If you’re planning to move to England from Canada, you’re joining a large and welcoming community.
Whether you’re relocating for work, study, or personal reasons, navigating the immigration process is essential for a smooth transition.
If you are looking to invest as an expat or high-net-worth individual, which is what I specialize in, you can email me (hello@adamfayed.com) or WhatsApp (+44-7393-450-837).
This includes if you are looking for a second opinion or alternative investments.
Some facts might change from the time of writing. Nothing written here is financial, legal, tax, or any kind of individual advice or a solicitation to invest.
This guide will provide you with the key steps, visa options, and useful information to help you move from Canada to England smoothly.
Why do Canadians Move to England?
While the UK includes Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, London (England) has the largest proportion of migrants among UK regions, with over 40% of residents born abroad.
Many expats move from Canada to England, specifically London, due to its economic leadership and concentration of services as a hub of multiculturalism.
This underscores the enduring connection between Canada and the UK, making the UK a significant destination for Canadian expatriates.
The UK is a stable and well-regulated country with appealing benefits for expats:
- A shared language and legal heritage
- Financial and tax planning opportunities, especially for HNWIs
- A vibrant property market and diverse cultural experiences
- Strong international business infrastructure
For HNWIs, the UK’s non-domicile (non-dom) tax status and access to global markets make it an especially attractive base for wealth management and estate planning.
What Is the Best Visa to Move from Canada to England?
Several visa options are available depending on your circumstances:
Skilled Worker Visa UK
For Canadians with a confirmed job offer from a UK-based employer licensed to sponsor skilled workers.
✔️ Who is eligible for skilled worker visa?
To apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you need to meet specific requirements related to your employment.
These include:
- Having a confirmed job offer from a UK employer who is licensed and approved by the Home Office
- Receiving a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer, detailing your job role in the UK
- Ensuring the job you’re offered is listed among the eligible occupations
- Meeting the minimum salary requirement, which varies based on the nature of your job and the date your CoS was issued
Your eligibility will depend on the specific role you’re taking.
Importantly, you must secure the job offer before submitting your visa application.
UK Global Talent Visa
Ideal for highly skilled professionals in academia, research, digital technology, and the arts.
If you’re at least 18 years old and recognized as a leader or emerging leader in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology, you may qualify for the Global Talent visa.
This visa provides a flexible pathway to live and work in the UK, and is ideal for individuals with proven excellence in their field.
✔️ How to apply for Global Talent Visa in the UK
1. Applying as the Winner of an Eligible Prestigious Prize
You can bypass the endorsement step and apply directly for the Global Talent visa if:
- You’ve won a prestigious prize listed by the UK Home Office (only those specifically named are eligible—other awards from the same institution do not qualify).
- You are the named winner of the prize.
2. Applying for an Endorsement
If you haven’t won a listed prize, you’ll need to secure an endorsement from a recognized body in your field.
This applies if you work in:
- Academia or research
- Arts and culture
- Digital technology
Innovator Founder Visa UK
For entrepreneurs with a viable, scalable, and innovative business idea endorsed by an approved UK organization.
The Innovator Founder visa is designed for individuals who want to establish and run an innovative business in the UK.
✔️ Innovator Founder Visa Eligibility
You can apply if:
- You want to start a business that’s new, innovative, and different from anything else available.
- Your business idea has been endorsed by an approved endorsing body.
- You meet all other eligibility requirements, including English language proficiency.
✔️ Business Criteria
Your business idea must be:
- New: you cannot join or take over an existing business.
- Innovative: it must be original and market-disrupting.
- Viable: there should be real potential for success and development.
- Scalable: your plan must show potential to create jobs and expand nationally or internationally.
✔️ English Language Requirement
Applicants must demonstrate their ability to speak, read, write, and understand English, typically by passing a recognized English language test or holding a relevant academic qualification.
UK Family Visas
For individuals joining a spouse, partner, child, or parent who is a UK resident or citizen.
You can apply for a UK Partner Visa if you and your partner meet the following conditions:
Both of you must be 18 or older and you must plan to live together permanently in the UK.
Your partner must be one of the following:
- A British or Irish citizen
- Settled in the UK (e.g., with indefinite leave to remain or settled status)
- From the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status (must have lived in the UK before 1 January 2021)
- A holder of a Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa
- Someone with refugee or humanitarian protection
- A stateless person with permission to stay in the UK
✔️ Applying with Children
You can include children as dependents in your application if:
They are under 18 at the time of application and are not living an independent life (e.g., haven’t moved out, married, or started their own family).
UK Ancestry Visa
Available to Canadians with at least one UK-born grandparent, allowing them to live and work in the UK for up to five years, with a path to settlement.
✔️ Who can apply for ancestry visa?
To qualify for a UK Ancestry Visa, you must meet the following conditions:
Applicant Requirements
- Be 17 years old or above
- Have enough funds to support and house yourself (and any dependents) without relying on public funds
- Be able and planning to work in the UK
Ancestry Requirements
You must prove that one of your grandparents was born in one of the following situations:
- In the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man
- In Ireland before 31 March 1922
- On a ship or aircraft registered in the UK or operated by the UK government
You can claim ancestry through:
- Adoption (either yours or your parent’s) or through a grandparent whose parents were not married.
You cannot claim UK ancestry through step-grandparents.
How Much Does It Cost To Move To England From Canada
The cost of moving from Canada to the UK, in general, can vary widely depending on your lifestyle, visa type, and moving choices.
Before you move to England from Canada, be prepared to spend approximately $2,000 to $4,000 CAD to cover your visa application and healthcare surcharge or insurance.
Once you arrive, it’s wise to have at least $2,500 CAD on hand to cover initial rent, bills, and a security deposit.
Don’t forget to set aside some extra for daily expenses and personal spending. This final amount will depend on your lifestyle and preferences.
Where to Move to in England and Other Considerations
Top Places to Live in England for Expats and HNWIs:
- London – Access to top-tier business, healthcare, and education
- Oxfordshire/Cambridge – Centers of academic and biotech excellence
- Surrey and Berkshire – Wealthy residential suburbs with excellent amenities
Real Estate Considerations
- Non-UK buyers must pay an additional 2% Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
- Choose between freehold and leasehold properties carefully
- Legal representation is required for real estate transactions
Healthcare and Education
- Register with a general practitioner (GP) for National Health Service (NHS) or private care
- Research elite international and private schools (e.g., Eton, Harrow, Westminster)
Tax in England
- UK Inheritance tax is 40% on estates above £325,000, though tax planning can reduce this
- If you qualify for non-dom status, you may avoid UK tax on offshore income for several years before April 6, 2025 if they were less than £2,000 in the tax year
What to Do After Arriving in England: Checklist
Legal Setup
- Apply for a National Insurance number
- Register with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
- Update your estate planning documents to reflect UK law
Daily Life
- Set up utilities, phone contracts, and local bank accounts
- Find private healthcare or register with the NHS
- Join local expat or business communities to network
Compliance and Reporting:
- Keep a log of your UK residency days (important for tax residency)
- Report foreign financial assets if subject to FATCA or CRS
Is it Worth Paying for a Financial Advisor in England?
Absolutely.
The financial complexities involved in cross-border moves require expert guidance.
Mistakes in tax residency, pension management, or asset structuring can be costly.
Pained by financial indecision?
Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters with over 830million answer views on Quora, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.
