Moving to Canada typically costs between $20,000 and $45,000 CAD or more when you add up immigration fees, proof-of-funds requirements, physical relocation, and your first few months of living expenses. The total depends heavily on your family size, where you’re moving from, and which Canadian city you settle in. Here’s a breakdown of every major cost category so you can build a realistic budget.
Government Immigration Fees
Before you set foot in Canada as a permanent resident, you’ll pay processing fees to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). For a single applicant going through Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program, the total application cost is $1,525 CAD. That figure includes both the processing fee ($950) and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee ($575), which you pay when your application is approved.
If you’re bringing a spouse or common-law partner, they pay the same $1,525. Each dependent child costs an additional $260. So a family of four with two children would pay roughly $3,570 in government fees alone. These fees are set to increase after April 30, 2026, so the sooner you apply, the less you’ll pay.
These are just the base government charges. You’ll also spend money on supporting documents: language test fees (typically $300 to $400 CAD for IELTS or CELPIP), educational credential assessments ($200 to $350 CAD depending on the organization), police clearance certificates, and medical exams required by IRCC. Budget an extra $500 to $1,000 per adult for these ancillary costs. If you hire an immigration lawyer or consultant, that can add $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the complexity of your case.
Proof of Funds Requirements
Canada requires most Express Entry applicants to prove they have enough money to support themselves after arrival. This isn’t a fee you pay to the government. It’s liquid savings you need to show in your bank account. As of July 2025, the minimums are:
- 1 person: $15,263 CAD
- 2 people: $19,001 CAD
- 3 people: $23,360 CAD
- 4 people: $28,362 CAD
- 5 people: $32,168 CAD
- 6 people: $36,280 CAD
- 7 people: $40,392 CAD
Each additional family member beyond seven adds $4,112. You must count your spouse and dependent children in the family size even if they aren’t moving to Canada with you, and even if they’re already Canadian citizens or permanent residents. These funds need to be readily accessible, meaning bank deposits or similar liquid assets, not retirement accounts or real estate equity. You’ll keep this money after you arrive, so it doubles as your actual settlement cushion.
Shipping Your Belongings
If you’re moving from the United States, expect to pay between $700 and $9,000 USD to transport a two-bedroom home’s worth of belongings, depending on distance and shipping method. You generally have three options: ground freight, air freight, and ocean freight.
Ground freight is the most popular choice for moves from the U.S. It handles full households at a relatively low cost, though delivery takes about 14 to 18 days from pickup. If you live close enough to the border, renting a moving truck yourself is even cheaper. Air freight gets your things there in days but costs significantly more, making it practical only for small or urgent shipments. Ocean freight works well for large, heavy loads when you’re not in a rush.
Moving from Europe, Asia, or elsewhere overseas pushes costs higher. International container shipments from those regions commonly run $3,000 to $12,000 or more depending on volume. You’ll also face Canadian customs paperwork. New immigrants can bring personal belongings duty-free as long as they declare everything on a goods-to-follow list at the time of entry, but you’ll want to keep receipts and an inventory to avoid delays at the border.
First and Last Month’s Rent
Housing will likely be your biggest ongoing expense and your largest upfront cost at arrival. Most Canadian landlords require first and last month’s rent before you move in. Here’s what average monthly rents look like in major cities for context:
- Toronto: $2,201 for a one-bedroom, $2,857 for a two-bedroom
- Vancouver: $2,376 for a one-bedroom, $3,289 for a two-bedroom
- Calgary: $1,615 for a one-bedroom, $1,974 for a two-bedroom
These figures don’t include utilities, which typically add $100 to $250 per month depending on the size of your place and the season. In Toronto, signing a lease on a two-bedroom apartment means handing over roughly $5,700 before you even unpack. Vancouver is even steeper. Mid-sized cities like Calgary, Ottawa, and Edmonton offer noticeably lower rents. If your job allows flexibility, choosing a less expensive city can save you thousands in the first year alone.
As a newcomer without a Canadian credit history, some landlords may ask for additional deposits or require a co-signer. Building a Canadian credit profile quickly (by opening a bank account and getting a secured credit card soon after arrival) helps with future housing searches.
Health Insurance During the Waiting Period
Canada’s public health care system covers permanent residents, but most provinces impose a waiting period of up to three months before your coverage kicks in. During that gap, you’re responsible for your own medical costs. Private bridge health insurance for newcomers typically runs $100 to $300 per month per person, depending on your age, coverage level, and the provider. A family of four might spend $400 to $800 total to cover the waiting period. Skipping this coverage is risky: a single emergency room visit without insurance can cost thousands of dollars.
Everyday Startup Costs
Beyond the big-ticket items, a cluster of smaller expenses adds up fast in your first few weeks. You’ll need a Canadian phone plan ($40 to $100 per month), groceries to stock your kitchen (roughly $300 to $600 per month for a couple), winter clothing if you’re arriving from a warmer climate ($500 to $1,500 depending on how much you need), and public transit passes or a car. Monthly transit passes in major cities run $100 to $170. If you’re buying a car, insurance alone will cost more than in many other countries, often $150 to $300 per month for a new resident without a Canadian driving record.
Opening a Canadian bank account is free at most major banks, and many offer newcomer packages with fee waivers for the first year. You’ll want to do this as soon as possible since you’ll need a local account for rent payments, direct deposit from your employer, and building credit history.
Total Cost Estimates by Scenario
Putting it all together, here’s what the numbers look like for three common scenarios, all in Canadian dollars:
A single person moving from the U.S. to Calgary with modest belongings might spend roughly $1,525 in government fees, $800 in document costs, $2,000 to $4,000 in moving expenses, $3,200 for first and last month’s rent, and keep $15,263 in settlement funds. Total outlay: around $23,000 to $25,000, including the settlement savings.
A couple relocating to Toronto could face $3,050 in government fees, $1,500 in document costs, $4,000 to $7,000 in shipping, $5,700 for a two-bedroom’s first and last month, and $19,001 in required settlement funds. That puts the total closer to $33,000 to $36,000.
A family of four moving from overseas to Vancouver, hiring an immigration consultant and shipping a full household, could easily spend $5,000 or more on professional help, $3,570 in government fees, $8,000 to $12,000 in shipping, $6,578 for first and last month on a two-bedroom, and hold $28,362 in settlement funds. Grand total: $50,000 or more.
These estimates assume you already have a job lined up or will find one within the first few months. If you expect a longer job search, budget additional months of living expenses on top of the mandatory settlement funds.