Move to the UK from Canada

Canadians have more UK visa options than most nationalities. If you plan to move to the UK from Canada, you may qualify through a British grandparent, the Youth Mobility Scheme, a job offer, or family ties.

A short trip is simple. Canadians do not need a visa for visits of up to six months, but you must hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you travel. The fee is £20. A long-term move needs a proper visa. This guide sets out the routes, the steps, and what to plan for.

Which visa route fits a personal move?

Most people who move to the UK from Canada use one of the routes below. Each row shows who it suits and whether it leads to settlement.

What is the UK Ancestry visa?

The Ancestry visa is open to Commonwealth citizens, including Canadians, with a grandparent born in the UK. It is one of the strongest routes from Canada because it needs no job offer or sponsor.

• Grandparent: born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or in what is now Ireland before 31 March 1922.
• Age: you must be 17 or over.
• Work: you must plan to work in the UK.
• Funds: you must support yourself without public funds.

The visa lasts five years. You can work, study, and bring your partner and children.

How does the Youth Mobility Scheme work for Canadians?

The Youth Mobility Scheme lets Canadians aged 18 to 35 live and work in the UK without a job offer. Canadians do not need to enter a ballot.

• Length: two years, with an option to extend by one more year from inside the UK.
• Savings: at least £2,530, held for 28 days before you apply.
• Work: most jobs, plus limited self-employment.
• Family: you cannot bring dependants, and you can only use the scheme once.

Time on this scheme does not count towards settlement. To stay longer, you would need to switch to another route, such as the Skilled Worker visa.

Which route fits a business move?

Some Canadians come to start a company or run a UK branch of a Canadian business. These routes cover founders and firms sending staff over.

Moving to the UK from Canada: your checklist

Once you know your route, work through these steps in order. Some take weeks, so start early.

1. Choose your visa. Confirm which route fits your plans and check you meet every requirement.
2. Gather your documents. You need a valid Canadian passport and the evidence your route asks for. Canadians do not need an English test or a TB test.
3. Apply online. Complete the GOV.UK form and pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
4. Attend your biometrics appointment. Book a slot at a visa application centre in Canada.
5. Plan your shipping. Decide what to take, sell or store, and check UK customs rules.
6. Find a home. Landlords in England must check your Right to Rent. You prove your status with your eVisa share code.
7. Settle in. Open a UK bank account, register with a GP, and contact schools if you have children.

Can you move to the UK without a job offer?

Yes. Many Canadians move to the UK from Canada without one. The Ancestry visa, the Youth Mobility Scheme, the Global Talent route, the High Potential Individual visa, family visas and the Innovator Founder visa do not need a UK job offer.

What does the move cost?

The total depends on your route and family size. Budget for these items:

• Visa fee: set by the Home Office and different for each route. See our fees page.
• Immigration Health Surcharge: paid upfront for each year of your visa, for each family member.
• Moving costs: shipping, flights, temporary housing and a rental deposit.
• Living costs: rent and transport are high, especially in London. Build a budget around your expected UK salary.

For a wider view, read our guide to the cost of living in the UK.

How long until you can settle and become British?

Under the current rules, most work, ancestry and family routes lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years. You must not spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period. You also need to pass the Life in the UK test.

The government has proposed an "earned settlement" model with a longer, 10-year baseline for most routes. At the time of writing, it is a proposal and not yet in the Immigration Rules. Your application is assessed under the rules in force on the date you apply, so check the position before you plan.

Most people can apply for British citizenship 12 months after getting ILR. If you are married to a British citizen, you can apply as soon as you have ILR. Canada allows dual citizenship, so you can keep your Canadian passport.

Frequently asked questions

Do Canadians need a visa to visit the UK?

No, not for visits of up to six months. You must have an approved ETA before you travel. It costs £20 and lasts two years or until your passport expires.

What is the age limit for the Youth Mobility Scheme for Canadians?

Canadians can apply from age 18 up to 35. You must be within that range on the date you apply.

Do Canadians need to take an English language test?

No. Canada counts as a majority English-speaking country, so Canadian nationals meet the English requirement on their passport.

Can I use the Ancestry visa if my grandparent was born in Northern Ireland?

Yes. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so a grandparent born there qualifies at any date.

Can I keep my Canadian citizenship if I become British?

Yes. Both Canada and the UK allow dual citizenship, so you can hold both passports.

Ready to plan your move?

The right visa makes a move to the UK from Canada far smoother. A wrong choice can cost you months and a second set of fees. Planning early gives you the most options.

AY&J Solicitors is SRA-regulated and ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. We have guided Canadian clients through ancestry, work, family and business moves to Britain. To find the route that fits you, book a free discovery call with our visa experts.

Written and legally reviewed by Sunny Sandhu, Head of Legal Operations, AY&J Solicitors. SRA regulated, Legal 500, Chambers and Partners. Last reviewed: 22 October 2026.