labour market needs. PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points: effectively guaranteeing an ITA. Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta have the largest programs. Many streams target specific occupations.

Student Permit

To study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Processing: 4–8 weeks. Most study permit holders can work 24 hours per week off-campus. Completing a Canadian degree significantly improves Express Entry scores (Canadian Education Credential Advantage).

Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Employer-sponsored with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The employer must prove they could not hire a Canadian for the role. Processing: 4–12 weeks. Easier to convert to PR than a study permit.

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Cost of living

What it actually costs to live in Canada

Toronto

CAD 3,500–5,500/month (€2,400–3,800)

Rent for a 1-bed: CAD 2,200–3,200. One of the most expensive rental markets in North America. Commuter suburbs like Mississauga and Brampton offer lower rents.

Vancouver

CAD 3,500–5,500/month (€2,400–3,800)

Similar cost profile to Toronto. Known for strong tech and film industries. Severe housing shortage.

Montreal

CAD 2,200–3,500/month (€1,500–2,400)

Significantly cheaper than Toronto and Vancouver. Requires functional French for daily life and government services.

Key steps

What to do and in what order

Create an Express Entry profile

Submit your profile to the Express Entry pool with your language test results (IELTS or CELPIP), education credentials (ECA from ICAS, WES, or equivalent), and work experience. Your CRS score is calculated automatically.

Language testing (IELTS / CELPIP / TEF)

IELTS Academic or General is the most common. CLB 9 in all four bands is optimal for Express Entry scoring. Book well in advance: test centres fill up 4–6 weeks out.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

Required for non-Canadian degrees. WES and ICAS are the most common providers. Processing: 3–7 weeks standard, 5 business days rush. Start this early: it is a hard dependency.

Get your SIN (Social Insurance Number)

Issued within 5 days of arriving with your work permit or PR. Required for employment, banking, and tax filing. Apply online or at a Service Canada centre.

Each province has its own system (OHIP in Ontario, MSP in BC, RAMQ in Quebec). There is typically a 3-month waiting period. Get private health insurance to cover the gap.

Common mistake

The most common mistake is waiting to take the language test until after submitting the Express Entry profile, only to find the score is lower than needed. Take the test early, ideally twice if necessary. A single CLB band improvement (from 9 to 10 across all four skills) can add 30–50 CRS points.

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