Living in Canada
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-23)

Information about moving to, living or retiring in Canada – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

Getting help with living in Canada

Help from the Canadian government

For any questions about moving to or living in Canada, you may be able to get help from the:

Canadian High Commission and Consulates in the UK (https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/index.aspx?lang=eng)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html)

government of your local province or territory (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/provinces-territories.html)

The UK government and the British High Commission in Ottawa cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Canada.

Professional help in Canada

You can also get help from English-speaking professionals (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad) in Canada, including:

lawyers

translators

notaries

funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for Canada (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/canada) to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Canada. This includes the latest information on:

visas and entry requirements

laws and cultural differences

safety and security

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad).

Get help from the UK government abroad (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/), including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Canada (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/canada/entry-requirements) before you travel.

Visas

Check which Canadian visa (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada.html) you need to live in Canada.

You can get a visa to:

work

start a business

study

retire

visit your children or grandchildren

If you want to extend your visa, read guidance on extending your stay in Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/extend-stay.html).

For more information, read guidance from:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html)

the Canadian High Commission and Consulates in the UK (https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/index.aspx?lang=eng)

Applying for a visitor record

You need to apply for a visitor record when you first arrive in Canada, if you plan to stay longer than 6 months.

A visitor record is not the same as a visitor visa.

Read guidance from the Canadian Government on:

extending your stay in Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/extend-stay.html)

settling in Canada as a newcomer (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada.html)

finding newcomer services (https://ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp)

Permanent residency

You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Canada if you have been in Canada for at least 730 days in the last 5 years.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s guidance on living in Canada permanently (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada.html).

Citizenship

Canada recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Canadian citizen.

To find out if you’re eligible for Canadian citizenship:

check the eligibility criteria (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility.html) and use the eligibility checker (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/check-eligibility.html) on the Government of Canada website

contact the Canadian High Commission in London (https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/london-londres.aspx?lang=eng)

read guidance on Canadian citizenship (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship.html)

Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British High Commission in Ottawa cannot help with Canadian visa, residency or citizenship applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc.html)

the Canadian High Commission in London (https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/london-londres.aspx?lang=eng)

an English-speaking lawyer in Canada (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/canada-list-of-lawyers)

Passports

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

apply for a British passport from abroad

travel urgently without your British passport

Healthcare in Canada

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

plan your healthcare

take medicine abroad

Canada does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.

Make sure you have appropriate health insurance (https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/insurance/health.html) to cover any healthcare costs.

To find out how to get medical treatment:

contact your insurance provider

read guidance on the healthcare system in Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canada-health-care-system.html)

contact Health Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/contact-us.html)

Working in Canada

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in Canada, you may need a work permit. You can find out if you need a work permit (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/need-permit.html) on the Government of Canada’s website.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada explains the different work permits (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/work-permit.html) available to you.

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in Canada, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised (https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/foreign-credential-recognition.html).

Driving in Canada

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

drive abroad legally

take your UK vehicle abroad

get driving licence letters

Read about road travel in Canada, in safety and security in the travel advice for Canada (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/canada/safety-and-security). This includes information on driving in Canada, including driving licence rules.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provides information on driving in Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/driving.html), including:

links to the transportation department in each province and territory

driving license rules

car insurance

driving laws, rules and safety

buying or leasing a car

Disabled drivers

In Canada, UK citizens with a disability have the right to the same parking concessions as a Canadian citizen. Your vehicle must display a badge showing the international wheelchair symbol.

You may also be able to apply for a Canadian disabled parking permit. Read Transport Canada’s guidance on parking badges for people with disabilities (https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/policies/mutual-recognition-parking-badges-agreement-persons-disabilities) for more information.

If you have a UK Blue Badge (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/blue-badge-scheme) and live in Canada, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Canada (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/canada-tax-treaties) so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact the Canada Revenue Agency (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html) for any questions about double taxation relief. You can also read their guidance for newcomers to Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/newcomers-canada-immigrants.html).

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/taxes/income-tax.html). To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Canada (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/canada-list-of-lawyers).

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers:

how to claim your UK State Pension

where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Claiming a Canadian pension

Contact Employment and Social Development Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development.html) to find out whether you can claim the:

Old Age Security pension (https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/contact/oas.html)

Canada Pension Plan retirement pension (https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/contact/cpp.html)

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.

Claiming Canadian benefits

You may be entitled to some Canadian benefits.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:

read guidance on social security for newcomers to Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/newcomers-canada-immigrants.html)

contact the Canada Revenue Agency (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/contact-information.html)

Buying and renting property in Canada

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers buying and renting property abroad.

Generally, if you’re not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, you cannot own land or property in Canada. There are some exceptions to this.

Read the Canadian government’s guidance for newcomers on housing in Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/housing/overview.html).

Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Canada (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/canada-list-of-lawyers) if you’re considering buying property or land.

Voting in Canada

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

vote in UK elections from abroad

register as an overseas voter

Canadian elections

You cannot vote in Canadian federal, provincial or municipal elections unless you hold Canadian citizenship.

Read the:

information on federal elections (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/discover-canada/read-online/federal-elections.html) from the Government of Canada

voter information (https://www.elections.ca/home.aspx) from Elections Canada

Studying in Canada

If you plan to study in Canada, you must meet all visa requirements (https://www.educanada.ca/study-plan-etudes/before-avant/permits-visas-permis.aspx?lang=eng) before you travel.

You can find out if you need a study permit (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/study-permit-tool.html) on the Canadian government’s website.

For more information:

read guidance on studying in Canada as an international student (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html)

read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England) (https://www.gov.uk/travel-grants-students-england)

contact your higher education provider in the UK or Canada

contact EduCanada (https://www.educanada.ca/contact_us-contactez_nous.aspx?lang=eng), the official Government of Canada source for international students

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers moving abroad with children, including:

getting permission to take your child abroad

claiming UK Child Benefit abroad

child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

Schools and education

The Government of Canada provides information about education and schooling in Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/education.html).

Each province or territory (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/provinces-territories.html) in Canada has its own education ministry or department. The Council of Ministers of Education Canada (https://www.cmec.ca/en/) provides links to the different education ministry or department websites.

Children in Canada must attend school or home school. Depending on the province or territory, children start school from as young as 4 and finish when they’re 18.

Childcare

Employment and Social Development Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development.html) is responsible for childcare services in Canada.

Read the Government of Canada’s guidance on:

Canada child benefit (CCB) (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-child-benefit-overview.html)

childcare options (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/life-events/child/daycare-education.html)

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in Canada, register the birth with the province or territory (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/life-events/child/register-birth.html) where you live.

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate

apply for your child’s first British passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers:

what to do after someone dies abroad

how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in Canada, read guidance on:

who to inform when someone dies in Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/life-events/death/notify.html)

what to do when someone dies in Canada (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bereavement-information-for-canada)

English-speaking funeral directors in Canada (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/funeral-directors?country=canada)

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad.

Each province or territory (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/provinces-territories.html) has specific laws on marriage and civil partnership.

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.

The Department of Justice offers guidance on how to apply for a divorce in Canada (https://justice.gc.ca/eng/fl-df/divorce/app.html).

Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Canada (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/canada-list-of-lawyers).

Documents for British people in Canada

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/documents-for-british-people-abroad). This covers:

legalising and certifying UK documents

marriage and civil partnership documents

affirmations and affidavits

witnessing signatures

Lawyers, translators and notaries

To find a lawyer, translator or notary in Canada, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad).

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to Canada, read guidance on:

bringing animals to Canada (https://inspection.canada.ca/en/importing-food-plants-animals/pets)

taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country (https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-a-noneu-country)

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-to-the-uk). This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

You should also tell the Canada Revenue Agency (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html) that you’re leaving Canada.

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Canadian authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-commonwealth-development-office-fcdo-consular-information-disclaimer).