Living in Canada
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:
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government of your local province or territory
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 in Canada, including:
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lawyers
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translators
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notaries
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funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Canada to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Canada. This includes the latest information on:
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visas and entry requirements
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laws and cultural differences
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safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Canada before you travel.
Visas
Check which Canadian visa you need to live in Canada.
You can get a visa to:
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work
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start a business
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study
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retire
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visit your children or grandchildren
If you want to extend your visa, read guidance on extending your stay in Canada.
For more information, read guidance from:
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:
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.
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:
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check the eligibility criteria and use the eligibility checker on the Government of Canada website
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contact the Canadian High Commission in London
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:
Passports
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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apply for a British passport from abroad
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travel urgently without your British passport
Healthcare in Canada
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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plan your healthcare
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take medicine abroad
Canada does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
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contact your insurance provider
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read guidance on the healthcare system in Canada
Working in Canada
Read our guidance on 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 on the Government of Canada’s website.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada explains the different work permits available to you.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Canada, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
Driving in Canada
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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drive abroad legally
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take your UK vehicle abroad
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get driving licence letters
Read about road travel in Canada, in safety and security in the travel advice for Canada. This includes information on driving in Canada, including driving licence rules.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provides information on driving in Canada, including:
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links to the transportation department in each province and territory
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driving license rules
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car insurance
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driving laws, rules and safety
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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 for more information.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Canada, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Canada so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Canada Revenue Agency for any questions about double taxation relief. You can also read their guidance for newcomers to Canada.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Canada. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Canada.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
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how to claim your UK State Pension
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where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Canadian pension
Contact Employment and Social Development Canada to find out whether you can claim the:
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on 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:
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read guidance on social security for newcomers to Canada
Buying and renting property in Canada
Read our guidance on 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.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Canada if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Canada
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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vote in UK elections from abroad
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register as an overseas voter
Canadian elections
You cannot vote in Canadian federal, provincial or municipal elections unless you hold Canadian citizenship.
Read the:
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information on federal elections from the Government of Canada
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voter information from Elections Canada
Studying in Canada
If you plan to study in Canada, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
You can find out if you need a study permit on the Canadian government’s website.
For more information:
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read guidance on studying in Canada as an international student
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read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
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contact your higher education provider in the UK or Canada
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contact EduCanada, the official Government of Canada source for international students
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
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getting permission to take your child abroad
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claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
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child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Government of Canada provides information about education and schooling in Canada.
Each province or territory in Canada has its own education ministry or department. The Council of Ministers of Education Canada 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 is responsible for childcare services in Canada.
Read the Government of Canada’s guidance on:
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Canada, register the birth with the province or territory where you live.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
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apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
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what to do after someone dies abroad
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how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Canada, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad.
Each province or territory has specific laws on marriage and civil partnership.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on 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.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Canada.
Documents for British people in Canada
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
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legalising and certifying UK documents
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marriage and civil partnership documents
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affirmations and affidavits
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witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find a lawyer, translator or notary in Canada, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Canada, read guidance on:
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
You should also tell the Canada Revenue Agency 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.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
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Updated Electronic Travel Authorisation requirements for British passport holders flying to Canada.
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Added information about Electronic Travel Authorisation requirements
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Added British Columbia to the list of provinces where a UK driving licence can be exchanged.
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First published.