While a British citizen or a UK citizen does not need a visa (or is visa-exempt) when visiting Canada, which may only require a Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), moving to Canada to become a permanent resident and eventually apply for Canadian citizenship is a different process.
There are various options that a British citizen or a UK citizen may avail of to move to Canada from the UK, but the most common and easiest ways are through the (1) Express Entry which is suitable for skilled workers; the (2) Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) offered by each Canadian province or territory; and the (3) sponsorship of a Canadian spouse who is either a citizen or a permanent resident.
(1) Express Entry for UK immigration to Canada
As a skilled worker who wants to find a job in the country, a UK citizen may move to Canada through the federal government’s Express Entry process. It is further divided into three sub-categories which you may choose from, depending on your skilled work experience and other eligibilities.
However, if you want to move to Québec from the UK, this Canadian province has its own “Express Entry-like" process for foreign skilled workers, which is the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP). We recommend speaking with the best immigration lawyers in Quebec for assistance navigating this.
As such, if you plan to move to Canada as a skilled worker but outside Québec, the three immigration programs of the Express Entry stated below are for you.
(a) Federal Skilled Worker Program
A British citizen who has skilled work experience in the UK or in anywhere else outside Canada may apply with the Federal Skilled Worker Program through the Express Entry. Here, your skilled work experience must be for the same skilled work you’re applying for in Canada, must be acquired within the last 10 years, and must be a paid work (either full-time or part-time skilled work).
Additional requirements under this Program include:
- language proficiency in English or in French; and
- educational background with at least secondary education (high school).
(b) the Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian Experience Class is like the Federal Skilled Worker Program, but its difference is that in the Canadian Experience Class, the skilled work experience must be acquired within Canada. Also, the skilled work experience must also at least 1 year experience in Canada within the last 3 years and must be acquired while under temporary resident status with authorization to work (either full-time or part-time skilled work). Notably, educational background is not required under this program.
(c) Federal Skilled Trades Program
If you are qualified for a skilled trade, you may also move to Canada from the UK through the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Here, you must have previous experience for at least 2 years in a skilled trade job. Additionally, this must be a full-time experience while on a paid job that is acquired in the last 5 years.
Among the other two Express Entry programs, the Federal Skilled Trades Program has different eligibility requirements, such as:
- language proficiency in English or in French;
- no educational background required (but you may rank higher if you do have one); and
- a valid job offer which must be for a 1-year full-time employment; or
- certificate of qualification issued by the Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority.
(2) Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
Another way to move to Canada from UK is being nominated to apply by a specific Canadian province or territory, through its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Under the PNP, there are different “streams” that a UK citizen may choose from, such as those which are for students, skilled workers, semi-skilled workers, or for businesspeople (those who would want to invest in a Canadian business or put up their own business in that specific province).
To apply for the PNP, you may check with the official website of your targeted province that you wish to live and work in. There are also a number of skilled immigration lawyers in Ontario that can help you immigrate to that popular province.
(3) Spousal or Family Sponsorship
British citizens may also move to Canada through spousal sponsorship or a family sponsorship. For Canadian sponsorships, both the sponsor and the sponsored UK citizen would have to meet certain eligibilities for the sponsor to invite their British spouse or family member to come and live in Canada.
In spousal sponsorships, conjugal partners and common-law partners may also be sponsored to Canada, but subject to certain conditions specific to each. In the same vein, sponsors who wish to bring their British family member and relative to Canada must also meet some requirements.
How can I move to Canada from UK without a job?
Moving to Canada without a job may narrow down your options but will not entirely prevent you from immigrating. As a UK citizen, you may enter Canada with a student permit, or through the sponsorship of your Canadian family member or spouse, depending on your circumstances.
Although, if you’re currently unemployed in UK, you may initially look for an employer and then apply for a work permit afterwards or apply through the Express Entry or the PNP.
Can I stay in Canada as a British citizen and for how long?
Staying in Canada as a British citizen or UK citizen is possible, but your visit or stay may only last up to 6 months, which is the expiry of one’s eTA after arriving in Canada. An eTA is especially required when visiting or staying in Canada as a tourist or for leisure or when visiting Canadian family members.
However, an eTA may not be used to permanently move to Canada from the UK, since a British citizen or UK citizen would still need to undergo the immigration process in any of the options mentioned above.
Want to know more about moving to Canada from the UK? Drop your questions below or consult with the best immigration lawyers in Canada for more information.