Planning Your Move to Canada
As a Canadian citizen, you have the unrestricted right to live and work anywhere in Canada. Whether you are planning a permanent move or just want the option, here is what you need to know.
As a Canadian Citizen
If you have your Canadian citizenship certificate, moving to Canada is straightforward. You have full rights to live, work, study, and access public services. There are no visas, work permits, or residency requirements to worry about.
Getting Started
- Social Insurance Number (SIN) — You’ll need a SIN to work in Canada. Apply at any Service Canada office after arriving.
- Provincial Health Card — Healthcare is administered provincially. Apply for a health card in the province where you settle. Note that some provinces have a waiting period of up to 3 months.
- Banking — Open a Canadian bank account. Major banks include RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, and CIBC.
- Housing — Research the housing market in your chosen city. Major cities like Toronto and Vancouver have high costs of living, while other cities offer more affordable options.
Bringing Your Non-Canadian Spouse
Once you have your Canadian citizenship certificate, you can sponsor your spouse or common-law partner for permanent residence. The sponsorship process has requirements including the intention to live in Canada. Consult IRCC Guide 5289 for full details.
After gaining permanent resident status and living in Canada for the required period, your spouse may eventually be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship through naturalization.
Bringing Your Children
If your children were born before December 15, 2025, they may also be Canadian citizens by descent and can apply for their own citizenship certificates. If your children were born on or after December 15, 2025, the parent passing down citizenship must have spent 1,095 days in Canada before the child was born.