Moving to UK from Canada – A Returning Guide
Will you be moving to UK from Canada soon?
It’s possible for you to feel as if so much has changed since you moved to Canada.
Returning to the UK has changed significantly since the multiple lockdowns in the last few years.
Due to these events, people are increasingly assessing their needs when relocating.
There may be a variety of reasons why you decide to move back to the UK.
Whatever your reasons for moving, we can assist you with the process of moving to UK from Canada.
There may be some further preparations required due to the many changes in the moving process.
In this article, we discuss the most important aspects of moving to UK from Canada.
Our goal is to provide all the information you need to make your move run as efficiently as possible.
Here is a guide for moving to UK from Canada.
House Prices in the UK
The property market in the UK is very different than in Canada. Image credit: Unsplash
Property prices are likely to be higher in the UK than they were when you left.
Despite falling by 1.1% in the last year, the average cost of a property in the UK is £264,500.
If you are moving to the UK from Canada, you should sell your home there before doing so.
This means as soon as you return, you can start fresh.
Before relocating to the UK, it is critical to fully understand the market.
Checking house prices online is easy thanks to a choice of fantastic websites
Those moving to UK from Canada can check out Zoopla and Rightmove for an idea of current property prices.
Property prices have fluctuated over the last few years.
As already mentioned, the market saw a 1.1% decrease from the start of 2023 up to 2024.
Interest rates are expected to fall throughout 2024, which will undoubtedly have a huge impact on house prices across the UK.
With that in mind, it is imperative that you keep up to date with the latest prices in the area you are thinking of moving to!
Cost of Living in the UK
The cost of living in the UK and Canada is fairly comparable. Image credit: Depositphotos
The cost of living in the UK is almost always high.
The rising daily living costs in the UK have caused most of us to reevaluate our finances.
Due to this, you should expect high living costs when you return to the UK.
Some costs, however, will differ from region to region.
As you move further north, prices generally decrease.
When comparing the capital cities for both countries you can really see the difference in cost of living.
Numbeo indicates that individuals living in Ottawa will need £4,537.50 to maintain the same standard of living as some with £6,100 in London.
Another major differential appears when comparing the cost of renting, where prices are 47.7% cheaper in Canada’s capital!
Although living costs are on the rise, UK wages tend to be higher, depending on the region you live in.
It is always advisable to ensure that you can afford to start moving to UK from Canada before beginning the process.
Numbeo is an excellent tool to gauge what sort of costs you can expect when making the move back to the UK, so be sure to check it out!
Driving in the UK
UK Drivers Licence. Image credit: Depositphotos
Arranging a driver’s license after moving to UK from Canada is an important consideration.
If you own a foreign license, you will need to contact the DVLA.
After that, you will be able to exchange your license for a valid UK driving license.
Canadian drivers are allowed to drive in the United Kingdom for a period of 12 months.
For the first year, Canadians moving to the UK will not require a foreign driving license.
To exchange their licenses, Canadians with permanent residency in the United Kingdom will not need to take another driving test.
For a period of five years after becoming a citizen of the UK, you can switch your license.
It is still a good idea to sort out your driver’s license as soon as you can!
Healthcare
Healthcare in the UK is provided by the NHS. Image credit: Pixabay
When moving to UK from Canada, you won’t need to arrange private health insurance.
A health care surcharge is required when you apply for your visa, which entitles you to access the NHS, which is free in the UK.
To avoid long waits on the NHS, ex-pats often purchase private health insurance.
In that case, you can buy health insurance if you wish.
Bring Your Pet to the UK
Bringing pets to the UK. Image credit: Pexels
It is important to read this section if you are moving to UK from Canada with a pet!
You must meet certain conditions when repatriating a pet to the UK, regardless of whether it was originally from the UK or if it was acquired abroad.
If you meet the following requirements, you can bring your pet to the UK:
- · Has a valid microchip.
- · It has a passport or health certificate.
- · It is vaccinated against rabies.
In addition to the above, certain types of pets are subject to different requirements when moving to the UK.
For example, when travelling with a dog, it must have been treated for tapeworm no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before starting your trip.
Pets that fail to meet any of these requirements will be quarantined for four months.
In order to safeguard against disease, this is done at a government-registered facility.
It is important to ensure everything is in order to avoid this!
Banking in the UK
Banking in the UK. Image credit: Pexels
When moving to UK from Canada, it’s imperative to get your finances in order.
We are sure that this is already a top priority for you since this is such a significant move.
You should not overlook the importance of your finances when moving to UK from Canada.
A number of factors must be taken into consideration when moving internationally and dealing with finances.
The first thing you need to do is open a bank account in the UK.
If you have lived in the UK before, you may be familiar with how to go about opening a bank account.
In terms of finances, HM Revenue & Customs returns must be filed.
It is also a great idea to get a full understanding of your pension.
It won’t be that different financially when moving to the UK, but you will have to make a few arrangements to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Make sure you are fully prepared!
Visas
There are various visa options available. Image credit: Unsplash
Prior to hiring a removal company to move your household contents to the UK, make sure you can actually move here.
The process of obtaining a visa can be costly, but there are several options available.
While obtaining a British passport can be expensive, ancestry visas provide permanent settlement rights in the UK.
Those who wish to relocate to the UK but do not qualify for ancestral visas or British passports have several other visa options.
You may be able to travel with your partner to the UK or join him/her there if you are Canadian and your partner is British.
Furthermore, a Canadian citizen is a ‘non-visa national,’ which means they do not need to apply for entry clearance before entering the UK, unless they wish to get married or receive extended medical treatment.
In most cases, a Canadian visitor will be granted up to 6 months leave to remain as a visitor after entering the country provided they wish to engage in the activities permitted to visitors.
Shipping Your Goods
When you move from Canada to the UK, you’ll need to plan your move carefully.
Before moving your goods, decide if you will be bringing everything back.
People moving to UK from Canada usually return with all their belongings.
If this is the case, you should contact a reputable international mover.
As there are so many options available, it can be overwhelming to pick one!
Make sure your chosen removals company is a member of FIDI, BAR, and Omni!
Companies that belong to these organizations are subject to a very high standard of auditing.
With this in mind, you will receive the highest quality of service when you move to the UK from Canada.
Be sure to get in touch with White & Company in the UK.
Over the years, we have built a global network of reliable partners.
White & Company can connect you with trusted partners in Canada to make your move as smooth as possible.
As part of the export process, your removal company will explain and assist you with the documentation required for UK importation.
Ready to Start Moving to UK from Canada?
Are you thinking of moving to UK from Canada?
The process of moving abroad can be difficult for everyone involved.
That’s why White & Company are here to help your move to the UK be as stress-free as possible.
Over the years, White & Company has positioned itself as the international removals firm of choice for removals worldwide.
Our experience is second to none. As members of BAR, FIDI and OMNI, White & Company have been relocating people to destinations worldwide for 150 years.
Our experienced teams located across the UK will pack and prepare your valuable, fragile and bulky furniture ready for export
To find out more about how we could get your dream move to the UK from Canada underway, don’t hesitate to give us a call today.
Alternatively, fill out a quick quote form or chat with our bot and we’ll get in touch with you straight away.
Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.
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