16 Ultimate must-dos before moving to Canada solo

Thinking of moving to Canada solo?  but you don’t know where to start, what to do, or what to bring. Moving to Canada can be a significant life change, and thorough preparation is crucial for a smooth transition. Of course, there are many different reasons why you would be moving there, depending on how long you want to live there, different visas/permits are needed and are mandatory to research. Amazingly, I have been through the process of moving to Canada (temporarily) by myself. So ‘Yukon’ say I know what I’m talking ‘aboot.’ (Sorry Canada, don’t cancel me).

Nevertheless, here are 16 Ultimate must-dos before moving to Canada solo.

1. Research Canadian provinces and cities

Understand the different provinces and cities in Canada, as each offers a unique lifestyle, job market, and cost of living. Choose the one that aligns with your goals and preferences. For example, in parts of Canada, such as Montreal and Quebec, locals speak predominately Quebecois (French). Whilst they do speak English there, French is their preferred tongue. And learning the language will be easier for everyone.

Another example is the type of job you want, many people go to Canada to work for a season. They usually will receive work in Ski Resorts, Golf resorts, or even big hotel chains, doing tourism and hospitality work. Make sure this is what you want to do or at least go into your travels a little open-minded.

2. Apply for the CORRECT visa or permit

Depending on your reason for moving (e.g., work, study) apply for the correct visa or permit through the IRCC website. The visa I have is the IEC (International Experience Canada). It’s a holiday visa and is specifically for people wanting to work and travel abroad in Canada. This specific Visa lasts around 2 years, HOWEVER, this is only if you purchase insurance that lasts up to 2 years. For instance, If you only bought insurance for up to 1 year, your permit will only last one year.

Therefore, make sure you are researching the different types of visas, if you are eligible and what they require before you go and during your stay.

3. Pack clothes/belongings appropriately

As you know Canada has some of the coldest winters in the world, reaching up to – 40 degrees (Celsius) in the peak of their winters. Now obviously, if you come from warmer regions like Australia (like me), buying proper snow gear and winter clothes for Canada can be expensive.

However, there are many ways to receive proper winter gear for Canada, no matter where you come from.

For example, you can purchase second-hand clothes from Facebook marketplace, depop, or op shops in Australia and/or Canada. To buy high-quality snow gear, however, I waited until the winter clearance sale for Australia. It resulted in me purchasing a $500 high-quality snow jacket for $80…like seriously?

Or you can wait until you get to Canada, as Mountain Warehouse have some really affordable prices for snow gear.

4. Obtain a valid passport

Ensure that your passport is valid for 6 months to at least the duration of your stay in Canada and that it has enough blank pages for stamps and visas. Unfortunately, many people do not know this but once your passport runs out of pages to stamp, you need to renew it. Yes, even if your passport has not expired. That is why, if you’re like me and love to travel and visit multiple countries in a year, make sure to keep track of your passport conditions.

5. Secure housing

Arrange accommodation before moving to Canada, whether it’s renting an apartment, or house, or arranging temporary lodging while you search for a permanent place.

Unluckily, Vancouver was just listed as the most expensive city to live in, in Canada. Understanding this and determining where you want to live in Canada will make so much difference. Therefore, make sure you have a job before you go so you know how much money you’re going to make and whether or not that will align with your monthly rent.

Which brings me to my next point.

6. Get a job before you arrive

I feel like this is a no-brainer, however, in many cases, people do struggle to find work before they go. There is a compilation of reasons why, but making this your priority will help you in the long run. Make sure to research multiple places you would like to live, to give you more of a chance to find a job.

If you are struggling and want a more seamless experience, especially if it’s your first time. Going through travel companies like Global Work and Travel or Working Holiday may help guide you through retrieving your visa, getting a job, finding a place to live, and extras like tours and day trips. This will also help you make friends and keep you connected with like-minded travellers. The only downside is that it costs a bit more money for convenience.

7. Get your SIM and Bank account

Open a Canadian bank account, transfer funds, and understand the Canadian banking system. Also, consider currency exchange rates and international banking fees. One of the many reasons I chose to live in Canada is because the exchange rate from AUD is a lot more reasonable than most places.

However, the conversion rate is always changing so make sure you’re always checking it, so you’re not let down when more money than expected is exchanged.

Once again, going through work and travel companies will give you that ease of mind and guidance. With Global work and travel they helped me set up my bank account and SIM card when I arrived in Vancouver, which really helped with the whole experience, especially doing it on my own for the next time.

8. Healthcare coverage & Insurance

Familiarize yourself with Canada’s healthcare system. Determine if you need private health insurance or if you qualify for provincial healthcare coverage. If you are staying temporarily, you can get travel insurance that can last up to a year, depending on what one you’re with.

Overall, insurance is definitely worth the money. Overseas accidents, illness, and surgeries aren’t uncommon, and having basic healthcare (especially for women), is necessary.

9. Gather important documents

Make copies of essential documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, and medical records.

Depending on what visa/permit you go with, Canadian customs usually asks you to bring a printed bank statement of sufficient funds if you do not have a return flight (this is for the holiday visa). The amount of funds you need is at least 2,500 CAD if you do not have a return flight. Another document is your visa acceptance letter, so they can issue you a permit when you get there, and your insurance. If you want a work permit to last 2 years, purchase travel health insurance that lasts up to 2 years.

10. Budget and financial planning

Create a budget for your expenses in Canada, including housing, transportation, groceries, and other necessities. Factor in potential income sources and savings.

This is crucial for a place like Canada, due to their limited transportation services. There’s not much public transport and driving in the snow can be rough. Make sure you have access to transport to and from your place of work to where you’re staying or sufficient funds for a car/rental.

You can sign up to our newsletter and receive a mini-budget planner.

And one of my favourite steps that I took was going through all of your membership and subscriptions and getting rid of anything you don’t need. Really. This. Makes. A. Difference. It saved me hundreds a month.

11. Language proficiency

Improve your English and/or French language skills, as proficiency in either or both languages can be crucial for job opportunities and daily life. As stated in a previous point, many provinces and cities speak Quebecois, which is a dialect of French, specific to Canada. Furthermore, most, if not all people in Canada speak English but many prefer and are more confident speaking French, so out of respect for them and their culture, learning French is a great tool to invest in.

Great resources to use when learning French: Duolingo (Very basic and not much dialect play, but good for beginners or something you use whilst using a tutor), Babbel, Preply.

If you really want to learn quickly and make it a priority, ESL Canada is great for learning French. It is on the pricier side because you are learning every week/day. I’d recommend this if you are moving permanently to either Montreal or Quebec and want to connect with people easily.

12. Network with others

Download apps for travellers and join Facebook groups that are specifically for your type of travel. Packing up and moving country is hard in itself, but when you don’t have many friends, it can become very lonely and isolating. Making sure you are developing connections with people abroad is important. There are many travel apps and travel organisations you can use to meet new people. It’s also great meeting locals because they can show you around and tell you the best places to go.

Travel apps: TripBFF- Solo Travel Friends, Travel Ladies

Facebook groups: Working Holiday Canada, Moving to Canada, Expats in Canada, Aussies in Canada, and more.

13. Cultural understanding

Places like Canada have a strong history, specifically with indigenous people. There are many indigenous groups (Inuit, Cree, Métis) that are custodians of the land in Canada. It’s best to understand what they go through and give back as much as you can. Canada is also very multicultural and has various ethnic groups, religions, races, and demographics overall. Therefore, being open-minded, respectful, and kind to everyone is a part of the Canadian tradition.

This will also benefit you because learning about Canadian customs, culture, and etiquette will help you integrate smoothly into Canadian society.

14. Weather preparation

Depending on where you’re moving within Canada, be prepared for varying weather conditions. Invest in appropriate clothing and gear, especially if you’re moving to a cold climate.

Furthermore, some places are a lot colder than others, so if you can’t stand really cold weather, that needs to be taken into consideration when choosing a place to live in.

As stated in a previous point, purchasing clothes appropriate for their weather is crucial. Things like thermals, snow jackets, water resistant shoes or snow boots.

15. Plan your travels

Well, this one is obvious, but make sure to purchase you flights, insurance, and any destinations you want to visit promptly. Sometimes getting in early will get you a flexible and more cost-effective flight. It’s also great to start packing at least a month in advance so you can keep adding and taking stuff away as the month goes by. This is so, you are not stressed looking for things and you have everything checked off your list.

You can even plan with travel agents or research from other like-minded expats as yourself.

16. Prepare yourself mentally

This one is the most overlooked tip. So many people probably feel overwhelmed about moving, saying goodbye to loved ones, and planning everything meticulously, that people rarely get time to prepare mentally and emotionally.

Best way to mentally prepare is actually to take a day of rest and self-reflection. Write out 10 things that are going to excite you about your new venture and find 10 silver linings in the scary things.

For example, for me personally, one of the things that scared me the most before moving to Canada was my finances. Which is weird because I have never felt that intense about my financial status. Nevertheless, a great way I coped with this was to find budget ways to travel, like through working abroad, work in exchange for hostel stays etc.

However, even with all these physical things that I prepared myself for, mentally I still had to tell myself it was okay and if anything happens it’s a part of the journey. It’s why I do what I do-I experience these travel ventures to help people like you take those risks and make unforgettable memories.

Overall, I hope this list gave you some sense of guidance in moving abroad and enough resources to develop an understanding of Canada and how to move there seamlessly.