Moving to the UK from Canada appeals to Canadians with British family ties, dual nationality or a job offer in London and beyond. Relocating to the United Kingdom from Canada means lining up the right visa, booking ocean freight out of Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver, and applying for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief so your personal effects clear UK customs duty-free. This guide walks Canadians through every step of a Canada-to-UK move, from visa to first flat.
Moving to the UK from Canada: overview
Canadians move to the UK for work in finance, tech, healthcare and academia, for study, or to reconnect with British family. The UK has a higher tax burden than Canada in many brackets, so the financial case usually rests on career progression and lifestyle rather than take-home pay.
The biggest planning items are securing the correct visa before you travel and arranging Transfer of Residence relief so you do not pay UK import VAT and duty on goods you already own. Sort your CRA non-residency position with a cross-border accountant before departure.
Visa & residency basics
Most Canadians need a visa to live and work in the UK. Confirm current routes and salary thresholds with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before committing.
- Skilled Worker visa — sponsored by a UK employer holding a sponsor licence; tied to a minimum salary.
- Youth Mobility Scheme — for eligible Canadians aged 18–35, allowing up to 3 years of work.
- UK Ancestry visa — for Commonwealth citizens (including Canadians) with a UK-born grandparent.
- Family visa — joining a British or settled partner or relative.
- Student visa — for those enrolling at a licensed UK institution.
Shipping household goods to the UK from Canada
Most Canada-to-UK moves travel by ocean container from Montreal, Halifax or Vancouver to Felixstowe or Southampton. A full 20ft or 40ft container (FCL) suits a whole home; smaller moves go as shared LCL or air freight. Shipping boxes to London from Toronto by air is fastest for essentials, while sea freight is the economical choice for furniture.
Plan roughly 3–5 weeks port-to-door by sea from Canada, plus packing and customs time. With approved Transfer of Residence relief, used personal effects are generally free of UK import VAT and duty.
Customs clearance: UK Transfer of Residence
To import used household goods duty- and VAT-free, apply to HMRC for Transfer of Residence (ToR1) before your shipment arrives. You will receive a unique reference number that your shipping agent quotes at the UK border.
Have your ToR approval, passport, visa/BRP details, a detailed inventory and bill of lading ready before the container lands. New goods, restricted items and certain food, plants and alcohol have separate rules and can attract charges.
Banking in the UK for newcomers
Opening a UK current account is easier with proof of a UK address; high-street banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest) and app-based banks (Monzo, Starling) all offer accounts. HSBC's global links can help Canadians open an account before arrival in some cases.
On the Canadian side, decide what to do with RRSPs, TFSAs and non-registered accounts before you leave — a TFSA loses its tax advantage once you are a non-resident, and UK tax may apply to worldwide income once you are UK-resident.
Schools in the UK for expat families
State schools are free for residents and allocated largely by catchment area, so where you rent affects which schools your children can attend. Independent (private) schools charge fees that commonly run from roughly £15,000 to £45,000+ per year. Apply early, as state-school places and selective independents both fill quickly.
Housing & where expats live
UK rentals are usually advertised per calendar month, with a holding deposit, a tenancy deposit (capped at five weeks' rent) and referencing checks. Canadians often start in commuter areas around London, or in more affordable cities like Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Birmingham where salaries stretch further.
Bringing your pet from Canada
Dogs and cats can enter Great Britain from Canada with a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and a Great Britain pet health certificate (GBHC) issued by a CFIA-accredited vet; dogs also need tapeworm treatment for direct entry. Animals must travel as manifested cargo on an approved route. Start 1–2 months ahead and use a pet-relocation specialist for booking and arrival clearance.
Destination charges explained
Your shipping quote from Canada covers origin packing and ocean freight, but UK destination charges — terminal handling at Felixstowe or Southampton, customs clearance, port fees and final delivery — are billed at the UK end. These are normal but should be disclosed upfront; surprise destination charges are the most common complaint in international moves.
Ask for a written quote that itemises origin costs, freight and estimated UK destination charges so you can compare movers fairly. Our destination charges guide explains each line item.
Plan your move to the UK from Canada
Tell us your origin city in Canada and what you're shipping. A move coordinator will reply with a verified, written quote and a clear breakdown of UK destination charges within one business day.
Request relocation guidanceFrequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Canada to the UK take?
Ocean freight runs roughly 3–5 weeks port-to-door from Canadian ports to Felixstowe or Southampton, including customs. Air freight is far faster — about 4–8 days — and suits smaller, time-sensitive shipments of boxes from Toronto or other cities.
Do I need a visa to move to the UK from Canada?
Most Canadians do. Common routes include the Skilled Worker visa (employer-sponsored), the Youth Mobility Scheme for ages 18–35, the UK Ancestry visa for those with a UK-born grandparent, and family visas. Confirm eligibility with UKVI before you book a move.
What is Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief?
ToR is HMRC relief that lets people moving to the UK import used personal belongings free of import VAT and duty. Apply with form ToR1 before your shipment arrives and give the reference to your shipping agent to clear customs smoothly.
Do I need to be a non-resident of Canada before moving to the UK?
To stop being taxed in Canada you generally need to sever Canadian tax residency, which can trigger a CRA departure tax on certain assets. Because the UK taxes residents on worldwide income, get cross-border advice before you leave.
Can I ship boxes to London from Toronto without a full container?
Yes. Smaller moves travel as shared LCL by sea or as air freight. Air is best for a few boxes of essentials; LCL is more economical for larger volumes that don't fill a container.
How much does it cost to move to the UK from Canada?
Cost depends on origin city, shipment volume, FCL vs LCL vs air, insurance and UK destination charges. There's no single figure — request a verified written quote based on a confirmed inventory rather than relying on a generic calculator.