Relocating to Canada — Newcomer Visa, Settlement & Shipping Guide

Canada admits hundreds of thousands of new permanent residents each year through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) and family routes — plus large numbers of work-permit holders, international students and temporary residents. This guide gives newcomers a practical overview of the main residency routes, what to do in your first 30 days on the ground, where most expats settle and how to plan the household-goods side of the move.

Permanent residency and work-permit routes

There are several major pathways to live and work in Canada. Each has its own eligibility criteria, processing time and supporting documents — confirm the latest with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a licensed Canadian immigration consultant or lawyer:

Express Entry — the federal points-based system covering Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Trades (FST).
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) — provinces nominate candidates with skills they specifically need; nominees often gain a large CRS boost in Express Entry.
Quebec's Skilled Worker Programs — Quebec runs its own immigration selection separately from Express Entry.
Family Sponsorship — Canadian citizens and PRs can sponsor spouses, partners, dependent children and certain other relatives.
Study and post-graduation pathways — international students often transition to a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and then to PR via CEC or PNP.
Work permits — employer-specific (LMIA-based) or open (e.g. spouse of a skilled worker, IEC for eligible nationalities).

Your first 30 days on the ground

Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) — required to work and to be paid in Canada.
Open a Canadian bank account — most major banks have newcomer packages (chequing + savings + credit card).
Apply for your provincial health card — coverage waiting periods vary by province; arrange private cover for any gap.
Register children for school — generally the local public school for your address; bring vaccination records and school reports.
Convert or apply for a driver's licence — rules vary by province; some have reciprocal exchanges, others require testing.
Set up housing utilities and a Canadian phone plan, and start building Canadian credit history.

Where most newcomers settle

Newcomers tend to settle where there are jobs in their field, family ties or affordable housing relative to income. The largest expat populations are in the Greater Toronto Area (Ontario), Metro Vancouver (British Columbia), Calgary and Edmonton (Alberta) and Greater Montreal (Quebec). Mid-sized cities such as Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Quebec City are increasingly popular for affordability and provincial nomination opportunities.

Shipping personal effects to Canada

Canada generally allows new permanent residents and returning citizens to import used household goods duty- and tax-free under the 'settler's effects' provisions of the Customs Tariff, provided the goods were owned, possessed and used before arrival. You will need to present the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) with completed forms B4 / BSF186 (Personal Effects Accounting Document) and BSF186A (the detailed inventory of goods to follow), along with your passport, visa or PR documentation and a packing list.

Always confirm current CBSA requirements before you ship — restricted and prohibited items, alcohol, vehicles and certain electronics have additional rules. The Expats Hub does not provide customs clearance directly; your appointed mover or licensed customs broker will handle the filing.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Express Entry take?

Processing times change frequently. Many Express Entry profiles that receive an Invitation to Apply are processed within 6 months of submission, but the full journey from profile creation to PR can take a year or more depending on your category, score and supporting documentation. Confirm current timelines with IRCC.

Do I need a job offer to get PR?

Not always. Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class candidates can qualify on points alone. A valid job offer or a Provincial Nomination usually adds significant CRS points and can change the timeline materially.

Will I pay duty on my household goods?

Used personal and household effects are generally duty- and tax-free for newcomers under CBSA's settler's effects rules, provided you owned and used the goods before arrival and complete the required B4 / BSF186 documentation. Confirm details with CBSA or your customs broker.

Where should newcomers move first?

Most newcomers settle in the GTA (Toronto), Metro Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton or Montreal, but mid-sized cities offer better affordability. Pick a city that matches your job market, language and housing budget — not just where the most newcomers happen to be.

Can I bring my car to Canada?

Vehicles imported into Canada must comply with Transport Canada and Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) rules. Some US-spec vehicles are admissible; others are not. Plan vehicle import as a separate workstream from your household goods.

Related guides

This guide is general information for planning purposes only. Visa, customs, tax, school admissions and shipping rules change. Always confirm requirements with the relevant government authority, school or licensed advisor before making decisions.