What documentation is required to move to Canada?

Moving to another country can be tough. Hundreds of things occupy your mind, each rivaling the other for attention. In the midst of the hassle and frenzy, appointing an accredited international mover, being prepared and well planned really does make the process easier. 

If you’re planning to move to the Great White North, here’s a list of what documentation is required to move to Canada. Remember to make multiple copies of your documents, and keep soft copies as well as hard copies on hand!

Visas and their variety 

Foreigners need a work permit and employment visa for most jobs within Canada. Depending on your situation, you can apply for an open work permit or an employer-specific work permit. 

Permanent workers go through the online Express Entry system. For these skilled workers Canada has three types of skilled worker immigration programs, each with its specific requirements: 

• Federal skilled worker
• Federal skilled trades
• Canadian experience class

Do note that if you plan on moving to Quebec, you’ll have to go through the Quebec-selected skilled workers process. 

For the Express Entry application, you will need:

• Passport or travel document
• Language test results
• Education credential assessment report
• Provincial nomination (if you have one)
• Written job offer from a Canadian employer (if you have one)
• Police certificate
• Medical exam
• Proof of funds

As a permanent worker, you can bring your children, spouse or common-law partners to Canada. Each member of the family will have to apply separately. For them, the requisite forms and documents include:

• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union form
• Passports
• Birth certificates
• Marriage or divorce certificates
• National ID cards
• Military service documents
• Other civil documents

2. Self-employment visa

To be eligible for the self-employment visa, you’ll need to have:

• At least 100,000 CAD (74,267 USD) in assets (information accurate at the time of publishing, please do check for updates)
• At least two years of self-employment experience or have taken part in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level
• A medical exam
• A police certificate
• Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and family in Canada
• Biometrics 

Your application will take about 23 months to be processed.

Permanent residency allows you to access a wide range of services within Canada, including access to healthcare, ability to work and study anywhere in Canada, ability to apply for citizenship at a later date, and protection under Canadian law. The only right that is not afforded under permanent residency is the right to vote. 

Canada’s 60 immigration programs fall into three categories: economic, family, and business. 

Under the family-based immigration, if you are being sponsored, you’ll need:

• Certified translations of all documents in English or French
• Proof of relationship to the sponsor
• Police certificate
• Medical exam

Biometrics may also be required.

Visitors who will be staying in the country for more than six months need to take a medical exam if they have lived for at least six months in one of the countries listed on the Government of Canada website. For your appointment, make sure to have:

• Proper ID (with photograph and signature)
• Eyeglasses or contact lenses (if applicable)
• Medical reports or tests for any previous or existing medical conditions
• Medical Report form (IMM 1017E) 
• List of current medications
• Four recent photographs

So there you have it a list of what documentation is required to move to Canada. For further inquiries and details on moving to Canada, don’t hesitate to contact your international moving company or the Canadian embassy. By ensuring that the requisite documents are prepared beforehand, you’ll avoid potential setbacks and waiting periods associated with the move. If you want to discuss your move with us, you can get in touch here.