Moving/Living in Canada

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Moving/Living in Canada

Have you thought about making Canada home? Married life is a journey, not just a destination. When you’ve decided to share forever with the love of your life, you’re embarking on a grand voyage for a major new phase in your life. There’s much to anticipate about this next great chapter, whether it’s starting a family or living together. This new milestone in your lives together will come with many decisions that you’ll have to make as a couple. One of these is where you’ll live. You may have many options when it comes to finding a home. Here’s what you should know about living in Canada.

Immigrating Here

The immigration process to Canada can be quite involved. There are many steps to apply and secure approval for immigration. Be aware that the process can take several months and even a few years in some cases. For citizens of other countries seeking permanent residence in the Great White North, there are several programs for entry:

  • Express Entry Program: Designated for skilled immigrants to live and work here
  • Federal Skilled Worker: Intended for individuals immigrating to Canada based on their own credentials
  • Business Immigration: Designed for foreign nationals seeking to establish or invest in a business enterprise in Canada
  • Provincial Nominee Program: Set aside for certain provinces to use their own criteria and eligibility requirements to nominate persons for permanent residence
  • Family Class Sponsorship: Specified for people who will be sponsored by family members who are Canadian citizens, Indians or permanent residents
  • Canadian Experience Class: Intended for foreign students and temporary workers with at least one year of employment experience

Visiting Canada is one thing, but living here will require attainment of permanent resident status.

Getting Medical Care in Canada

Having access to adequate healthcare is important wherever you choose to live. In Canada, healthcare is provided by the government through tax funds. Care is administered through private providers. While basic care is essentially free, not everything is covered, like certain prescriptions or dental care. It is recommended that you purchase third-party medical insurance to offset some of the high costs for care not included with basic coverage. It could take you a while to receive public benefits even as a permanent resident, so having coverage through an international provider before you move here is worth considering.

Adjusting to the Climate in Canada

Immigrants from certain parts of the United States and Europe may feel at home with the weather up here. Describing Canada as cold would be quite an understatement. Most parts of the country have average winter temperatures that are well below zero degrees Celsius (or Fahrenheit)! As a resident, it’s possible to experience four seasons, but your understanding of “winter” may be redefined or reshaped up here. If you’re moving from somewhere warm, you probably don’t have enough winter clothes.

Embracing Diversity

Within Canada’s population there are over 200 nationalities and 250 ethnicities represented, including indigenous people. Currently over 20% of the population was born elsewhere, and that percentage is expected to reach almost 50% by 2031. You and your partner may not feel social pressure to fit a particular cultural mold, as many different cultures are present and represented here. This diversity is reflected not just in the general populace but also in government as well.

Loving Freely

Since 2005, all provinces have recognized same-sex marriages. In Canada, marriage falls under federal jurisdiction, but marriage solemnization falls under provincial regulations. Ceremonies can be either civil or religious, but you should know that clergy cannot be compelled to perform same-sex marriages. When it comes to building a life together, there are many places for you and your spouse or spouse-to-be to start this phase. There’s a lot to see and be in Canada. As with any location, think carefully about the type of life you want for you and your family.

Moving/Living in Canada

Have you thought about making Canada home? Married life is a journey, not just a destination. When you’ve decided to share forever with the love of your life, you’re embarking on a grand voyage for a major new phase in your life. There’s much to anticipate about this next great chapter, whether it’s starting a family or living together. This new milestone in your lives together will come with many decisions that you’ll have to make as a couple. One of these is where you’ll live. You may have many options when it comes to finding a home. Here’s what you should know about living in Canada.

Immigrating Here

The immigration process to Canada can be quite involved. There are many steps to apply and secure approval for immigration. Be aware that the process can take several months and even a few years in some cases. For citizens of other countries seeking permanent residence in the Great White North, there are several programs for entry:

  • Express Entry Program: Designated for skilled immigrants to live and work here
  • Federal Skilled Worker: Intended for individuals immigrating to Canada based on their own credentials
  • Business Immigration: Designed for foreign nationals seeking to establish or invest in a business enterprise in Canada
  • Provincial Nominee Program: Set aside for certain provinces to use their own criteria and eligibility requirements to nominate persons for permanent residence
  • Family Class Sponsorship: Specified for people who will be sponsored by family members who are Canadian citizens, Indians or permanent residents
  • Canadian Experience Class: Intended for foreign students and temporary workers with at least one year of employment experience

Visiting Canada is one thing, but living here will require attainment of permanent resident status.

Getting Medical Care in Canada

Having access to adequate healthcare is important wherever you choose to live. In Canada, healthcare is provided by the government through tax funds. Care is administered through private providers. While basic care is essentially free, not everything is covered, like certain prescriptions or dental care. It is recommended that you purchase third-party medical insurance to offset some of the high costs for care not included with basic coverage. It could take you a while to receive public benefits even as a permanent resident, so having coverage through an international provider before you move here is worth considering.

Adjusting to the Climate in Canada

Immigrants from certain parts of the United States and Europe may feel at home with the weather up here. Describing Canada as cold would be quite an understatement. Most parts of the country have average winter temperatures that are well below zero degrees Celsius (or Fahrenheit)! As a resident, it’s possible to experience four seasons, but your understanding of “winter” may be redefined or reshaped up here. If you’re moving from somewhere warm, you probably don’t have enough winter clothes.

Embracing Diversity

Within Canada’s population there are over 200 nationalities and 250 ethnicities represented, including indigenous people. Currently over 20% of the population was born elsewhere, and that percentage is expected to reach almost 50% by 2031. You and your partner may not feel social pressure to fit a particular cultural mold, as many different cultures are present and represented here. This diversity is reflected not just in the general populace but also in government as well.

Loving Freely

Since 2005, all provinces have recognized same-sex marriages. In Canada, marriage falls under federal jurisdiction, but marriage solemnization falls under provincial regulations. Ceremonies can be either civil or religious, but you should know that clergy cannot be compelled to perform same-sex marriages. When it comes to building a life together, there are many places for you and your spouse or spouse-to-be to start this phase. There’s a lot to see and be in Canada. As with any location, think carefully about the type of life you want for you and your family.

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