It seems like every four years some Americans declare that if “so-and-so wins the election, I’m moving to Canada.” It’s rare that people relocate over presidential elections, but many people — particularly from New York — do move to Canada for more sustainable reasons.
For example, Canada has a wonderful socialized health care system and every citizen enjoys coverage. Many Canadians earn high salaries and the government makes progressive commitments to social issues such as internet access for all. But to make the successful move north, you’ll need to be prepared for the process and know what to expect when you arrive.
Moving to Canada?
Secure a Work Visa
One of the best ways to relocate to Canada is to secure a work visa and employment. Once you’re working, you can apply for permanent residency. There are also many online job boards and networking resources such as LinkedIn that you can put to use. With a visa and job in hand, you are well on your way to putting down roots in Canada.
To-Do List
When you arrive in Canada, there are some basic things you’ll need to manage. These include:
- Social Insurance Number: Getting a SIN application completed should be at the top of your
list. It is a requirement to hold a job. - Money Exchange: You’ll need to turn your American money into Canadian currency. And,
organizations such as CurrencyFair may make a one-time transfer at no charge. - Healthcare: It’s important to have coverage when you arrive to avoid a gap. Workers can usually get coverage through their employer until becoming a permanent resident. At that point, you can apply for government health care.
- Driver’s License: If you are trekking north from the U.S., the good news is that the two countries allow for simple license transfers. You won’t need to retake a driving test.
Living in Canada will be uniquely different than the more fast-paced U.S. Along with a more progressive and laid-back attitude, there are numerous cultural differences. These include:
- Language: Canada is a bilingual country with English and French as its official languages. The primary spoken language varies from region to region and about 17 percent of the population are fluent in both.
- Natural Resources: Canadians have a great love for nature and the country enjoys about 20 percent of the world’s freshwater ecosystems.
- It Takes a Village: The name, “Canada,” literally means village and the nation ranks above the U.S. and Germany as a more liberal-minded country.
- No Smoking: Fresh air is very important to Canadians and smoking is prohibited in public spaces.
- Civility: Being polite is of paramount importance to Canadians. Residents also tend to shy away from harsh, straightforward talk and prefer indirect communication about challenging subjects.
Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco:
Customs Regulations: Any shipper aged 16 or over may import up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 2 lbs. of tobacco duty free. In addition, any person who meets the age requirements of the province through which they enter Canada, may bring in up to 40 oz. of liquor/ wine or 24 12 oz. cans or bottles of beer or ale.
Pets:
Required Documents: All pets must have an International Health and Inoculation Certificate as well as an Inspection by the Department of Agriculture. Dogs, horses, birds, and livestock over the age of three (3) months must have a certificate completed by a vet stating they were vaccinated against rabies within a year. Vaccinations must be current and administered within thirty (30) days of shipping to Canada.
Quarantine: Some animals will require quarantine. The length of quarantine varies based on the type of animal and the country of origin.
Relocating to Canada can be a very positive life change for many Americans. If you are considering the move, visit moving2canada.com for more information, assistance and resources.
Moving to Canada?
Here are some helpful steps on how to find the right overseas moving company:
1. Credentials – Make sure that the overseas moving company you choose for moving to Canada is licensed like NY International Shipping is as an NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). Also, make sure that all possible international moving companies are licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as well as possess appropriately licensed and bonded warehouses.
2. Reputation and Referrals – Review each company’s reputation and quality of service from several different angles. Try checking the professionalism of the company’s website, asking for referrals, checking third-party review sites, etc.
3. Affiliations and Memberships – Check to see what organizations each company is affiliated with or holds a membership to. Top companies in the industry like to remain on top of things by joining notable organizations related to the industry.
4. Pay Them a Visit – Consider paying a visit to each prospective company’s physical location. Not only is it important to make sure that they really exist, but it’s very different to see how a company works first-hand rather than remotely via phone and their website.
5. Compare Rates – Compare the rates of the overseas relocation companies at the top of your list. The best way to compare international moving rates is to gather quotes from the companies you are considering using the same variables
o same shipping volume
o same shipping service
o same origin location and destination
This will give you an accurate view of how each company compares to the others you are considering. Remember, it may be worth going with a slightly more expensive overseas moving company if they have a better reputation and more services to offer. You can always discuss alternate shipping methods such shipping as by ocean or you can try reducing the volume of your shipment to stay within budget.
Are you moving to the Canada from New York? If you are relocating from the Tri-state area to Canada, we provide door to door service and take care of your move.
Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. We’d love to make your move to/from the Canada as seamless and stress-free as possible.
If you are looking for a free estimate, go here to calculate it.
Given the proximity of the two, many move from the Tri-State area to Toronto, Montreal or other cities in Canada.
Let NY International Shipping guide you through the steps of scheduling your overseas move from beginning to end. As a family-owned, professional overseas moving company that specializes in international moving, NY International Shipping has the experience and knowledge to ensure that your overseas move will be as stress-free and simple as possible. If this is your first time moving overseas you probably have many questions regarding how to find the right overseas moving company and what to expect when moving to Canada. Continue reading as NY International Shipping answers those questions and many more. Feel free to contact NY International Shipping at any time to receive a FREE overseas moving quote!