3 Best Ways to Immigrate to Canada From UK

May 24, 2023

Sinethemba Phongolo

As a British citizen, choosing to immigrate to Canada from the UK can offer many opportunities you may not find back home. Canada has a famously low cost of living, exploding job market, many creature comforts of home, friendly people, and cosmopolitan, constantly-growing cities.

As Canada is technically still part of the Commonwealth, it’s also relatively easy to immigrate as the Canadian government accepts many British qualifications and work experience.

The best way to immigrate to Canada from the UK is to get a Canadian permanent residency (Canada PR). This is because permanent residence means you can stay in Canada for life, get the maximum benefit from Canada’s social assistance, travel throughout Canada, be protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and apply to become a Canadian citizen.

There are several ways to Immigrate to Canada from the UK, so we’ve compiled a list of the three best ways to do so. Each of these pathways to Canada PR offers potential immigrants from multiple backgrounds and varying levels of qualification the opportunity to start a new life in Canada.

Express Entry

The Canada Express Entry System is the most popular way to gain Canada PR. This is primarily because it’s the fastest way to gain Canada PR as an applicant can become a permanent resident in under six months. The Canadian government started Express Entry in 2015 to allow skilled foreign workers to be fast-tracked into Canada with their families to help Canada’s economy grow in light of the aging and often overly-educated population.

Each applicant must enter the necessary details into the Express Entry portal on the Canadian government website. These details are calculated via Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to create a CRS score out of 1200. Every applicant’s CRS score is entered into an Express Entry pool, and an Express Entry draw occurs every two weeks.

In each draw, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) send applicants with a score over a certain number an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for Canada PR. The number changes per draw based on the size and strength of the Express Entry pool. Those who receive an ITA have 60 days to submit the necessary documentation to apply for permanent residency.

Within the Express Entry system. They are as follows:

Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)

This Canada Express Entry program is specifically for those working in a profession that requires a degree. An example of this is an accountant, software engineer, or doctor. The FSWP is highly effective in channeling eligible skilled immigrants to the correct occupations in Canada.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) program is specifically for applicants working in a trade that requires either a diploma or job-specific training. An example of this is an electrician or plumber.

Canada Experience Class (CEC)

The CEC is specifically for skilled foreign workers who have lived and worked in Canada for at least the previous year. This opens up a wealth of opportunities for applicants that may not necessarily meet the requirements for the other two programs but can live and work in Canada for over a year via visa programs such as the following:

The International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday Visa
Work Permit
Student Visa

Provincial Nominee Programs

One of the best ways to fast-track your Canada PR application is to be nominated by one of Canada’s provinces. 11 out of Canada’s 13 provinces offer Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

Work Permits

For individuals whose applications for permanent residency in Canada were unsuccessful due to various reasons that include ineligibility and inadmissibility to enter Canada, work permits are available as an alternative immigration pathway toward permanent residency. There are primarily two types of work permits: Open and Employer-Specific work permits.

Open Work Permits

The IRCC grants open work permits to immigrants who wish to work for any employer in Canada for a specified amount of time.

Employer-Specific Work Permits

The employer-specific Canadian work permit grants foreign nationals who have received a job offer from a Canadian employer the right to work at a specific location in Canada for a specified amount of time.

Work permits UK citizens can use to apply for permanent residency status in Canada include:

Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
International Experience Canada (IEC)
Global Talent Stream (GTS)
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

Canada UK Trade Agreement

The Canada-UK Trade Agreement (CUKTCA) was introduced post-Brexit, to assist candidates who previously applied under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), to be able to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

TR to PR

The Temporary Public Policy: Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway (TR to PR Pathway) serves as an alternative immigration pathway for work permit holders toward obtaining permanent residency status. Temporary residents and their families who qualify primarily through the possession of a temporary resident permit can apply.

Advantages of Moving to Canada From the UK

Healthcare

Like the UK, Canada offers free healthcare to its citizens and permanent residents. The Canadian healthcare system is of good quality and is one of the most open and fair in the world. In contrast, the UK's issues with its National Health Service (NHS) are well documented, including:

Staff shortages that hinder the ability of the NHS to meet the demand for its vital services.
Lack of crucial medical specialists and medicines which also slows down the provision of crucial health services to those who need them.
Underpaid workers lead to constant labor disputes that again bog downs the NHS's ability to provide services to those most in need.

Affordability

Comparatively, Canada is a more affordable nation to live in than the UK. For a clearer understanding of the differences in affordability between the two nations, you can take a look at the tables provided which give a thorough comparative breakdown of the average cost of living differences in Canada vs UK.

Diversity

Canada is well-known for being welcoming to its large immigrant population. Approximately 20% of the country’s inhabitants were born elsewhere. The resultant diversity has helped make Canada a tolerant and accepting place.

Spectacular Scenery

Canada’s sheer size allows for an abundance of spectacular natural scenery. If you love the great outdoors, you can see the wonders of Canadian nature, such as glaciers, coastlines, lakes, the Northern Lights, forests, and mountains. There is plenty of wildlife too – from bears to whales – to spot if you’re lucky..

Culture

Canada has an interesting and rich cultural history, from the Aboriginal First Nations to French and British colonization. The modern multi-cultural mosaic that influences and exists in Canada today is a consequence of this.

The international success of many Canadian musicians and comedians and several impressive metropolises have made Canada a nation with a lot to offer culturally.

If you are interested in all the benefits of being a Canadian permanent resident, take the first steps by consulting with one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) today.

FAQs

Which Place in Canada is the Best for UK Citizens to Move to?

Due to the close bilateral relations between the two countries as a consequence of socio-historical ties, almost any place in Canada would be suitable for UK citizens to move to depending on their individual needs, wants, and experiences. However, the most commonly cited places for UK citizens to move to in Canada are

How Easy Is It to Land Jobs in Canada?

This generally depends on your occupation and where its in demand. However, Canada has a booming and expanding job market with over 959,600 vacancies nationwide as per information received from Statcan. This ensures that there is more than a fair chance for newcomers to Canada to find a job.