Should I Move To Canada? Pros And Cons Every Expat Should Know

Moving to a new country can be an attractive prospect but also a difficult undertaking. On the one hand, you get a fresh start, a chance to advance your career, perhaps significantly increase your income and quality of life. On the other hand, it means you have to uproot your entire life and establish yourself in an unfamiliar environment with different customs and perhaps even a different language. 

Canada is often the preferred destination for professionals looking to move abroad, with more than 250,000 people migrating here every year. And that's not just because it's the home of natural wonders like the Canadian Rockies and the Niagara Falls. 

Canada is famous for its welcoming culture, progressive politics, universal healthcare, beautiful natural scenery, and vibrant cities. Canadian cities like Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Montréal and Ottawa regularly appear in lists of top places to live in.

So is Canada the right place for you? Before you make the big move, let's look at some of the pros and cons that every expat should know. 

The Great Outdoors

Canada is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and there's loads of it. At almost 10 million square kilometres (or 3.8 million square miles), it's the second-largest country in the world. For example, the Wood Buffalo National Park is actually bigger than the Netherlands. The natural landscapes are breathtaking and offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. If you like hiking, biking, sailing, fishing, kayaking or skiing in a beautiful setting, this is the place for you. 

However, if you like to travel (and who doesn't), it can be quite expensive because of the lack of discount airlines. If you're from Europe and you're used to hopping on a plane and going to a different country for sometimes less than 100 euros, you won't find that here. Even domestic flights are pricey, and if you want to travel to other countries, you'll have to plan and save diligently. 

This can also make it difficult to visit friends and family back home, but let's get back to the beautiful scenery. Canada is teeming with wildlife, still has little towns that have preserved the spirit of the first British settlers while also boasting iconic cityscapes. Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary are among the best cities you could live in, evaluated by factors such as infrastructure, stability, education and healthcare. 

And of course, we have to talk about the weather. Not only because it's a very Canadian thing to do, but also because Canada is most often associated with cold temperatures when in reality, the weather depends on where you live. That's not too surprising since it's a huge country stretching over five time zones. The most populated regions are the ones not for from the U.S. border where you can enjoy four distinct seasons, though they can vary quite a bit from one place to another. Ontario, for example, is famous for its very cold winters and brutally hot, humid summers. There's something for everybody. 

Economy  

Canada is the 10th largest economy in the world with key industries such as oil, service and agriculture. In larger cities, law firms and banks are thriving. If you want to start a business, the process is quite straightforward, and if you'd rather simply get a job, the unemployment rate tends to be lower than in many other parts of the world. However, career opportunities tend to be location-specific, so you'll need to research the area where you want to settle before moving here. 

The wages are generally high, but you have to keep in mind that Canadian companies tend to favour Canadian degrees and work experience. If you come from another country, you might be required to undergo additional testing and recertification. You can also expect the interview process to be more rigorous and extensive. 

The cost of living is also high. If you move to a remote area, life can be more affordable, but you'll have fewer options when looking for a job. In the more densely populated cities like Toronto and Vancouver, the cost of living is high, especially housing. Despite this, most expats manage to find well-paying jobs, settle down and even save enough to send money overseas to their relatives back home. 

Welcoming Culture 

First of all, it's important to know that if you decide to move to Canada, you definitely won't be alone. More than a fifth of the people who live in Canada was not born here, and the percentage is even higher in big cities. In Toronto, for example, there are over 200 cultural groups. That's because Canada is well-known for its progressive politics, welcoming culture and fondness for diversity. 

With that being said, Canada also has tough immigration laws, so getting a visa can prove to be a lengthy and complicated process. You need to prove that you can add value to the country's economy. The last time Canada had the highest net migration – the difference between the number of people who leave and who enter the country – was in 2000. 

There has been some increase in recent years. In 2018 and 2019, about 300,00 immigrants were allowed to enter, but that doesn't mean the process was smooth sailing. Some of them had to wait years until their application was approved and were allowed to enter. The number of immigrants allowed is expected to rise to 350,000 in 2020 and 2021, as a way to address the ageing population problem. 

There are several types of visas you can apply for. The most popular one is the one for skilled workers that you can use if you already have a job offer or want to come to Canada to look for work. You don't necessarily have to have a job lined up, but it certainly makes things a lot easier because Canada's Express Entry immigration system is based on points. The more points you have, the easier it will be to get approved. If you already have a job offer, you'll be awarded a good amount of points. 

Other types of visas include a category for expats who want to start a business, generate revenue for the country and employ people. You can also get a visa if you already have family members in Canada, and they can sponsor your relocation. There are likewise visas for provinces – for example, in Quebec where skilled workers that can speak French are in high demand. More than half of the applicants who get approved are either skilled workers or in the business category.